Apprentice Installation Technician Certification

The MECP Apprentice Installation Technician Certification is the industry’s “beginner-level” certification, which many MECP-supporting retailers require as a prerequisite for employment or to be able to work on a vehicle. MECP Apprentice Installation Technician Certification is available for those who complete the learning content and achieve a passing score on the certification exam in the MECP Apprentice level content subscription. There are no prior industry experience or certification requirements necessary for this level of certification. 

Apprentice Level Exam

The Apprentice Installation Technician certification exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Eligibility for this exam is unlocked after completing the content sections in the Apprentice level content subscription. This content and the associated exam is intended for entry-level technicians with little to no professional experience. There are no work experience or certification requirements to take the exam.

Job Duties and Skills

The MECP Apprentice Installation Technician position involves carefully and correctly installing and configuring entry-level aftermarket electronic products in a wide range of vehicles with at least some supervision, assisting experienced technicians on more complex installations, dealing directly with customers before, during, and after an installation in a courteous manner, and maintaining a clean and functional workshop environment.

Apprentice duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Install direct replacements of in-dash audio/video source units retaining the functionality of existing factory-installed electronics and features using wire harnesses, integration and control modules, antenna adapters, dash kits, and other commercially available integration devices.
• Install speakers in factory-supplied locations, either a direct replacement or with adapters, to accomplish factory-like fit and function.
• Install audio amplifiers with high current power wiring, proper circuit protection, signal input, and output wiring configurations.
• Install subwoofers into pre-fabricated enclosures. Wire single and dual voice coil subwoofers properly to the amplifier’s required resistance configuration(s).
• Install plug-and-play integration devices for adding various source components such as portable media players, streaming audio and video devices, and source units with smartphone integration.
• Install communication antennas for GPS, Satellite Radio, Telematic Systems, and other devices without compromising the vehicle’s exterior fit and finish.