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Letter from the Chairman of
the Auto Glass Certification Council
October 2001
RE: NGA Certified Auto Glass Technician Program
Dear Certification Candidates,
I am writing as Chairman of the Auto Glass Certification Council, in
order to attempt to explain our thinking in offering this new program
to the industry.
In 1999 we surveyed 1,000 Certified Technicians at each level of Certification
(a total of 3,000 technicians) to identify the tasks and knowledge that
are considered important to competent performance by Auto Glass Technicians,
Senior Auto Glass Technicians and Master Auto Glass Technicians.
The survey participants were asked to rate, on a scale of 1 to 4, the
various tasks and knowledge statements in terms of their importance
to competent performance as an auto glass professional. Virtually all
of the tasks and knowledge statements received mean ratings of "Moderately
Important" and "Important." Since the majority of these tasks and knowledge
ratings were at or above 2.5 (out of 4) across all three levels of certification,
it indicated to us and to our professional testing service that we needed
a more comprehensive, more difficult exam. This would accomplish two
things. One, it would add more significance to the Certified Technician
level and Two, it would make certifying as a Master Auto Glass Technician
the most difficult to obtain without sacrificing the current knowledge
testing the survey respondents felt were important.
Based upon these results the Auto Glass Certification Committee developed
a more comprehensive, more difficult exam for the Technician and Master
certification levels. We eliminated the Senior rating since the survey
results could not distinguish between a Certified Technician and a Senior
Technician, (that is to say, the knowledge and tasks were identical
in importance to the industry professionals.)
The newly published Auto Glass Technician Reference Manual is a comprehensive
reference book designed to assist the Technician and the Master Technician.
However, like other professional certification programs, it too, has
not been designed to insure passing the exam by reading the book. It
is a reference book covering the subject matter tested, but the certification
exam also relies heavily on one's expertise and experience. I know the
Committee has considered developing a reference manual geared more toward
the Master level, however, it would also encompass all of the information
in the current manual plus the references we suggested. It was the opinion
of the Auto Glass Certification Committee, the Auto Glass Certification
Council and our professional testing service that a Master Auto Glass
Technician would research the references suggested and be able to pass
the test.
Lowering the Master Certification level to three years experience was
an effort to bring certification renewal (every three years) and "testing
up" in line with each other. The old program required certification
renewal every three (3) years and Master testing after five (5) years.
Therefore, a Technician wishing to "upgrade" to the Master level was
required to either wait for two renewal periods (6 years) or pay an
additional fee in order to take the Master test. The demographics of
Master testing indicated many were opting not to attempt the next level,
but rather renew as a Technician more than once. In an effort to encourage
the industry professionals to attempt the Master Level exam, we adjusted
the annual requirements down to three years. Today's ever changing technology
made it impossible to increase the level to six years as too many changes
and improvements occur over a six year period. As you know it is extremely
important for a Technician, at whatever level, to remain as current
and knowledgeable as possible.
We believe this new program is conducive to encouraging Master Level
or Auto Glass Technician Level Certification. We are attempting to meet
the needs of the industry and add value to the Certified Technician
Level.
An NGA Certified Auto Glass Technician and Master Technician means that
the technician is a knowledgeable industry professional and should be
respected for his or her accomplishments. We believe our new program
does just that and we hope in time you too will see the value of these
changes to this important program.
I thank you for your time and encourage you to get involved with the
various NGA Auto Glass Committees.
Regards, Jeffrey S. Bull
Chairman, Auto Glass Certification Council
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