The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced the creation of a new ASE Master Technician status to reflect changes in the medium/heavy truck, school bus and transit bus arenas. ASE’s new Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician credential is designed for technicians whose certifications cross ASE’s three existing test series for medium and heavy vehicles (trucks, school buses and transit buses).

In the past, many school bus and transit bus fleets used ASE’s Medium/Heavy Truck tests as a component of the career path for their technicians. But as ASE certifications for school and transit buses have become available in recent years, technicians have moved their certifications toward their own fleet’s specialty. In the process, many Master Truck Technicians found that shifting their certifications gradually from one test series to another could cost them their master status.

Now, technicians certified in any combination of Tests 2 through 7 from among the Truck, School Bus and Transit Bus series will be eligible for the new Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician status. For example, a technician certified in T2, T3, S4, S5, H6, and H7 heretofore did not qualify as a master technician in any single existing test series, but now will qualify for the new Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician status, which allows cross over of tests.

The new master status will not replace the existing master technician tracks, and those who are already master technicians in any of the existing test series don’t receive the new status. But by allowing technicians to combine certifications from the three different medium/heavy vehicle test series to achieve this new Master Medium/Heavy Vehicle Technician status, “ASE aims to provide flexibility to technicians and employers who need it,” ASE President Tim Zilke said.

Technicians eligible for this new status do not need to do anything; ASE will automatically send qualifying techs new certificates and other credentials.