That is a true statement, and a good point to make, Steve. For clarification for everyone, ASE changed the prerequisite requirement criteria due to the feedback we received from a multitude of technicians over the years (see, we really are listening! :-)

Technicians have asked ASE, for years, questions like "Why do I have to keep my A8 current in order to certify, or recertify, in L1?" In response to the valid arguments made by technicians, ASE changed the prerequisite criteria as follows.

OLD CRITERIA: ASE stated you needed to be "currently certified" in test "X" and/or test "Y" in order to register to take a test requiring prerequisites.

NEW CRITERIA: ASE states now that you must "have been certified" in test "X" and/or test "Y" in order to register to take a test requiring prerequisites.

So, the difference between "current" and "have been certified" is that the prerequisite certification can be expired and you can still register for the test requiring it. The previous "pass" for that prerequisite test(s) is all that is now required.

Many technicians still continue to recertify in the prerequisites in order to keep their certifications current, which is great. But for those who only desire to maintain their advanced level credential (for state license reasons, or whatever), ASE has responded in a way to accommodate those technicians without devaluing the meaning of ASE certification.

Truly a win - win scenario!

John Tisdale
Technician/Technical Information Specialist
ASE
Leesburg, Virginia, USA