Get certified as an auto technician in Texas

Texas has no state license for auto technicians. Many employers look for ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certification, which takes a test plus work experience.

Facts from the official pages, checked October 27, 2026. Rules change: confirm on the linked page before you apply.

See the work

What auto technicians do all day, the training and the pay nationwide, in about 90 seconds.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Career VideoCareerOneStop · YouTube · plays from youtube-nocookie.com

Video from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Tap CC on the player for captions. On CareerOneStop ↗

The steps in Texas

Step 1ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light RepairStart here
Step 2ASE Automobile certification (A1–A9)
Step 3ASE Master Automobile Technician

1
ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair
Issued by ASE
A first ASE certification: one test and 1 year of work experience.
Requirements and costs, from ASE
You need
“To become ASE certified, you must pass an ASE test and have relevant hands-on work experience.” ASE ↗
1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience for G1 ASE ↗
Costs
$34 registration per order, plus $62 per test ASE ↗
Keeps it
“Certification credentials are valid for five years.” ASE ↗
Full details on ASE's site ↗
Other options at this stage
EPA Section 609 (vehicle A/C)Needed only to work on vehicle air conditioning for pay. A short test from an EPA-approved program, such as ASE's $23 quiz.
You need

Good to know

“After passing a test and providing the required proof of work experience, you become ASE Certified.” ASE ↗

What auto technicians earn in Texas

Where	Middle half (25th–75th)	Median
Houston	$17.77 – $30.45	$24.49
Dallas–Fort Worth	$17.85 – $31.37	$23.90
San Antonio	$17.57 – $29.32	$22.54
Austin	$18.14 – $33.27	$24.33
All of Texas	$17.62 – $29.94	$23.23

An hour, for all workers in the occupation, not by license level. BLS: “Someone new to the field may expect wages near the 10th or 25th percentile, whereas those with more experience and education could expect wages near the 75th or 90th percentile.” BLS

Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics). bls.gov/oes

Full pay details: newer and top earners →

Ways to pay for auto technician training

Registered apprenticeships
U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission
An apprenticeship is a paid job with classes. Texas helps pay for the classes, but programs may still charge an application fee, tuition or books.
See auto technician apprenticeships →
Workforce Solutions training scholarships
Texas Workforce Commission
If you qualify, your local Workforce Solutions board can pay a school for an approved training program. Each board sets its own limit, and money depends on its budget.
TWC's list of approved programs ↗
Work Ethic Scholarship
the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
A scholarship for trade school programs of two years or less. You'll need a tuition bill from your school, a short video and references.
We're not connected with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Apply on their site.
Read the rules and apply ↗

Training money in Austin, Houston, DFW and San Antonio →Veteran or still serving? →

Checked Oct 2026 from each program's own site. Amounts and rules can change; their page has the final word.

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Get certified as an auto technician in Texas

See the work

The steps in Texas

ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair

Good to know

What auto technicians earn in Texas

Ways to pay for auto technician training

Registered apprenticeships

Workforce Solutions training scholarships

Work Ethic Scholarship

Track your path

Get certified as an auto technician in Texas

See the work

The steps in Texas

ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair

Good to know

What auto technicians earn in Texas

Ways to pay for auto technician training

Registered apprenticeships

Workforce Solutions training scholarships

Work Ethic Scholarship

Track your path

ASE Automobile certification (A1–A9)

ASE Master Automobile Technician

Questions & answers