Verification — Camshaft & Crankcase

Orientation — What This Is

When you take your vehicle to a repair shop, you are trusting trained professionals with a machine that costs thousands of dollars and carries your safety and the safety of your passengers. The question "How do I know this person is qualified?" deserves a clear answer.

ASE certifies technicians rather than businesses, so the credential worth asking a shop to show is the individual technician's.

You can verify that at ASE Resources for Drivers. This guide walks you through what to look for and how to confirm credentials before your vehicle is serviced.

Certification is not a guarantee that a technician will never make a mistake—it is a guarantee they have demonstrated knowledge of their trade at a standard set by an independent organization. A certified technician has also committed to retesting regularly, which means they must stay current with changes to vehicles, regulations, and best practices. This is the foundation of any shop worth trusting.

The Key Figures

2: years of qualified work experience required
5: years before certification must be renewed
8: ASE certification specializations available
50+: states where ASE certification is recognized

The Detail

Professional automotive workshop with modern diagnostic equipment and certified technicians — A properly equipped shop displays technician certifications visibly and encourages questions. The relationship between customer and technician is built on transparency about training, experience, and the work being performed.

Satisfied customer with trusted automotive technician in professional service moment — A properly equipped shop displays technician certifications visibly and encourages questions. The relationship between customer and technician is built on transparency about training, experience, and the work being performed.

How to Use It

Ask to see a technician's ASE certificate or credentials before work begins. Every shop should be proud to show you this information—if they hesitate, that is a signal to take your vehicle elsewhere.
Look for the blue ASE logo with a wrench and the technician's name and certification number. The certificate shows which specializations they hold—for example, Engine Repair (A1), Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles (A2), or Brakes (A5).
Note the certification date and renewal date. A certificate dated more than five years in the past may be expired unless it has been recently renewed. Current, valid certification is what matters.
If the work requires specialized knowledge, confirm the technician holds the relevant certification. A transmission specialist should hold A2, for example, or a brake specialist A5. Matching the person to the work gives you confidence in the outcome.

Report a shop you trust

Next Step

What if a technician does not have ASE certification?

ASE certification is voluntary, not required by law. Some shops employ technicians who are not certified, which does not necessarily mean they are unqualified. However, it does mean you have no independent verification of their training. At that point, you must rely on the shop's reputation, how long the technician has worked there, and whether the shop stands behind its work. We recommend asking follow-up questions about training and experience before proceeding.

Can I verify credentials online?

Yes. ASE provides a technician lookup tool at ase.com/drivers/ where you can search by the technician's name and state to confirm their active certifications. This is the same place you can verify the information a shop shows you, which gives you a direct way to double-check.

What if a shop cannot produce credentials?

Walk out. A reputable shop will have this information readily available and will not feel defensive about sharing it. Your willingness to ask is not an insult—it is exactly what a professional shop expects from a customer who cares about their vehicle.

Do different specializations matter for my vehicle?

Yes. A general auto technician with ASE A1 certification (Engine Repair) can handle most maintenance and engine work. If your vehicle has transmission issues, an A2 (Transmissions) specialist is the right choice. If you need brake work, look for A5 (Brakes). The more closely matched the technician's expertise is to your vehicle's need, the better the outcome is likely to be.