LEESBURG, Va. (Nov. 18, 2014) — The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has added an advanced-level certification category geared toward technicians who service hybrid/electric vehicles.
Testing for the new Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) certification will begin in January, the ASE said, and technicians can register beginning Dec. 1.
“The new Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle certification was developed in response to industry requests for an ASE certification for those servicing hybrid vehicles,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. “The L3 is the result of years of work by industry specialists from both OEM and aftermarket segments who came together to develop a certification which encompasses a wide range of hybrid/electric vehicle technology.”
Unlike other ASE Advanced Level tests, the L3 does not have a composite vehicle, according to ASE. Rather, the L3 certification test reference is included as an electronic pop-up during the test.
This document identifies the concepts for HEV technology included in the test and outlines the three common types of HEV drive systems, ASE said. Diagrams are shown for each type of drive system and test questions may refer to them.
ASE said a glossary of terms is included, ensuring that technicians taking the L3 test will be able to clearly understand the questions, despite differences in how various HEV carmakers may use the terms.
In order to register for the L3 test, technicians must have passed both Automobile Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6) and Engine Performance (A8) tests. To earn certification, technicians must pass the L3 test and provide evidence of three years of hands-on working experience.
According to ASE, some special conditions apply to the initial L3 testing in winter 2015. The test will include 95 questions, with a testing time limit of three-and-a-half hours. Technicians will not receive a score report at the test center.
The passing score will be determined in the spring, and results will be posted to myASE by the end of May, the institute said. To compensate for this, techs who take the initial L3 test between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 will receive a $50 discount on the test fee.
Beginning in July, the L3 test will contain 55 questions and the time limit will be shortened to two hours. Also, instant results will be available at the test center.
The L3 test information booklet — which contains the task list, L3 certification test reference document, sample questions and training resources — is available online by clicking here. For more information on the new L3 test, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit ASE's website.