Skills USA is a nationwide organization; it is also a club at College of Western Idaho. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to enhance their technical and leadership skills. In Skills USA, college students can...
CWI Auto Body Technology
Program Exploration Event
Interested in a career in Collision Repair Technology? Join us March 14, 2023, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center in room 230 to:
- Learn more about this program, and meet the faculty.
- Meet industry leaders, and hear about career opportunities.
- Understand how education in this career field benefits you.
- Get tips on how to prepare for a successful start.
- Take a tour of the lab space and technology.
Overview
Pursuing a career in collision repair technology is a rewarding challenge that will present you with the opportunity to combine a variety of skills. Painting and restoration calls for a combination of art, science, and technique that requires an understanding of new products and technology to perform high-quality work. This program starts with the basics and quickly moves into total collision repair—from assessing damage to complete reconditioning. You will also learn state-of-the-art, custom-painting techniques and so much more.
New Students
In addition to the New Student Orientation, you participate in as part of the college application process, you must attend a program orientation prior to registering for the collision repair technology courses.
Sign up to receive information about upcoming program orientation dates. Program Orientation Dates
If you have questions about the program, please contact Alex Beal at alexbeal@cwi.edu.
Why This Program
The College of Western Idaho Collision Repair Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the auto body repair industry. Students will work with the newest paints and equipment in an up-to-date, well-equipped facility and learn the skills and traits that local industry professionals have deemed necessary to be successful in the field of auto body repair and painting.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Assess vehicle repair costs
- Repair vehicle frames and bodies
- Painting and paint finishing, including graphics work
- Detailing work
Clubs
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Collision Repair Technology - Associate of Applied Science Degree
2
YEARSAAS
Collision Repair Technology - Advanced Technical Certificate
2
YEARSATC
Collision Repair Technology - Intermediate Technical Certificate
1
YEARITC
Collision Repair Technology - Basic Technical Certificate 1
1
YEARBTC
Collision Repair Technology - Basic Technical Certificate 2
1
YEARBTC
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes
- Mechanical aptitude
- Manual dexterity
- Solid math skills
- Good eyesight
- Awareness of potential health risks from dust and paint particles, especially for asthma and allergies
- Willingness to work in a dusty and potentially hazardous environment
- Ability to lift heavy objects
- Ability to evaluate and make decisions
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Students must attend an orientation prior to starting the Collision Repair Technology program classes.
If you have questions about any of this information, please contact One Stop Student Services or your advisor.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Professions
- Shop Owner
- Shop Manager
- Production Manager
- Paint Shop Manager
- Parts Manager
- Service Manager
- Claims Manager
- Parts Orderer
- Parts Runner
- Estimator
- Insurance Estimator
- Claims Adjuster
- Body Technician
- Mid Technician
- Body Apprentice
- Paint Technician
- Paint Prepper
- Custom Painter
- Airbrush Artist
- Custom Metal Fabricator
- Detail Technician
- Hydro Technician
- Commercial Equipment Repair Technician
- Commercial Equipment Painter
- Commercial Equipment Prepper
- Paint Store Salesperson
- Paint Store Counter Salesperson
- Delivery Driver
- Educator
In our highly mobile society, cars and trucks are a staple of life—and the more vehicles on the road, the more need for skilled auto body technicians. Auto body/collision repair technicians work in collision repair shops, automotive repair shops, insurance adjusting, custom hot rod/restorations, custom bike, detail, truck painting, and frame straightening shops, and even marine repair shops. Many choose to be self-employed and open their own businesses for auto body repair. The work is physical and demanding, but fulfilling. Auto body techs bring dramatic results to all types of damaged vehicles. This career offers opportunities for technical precision, mechanical skills, and creative style.
Locations
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Students, future students, and members of the public have an opportunity to learn more about Collison Repair Technology at College of Western Idaho’s Program Exploration events.

Are you interested in learning more about careers and programs to help you get the job you want? If so, plan to attend one of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Program Exploration Events!

Sophie Rusling, from the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom, is pursuing her passion for car restoration and customization in College of Western Idaho's Collision Repair Technology program.

Ten Career Technical Education students, nominated by their instructors, selected to receive $1,000 scholarships.

CWI swept away the competition with 37 medals at this year's SkillsUSA State Conference.
Career & Technical Education
- Administrative Specialist
- Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Bookkeeping and Accounting
- Cisco Networking and Security Technologies
- Collision Repair Technology
- Computer Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Assisting
- Drafting Technology
- Education, Early Childhood
- Fire Service Management
- Fire Service Technology
- Heavy Duty Truck Technician
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Horticulture Technology
- Law Enforcement
- Machine Tool Technology
- Marketing Communications
- Medical Administrative Support
- Medical Assistant - Credit
- Network and System Administration
- Nursing, Practical
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology
- Software Development
- Surgical Technology
- Swift Programming
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- Welding and Metals Fabrication
- Wildland Fire Management