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How to Become a Diesel Mechanics Professional: Schools, Apprenticeships & Licensing

Two ways in: pay for school (931 U.S. schools offer Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies programs at certificate/associate level, median net price $8,792/yr) or get paid to train (271 registered apprenticeship sponsors nationwide). Pell-eligible programs; ASE certification is the industry standard; dealer-sponsored programs common.

US schools
931
Median net price / yr
$8,792
Median earnings (10 yr)
$39,254
Apprenticeship sponsors
271
paid training

Licensing at a glance

State license required: Michigan.

No state license: Texas, Florida, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina — employers typically expect industry certification instead.

Requirements differ sharply by state — check your state's page below for the specific rule, hours, and exam, each cited to the official board.

Diesel Mechanics aid deadlines & apprenticeship alerts

Aid windows and sponsor application openings, for your state.

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Diesel Mechanics schools & apprenticeships by state

School data: U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026). Apprenticeship data: U.S. Dept of Labor. Licensing summaries cited to official state boards per state page. Methodology.