If you are an automotive mechanic who wants to improve and gain the skills and certifications that Subaru dealerships, other service centers, and automotive technician jobs in general are searching for, you might consider getting Subaru dealership certified.
Subarus may not be the best-selling cars in the country, but they certainly inspire brand loyalty. Most people who buy a Subaru will be sure to do so again the next time they’re in the market and there is a vocal subculture that would never consider any other type of vehicle. Perhaps you’re a member of this tribe which is why you’re looking for automotive technician jobs that focus specifically on Subarus.
Working on Subarus is unique because most shops won’t see more than one or two of them a month. That’s why owners take them to dealerships where they know the mechanics who work there have seen countless models. Therefore, if you’re hoping to join the ranks of these professionals and apply for auto technician jobs focused on Subarus, it’s important you know what it will take to qualify.
Becoming Subaru dealership certified
Fortunately, Subaru knows how popular their brand is and how many drivers will only take their vehicles to a technician who is not just experienced, but also certified by the company to work on their beloved cars. As a result, they have created a fairly straightforward program for becoming certified to work at Subaru dealerships all the way up to becoming a Master Technician (a great way to earn a much higher auto mechanic salary).
Subaru has partnered with ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) to create their courses. The non-profit organization has been helping mechanics improve their abilities and career prospects since 1972, so you can trust that they know what they’re doing.
One nice thing about the way Subaru has organized their courses is that you can simply apply to test out from the onset. This is great news for those of you who may have worked on Subarus for a number of years and don’t need to invest the time and money into more training. Simply take the tests you’re interested in and you’ll earn certification with a passing grade.
That being said, if you take the tests and fail, you’re going to need to go through their courses before you can apply for certification again. The testing topics you can become certified in are:
- Transmissions
- Engines
- Electrical Systems
- Fuel Systems
- Brake Systems
You don’t need to take all of them at once or even take all of them, period. Simply test for the topics you want to be certified in. Mechanics can always come back later to take other tests.
The Subaru dealership certification tests
The tests themselves are administered at nearly 500 different locations throughout the country, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to take one. You must first register through the Subaru Technical Training Department, though. Once you do that, you’ll be given 90 days to make an appointment for your test and take it.
Each test contains 50 questions. You’ll be given an hour to answer all of them. This list of ASE testing centers will show you where you can take your test. When you show up for it, make sure you bring your government-issued photo ID. While you’ll be given a receipt that proves you took the test, it can take up to 10 days before you hear back about your score from Subaru Training. Of course, if you fail, you simply need to sign up for Subaru Level 2 training and take the test again later.
Becoming a Subaru master technician
As we mentioned earlier, if you really want the best possible auto mechanic salary for working on Subarus, we recommend you make your long-term goal to secure certification as a master technician.
To achieve this sought-after status, you will need to have at least five years of experience working on Subarus. This is measured from your very first instructor-led technical class. Then, you will be required to go through Subaru Level 5 Training; there is no testing out of this requirement.
To graduate with your master technician certification, you will first need to be certified in:
- A1 Engine Repair
- A2 Automatic Transmission
- A3 Manual Drivetrain and Axles
- A4 Suspension and Steering
- A5 Brakes
- A6 Electrical and Electronic Systems
- A7 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
- A8 Engine Performance
While it’s obviously a lot of work to earn this level of certification, most who have done so would agree it’s definitely worth the benefits in terms of salary and job security. Becoming Subaru dealership certified ensures you’ll be able to work on your favorite vehicle manufacturer’s models for years to come. While it’s important you first make sure there are auto technician jobs in your area for this type of work, if there are, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting hired with this certification on your resume.
If you’re already a certified mechanic and you’re interested in working with YourMechanic, submit an online application for an opportunity to become a mobile mechanic.
