Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short school, then years of getting fast. Nobody hires a fast tech, they grow one.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Auto shop if your school has it. Some districts run collision repair programs that put you a year ahead.

2. 2

   Training program or a shop job

   9 months to 2 years

   A collision repair program at a community or technical college, usually under a year, or hire on as a helper and learn from the floor.

3. 3

   Learn the trade on real cars

   Years 1 to 3

   Disassembly, panel replacement, plastic repair, welding, then bodywork and filler. Paint is usually a separate specialty.

4. 4

   Get certified

   Years 2 to 4

   Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is the standard credential in this trade, and I-CAR (Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) training is what insurers and manufacturers look for.

5. 5

   Specialize

   Year 4 and up

   Structural and aluminum repair, refinishing, estimating, or run your own shop.