The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has announced a new certification category for those involved in servicing hybrid vehicles. The Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) is a new advanced level certification geared toward technicians who perform diagnosis and repairs on hybrid/electric vehicles. Technicians can register starting Dec. 1, 2014. Testing begins in January 2015.
“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. Instead, the L3 Certification Test Reference is included as an electronic pop-up during the test. This document identifies the concepts for the hybrid/electric vehicle technology included in the test, and outlines the three common types of hybrid/electric vehicle drive systems, with diagrams shown for each type. Questions in the test may refer to one of these three drive systems, and a glossary of terms is included. This ensures that technicians taking the L3 test will be able to clearly understand the questions, despite differences in how various hybrid/electric vehicle manufacturers may use these terms.
To register for the L3 test, technicians must have passed both Automobile Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6) and Engine Performance (A8) tests. To become certified, technicians must pass the L3 test and provide evidence of three years of hands-on working experience.
Some special conditions apply to the initial L3 testing in Winter 2015. The test will have 95 questions, with a testing time 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 test results will be posted to myASE by the end of May. To compensate for these conditions, technicians who take the initial L3 test between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 will receive a $50 discount on the test fee.
Beginning in July 2015, the L3 test will contain 55 questions, technicians will have two hours to complete the test, and instant results will be available at the test center.
The Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) test information booklet is available at www.ase.com/l3info.
It contains the task list, the L3 Certification Test Reference document, sample test questions and training resources. For more information on the new L3 test, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.ase.com.