PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION

Process Overview

NOTE: NATEF recommends that programs maintain a file containing copies of all reference and documentation materials developed during all phases of the certification process.

1. Purchase application materials

The program requesting certification must purchase self-evaluation materials from NATEF in Leesburg, VA. To begin the certification process, the program must return the following items from the evaluation materials packet:

a. Application for Certification or Recertification
b. Self-Evaluation Summary Sheet
c. On-site Evaluation Team Member List
d. Instructor Qualifications Forms and Instructor Training Forms
e. Advisory Committee List
f. Articulation Agreement (if applicable)
g. Applied Academics Recognition Forms (optional)
h. Purchase Order, Check, or Credit Card Authorization for Application Fee and On-site Evaluation Team Packets (self-evaluations will be returned if received without payment).
i. Facilities Evaluation (CNG/LPG programs only)

2. NATEF review of application

The national office will review the materials within 30 days. Following the review, the Program Administrator and the state Trade & Industrial Supervisor will be notified about the status of the program. The program will be identified as one of the following:

a. Qualified for on-site evaluation for all the specialty areas listed on the application.
b. Qualified for on-site evaluation for some but not all specialty areas listed on the application. The program administrator may proceed with the on-site evaluation for the areas that qualify at that time OR make improvements and resubmit the application at a later date.
c. Not qualified for an on-site evaluation at that time. NATEF will indicate specific improvements that must be made before the on-site evaluation can be scheduled.

3. Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) assigned, Program Coordinator makes contacts

In cooperation with state officials, NATEF will assign an Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) to the program. NATEF will send the program the Application for On-site Evaluation. With a legitimate reason, the Program Coordinator may contact the NATEF office to request a different ETL. (The ETL assigned must NOT be a present or former teacher or administrator of the program to be evaluated.) The Program Coordinator must contact the ETL to arrange a date for the on-site evaluation.

The Application for the On-site Evaluation will be sent with instructions that outline the plans for the local administration and the costs for the ETL's services and expenses. All costs will be paid by the institution requesting certification.

4. Send on-site application, course of study, and list of on-site evaluation team members to ETL

The Application for On-site Evaluation, signed by the program administrator, must be sent to the ETL. A copy of the course of study and this application must be received by the ETL at least two weeks prior to the on-site evaluation or the on-site must be rescheduled. The course of study should include the following items:

a. Syllabus for each class
b. Tasks to be taught under each area, specified according to Priority designations P-1, P-2, P-3. (Tasks may be taught at different times in the program or in more than one area. However, the hours for the tasks may be counted only once.)
c. Number of contact hours for each area
d. Areas and sequence of instruction to be included in the program
e. List of training materials and audio-visual materials used in training
f. Sample evaluation form used to track student progress

The On-site Evaluation Team Member List must be included for the ETL to review and approve. Once a date has been set and the on-site evaluation team members have been approved by the ETL, the program coordinator must contact the on-site evaluation team members to make arrangements for the evaluation day(s).

5. On-site evaluation

Initial certification requires 2 consecutive days while students are in class for the on-site evaluation review of all the standards. However, if more than one program is applying for certification (general automotive and GM ASEP, for example), additional team members and additional days may be required to complete the on-site evaluation. The NATEF office will determine the need for additional team members and days.

Recertification requires a 1-day on-site evaluation while students are in class. The on-site evaluation team reviews Standards 6-9. However, if the Advisory Committee average on Standards 1-5 or Standard 10 is less than 4, the on-site evaluation team must also review these standards. The NATEF office will determine whether an additional day or additional team members will be required to complete the evaluation.

6. ETL reports results to NATEF

The ETL will submit all on-site evaluation materials and a final report to NATEF with a recommendation for or against program certification.

7. Program certification

The national office will review the final report and all additional evaluation materials to determine whether the program meets the requirements for certification and will make their recommendation to the ASE Board. The ASE President will approve certification as sanctioned by the Board of Directors.

Programs that do not earn certification will be given a written report specifying improvements that must be made to qualify for certification. The decision at the national level will be final unless appealed to the ASE Board of Directors. Appeals will be heard only at regular meetings of the Board.

The Program Administrator and the state Trade & Industrial Supervisor will be notified of all decisions regarding the certification status of all programs applying for ASE certification.

8. Display and reporting of certification materials

A wall plaque identifying the certified areas will be forwarded from the national office to the program administrator. Schools must accurately report areas of ASE certification.

9. Certified Automobile Technician Training Program List

The NATEF office maintains a current listing of all ASE certified programs. The list is available on the NATEF website.

10. Compliance report

A program will be certified for five years. A compliance report is required after 2½ years. The compliance report will be used to verify that a program is maintaining its standards. NATEF will notify the program administrator of the compliance date and will send the appropriate compliance review forms at that time. The Advisory Committee must complete the report and the program administrator must return the forms to the NATEF office.

NATEF may randomly select programs at the 2½-year period for an on-site compliance review by an ETL and NATEF Trustees, staff, consultants, or other designated representatives. The selected programs will be notified, in advance, of the on-site review by the NATEF office. Programs should be prepared to provide documentation on how they are maintaining the standards. All costs for this on-site review will be paid by NATEF.

11. Recertification

The NATEF office will contact the program six (6) months prior to the certification expiration date. Programs must formally request recertification materials and follow the process outlined above.