NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification
Build Your Skills. Advance Your Career.
Earn Your NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification.
Earn Your NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification.
The NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification answers an industry demand for qualified service professionals by providing standardized skill validation across multiple levels, giving individuals recognition as certified professionals, career advancement, and employer confidence.
About the Program
The NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification Program represents the industry's premier credentialing system for trailer dealership professionals. The Certified Trailer Technician (CTT) track provides a structured pathway for technicians to advance from entry-level fundamentals to expert-level mastery, ensuring they possess the skills, knowledge, and regulatory compliance expertise needed to excel in today's trailer service environment.
Credit Requirements and Advancement
- C-Level Certification: All C-Level required courses + passing grade for the "C-Level Certification Exam"
- B-Level Certification: C-Level completion + all B-Level required courses + passing grade for the "B-Level Certification Exam"
- A-Level Certification: B-Level completion + [TBD] credits from advanced and specialized courses
Credits are earned through completion of approved courses, which may include online modules, hands-on workshops, manufacturer-specific training (Dexter, etc.), and in-person seminars. Each course awards credits based on content depth and contact hours upon passing the course's exam with an 80% or higher.
Continuing Education
A-Level Technicians must complete [TBD] continuing education credits annually to maintain certification, ensuring skills remain current with evolving technology and industry standards.
Program Benefits
- For Technicians: Professional recognition, structured career advancement, increased earning potential, and comprehensive skill development
- For Dealerships: Standardized training benchmarks, improved service quality, enhanced customer confidence, and employee retention
- For the Industry: Elevated professionalism, consistent service standards, and workforce development
Getting Started
All technicians begin at C-Level, regardless of prior experience. Current technicians may accelerate through levels by demonstrating proficiency through testing or by completing credited courses at an expedited pace.
Program Structure
The CTT track consists of three progressive certification levels, each building upon the previous tier:
C-Level Technician (Level 1): Foundations and Essential Skills
Entry-level certification establishing core knowledge across dealership operations, trailer types and components, basic electrical systems, and shop safety. Prepares technicians to perform basic maintenance and repairs safely and effectively.
Once a student has passed all C-Level Technician courses, they are eligible to apply for the C-Level Technician (Level 1) Certification exam.
Required Courses:
- Fundamentals of Electricity in Light and Medium-duty Trailers
- General Trailer & Shop Safety
- COMING SOON! The Components of a Healthy Dealership
- COMING SOON! The Roles of a Trailer Technician, Service Advisor and Service Manager
- COMING SOON! Types of Trailers and their Components
B-Level Technician (Level 2): Core Systems and Compliance
Intermediate certification developing skills for common repairs and regulatory compliance, including bearings and hubs, alignment, suspension systems, electric brakes, hitches, wheels and tires, and wiring troubleshooting.
Once a student has passed all C-Level Technician courses, they are eligible to apply for the B-Level Technician (Level 1) Certification exam.
Required Courses:
- Axle Suspension: Sprung, Torflex(R)
- Comprehensive Service of: Bearings, Hubs & Rotors
- Electric Brake Functionality & Brake Controllers
- Hitching 101: Proper Installation Techniques
- Tires & Wheels
- Trailer Alignment
- Trailer Wiring & Lighting
A-Level Technician (Level 3): Advanced Systems and Specialized Troubleshooting
Expert-level certification mastering complex systems including heavy-duty components, advanced hydraulics, sophisticated brake systems, body component replacement, DOT compliance inspections, and introductory management skills.
Eligible Courses:
- Actuator Service, Surge and Electric
- Advanced Q&A for Technical Training
- Completing a Pre-service Inspection
- Dexter Tow Assist
- Heavy Duty - Steer Axles / Air Ride
- How to Service Adjacent Markets
- Hydraulic Air Brakes and System Trouble Shooting
- Hydraulics of Dump Trailers, Tilt Deck & More
- COMING SOON! Replacing Body Components
- MORE COMING SOON!
- If you don't have one already, create a free Member Compass profile on natda.org by CLICKING HERE.
- Familiarize yourself with the "Continuing Education" section of your Member Compass
- Sign up for NATDA Connect, an online networking portal and home to future digital NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification courses
- Explore upcoming NATDA Trailer Service Professional Certification offerings at upcoming NATDA events