Becoming A Mechanic | Step By Step Guide

Technology is constantly evolving and changing, opening up new avenues for career choices. A career as a mechanic requires a high level of technical skill and customer service—the primary ingredients for success. If your biggest motivation is to get down and dirty with your hands while using your mechanical and technical skills, then a career as a mechanic may be the perfect fit for you.

We're here to give you all of the information you may need, from choosing a mechanic school, to taking the all-important ASE certification exam.

Auto Mechanic Career Outlook

There are more car owners than ever before, which creates job openings for entry-level mechanics to perform repairs. However, with self-driving cars looming in the not-so-distant future, along with the growing popularity of electric cars, mechanics will need to keep up with the rapidly changing technology.

Industry demand for auto mechanics and diesel service technicians is expected to stay relatively the same between now and 2032. For small engine mechanics, job demand is expected to grow about 3 percent which as fast as the national average of all occupations.

Depending on which area you'd like to specialize in, you may find various salaries.

The Different Types of Mechanics

There are a variety of mechanic positions that extend beyond the well-known position of "auto mechanic". The term mechanic can describe anyone who works on the installation, maintenance, and repair of any type of mechanical device, from cars, to ships, to airplanes.

Auto mechanics are definitely the most popular, but there are many other careers to consider when thinking about becoming a mechanic:

• Diesel mechanics work on vehicles powered by diesel fuel, such as buses, trucks, and some cars
• Aircraft mechanics repair airplanes, jets, helicopters, and any other machine that flies
• Motorboat mechanics deal with inboard and outboard boat engines
• Motorcycle mechanics spend their time repairing motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds
• Farm equipment mechanics repair farm machinery such as tractors and harvesters
• Heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair construction machinery such as bulldozers and cranes

There are also areas to specialize in within these niches. Auto mechanics can choose to focus on transmissions, tune ups, front ends, brakes, and air conditioning. 

Key Qualifications for Auto Mechanics

"At a car dealership, the person who sells the car is the hero, and also gets the commission. But if the mechanics don't service that car well, the customer won't return.”

A career as an auto mechanic isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person who likes to work with people as much as they do on those vehicles. If you have the people skills, problem-solving prowess, and the much-needed mechanical skills, then you likely have what it takes to head to auto mechanic school.

Before you can apply to auto mechanic school, you must have a high school diploma or GED. If you took a course such as basic shop or mechanics while in high school, it can serve as a great foundational base for your future. Enrolling in either a mechanic school or certificate program is an essential first step to becoming a mechanic. 

To be a great mechanic, you should possess superb communication skills because you’ll be in a customer service-based industry. If people like you and you're excellent at what you do, then that can make you stand out in the industry. You may also find that you service repeat customers, and even referral-based ones. 

You should also have a solid work ethic, above-average problem solving and diagnostic skills, and technical aptitude.

Finding the Right Auto Mechanic School

With so many schools offering similar programs, it’s important to be armed with information so you can make the right choice. There are some main elements to look for when choosing a mechanic school.

• Certification: It is important to attend a school certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The NATEF certification proves that the school is exceptionally equipped to prepare you for all aspects of the mechanic job.
• Practical learning: Auto mechanics need hands-on training alongside their coursework. Make sure the school you’re thinking about attending provides both classroom and practical experience, meaning it teaches you to work on an actual vehicle and its parts.
• Curriculum: Is the school you’re thinking about staying ahead of the curve? Does it provide you with bumper-to-bumper instruction? Also, is it on top of all the latest technology most automobiles come equipped with, and will it be able to teach you how to maintain these cars?
• Connections: Is your school well connected, and is it able to offer you job placement services? What’s the graduation rate? Are there any alumni who have secured jobs in the industry?

How Much Does Auto Mechanic School Cost?

There are a few different options for becoming an auto mechanic. Training is either online, from a certificate program at a trade school, or an associate degree program at a community college.

After a certificate or diploma is received, there is the option to take the certification exam through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Each type of program varies in what is included and how much to expect to pay in extras. For instance:

• Online: You may pay for tools and study guides used on location. There should also be a balance of in-person instruction, particularly to get hands-on work experience.
• Certificate programs: These should include all the materials for the hands-on study portion including engines, transmission systems, and auto diagnosis, repair and maintenance courses. Expect additional fees for books, tools, lab fees, and other miscellaneous items, which can add between $1,000-$3,000 to the total.
• Degree programs: The major bulk of the cost should include all coursework, including the required general education courses along with the auto mechanics classes. If the degree program is at a university, then expect an added cost of $5,000-$10,000 for room and board, in addition to the other fees listed in the certificate program section.

If you qualify, financial assistance and scholarships are available to help with the cost of education. Find out more information on financial aid here. Always speak with a school admissions personnel to find out what financial aid opportunities there are at a specific school/institution.

What is Auto Mechanic School Like?

“You have to look for teachers. If you want to be a mechanic, go hang out with mechanics.”

To receive the right kind of training, the qualities that make you stand out to potential employers, you need to attend an auto mechanic school, whether it’s online, through a certificate program, or an associate degree program. But, what can you expect from each?

While some of that depends on where you go, but most programs have the same basic curriculum structure. They should all teach you about the systems and parts that make up automobiles, how to maintain them, and how to fix them. Also, you will learn what the tools of the trade are and how to use them in your workday.

Certificate programs

Certificate programs will focus on career-specific courses and will not include any general education classes. The benefit of a certificate program is that it is a shorter route to success than an associate degree, meaning you'll get into the workforce  relevantly quicker than those attending a 2 or 4 year program.

In a certificate program, you will learn how to take care of vehicles. This includes everything from routine diagnosis and maintenance to large-scale repairs. There are some specialized areas you can focus on, like certain types of engines, and specific types of vehicles and their parts.

You may also choose to focus on diesel mechanics and only work with diesel parts. Check with your program to see what specialties it offers. Examples of common courses found in certificate programs are auto technology, diesel service techniques, auto electrical, and fuel and emissions systems.

Associate degree programs

Associate degree programs are considered to be well-rounded and will prepare you to continue on for a bachelor’s degree, if you so choose. Receiving an associate degree prepares you for the workforce, similar to the certificate program. It does typically take longer to complete (two years if you are a full-time student) than a certificate program.

An associate degree in automotive service technology will not only include career-specific courses, it will also have general education requirements. You will take business management classes, which are important for those who want to work on their own once they graduate.

Some common courses you can expect in the associate degree program are advanced transmission diagnostics, auto mechanics technology, service management, and alternative fueled and hybrid vehicles.

What Kind of License or Certifications do Auto Mechanics Need?

The licensing for auto mechanics varies by state, but the vast majority do not require any licensing. Hawaii, Michigan, and Rhode Island are some of the only states that do require their auto mechanics to be licensed. 

Certifications are optional, though they can help you with becoming licensed in the states that do require it. They also reinforce your qualification to employers in states that do not require licensing, making you more marketable when applying for jobs.

The first certificate an auto mechanic needs is either his or her diploma or degree. After that, there are quite a few certification options to choose from.

• The ASE, or Automotive Service Excellence exam, is the industry standard which determines the skill of the auto mechanic. The exam is computer-based and given at specified locations which vary by state. Within the ASE is different sections on vehicle types. Each section—buses, cars, and trucks—is further divided into eight core certifications per vehicle type. The certifications cover engine repair, automatic transmission and axle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical and electronic systems, heating and air, and engine performance.

• ASE Master Certification: Once all the sections of the ASE are passed, you will then have the opportunity to take the Master Certification exam. This exam is divided into different series that include cars, medium to large trucks, and transit buses. If you pass the necessary tests in a series, Master Mechanic status is achieved. However, this is not a life-time certification. The tests must be retaken every five years or you’ll lose your master standing.
• Manufacturer certifications: If you wish to be the cream of the crop, then it’s a good idea to consider improving your technical skills. This can be done through the certifications many manufacturers offer. There may be extra required courses and hands-on learning, but this varies by manufacturer.

Manufacturer Certification Courses

• Ford FACT: The Ford Accelerated Credential Training program provides mechanics with Ford-specific training, making them an asset to dealerships. It is a one-year program with a 15-week capstone course in Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) Ford curriculum. Students are trained at a Ford-sponsored facility by certified instructors.
• Volvo SAFE: This 14-week course offers 12 Volvo-specific factory credentials that puts students on a fast-track toward Master Mechanic status. It is an exclusive training program, therefore there are strict qualifications that must be met before a student is accepted.
• International Trucks ITEP: This is an invitation only, manufacturer-paid program that lasts 15 weeks. The graduate can earn up to 89 factory credentials in 14 categories. To be qualified, you must have a high GPA, perfect attendance, and a squeaky clean driver's record. There’s an entrance exam, a drug test, and an in-person interview that must also be passed.
• Toyota TPAT: Earn nine Toyota and five Lexus University of Toyota course credits through this program. Become a Toyota Technician Expert upon completion of all the credits, and be Toyota Maintenance Certified.

Certifications need to be renewed every five years. By doing this, it enables auto mechanics to stay up-to-date on the constantly evolving technology of vehicles.

Become a Mechanic Today!

If your passion for cars has only heightened after reading this guide and exploring your options, then you should begin your journey as a mechanic today! Find training near you.