Is a License Required to Repair Vehicles?
Modern vehicles are an intricate blend of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems that all need to operate together in perfect symphony to function properly and efficiently. A professional automotive service technician needs to understand how those systems function and work together to be able to properly maintenance and repair your automobile. Unlike other service industries such as plumbers and electricians, which require state licenses to work in those fields, the automotive industry doesn’t require the individual technician to hold a state license to work on vehicles. The business location is required to hold a state license to operate. The main difference is that plumbers and electricians travel to the customers’ location to perform their work. Many times, they operate independently from their coworkers. Which is why they both have established education paths that the service technicians must follow to become certified to perform unsupervised independent service. Automotive repair is different in that regard. You take your vehicle to the shop to get it maintained and repaired. The business does maintain a state license to operate. In Minnesota, individual service technicians are not required to maintain a state license to operate, just the business. The business will likely have experienced service technicians watching over the less experienced technicians. This is similar to how the carpentry industry operates They need a business license to operate, but the individual carpenters are not required to carry a state license. The seasoned guys will watch over the less experienced carpenters to ensure quality construction.
How do you know if you have qualified individuals servicing your vehicle? While Minnesota doesn’t require an individual license to operate, there are professionally recognized certifications that the Automotive Technicians can acquire to show their competency in areas of repair, diagnostics, performance, and maintenance. ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) has been the premier entity for providing voluntary certification testing to the automotive industry since 1972. They test individuals in the automotive service industry, heavy truck service industry, collision repair industry, buses, and service individuals in the military. For example, to become a Master Certified Automotive Technician, you must pass a series of nine tests. Engine repair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train & axles, suspension & steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, heating & air conditioning, engine performance, and light duty diesel engines. Once passed, your certified status will remain valid for five years. At which time, you will need to complete recertification tests in all nine areas to maintain your certified status. In addition to the standard nine automotive tests, there are advanced level tests and alternate fuels tests that may be completed. Which includes automobile advanced engine performance, light duty hybrid/electric vehicles, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), and compressed natural gas vehicles. As you can see, the tests are area specific and used to measure a service technician’s competence in each vehicle system. In addition to ASE certification and depending on the special skills of the automotive technician, there are other companies that provide certifications in other areas. Like the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission, Inc. which certifies technicians to work on fire trucks, ambulances, law enforcement vehicles, and aircraft rescue and fire-fighting vehicles.
One area that does require state certification is completing annual DOT certifications. In Minnesota, the inspection technicians must get recertified every two years to maintain their certified inspector status and be eligible to complete annual DOT inspections on commercial trucks and trailers. The Minnesota MIP (Mandatory Inspection Program) is managed by a division of the Minnesota State Patrol. The focus of the program is to ensure the commercial vehicles operated in Minnesota are maintained to a standard that keeps them safe to operate on Minnesota roads.
So, back to the original question, is a license required to repair vehicles? Generally, most states don’t require an individual automotive service technician to be licensed to repair vehicles. Meaning, in the eyes of the state, backyard Bob, and Luke the professional, are equally allowed to repair your vehicle. The quality of service will likely be drastically different between the two as you would expect. Looking for the completion of voluntary certifications is a great way to differentiate between the two. A technician doesn’t have to be certified to provide quality service, but it sure doesn’t hurt and it is a great way for the customer to know they are putting their trust in someone that takes this industry seriously. There is much to know to be a professional Automotive Service Technician. It takes years of initial training, years of practical experience, and a continuous dedication to learning developing technology to become and remain effective in the auto industry. The only constant that I see in the auto industry is how it is always changing and developing. Look for shops that employee Certified Automotive Technicians to ensure you receive the highest quality automotive maintenance and repair, like Sanderson Auto Repair.
Aaron Bjorklund