Automotive Refinishing Technician Certificate - Career Certificate

Learn entry-level refinishing processes

Under the guidance of expert instructors in state-of-the-art facilities at CLC, you learn the fundamentals of the collision repair industry, preparing you for employment as an entry-level refinishing technician working on any of today’s vehicle finishes.

Our certificate incorporates a balance of lecture and hands-on labs in all the courses, and you will develop strong fundamental skills in the automotive refinishing industry.

What can you do with an Automotive Refinishing Technician Certificate?

Take your problem-solving and vehicle tinkering skills to the next level at CLC — one of the nation’s largest and most respected collision repair programs. After completing your first semester, you’ll be able to apply your skills as a:

refinishing technician assistant/prepper
automotive detailer

With this certificate, you can ladder up to complete one of two 62-hour Auto Collision Repair Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in either Non-Structural Repair or Refinishing:
- Non-Structural Repair: You focus on repairing and replacing damaged vehicle components.
- Refinishing: You focus on the development and application of vehicle coatings.
Your degree can be completed (with full-time attendance) in 2 years or 4 semesters. And you can earn certificates while pursuing the A.A.S., or you can pursue them separately:
- After your second semester, you earn the Automotive Collision Repair Assistant certificate (19 hours).
- After your third semester, you earn two certificates: Automotive Collision Repair (25 hours) and Automotive Damage Analysis (14 hours).
- Upon graduating with your A.A.S., you earn either the Structural Repair Technician 25-hour certificate (if you pursued the Non-Structural Repair pathway) or the Refinishing Technician 24-hour certificate (if you pursued the Refinishing pathway).
Get hands-on skills in a 10,000-square-foot repair shop on our Grayslake Campus, located in Building G. You’ll learn on cutting-edge equipment like SimSpray®, virtual reality technology that lets you practice spray painting in a 3D-simulated environment.
A new asphalt paved vehicle staging area accommodating up to eight cars is behind the building. Shop equipment and features include:
- full-down draft and semi-down draft paint spray booths
- two paint mixing rooms
- integrated welding booth
- chief frame machine and mechanical service area and equipment
- one paint double prep station
- dust collection system
- vehicle exhaust system
Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art Automotive Technology building at the Grayslake campus

See what students love about the automotive collision repair program at CLC. Picture yourself here:

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Highlights

I-CAR Credentials

Qualify to earn industry-leading Inter-Industry Conference for Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) credentials.
Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
WIOA Program

Eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 2 Years

Full-time students finish in 2 years.

Career Outlook

Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $33,804
  
  Median
  
  $49,449
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $83,431
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.25
  
  Median
  
  $23.77
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $40.10
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  65.34%
  
  Certificate
  
  34.65%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24,979
  
  Median
  
  $43,548
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $73,974
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $12.01
  
  Median
  
  $20.93
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $35.56
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  98.62%
  
  Certificate
  
  1.37%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $28,448
  
  Median
  
  $46,830
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $81,166
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $13.67
  
  Median
  
  $22.51
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $39.02
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  42.6%
  
  Certificate
  
  50.25%
  
  Some college
  
  5.78%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  1.37%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including glassware, cloth, ceramics, metal, plastic, paper, or wood, with lacquer, silver, copper, rubber, varnish, glaze, enamel, oil, or rust-proofing materials. Includes painters of transportation vehicles such as painters in auto body repair facilities.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,855
  
  Median
  
  $46,221
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $74,065
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.75
  
  Median
  
  $22.22
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $35.60
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  89.33%
  
  Certificate
  
  7.07%
  
  Some college
  
  3.6%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $42,602
  
  Median
  
  $54,318
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $90,166
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $20.48
  
  Median
  
  $26.11
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $43.35
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  28.33%
  
  Certificate
  
  47.69%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.63%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  14.35%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,954
  
  Median
  
  $43,363
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $63,412
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.80
  
  Median
  
  $20.84
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $30.48
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.17%
  
  Certificate
  
  47.4%
  
  Some college
  
  1.12%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  4.31%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $51,411
  
  Median
  
  $84,673
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $127,773
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24.71
  
  Median
  
  $40.70
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $61.43
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  57.2%
  
  Certificate
  
  13.08%
  
  Some college
  
  16.91%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.2%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  7.57%
  
  Doctorate
  
  2.05%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Automotive Collision Repair at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This certificate is just one possible way to study automotive collision repair. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Automotive Collision Repair program overview

Frequently asked questions

This certificate teaches you the basics of collision repair:
- panel preparation for refinishing
- vehicle protection and masking
- development and application of automotive coatings
You spend about 60% of your time in our state-of-the-art training lab, where you gain hands-on skill sets as you repair vehicles following Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) procedures. The rest of your time is spent in the classroom studying foundational repair theories and other important information.
We prepare you for an in-demand career. Our instructors are experts in automotive collision repair, and they love to share their knowledge and pass on their expertise and repair process skills. Because of our small class sizes, you get to know your instructors personally. These valuable relationships provide you with personalized learning opportunities and connect you to potential employers.
Plus, you’re able to attend on a part-time or full-time basis, and you save serious money with our low tuition costs.
Oh, and did we mention the internship pathway which gets you employed, by your ninth week of class and our state-of-the-art facilities?
Yes! After completing our program, you can earn I-CAR certification in Pro-Level 1 in Refinishing or Non-Structural Repair. I-CAR is respected throughout the automotive industry—earning this shows off your skills and helps you stand out as a job applicant. It proves you have the highest level of training and are ready for excellence in every project.
No, due to the high lab content, all Automotive Collision Repair courses are in-person.
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Automotive Refinishing Technician

Learn entry-level refinishing processes

What can you do with an Automotive Refinishing Technician Certificate?

Stackable certificates

Learn in a state-of-the-art auto body shop

Highlights

I-CAR Credentials

Stackable Credentials

WIOA Program

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 2 Years

Career Outlook

Automotive Body and Related Repairers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

Automotive Collision Repair at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

How will I learn?

Why should I choose CLC?

Can I earn industry credentials?

Can I take my classes online?

How much does this program cost?

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