The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced recently that, effective December 31, 2010, it will no longer offer the Truck Aftermarket Brake Parts (P3), Truck Aftermarket Suspension & Steering (P9), or the Engine Machinist (M-Series) tests as part of its certification program. The last opportunity to take a regular or recertification P3, P9, or Engine Machinist test will be the 2010 Fall testing administration in November, which will extend ASE certification credentials in the affected areas to 2015.

“The decision to end the Engine Machinist, P3 and P9 tests was not made lightly,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president & CEO. “Our Board of Directors carefully examined trends in the industry, as well as the numbers of candidates required to provide enough data to ensure a quality testing product beyond 2010. Since producing anything less is not an option, based on the results of the study, our Board decided to discontinue these tests.” No other ASE certification tests are affected and the remaining Truck Dealership Parts (P1), Automobile Parts (P2) and General Motors Parts Consultant (P4) will continue to be offered.

“The real strength of the ASE program has been and continues to be our certified professionals,” Zilke continued. “We want those affected by this decision to know that ASE will continue to provide information and support to all of our Machinist, P3 and P9-certified professionals through 2015.”

Incorporated on June 12, 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are nearly 400,000 ASE-certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit the website at www.ase.com.