Automotive Refinishing 

Technician 

Automotive Refinishing Technicians are creative and expressive professionals who put the finishing touches on repaired and restored vehicles.  

As an Automotive Refinishing Technician, you’ll work on a range of vehicles, providing the final restoration steps once body work has been completed.  

 

You’ll prepare vehicles for final coats and removing vehicle components in preparation. You’ll also become a creative master in paint jobs, going through the preparation steps and applying the fine-tuned layer technique and colour matching.  

What You'll Learn

  • How to use lifting, mixing and spray tools and equipment 
  • How to use welding equipment  
  • How to create a work plan and organize materials  
  • How to remove and install vehicle components  
  • How to prepare surfaces and apply finishes 

Key Job Skills

  • Detail-oriented  
  • Care and precision 
  • Vehicle exterior preparation 
  • Vehicle painting  
  • Component removal and installation 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

Technical Training 10 weeks over 2 years
Work-Based Training
3300 HOURS
General Skills
Creative Expressive Precise Visual

Program Updates

Harmonization Updates

  • Level 1 - Harmonized*

  • Level 2 - Harmonized*

*Harmonized = Program stream with re-aligned content beginning in April 2021

If you are unclear as to what program you are registered in, or unclear as to which program you should be following, please contact Customer Service.    

Harmonized Program Information and Resources

In effect starting April 1, 2021

Program Profile

Occupational Description

Automotive Refinishing Technicians work on the surfaces of motor vehicles, primarily in restoring vehicle finishes once body work has been completed. They remove layers of old coatings, match colours and mix paints, prepare surfaces for painting, apply primers, sealers, base coats, single-stage and clear coats, clean and polish painted surfaces, and apply protective coatings. 

Many Automotive Refinishing Technicians work in close contact with Auto Body and Collision Technicians. Automotive refinishing duties may overlap between the two, particularly in small shops. In larger places of employment, Automotive Refinishing Technicians likely work as specialists, after body repairs have been completed. They may also work with estimators, partspersons, detailers, preppers, glass installers and production managers. 

View Program Profile

Exam Information and Resources

Find exam-related information and resources under each menu item below.

Updates:

Information:

Updates:

  • None

Information:

Program Information

Detailed program information prior to its transition to the harmonized program.

Challenge the Trade

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may apply to challenge the certification. Learn more about How to Challenge a Skilled Trade.

OR

If you sponsor apprentices but have never been certified in Canada, you may request to supervise and sign-off apprentices when they are ready to be certified. Please contact customer service for more information.