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How Long Does It Take to Get ASE Certified: Learning to License

Sarah Nguyen

Created at June 15, 2025

If you’re planning a career as a professional automotive technician, one of the most common questions you might ask is: How long does it take to get ASE certified? The answer depends on your current experience level, how prepared you are, and the certifications you’re pursuing. For most technicians, the entire process, from gaining experience to passing the exam and receiving certification, can take several months to over two years. This guide will analyze each phase in the process of getting the ASE certification, so you can plan your journey and get certified as fast as possible.

How long does it take to get ASE certified?

In total, the ASE certification process can take anywhere from 2 months to over 3 years, depending on your starting point. If you already have the required work experience, you could complete everything, from choosing your certification area to studying, testing, and receiving your certificate, in as little as 2 to 4 months. However, for those new to the field, gaining hands-on experience is the most time-consuming step and can extend the timeline significantly.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical timeframe to help you visualize the journey more clearly.

Gaining relevant work experience

Before you can officially earn your ASE certification, you must meet specific hands-on experience requirements. This is often the longest phase of the process, typically taking anywhere from 6 months to 3 years, depending on your certification path and background.

ASE requires practical, real-world experience because its exams are designed to measure what you can do in the field, not just what you know in theory.

Here’s a breakdown of how long it takes to gain ASE-qualifying experience, depending on your role and certification area:

Repair technician:
- 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) for the G1 (Auto Maintenance & Light Repair) test
- 2 years full-time for core A1–A9 certifications
- 3 years full-time for the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance) certification
Service consultant: 2 years of full-time experience as an automotive service writer, consultant, or service manager is required for the C1 certification.
Parts specialist: 2 years of full-time experience as a counterperson or manager in a retail, wholesale, or in-house parts department is required for the P2 certification.

If you’re still in school or just getting started, you can fast-track this step. Many vocational programs allow students to gain work experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time shop jobs, helping them start early while completing coursework.

Note: Even if you take the ASE exam before completing the experience requirement, ASE will hold your certification until your work experience is verified. That means your certificate won’t be issued until your hours are confirmed.

Choosing the ASE certification test area

Depending on your experience level, choosing the right ASE certification area can take anywhere from a day to several days. Why do I say that? Because it may depend on your own situation.

If you’re already working in the field, you probably have a good idea which certification aligns with your daily responsibilities, so choosing may only take a day or two.

If you’re new to automotive repair, take a few extra days to explore your options. ASE offers over 50 certification areas, so it’s important to take enough time to research and choose one that matches your interests and potential career path.

Visit the ASE certification list to review the full list of certifications and consider whether to begin with a single entry-level test or plan ahead for Master Technician status later.

Studying for the ASE exam

The amount of study time you’ll need, typically ranging from 2 to 12 weeks, depends heavily on your experience level and daily schedule. Here’s a typical breakdown:

Study for 2–4 weeks: Ideal for experienced technicians who just need a quick refresher. This timeline works best if you’re familiar with the test content and can commit to daily review.
Study for 6–8 weeks: Recommended for most working professionals balancing study with a job. It allows for steady progress at 1–2 hours per day, with time to revisit weaker areas.
Study for 10–12 weeks: Best for newer technicians or those returning to the field. This extended schedule gives you more time to fully absorb the material and reduce test anxiety.

If you are preparing for ASE Series A, try our free online studying tool ASE Series A practice test. These simulate the real exam format and help identify areas where you need improvement. No matter your starting point, consistent study paired with high-quality practice materials can dramatically improve your chances of passing on the first try.

Registering and scheduling the exam

Once you feel confident with your preparation, the next step is to register and schedule your ASE exam through the official ASE website. This phase usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your readiness and the availability of your preferred testing center.

Registration typically takes 2–3 days. You’ll need to create or log into your ASE account, select the tests you plan to take, and complete your payment online.
Scheduling your exam can often be done immediately after registration, but securing a time slot at your chosen test center may take an additional 3–7 days, depending on seat availability and center capacity.
ASE exams are offered year-round at authorized testing centers, so you can usually find a date and time that works for your schedule. However, popular locations can fill up fast, so early booking is advised.

If you’re fully prepared and your local test center has open slots, you may be able to complete both registration and scheduling in as little as 1 week. To be safe, allow 1–2 weeks for this step in your overall ASE certification timeline.

Taking the ASE certification exam

Each individual ASE exam consists of approximately 40 to 75 multiple-choice questions and typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete. The exams are computer-based and administered at authorized testing centers. After finishing the test, you’ll receive your preliminary results immediately on-site.

If you’re working toward ASE Master Technician certification, you’ll need to pass a full series of exams within a specific category (such as A1–A8 for Automobile & Light Truck). In that case, expect to:

Schedule and take multiple exams, either on the same day or spread across several sessions, depending on your comfort and test center availability. To better understand, let’s check out the ASE test dates and locations.
Allow for extra time across multiple days or weeks, especially if you’re balancing testing with work.
Review each subject thoroughly since Master’s status requires you to demonstrate expertise across all core areas, not just one.

While each exam session is relatively short, completing the full set for Master Certification may require a multi-week plan, especially if you’re spacing out the tests to manage mental fatigue or scheduling constraints.

Waiting for official certification

After you pass the ASE exam, your work experience will be reviewed to ensure it meets the hands-on requirements for full certification. Once verified, you can expect to receive your official ASE certificate, wallet card, and shoulder insignia within approximately three weeks from your test date, allowing time for processing and mailing.

Your certification expiration dates will also be available in your myASE account, and ASE will send you reminders before your credentials expire, so you have time to plan for recertification.

Final thoughts

So, how long does it take to get ASE certified? Surely, you have your own answer now. From gaining work experience to holding your certificate, the entire process can take 2 months to 3 years or more, depending on your pace, experience, and how many certifications you pursue. Some tips for you to shorten your timeline are to take each step seriously, and you’ll position yourself as a trusted expert in the field.