Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik /Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik

Preparatory courses for the examination are held, for example, at educational centers of chambers of crafts (Handwerkskammer) and other educational institutions. Learning locations typically include training rooms and workshops.

The profession type is an advanced training profession: 'Berufsspezialist/in'. The advanced training is conducted through a nationally standardized examination, and participation in preparatory courses is not mandatory. The duration of the advanced training varies, from 2 to 12 months, depending on the educational offering and class schedule (full-time/part-time). Tasks and activities: Automotive service technology specialists inspect and maintain vehicles, vehicle assemblies, vehicle and body components, and networked vehicle systems. They perform vehicle diagnostics, analyze malfunctions or errors, and develop appropriate solutions. They also retrofit vehicle parts or handle special equipment. If they do not perform the work themselves, they supervise it and carry out quality controls. They advise their customers professionally and inform them about inspection, maintenance, and repair. They prepare offers and invoices and document the services rendered.

The duration varies depending on the educational offering: Full-time approximately 2-2.5 months, part-time approximately 6-12 months.

Course fees are incurred for attending preparatory courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Additional costs may arise, for example, for working materials, travel to the training center, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Preparatory courses for the advanced training examination can be financially supported according to the Advanced Training Assistance Act (Aufstiegsfortbildungsförderungsgesetz). Further information: 'Aufstiegs-BAföG - Aufstieg mit Förderung' and for the promotion of particularly talented young professionals: 'Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium'.

Technical topics include vehicle systems (e.g., on-board network, lighting, charging current and starting systems, CAN-Bus, information, control, and anti-theft systems), fundamentals of automotive electrics and electronics, functional principles and system testing, engine management and drive systems (e.g., applying technical documents, repair and operating instructions, recording, documenting, and evaluating measured values and signals), vehicle safety and comfort systems (e.g., safety regulations, reading and evaluating fault memory). Organizational topics include service communication and quality (e.g., order processing, information and documentation), cooperation, communication, and personnel qualification, customer care and customer consulting.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successfully passing the advanced training examination: Electrical engineering/Electronics (e.g., to troubleshoot networked vehicle systems), Technical Work (e.g., to handle tasks in metal processing), Mathematics (e.g., to calculate offers and cost estimates).

This advanced vocational training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, one should be prepared for the following conditions: For full-time instruction, lessons are full-day on at least four weekdays; for part-time instruction, it is typically career-accompanying training on weekends or evenings, or as block instruction. The learning format is usually in-person events, meaning classroom instruction at the educational institution (which may not be in the place of residence).

Participation in preparatory courses is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Automotive Service Technology Specialist: In the field of Vehicle and Traffic Technology: Specialist for Innovative Vehicle Preparation, Specialist for Caravan Technology, Master Craftsman in Body and Vehicle Construction/Bachelor Professional in Body and Vehicle Construction, Master Craftsman in Automotive Technology/Bachelor Professional in Automotive Technology, State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Body and Vehicle Construction Technology, State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Electromobility, State-Certified Technician/Bachelor Professional in Automotive Technology, Certified Professional Specialist for Electronic Mobility/Certified Professional Specialist for Electronic Mobility, Service Technician.

From 1990: Regulations for advanced training as an Automotive Service Technician were developed by the Central Association of German Motor Vehicle Trade (ZDK). In 1998: The regulation for the examination leading to the recognized qualification 'Geprüfter Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechniker/Geprüfte Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnikerin' (Certified Automotive Service Technician) came into force. In 2020: The Vocational Training Act (BBiG) and the Crafts Code (HWO) were amended, introducing advanced training qualifications such as 'Geprüfte/r Berufsspezialist/in' (Certified Professional Specialist), 'Bachelor Professional,' and 'Master Professional' to emphasize the equivalence of vocational and academic education. The use of these professional titles depends on the enactment of corresponding new advanced training regulations. In 2023: The federally regulated ordinance for the examination leading to the recognized advanced training qualification 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist/Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik' (Certified Professional Specialist for Automotive Service Technology) came into force, and the previous examination ordinance was repealed.

Qualification Title: Certified Professional Specialist for Automotive Service Technology (Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik / Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik).

The Professional Specialist for Automotive Service Technology is an advanced vocational training. The examination is uniformly regulated nationwide in Germany. It is not mandatory to attend a course to be admitted to the examination.

After this advanced training, automotive service technology specialists typically work in industrial and skilled trade businesses for vehicle maintenance. To keep their knowledge up-to-date, they can pursue adaptive training in topics such as automotive technology and maintenance, as well as electromobility. Those looking to advance their careers can, for example, take the master craftsman (Kraftfahrzeugtechnikermeister/in) examination in automotive technology. With this advanced training qualification, they can also gain access to university studies without a general higher education entrance qualification and pursue a Bachelor's degree in a field like vehicle engineering.

The legal regulation for the examination is the ordinance on the examination for the recognized advanced training qualification named 'Geprüfter Berufsspezialist für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik or Geprüfte Berufsspezialistin für Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechnik' (Kraftfahrzeug-Servicetechniker-Fortbildungsprüfungsverordnung - KfzSTFPrV) from 25.09.2023 (BGBl. 2023 I Nr. 261). The overarching regulation for advanced training and professional activity is the Crafts and Trades Act (Handwerksordnung) in the version published on 24.09.1998 (BGBl. I S. 3074; 2006 I S. 2095), last amended by Article 2 of the Act of 03.04.2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 106).

The prerequisites for admission to this advanced training examination typically include: completion of the recognized vocational training (Ausbildung) as an automotive mechatronics technician (Kraftfahrzeugmechatroniker/in); or completion of a recognized vocational training of at least 3 years in the field of vehicle technology and at least 1 year of professional experience; or completion of another recognized vocational training and at least 3 years of professional experience; or at least 5 years of professional experience with significant relevance to tasks in the field of vehicle technology.