I-CAR reaches 8,880 Gold Class repairers in 2021; tougher rules kicking set for legacy body shops

I-CAR last month announced 961 new collision repair industry facilities achieved Gold Class the very first time in 2021, bringing the total number of credentialed shops to 8,880.

Nearly 22 percent of the industry now carries this status, according to I-CAR. “This continued growth is important as it boosts the probability of more consumers receiving quality repairs,” the educational organization wrote each year in review released.

As from the end of 2021, 8,359 collision repairers had held Gold Class status, I-CAR said in May 2021. In 2021, only 3,667 collision repairer facilities were Gold Class.

The latest Census Bureau data found 32,696 auto body repair companies spanning 35,387 physical locations existed in 2021.

From a consumer and industry well-being perspective, it should be frightening that more than 70 % from the nation’s body shops haven’t even proven themselves able to acquire a degree of training that some repairers have criticized as too easy. The truth that your shop has Gold Class and also the guy across the street doesn’t ought to be something a collision repair facility might be able to capitalize upon in its marketing.

And wholesome diet critics, they might want to take a second look at the program. I-CAR ramped up Gold Class along with other collision repair credentialing rigor effective Oct. 7, 2021.

Every structural technician must achieve ProLevel 2. This includes the hands-on MIG brazing and spot welding classes. 1 / 2 of the shop's estimators, nonstructural techs and painters must also reach their respective ProLevel 2 requirements before I-CAR will grant the status. Everyone is likely to keep bettering themselves with more training in subsequent years. Welding credentials now must be renewed every 3 years instead of five.

I-CAR required all shops lacking Gold Class by Oct. 7, 2021, to satisfy the tougher standards. So the 961 newcomers in 2021 already ought to be at that level.

As for that legacy Gold Class shops, their time expires this season. I-CAR will need these to satisfy the new rules in their renewal date.

Individual technicians aren’t considered Platinum until they create ProLevel 3. The last threshold had been just ProLevel 1.

Techs who were Platinum by Oct. 7, 2021, must meet the new ProLevel 2 requirements this season and hit the new ProLevel 3 by 2022.

I-CAR in May 2021 said 32,610 technicians held Platinum credentials in 2021. It said 36,861 techs were Platinum in 2021.

According to I-CAR, 36 automaker brand networks and insurer direct repair programs require shops to have Gold Class , a rise from 2021.

OEMs recognizing Gold Class as a certified shop benchmark include Stellantis, Honda, Audi, Ford, GM Hyundai, Nissan, Kia, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo. Jaguar Land Rover and Tesla’s programs also link network shop standards to I-CAR.

Insurers recognizing Gold Class for their direct repair network qualifications include USAA, Allstate, Nationwide, Farmers, AAA and Amica. GEICO assuring Farm require I-CAR welding credentials, but they don’t demand Gold Class.

I-CAR also reported that the industry used the slowdown caused by the 2021 COVID-19 pandemic response as an chance to increase training.

“While delivery of many Live and Hands-On Skills DevelopmentTM courses paused throughout the pandemic, in keeping with I-CAR's Delivery Policies and Procedures, online learning and overall course consumption more than doubled,” I-CAR wrote. “As outstanding the process of the launch of the Even Better I-CAR were resolved in Q1, strong and steady course consumption continued all year round.”

“Many shops signed up for I-CAR's training subscription program filled slower periods of economic with online training.”

I-CAR said 82,429 collision repairers, insurers, yet others completed 818,000 courses online in 2021. It said 57,956 students originated from the collision repair industry and 12,847 insurance professionals had signed up for a training course.

“I completed some 220 online courses between March 1 and mid-July,” Justin Begley from the Collision Plus refinish parts department said, according to I-CAR. “After we got I-CAR's unlimited training subscription plan, they simply turned me loose and I just dug in.”