Today, approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE certifications in a variety of areas. These certified pros work in every segment of the automotive service industry: car and truck dealerships, independent garages, fleets, service stations, franchises, and of course, parts stores. More than 42,000 parts professionals are currently certified in one of ASE’s parts specialist tests, with the vast majority having the P2 certification.
Here’s how ASE certification works: Prospective candidates register for and take one or more of ASE’s 40-plus exams. The tests are grouped into specialties for automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, and collision repair technicians, as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, auto service consultants and collision damage estimators. Automobile parts professionals normally take the P2 exam, but there are others:
• Medium/Heavy Truck Dealership Parts Specialist Test (P1);
• Medium/Heavy Truck Aftermarket Brake Parts Specialist Test (P3);
• General Motors Parts Consultant Test (P4);
• Medium/Heavy Truck Aftermarket Suspension and Steering Parts Specialist Test (P9).
The following pages cover much of the technical information that appears on the P2 test. To remain certified, those with ASE credentials must be retested every five years.
Paper and pencil tests are conducted twice a year at more than 750 locations around the country and are administered by ACT, known for its academic and occupational testing programs. Paper tests (both first time and recertification) cost $26.
In addition, selected tests are offered in a computer-based testing (CBT) format at 200 sites for two five-week periods each year.
CBT is offered in the winter and summer at about 200 test sites nationwide. CBT offers scheduled appointments and instant test results. The registration fee for CBT is $70 per technician and regular tests cost $37 each. Advanced level tests fees are $74 per test.
Each exam stresses knowledge of job-related skills. The tests are no cinch to pass; approximately one out of three test takers fails. Visit the ASE website for more information.
Click each topic below to brush up on ASE P2 test topics:
Automatic Transmission
Brakes
Cooling System
Drivetrain
Electrical System
Engine Parts
Exhaust
Fuel System
HVAC
Ignition
Manual Transmission
Steering and Suspension
