As technology advances, so do the skills needed for maintenance and repair of most automobiles. An ASE master technician is a highly qualified automobile service technician who passes a series of exams administered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Becoming an ASE master technician requires at least a year of professional experience, preparation for testing and passing several exams in a specific automotive discipline.

Obtain training or experience as a mechanic. Before testing for the ASE master technician certification, you must obtain either accredited vocational training and one year of relevant work experience or two years of relevant work experience without accredited training. Obtain documentation regarding your work experience.

Register with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and pay the registration fee. This will allow you to test for credentials.

To obtain master technician credentials, candidates must pass a variety of certification and advanced-level tests in a specific type of automotive maintenance and repair. Series of tests specialize in disciplines including automobile, collision repair, medium-heavy truck, school bus, transit bus and truck equipment. Select the testing series you wish to become a master technician in and pay the fee.

Review the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence test preparation materials. Purchase vouchers to prepare for each test. Discounts may be available for purchasing multiple vouchers. Test preparation materials can assist you in passing each test required for master technician certification.

Take and pass each test required in your automotive discipline. Each discipline requires a series of tests, which you will take at a test center approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

Salary Information for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Automotive service technicians and mechanics earned a median annual salary of $44,050 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, automotive service technicians and mechanics earned a 10th percentile salary of $25,790, meaning 90 percent earned more than this amount. The 90th percentile salary is $71,940, meaning 10 percent earn more. In 2020, 703,800 people were employed in the U.S. as automotive service technicians and mechanics.