Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) Program Overview
Accidents happen on the roadways and trained auto collision repair technicians are needed to fix the damage. Our certified instructors bring real-world industry experience to teach you the skills needed to reshape and restore a wide range of vehicles.1 Universal Technical Institute’s Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program was developed in close partnership with I-CAR, the provider of collision repair training standards as defined by the industry, including car manufacturers, insurance companies and employers.
51-54 weeks
2 campuses
5 brands
2 specialized
5 Reasons to Choose Auto Body Repair Training at UTI
- Train and graduate in 51 to 54 weeks.
- Dedicated teams to help search for financial aid,10 housing and employment.1
- Earn I-CAR credentials preferred by employers.
- Train on current equipment.
- Program created with 3M, Axalta and other leading manufacturers.
AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN TRAINING
AUTO BODY PAINTING
Refinish technicians, also known as automotive painters or paint technicians, are trained to mix and apply paint to the surface of a vehicle and help restore it to pre-accident condition.
To learn how to paint cars, most automotive painters go through some sort of formal training and education to gain the skills they need. Attending a program at a trade school can be the best place to start for those interested in the career path.
Automotive Painting Courses
UTI’s CRRT program features several auto body classes, including ones that cover how to refinish and paint vehicles:
- Introduction to Refinishing: Students are taught procedures for paint removal.
- Vehicle Preparation for Painting: This course covers color characteristics, mixing paint from vehicle codes and obtaining blendable matches.
- Finish Applications: In this course, the principles of blending are covered, as well as how to identify and solve paint application/finish problems.
- Skills Application: Training from previous courses is applied; students apply paint to panels and final details to restore vehicles to like-new condition.
- Custom Paint Fundamentals: Airbrush techniques and special-effect paint techniques are covered in this course.
While the CRRT program does not specifically teach car painting, students are taught fundamentals and gain knowledge that they could apply to a career as a paint technician once they graduate.
Auto Body Schools Near Me
Interested in the education and training UTI has to offer? There are two auto body and collision schools currently offering the CRRT program: Long Beach, California and Houston, Texas.
UTI offers a range of support services to make attending possible, including housing assistance for those who need to relocate. We know school is an investment in your future, and we want to make the process as easy as possible!
I-CAR Certifications
UTI Collision Repair graduates earn recognition of their high level of training as I-CAR ProLevel individuals and receive I-CAR certificates for:
- Non-Structural Technician Level 1
- Steel Structural Technician Level 1
- Aluminum Structural Technician Level 1
- Estimating Level 1
- Refinish Technician Level 2
In addition, graduates who achieve the Axalta Refinish Certification receive Refinish Technician Level 3 status to become Platinum individuals.
Additional Auto Body Repair Certifications
- Axalta Cromax Pro Certified Refinisher Safety & Pollution Prevention (S/P2)
- 3M Plastics and Composite Repair Systems
- Chief Velocity Certification
- EPA 609 A/C Certification
- Lean Efficiency Certificate
UTI AUTO BODY SCHOOL LOCATIONS
The Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program is available at two Universal Technical Institute campuses: Long Beach, California, and Houston, Texas.
INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE
The collision repair industry demands more highly skilled workers as technology improves. Collision repair shops grew in size and number of employees between 2001 and 2016, according to the Collision Repair Education Foundation.
13,000+
$48,740
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a student in UTI’s Auto Body Repair program, you can finish your training in 51 to 54 weeks. View our auto body mechanic courses here.
Yes! UTI graduates are recognized as I-CAR ProLevel individuals and receive several I-CAR certificates.
The median annual salary for automotive body and related repairers in the United States was $48,740 in May 2023,28 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means half of auto body mechanics earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area. To learn more, visit our auto body mechanic salary guide.