The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a professional certification group that certifies professionals and shops in the automotive repair and service industry in the United States and parts of Canada. It is an independent, non-profit organization created in 1972[1] in response to consumers needing to distinguish between incompetent and competent automotive technicians.[2] The organization aims to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of repair and service professionals.