[Complete Guide] ASE Certification for ADAS Technicians

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), are all but standard in most new vehicles. Already, over half of all new base-model vehicles are integrated with 10 or more ADAS features, such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). 

As ADAS technologies continue to change within the automotive industry, it is crucial that your team is empowered with the know-how to take advantage of this shift. With this shift, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has introduced a certification test specifically for ADAS professionals. 

If you are wondering, “How do I get my technicians ASE certifications in ADAS?”, we are here to answer your questions. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the ASE L4 ADAS Certification test, including what it is, the benefits it offers, how to register, and how to prepare.

What is ASE Certification?

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certifications are among the most respected credentials in the automotive repair industry, denoting a technician’s demonstrated knowledge and skill in specific areas of automotive repair. This validates the technician’s expertise in diagnosing, servicing, and maintaining a specific vehicle system.

ASE has recognized the importance and future of ADAS safety integration and now offers a certification test to ensure techs have the know-how to service these systems. Their test, the L4 ADAS Specialist Certification Test, will give your technicians the knowledge to properly service and calibrate ADAS components according to OEM specifications.

By earning the ASE’s ADAS Certification, your technicians will know how to complete safe, accurate, and high quality service to your customer base, giving you a competitive edge in this rapidly changing industry.

Benefits of ADAS Certification for Automotive Technicians

The best way to prove to potential customers that you’re prepared to handle any ADAS-related needs is to get all of your technicians certified with the ASE ADAS Certification. 

There are clear benefits of ADAS certification:

1. Building Trust

ASE is well respected for a reason and provides customers (and your team)with the peace of mind that their ADAS systems are properly serviced and calibrated. Getting your technicians certified gives your shop credibility and reliability and can help your shop stand above others in the area.

2. Saving Time

Another benefit of ASE ADAS certification is the amount of time your shop will undoubtedly save. Think about this scenario: A car comes to your shop because the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) sensors are malfunctioning. Your techs aren’t quite sure which type of sensors are used in this particular ADAS feature or how to calibrate them, and they end up wasting more time researching the issue itself, rather than solving it. Time is money, so rather than wasting it, ADAS certification eliminates this scenario because your techs will know how to service this issue right away.

3. Reducing Liability Risk

Here’s another example:One of your techs is unaware that even removing and immediately reinstalling the rear bumper warrants recalibration of the RCTA sensors. The customer returns after a few days because this system malfunctioned and caused an accident. You are now potentially liable for the damage as your technician failed to recalibrate the RCTA radar sensors. If your tech had been ADAS certified, this would have been completely avoided.

4. Increasing Revenue

Proper and transparent ADAS service leads to satisfied customers who are likely to return. If you provide excellent ADAS service, your shops prestige will grow, outshining competitors. You will ensure your shop is successful for generations to come if you get ahead of the curve now.

With these benefits in mind, it is obvious that ASE’s ADAS certification is a must for your technicians. So the next question is, how do you get them certified? Read on to understand the step-by-step process to ensure your technicians are trained and ready to deal with servicing ADAS features.

How to Get ASE Certified: Step-by-Step

To register for the ASE ADAS L4 certification test, your technician must have already passed one of the following exams: 

• Automobile Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6)

Or

• Collision Mechanical & Electrical Components (B5)

With one of these prerequisites satisfied, you or your technician is eligible for ASE’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Specialist Certification Test! This test is composed of 50 questions and has a 2-hour time limit. 

Here is a quick step-by-step on how to get your technician registered:

1. Create myASE account: Create a myASE account by clicking on “Create my ASE Account” on this webpage and then inputting 
   
   1. their first name, last name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of SSN on the first page
   2. Second page will ask for phone number, home address, email, then you will create a password
   3. Demographic questions on the third page are not mandatory

2. Register: You will now be directed to your dashboard and you can register for the test. 
   
   1. Click on the “STORE” tab
   2. On the left-hand side of the page, click on the menu titled “CATEGORIES”
   3. Click on the “ASE Professional Tests” down arrow
   4. Click on “L: Advanced Level”
   5. Scroll down to the “L4 - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems” option and add to cart
   6. Purchase the test

3. Get instructions: After payment, testing instructions will be sent to your email, be sure to read all directions

4. Prepare: Get prepared and take advantage of test materials provided by ASE on this webpage. 

With your technicians certified, your shop will be well-positioned to deliver safe and efficient service to your customers. High level ADAS calibration services will help give you a leg up on the competition.

If you want to ensure your technicians are prepared for this test, read on to be aware of third parties that offer training courses specifically designed to get your technicians ready for the ADAS Certification Test.

ASE ADAS Certification Courses and Other Providers

While you must get certified directly with ASE, third party companies offer ADAS certification training courses. These can help your technicians improve their chances at passing the exam on the first attempt. You want to be careful and ensure that these companies are accredited training providers by ASE. 

This section will provide some information on other ASE-accredited training providers so that you and your technicians can be prepared and avoid having to retake the exam. Here are some accredited training providers:

1. AVI OnDemand

• Cost: just under $100, 
• Course Length: 140 minutes
• Content: Covers all the major ADAS systems, sensors, calibration methods and more

2. The Group Training Academy

• Cost: just under $100
• Course Length: 140 minutes
• Content: Core ADAS concepts and real-world applications

3. Motor Age Training

• Cost: Print and eBook versions of textbook are just under $30, practice tests are $12
• Course Length: Self-guided
• Content: Useful for self-assessment, the textbooks are highly detailed

These are just a few providers that offer training for the ASE ADAS Specialist Certification Test (L4). It is important to note that ASE also provides their study guides free of cost, however, they may not be as in-depth as the providers listed above. 

It is important to be well-prepared before taking this exam. Don’t waste unnecessary time and money retaking this test numerous times when there are many resources at your disposal. The sooner you get your technicians certified, the sooner you will be able to capitalize on the benefits.

These third-party resources are designed to do exactly this. It may cost some money, but it will save time and money in the long run. Taking practice tests and ensuring that the necessary knowledge is fresh on your mind will prove successful when you sit down to take the exam.

These third-party options would be good supplemental resources to those provided by ASE. These training programs can offer more in-depth instruction and knowledge to prepare your technicians to be successful on the L4 test.

Equip your team with the knowledge they need to succeed

With ADAS technology becoming standard, the need for certified technicians is no longer optional. Getting your team certified in ADAS repairs and calibrations ensures they’re ready to properly and accurately diagnose, service, calibrate, and maintain today’s most advanced safety features.

This certification saves you time, money, and peace of mind as you will be assured that you can deal with any ADAS-related issue that comes into your shop. 

Not sure where to ask your most pressing ADAS questions? Join the ADAS Empowered Community today and get access to a social network of shop owners, ADAS calibrators, and other industry professionals.