"ASE automotive certification" usually means a credential from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is not a government agency: on its own site it says it was "Established by the automotive industry in 1972 as a non-profit organization," and calls itself "an independent third party." This explainer answers one practical question from ASE's own pages: once you are certified, how long does it last, and how do you keep it? Nothing here describes a rule change.
How long is ASE certification valid?
Five years. ASE's Certification Pathway page states: "Your certification must be renewed every 5 years." The FAQ on ASE's G1 test page says the same in other words: "Certification credentials are valid for five years," and "You can find your expiration dates on your certificates or in myASE."
Way one: take the recertification test
ASE's G1 test page states: "Technicians must retest every five years to retain their certification." For that test, ASE says: "The Auto Maintenance and Light Repair recertification test (G1R) is about half as long as the initial certification test." The same page lists 28 questions and 45 minutes for the G1 recertification test, against 55 scored questions and 90 minutes for the initial G1 test. Other ASE tests have their own pages, so check the page for your test.
Three timing rules from the same FAQ:
- Recertifying early does not bank time. "If you recertify early, you will not be credited with the time remaining on your original certification."
- The clock restarts. "The new expiration date occurs five years from the date of your recertification."
- Expired is not the end. "You may take the Recertification Tests even if your credentials have expired."
Way two: the ASE Renewal App (A1 to A9 only)
ASE also runs a renewal option that is not a test. Its Recertifications and Renewals page says "ASE Certified professionals can extend their certifications anytime, without stepping foot into a test center," and explains the credit rule: "Earn 8 credits to extend that certification area by 1 year."
Two limits from that page matter:
- Which certifications qualify: "Currently, only certifications A1 – A9 are included, so only technicians who have earned one or more of those certifications are eligible."
- What it is not: "It is important to understand the ASE Renewal App program is not a test or a replacement for traditional certification testing."
The page also says that if your certifications have already expired, the app "will take you 8-to-12 months from the date you subscribe to earn enough credits to reinstate your certifications with current expiration dates." The app is a paid subscription; ASE's page lists the current price.
Do you need work experience, or only a passing score?
Both. ASE's Work Experience Requirements page states: "To become ASE certified, you must pass an ASE test and have relevant hands-on work experience." For repair technicians it lists "Repair Technician – 1, 2, or 3 years," and says the amount "can vary by test." ASE adds that "You may receive credit for some of the work experience requirement by substituting relevant formal training."
You can test first. The same page says: "You may register and take tests (except for the X1 test) before you have the necessary experience." It then explains the catch: "If you do so, you will receive a score report, but you will not earn certification or receive certificates until you fulfill the experience requirement."
Where federal rules fit
ASE certification is a program run by ASE, not a federal rule. A separate federal rule covers air conditioning work: under 40 CFR 82.34(a), "No person repairing or servicing MVACs for consideration" may perform any service involving the refrigerant "Unless any such person repairing or servicing an MVAC has been properly trained and certified by a technician certification program approved by the Administrator pursuant to § 82.40." That is the EPA Section 609 requirement, a different credential; see our EPA 609 practice and study pages. ASE automotive certification is a planned topic on goraedu; see all certifications for its status.
goraedu is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ASE. This post uses only ASE's own pages for facts about the ASE program.