ASE B6

"YouTube Certified"

Average Pay: $0 - $0/hr

• Unverified skills and knowledge.
• Relies on trial and error.
• Often passed over for promotions.

THE GOAL

ASE Certified
Estimator

Average Pay: $0k - $0k+/yr

• Master of repair vs. replace logic.
• Trusted by insurance adjusters & DRPs.
• Commands front-office authority.

ASE®, the ASE logo, and "ASE Certified" are registered trademarks of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. asecollisiontestprep.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ASE. The patch shown above is the official credential issued by ASE to technicians who pass the ASE B6 exam, shown here for educational reference. Official certification can only be earned by passing the ASE exam at a Prometric test center.

Pay figures are illustrative and vary by experience, certification, location, employer, and flat-rate production. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024; 49-3021 Automotive Body and Related Repairers), median pay was $51,680 per year, with the lowest 10 percent earning under $36,390 per year (about $17 per hour, typical of entry-level or uncertified workers) and the top 10 percent earning over $87,040 per year. Experienced, ASE-certified collision technicians working flat rate in busy shops are among the top earners, where $65,000 to $100,000 or more is attainable. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov.

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• A. Damage Analysis 11 Qs • 22%

  1. Position the vehicle for inspection.
  2. Prepare vehicle for inspection; disassemble as needed to provide access to hidden damage.
  3. Analyze damage to determine appropriate methods for overall repairs.
  4. Determine the direction, point(s) of impact, and extent of direct, indirect, and inertia damage.
  5. Gather details of the incident/accident necessary to determine the full extent of vehicle damage.
  6. Identify and record pre-existing damage.
  7. Identify and record evidence of prior repairs.
  8. Perform visual inspection of structural components and members; determine if repair or replacement is required.
  9. Identify structural damage using measuring tools and equipment.
  10. Perform visual inspection of non-structural components and members; determine if repair or replacement is required.
  11. Determine parts, components, material type(s), and procedures necessary for a proper repair.
  12. Identify type and condition of finish; determine if refinishing is required.
  13. Identify suspension, electrical, and mechanical component damage.
  14. Identify safety systems damage and related service requirements.
  15. Identify interior component damage.
  16. Identify damage to add-on coatings, coverings, accessories, and modifications.
  17. Identify single (one-time) use components.
  18. Identify Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) damage and related service requirements.
  19. Use a diagnostic tool to scan the vehicle; record and review diagnostic report.
  20. Identify if the vehicle needs to be placed in service mode.
• B. Estimating 13 Qs • 26%

  1. Determine and record customer/vehicle owner information.
  2. Identify and record vehicle identification number (VIN) information, including nation of origin, make, model, restraint system, body type, production date, and engine type.
  3. Identify and record vehicle options, including trim level, paint code, transmission, accessories, and modifications.
  4. Document and record existing or pre-existing damage.
  5. Identify safety systems; determine needed repairs.
  6. Apply appropriate estimating and parts nomenclature (terminology).
  7. Determine and apply appropriate estimating sequence.
  8. Utilize estimating guide procedure pages.
  9. Apply estimating guide footnotes and headnotes as needed.
  10. Estimate labor value for operations requiring judgment.
  11. Select appropriate labor value for each operation (structural, non-structural, mechanical, and refinish).
  12. Select and price OEM parts; verify availability, compatibility and condition.
  13. Select and price alternative/optional OEM parts; verify availability, compatibility and condition.
  14. Select and price aftermarket parts; verify availability, compatibility and condition.
  15. Select and price recyclable/used parts; verify availability, compatibility and condition.
  16. Select and price remanufactured, rebuilt and reconditioned parts; verify availability, compatibility and condition.
  17. Determine price and source of necessary sublet operations.
  18. Determine labor value, prices, charges, allowances, or fees for non-included operations and miscellaneous items.
  19. Recognize and apply overlap deductions, included operations and additions.
  20. Determine additional material and charges.
  21. Determine refinishing material and charges.
  22. Determine recommended sectioning procedures and establish labor values.
  23. Determine structural measurement requirements; diagnose, and establish labor values.
  24. Determine necessary structural repair/replace requirements and setup procedures, and establish labor values.
  25. Apply math skills to establish charges and totals.
  26. Interpret collision estimating software-generated and manually written estimates; verify the information is current.
  27. Identify procedural differences between collision estimating software-generated and manually written estimates.
  28. Identify procedures to restore corrosion protection; establish labor values and material charges.
  29. Determine appropriate application of betterment/depreciation to parts and allowances as necessary.
  30. Determine the cost effectiveness of the repair and determine the approximate vehicle retail, recyclable and repair value.
  31. Recognize the differences in estimation procedures when using different information provider systems.
  32. Verify accuracy of estimate compared to the actual repair and replacement operations.
  33. Identify Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS); determine needed repairs and service requirements.
  34. Document and record repair/replace procedures utilizing line notes, proper estimate coding, photographs, videos, technical documents, and additional supporting documentation.
• C. Legal and Environmental Practices 3 Qs • 6%

  1. Recognize federal, state and local regulatory obligations.
  2. Recognize contractual and warranty obligations.
  3. Recognize the obligation to restore the vehicle based on vehicle manufacturer's specifications and industry-accepted procedures/guidelines.
  4. Recognize the obligation to protect personally identifiable information (PII).
• D. Vehicle Construction 6 Qs • 12%

  1. Identify type of vehicle construction (space frame, unibody, body-over-frame).
  2. Recognize the different damage characteristics of space frame, unibody, and body-over-frame vehicles.
  3. Identify impact energy absorbing location(s), components and repair/replacement procedures.
  4. Identify steel types; identify repair/replacement procedures for steel components.
  5. Identify aluminum/magnesium components and repair/replacement procedures.
  6. Identify plastic/composite/carbon fiber components and repair/replacement procedures.
  7. Identify vehicle glass components; repair, remove and reinstall (R&I), and replacement procedures.
  8. Identify add-on accessories, modifications and repair/replacement procedures.
• E. Vehicle Systems Knowledge 11 Qs • 22%

  Fuel, Intake, Ignition, Exhaust, and Emission Control Systems

  1. Identify components.
  2. Identify component function.
  3. Identify component service requirements.

  Suspension, Steering, and Powertrain

  4. Identify components.
  5. Identify component function.
  6. Identify component service requirements.

  Brakes

  7. Identify components.
  8. Identify component function.
  9. Identify component service requirements.

  Heating, Engine Cooling, and Air Conditioning

  10. Identify components.
  11. Identify component function.
  12. Identify component service requirements.

  Electrical / Electronic Systems

  13. Identify components.
  14. Identify component function.
  15. Identify component service requirements.

  Restraint Systems

  16. Identify components.
  17. Identify component function.
  18. Identify component service requirements.

  Fasteners and Materials

  19. Identify fastener type and service requirements.
  20. Identify body repair procedures, refinishing materials and supplies.

  Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

  21. Identify components.
  22. Identify component function.
  23. Identify component service requirements.
• F. Parts Identification and Source Determination 4 Qs • 8%

  1. Identify OEM components.
  2. Identify OEM component function.
  3. Justify repair or replace decision using OEM component.
  4. Determine OEM component availability.
  5. Identify alternative/optional OEM component availability.
  6. Identify alternative/optional OEM component function.
  7. Explain repair or replace decision using alternative/optional OEM components.
  8. Determine alternative/optional OEM component availability.
  9. Identify aftermarket components.
  10. Identify aftermarket component function.
  11. Explain repair or replace decision using aftermarket components.
  12. Determine aftermarket component availability.
  13. Identify recycled (used) components.
  14. Identify recycled (used) component function.
  15. Explain repair or replace decision using recycled (used) components.
  16. Determine recycled (used) component availability, compatibility and condition.
  17. Identify remanufactured/rebuilt/reconditioned components.
  18. Identify remanufactured/rebuilt/reconditioned component function.
  19. Explain repair or replace decision using remanufactured/rebuilt/reconditioned components.
  20. Determine remanufactured/rebuilt/reconditioned component availability.
• G. Customer Relations and Sales Skills 2 Qs • 4%

  1. Acknowledge and/or greet customer/client.
  2. Listen to customer/client; ask how accident/incident occurred; review facts of loss; collect information and identify customer's/client's concerns, needs and expectations.
  3. Establish cooperative attitude with customer/client.
  4. Identify yourself to customer/client; offer assistance.
  5. Effectively communicate with and address concerns of a dissatisfied customer/client.
  6. Identify customer/client preferred communication method; follow up to keep customer/client informed about parts and the repair process.
  7. Recognize basic claims handling procedures; explain to customer/client.
  8. Project positive attitude and professional appearance.
  9. Provide and review warranty information.
  10. Provide and review technical and consumer protection information.
  11. Estimate and explain duration of out-of-service time.
  12. Apply negotiation skills to obtain a mutual agreement.
  13. Interpret and explain manual or collision estimating software-generated estimate to customer/client.