COMING SOON - 2026!
NATDA
Trailer Technician Certification
NATDA
Trailer Technician Certification
Build Your Skills. Advance Your Career.
Earn Your NATDA Trailer Technician Certification.
Earn Your NATDA Trailer Technician Certification.
The NATDA Trailer Technician Certification provided by Dexter answers an industry demand for qualified trailer service technicians by providing standardized skill validation across multiple levels, giving technicians recognition as certified professionals, career advancement, and employer confidence.
How It Works
NATDA Trailer Technician Certification students earn credits by attending classes offered through NATDA events, training workshops, and partner programs. Beginning with the 2026 NATDA Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA, all certification-eligible courses will clearly display their credit value during registration. After completing a course, technicians will see their earned credits recorded in their natda.org Member Compass profile and receive a Certificate of Completion. Once a student has collected the required Certificates of Completion for a given level, they become eligible to take the Level Exam and advance within the Trailer Technician Certification pathway. Once all Level Exams have been completed, students will then be eligible to take the NATDA Trailer Technician Master Exam - the final step in the Certification process.
NOTE: Credit for courses completed at the 2024 NATDA Trailer Show, 2025 Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA, and 2025 NATDA Trailer Show will be retroactively applied once the full program is launched.
The Pathway
The NATDA Trailer Technician Certification follows a progressive training pathway designed to take you from foundational skills to advance troubleshooting expertise.
Level 1: Foundations and Essential Skills (C-Level)
Who It's For: Entry-level technicians or those new to the industry
Focus Areas: Safety practices and basic diagnoses skills, essential tools and equipment usage, trailer fundamentals and service basics.
Who It's For: Entry-level technicians or those new to the industry
Eligible Courses
- Fundamentals of Electricity in Light and Medium-duty Trailers
- Trailer Wiring and Lighting
- MORE IN-PERSON AND ONLINE COURSES COMING SOON!
Level 2: Core Systems and Compliance (B-Level)
Who It’s For: Techs with foundational knowledge who want to expand into system-level service and compliance
Focus Areas: Electrical, braking, and suspension systems, DOT and compliance standards, and preventive maintenance procedures.
Eligible Courses
- Axle Suspension: Sprung, Torflex(R)
- Comprehensive Service of: Bearings, Hubs & Rotors
- Electric Brake Functionality & Brake Controllers
- Hitch Education: Proper Installation Techniques
- Replacing Body Components
- Tires & Wheels
- Trailer Alignment
- MORE COMING SOON!
Level 3: Advanced Systems and Specialized Troubleshooting (A-Level)
Who It’s For: Experienced technicians seeking mastery and top-level recognition
Focus Areas: Advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting, hydraulics and complex system integration, specialized repair techniques, and leadership in shop environments.
Eligible Courses
- Actuator Service, Surge and Electric / Hydraulic Air Brakes and System Troubleshooting
- Advanced Q&A for Technical Training
- Dexter Tow Assist
- Hydraulics of Dump Trailers, Tilt Deck & More
- MORE COMING SOON!
The 2026 Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA features two days of dedicated education and training, leading into a full exhibit hall experience on February 19. Attendees can expect an expanded lineup of hands-on technical training, dealership-focused sessions, and an exhibit hall designed to support dealer and technicians professionals in adapting to evolving market demands. See the press release!
What Attendees Will Experience
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- Comprehensive Training Programs – NATDA Trailer Technician Certification opportunities for service teams.
- Dealer Education Sessions – Expert-led discussions on business operations, technology integration, and customer engagement strategies.
- Innovation-Driven Exhibit Hall – A full day dedicated to testing and experiencing the latest in trailers and innovations, and vendor partnerships.
- New! Cash & Carry Options – Technicians will have the opportunity to visit exhibitors offering tools, supplies and parts options on the show floor to ensure all their on-the-job service needs are met at one time, in one place!
- Industry Networking & Recognition – Opportunities to celebrate, recognize and connect with peers during happy hours and NATDA’s second annual Industry Excellence Awards ceremony. View the 2024 Award recipients.
- 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 Technician Certification courses
- Explore upcoming NATDA Trailer Technician Certification offerings at the 2026 Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA (February 17-19, 2026 in Reno, NV)