Automotive Technician Certificate
At a Glance
Our Auto Technician certificate program covers the 4 main areas in which service techs perform: electrical systems, brakes, steering and suspension, and engine performance. Get live demos, learn from an interactive textbook and take trips to local auto shops.
Approx. Number of Hours/Months:
168 hours/7 – 8 months
Program Cost:**
$2,887
Est. Hourly Wage:*
$22.54 per hour
Min. Occupational Requirements:
16 years old or older; valid driver’s license; able to read, speak, write and understand English
Auto Technician Job Overview
Automotive Technicians work in well-ventilated and well-lit repair shops, service departments of car dealerships or any other type of mechanic shop. They inspect a driver’s vehicle, inform them of any issues and provide necessary maintenance to get the car working effectively again. Automotive Technicians typically repair basic car parts like brakes, steering wheels and engines. They can also inspect and fix a vehicle’s electrical system. Most of them must perform automotive care tasks daily, like checking fluid levels, rotating tires and changing oil fluids. Automotive Technicians must also clean the repair shop and organize the tools and various auto parts.
Licensure/certification earned
Each Auto Technician certificate class prepares students to test for the ASE individual certification in the respected area. Three individual ASE certifications in addition to 6 months of work experience in a related field qualifies students to test for the ASE Maintenance and Light Repair.
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Curriculum
View all current course offerings. Not all courses are offered within every term schedule.
If there is one thing you can count on, it’s that your car will need to be repaired at some point and it’s going to cost you big! Instead of paying someone to fix it, have people pay you to repair their car troubles. No experience is needed to start your journey as an entry-level auto-technician. Review the topics covered in the Auto-Technician Certificate and how it can be a launching pad to attain your Maintenance and Light Repair in only a year. Learn the basics of what it will take to be successful in the program and the industry.
Working on modern cars is like working on a computer. Understanding the electrical system is one of the top skills an auto technician needs. Learn how to diagnose and repair electrical problems in everything from batteries to the instrument panel. At the end of the course, you will be prepared to take the Individual ASE Electrical/Electronic Systems Certification. No prior work experience is required. This is the second class in the Auto-Technician program. Prerequisite: Introduction to Auto Technician.
Gain the knowledge and know-how to diagnose and repair different types of brake systems. At the end of the course, you will be prepared to take the Individual ASE Brakes Certification. This is the third class in the Auto Technician program. Prerequisite: Automotive Electrical Systems or comparable training.
Continue building your auto technician knowledge by learning the suspension and steering of automobiles. Gain an understanding of how to diagnose and repair steering, suspension and wheel alignment problems. At the end of the course, you will be prepared to take the Individual ASE Suspension and Steering Certification. This is the final class in the Auto Technician program. Prerequisite: Automotive Brake Systems or comparable training.
Prepare for the entry level ASE A8 Engine Performance test and learn to diagnose and repair vehicle drivability concerns. Topics include personal safety practices, diagnostic equipment usage, and following the 5-step repair process. Students will learn how to confirm a customer concern, define the problem using course information and other resources, isolate the concern with test equipment, and how to repair the concern properly and verify the repair correctly.
Advisory Board
Our curriculum is designed and continuously reviewed by an advisory board of industry experts and business leaders, ensuring the program meets all current skill and knowledge requirements. You can visit our Advisory Boards page to see the list of Automotive Technician Advisory Board members, as well as advisory board members for our other programs.
Careers
The addition of the Auto Tech program at Carroll is excellent news for the auto repair industry and Carroll County. We have a massive technician shortage in automotive repair and the proper training is hard to come by. Carroll’s Auto Tech program can help fill this huge need in our county. There are many high-paying auto tech jobs available at our shop and most shops in the area. Get your career into high gear at Carroll!
Additional Information & Program Requirements
You should be able to read, speak, write and understand English (exceptions may be made if the person is unable to meet one of these requirements for a medical reason, such as hearing impairment)
Related Professional Skills and Job Training Courses
VOC-790 ASE Light Duty Hybrid/Electrical
Interested in enrolling?
410-386-8100 | wbce@carrollcc.edu
*Wages are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are estimates only.
**Unless noted, cost does not include any required textbooks and related materials, applicable licensing fees, background check fees, testing fees or prerequisite courses.