Auto Body Repair

Overview

Programs in auto body repair prepare people to repair and finish vehicle bodies.

Auto body repair programs include topics such as:

Damage analysis and estimating
Damage repair
Vehicle painting and refinishing
Mechanical and electrical components
Plastic and adhesive application
Installation of parts including taillights, bumpers, and glass

Schools

Many community colleges and technical schools offer certificate and associate degree programs in auto body repair. A certificate program usually takes six months to one year of full-time study. An associate degree program at a community college usually takes two years of full-time study to complete.

A few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in technology management with an emphasis in auto body repair. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program of study by getting your high school diploma or GED.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Applied Math
Automotive Body Repair and Refinishing
Basic Computer

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

A certificate program typically includes subjects such as the following:

Adhesives and Sealers
Advanced Painting and Refinishing
Auto Body Estimating
Basic Collision Repair
Chassis Mechanical and Electrical Components
Glass, Plastic, Trim, and Structural Repair
Introduction to Collision Repair Technology
Introduction to Welding
Surface Preparation and Refinishing
Technical Mathematics
Unibody Welding and Disassembly

An associate degree program also typically includes the following:

Computer Literacy
English Composition
Speech Communication
Shop Organization and Management

Things to Know

You can learn this career on the job, but employers tend to favor hires with some prior training.

You can expect to receive on-the-job training after you are hired. You may also take classes from a manufacturer of specialized equipment.

In a large shop you may specialize in one skill such as painting or glass repair.

You can become certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To become certified, you need two years of work experience and must pass an exam (postsecondary education in this field can substitute for one of those years).

East Side Area

Walla Walla Community College

Collision Repair Technology
Collision Repair Technology--Advanced Certificate

King-Snohomish Area

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Auto Body Technician
Auto Body Technician--Estimating/Shop Management
Auto Body Technician--Non Structural Repair
Auto Body Technician--Refinishing
Auto Body Technician--Restoration
Auto Body Technician--Structural Repair

Renton Technical College

Autobody Repair and Refinishing

Spokane Area

Spokane Community College

Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician
Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician--Sheet Metal Restoration and Fabrication
Automotive Collision Technician
Automotive Refinishing Technician

Tacoma Area

Bates Technical College (South Campus)

Auto Body Rebuilding & Refinishing
Auto Body Rebuilding & Refinishing--Auto Body Repair
Auto Body Rebuilding & Refinishing--Automotive Refinishing

Clover Park Technical College

Automotive Collision Technician
Automotive Collision--Refinishing Technician
Automotive Collision--Structural Repair Technician
Automotive Restoration--Customization-Finishing
Upholstery--Automotive

West Side Area

Bellingham Technical College

Automotive Collision Repair Technology
Automotive Collision Repair Technology--Non-Structural Repair