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.
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
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.
Select your start year to see a typical class schedule:
CRT 101 | Introduction to Shop Safety | 3 CR |
CRT 102 | Automotive Refinishing Basics | 10 CR |
CRT 122 | Non-Structural Body Repair | 8 CR |
CRT 203 | Non- Structural Industry Simulation | 6 CR |
CRT 223 | Refinish Industry Simulation | 6 CR |
AMATH 100 | Applied Occupational Math | 5 CR |
or higher |
CRT 123 | Auto Collision Exterior Lighting & Plastics | 4 CR |
CRT 202 | Admin Industry Simulation | 6 CR |
CRT 222 | Structural Industry Simulation | 6 CR |
AENGL 100 | Applied English | 5 CR |
or higher |
CRT 103 | New Technology and Exterior Trim | 3 CR |
CRT 133 | Alternative Exterior Panel Replacement | 4 CR |
CRT 201 | Advanced Collision Concepts 1 | 5 CR |
CRT 221 | Advanced Collision Concepts 2 | 5 CR |
CRT 121 | Removable Panels and Glass | 3 CR |
CRT 131 | Ferrous Auto Collision Welding | 4 CR |
CRT 132 | Non-Ferrous Auto Collision Welding | 5 CR |
CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communication | 5 CR |
or |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 CR |
or |
SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 CR |
CRT 231 | Final Industry Certification | 2 CR |
CRT 232 | Weld Certification Aluminum | 3 CR |
CRT 233 | Weld Certification Steel | 3 CR |
CRT 234 | Field-Based Experiences | 7 CR |
After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:
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.*
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