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Prerequisites to Become a Heavy Truck Technician

You have decided to make a career assisting any number of industries in transporting their goods by giving preventive maintenance, diagnosing problems, inspecting, and repairing their heavy trucks. Are you wondering what you need to do to get your career started? This information will set you on the pathway to this needed and in-demand skilled trade.

Educational Requirements

There is no four-year degree required to become a heavy truck technician. At minimum, you are required to have a high school diploma or GED. If you know you want to go into this trade when you are still in high school, it will give you a head start if you take classes such as auto shop and computers. Though there was a time when no post-secondary education was required, with technicians learning exclusively as apprentices, many employers now require either a two-year associate's degree or going through a college certificate program.


Either during or after you have completed your formal education, it would behoove you to apply for an internship so you can gain hands-on experience in the field. Being coached can get you more familiar with the nuances and specifics that you may not learn in school, giving you further training before you are able to do your daily labor with less direct supervision.

ASE Certification

After you have approximately two years of experience out in the field, you will have an advantage with some employers by obtaining an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. These are obtained by passing an exam. They are specialty certifications that show that you have demonstrated exceptional aptitude in a specific area, such as certain heavy vehicle types. You can obtain more than one certification.

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