Automotive Collision Repair Technology

Automotive Collision Repair Technology - AAS

Love cars and want to make fixing them your career? Bellingham Technical College’s Automotive Collision Repair Technology program will prepare you for a career as an automotive collision repair technician, automotive glass specialist, painter, or auto body repair shop manager. You will be trained for all aspects of automotive repair, using the latest technological processes and equipment in our full-service shop. Your training will include trade-specific skills, such as how to repair and refinish damaged vehicles.

BTC’s Auto Collision Repair program will give you hands-on instruction that will earn you top jobs with employers such as independent automotive repair shops, car detailing shops, automotive manufacturers, automotive recyclers, and more.

The Auto Collision Repair Technology program is an I-CAR Industry Training Alliance member.

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

91% BTC graduate placement rate1

$49,359 starting annual wage2
$67,803 average annual wage2
$78,986 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program's next entry quarter is Fall of 2024.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

  • A driver’s license is NOT required to enroll in the program.
  • Driving citations will not restrict, or prevent students from enrolling in the Automotive Collision Repair Technology Program; however, citations may prevent some internship and/or employment opportunities.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Select your start year to see a typical class schedule:

Total Program Credits: 108

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • CRT 101Introduction to Shop Safety3 CR
  • CRT 102Automotive Refinishing Basics10 CR
  • CRT 122Non-Structural Body Repair8 CR

  • Quarter 2

  • CRT 203Non- Structural Industry Simulation6 CR
  • CRT 223Refinish Industry Simulation6 CR
  • AMATH 100Applied Occupational Math5 CR
  • or higher

  • Quarter 3

  • CRT 123Auto Collision Exterior Lighting & Plastics4 CR
  • CRT 202Admin Industry Simulation6 CR
  • CRT 222Structural Industry Simulation6 CR
  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • or higher

  • Quarter 4

  • CRT 103New Technology and Exterior Trim3 CR
  • CRT 133Alternative Exterior Panel Replacement4 CR
  • CRT 201Advanced Collision Concepts 15 CR
  • CRT 221Advanced Collision Concepts 25 CR

  • Quarter 5

  • CRT 121Removable Panels and Glass3 CR
  • CRT 131Ferrous Auto Collision Welding4 CR
  • CRT 132Non-Ferrous Auto Collision Welding5 CR
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communication5 CR
  • or
  • PSYC& 100General Psychology5 CR
  • or
  • SOC& 101Introduction to Sociology5 CR

  • Quarter 6

  • CRT 231Final Industry Certification2 CR
  • CRT 232Weld Certification Aluminum3 CR
  • CRT 233Weld Certification Steel3 CR
  • CRT 234Field-Based Experiences7 CR

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:

  • Use basic industry tools, equipment and hazardous materials safely.
  • Diagnose and repair basic non-structural auto body damage to I-CAR standards.
  • Assess damaged vehicles and perform structural auto body repairs to I-CAR standards.
  • Diagnose and repair various types of plastic and composites used in the automotive industry.
  • Refinish various substrates to pre-accident condition.
  • Produce aluminum GMAW welds to I-CAR.
  • Produce steel GMAW welds to I-CAR.

Employment Outlook

Employment opportunities in the automotive collision repair industry are expected to grow along with the demand for qualified auto body technicians. Due to rapid changes in technology getting formal skills training in automotive body repair will better qualify and individual for employment.

BTC’s Auto Collision Repair program will give you the hands-on instruction that employers are looking for. Program graduates can work as automotive body technicians for independent auto body repair shops, automobile or truck dealers or companies who specialize in body repairs and painting. Opportunities may also exist to work for organizations that maintain their own motor vehicles, such as trucking companies and automobile rental companies, automotive dealerships, automotive manufacturing plants, automotive recyclers, automotive parts and plastics supply shops, independent collision repair shops, detailing shops, aircraft detail and repair shops, boat manufacturers, and industrial manufacturing plants.

Potential positions include automotive repair technician, automotive glass specialist, automotive painter, auto body supply salesperson or body shop manager.

About 94% of BTC Auto Collision Repair students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $51,792, with an earning potential of about $75,462 per year.*

Faculty & Support

Photo of Andrew Riggs
Andrew Riggs
  • Degrees and Credentials

    AAS, Auto Collision Repair Technology, Bellingham Technical College

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

Contacts

If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.

Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email TransportationNav@btc.edu