ASE automotive certification comes from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a private organization, not a government agency. ASE's own site says it was "Established by the automotive industry in 1972 as a non-profit organization" and calls itself "an independent third party." Our earlier explainers cover how long ASE certification is valid and whether school can count toward ASE work experience. This one answers a different question from ASE's own pages: what does "Master Technician" status require, and how do you keep it? Nothing here describes a rule change.
What is ASE Master Technician status?
It is a status ASE gives for holding a full set of certifications in one test series, not a separate test. ASE's FAQ states: "Master Technician status is earned when you achieve certification in all required testing areas for that series." The FAQ gives two examples: "technicians certified in tests A1 through A8 are Master Automobile Technicians," and "Those certified in tests T2 through T8 are Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technicians, and so forth."
Which tests count for each Master status?
Each series page on ase.com names its own required tests, and several say that one test in the series is not required. From those pages:
| Master status | Required tests (ASE's wording) | Not required (ASE's note) |
|---|---|---|
| Master Automobile Technician | "tests A1 – A8" | "A9 is NOT a requirement for Master Automobile Technician Status." |
| Master Medium-Heavy Truck Technician | "tests T2 through T8" | "T1 is not required for Master Medium-Heavy Truck Technician Status." |
| Master Collision Repair Technician | "tests B2 – B5" | "B6 is NOT a requirement for Master Collision Repair Technician Status." |
| Master Transit Bus Technician | "tests H1 or H2, plus H3 – H8" | The page does not add a note. |
| Master School Bus Technician | "tests S1 – S6" | "S7 is NOT a requirement for Master School Bus Technician Status" |
So for the automobile series, the A9 test (Light Vehicle Diesel Engines) is optional for Master status, and the A-series page names only A1 to A8 as the required tests. For the transit bus series, ASE lets you count either H1 or H2, plus all of H3 to H8. ASE has other test series too; this post covers only the pages above, so check the page for your series on ase.com.
Each required area is an ordinary ASE certification, with its own test, and each must be renewed every five years. The work experience rules for earning each one are in our work experience explainer.
Is Master status permanent?
No. The FAQ says so in plain words: "However, Master Technician status is not for life." It then states: "You must keep each one of those certifications current to maintain Master Technician status."
That ties Master status to the normal renewal clock. ASE's Certification Pathway page states: "Your certification must be renewed every 5 years," and each series page above says: "Technicians must retest every five years to retain their certification." The FAQ speaks of losing Master status "due to the lapse of one or more required certifications," so one expired area is enough.
Can you get Master status back after a certification lapses?
Yes, according to ASE's FAQ: "If you lose Master Technician status due to the lapse of one or more required certifications, it can be reinstated by taking and passing the Recertification Tests." The FAQ does not say you must start the series over. How recertification works is covered in our validity and recertification explainer.
If you fail a test along the way, the same FAQ states: "You must wait 30 full days before you can purchase and schedule the same test again."
What this post does not cover
ASE's pages are the authority on its program and can change; check the page for your test series before you plan around these lists. This post does not cover test fees, test content or study material. ASE certification is a private program and is separate from any federal certification; see our certifications page for the trade certifications goraedu covers and the status of each.
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.