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April 15, 2025 – The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has confirmed it will raise prices by 5% across its training and certification programs, effective June 1, 2025. The increase, the first of its kind in over three years, is attributed to higher operational expenses, including instructor wages, facility costs, and technology upgrades. Industry stakeholders are now assessing how the move will affect collision repair businesses already grappling with tight margins.
I-CAR, a leading provider of collision repair education and credentialing, announced the price adjustment in a memo to members and partner shops. The organization cited “sustained increases in the cost of delivering high-quality training” as the primary driver. Specifically, I-CAR says it has invested heavily in digital learning platforms, updated curriculum to keep pace with evolving vehicle technology (such as ADAS calibration and electric vehicle repair), and expanded instructor training programs.
“To continue offering the industry-relevant, hands-on training that technicians and shops rely on, we need to align our pricing with current operating realities,” the memo stated. “This 5% adjustment ensures we can maintain the integrity and accessibility of our programs over the long term.”
The price increase applies to all I-CAR courses, including the Gold Class Professional certification, ProLevel series, and online self-study modules. Current pricing for individual courses ranges from $50 to $400, so the hike will add roughly $2.50 to $20 per course. For shops enrolling multiple technicians, the cumulative impact could be several hundred dollars annually.
Reaction from the collision repair community has been measured but cautious. Many shop owners acknowledge the necessity of training but worry about cost burdens. A 2024 survey by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) found that training expenses already account for 8–12% of a typical shop’s annual operating budget. A 5% increase, while modest, comes at a time when parts and labor costs are also rising.
“I-CAR training is essential for staying current with OEM repair procedures, especially as vehicles get more complex,” said Tom Jensen, owner of Jensen’s Auto Body in Denver, Colorado. “But margins are thin. We’ll have to see if we can absorb this or pass some of it along to customers.”
On the other hand, some industry analysts view the increase as a necessary recalibration. “I-CAR has been undercharging for years relative to the value they provide,” said Dr. Maria Chen, a researcher specializing in automotive workforce development at the University of Michigan. “If they can’t sustain operations, the entire industry loses a critical resource. A 5% increase is reasonable in the current inflationary environment.”
The collision repair industry faces a persistent labor shortage, with an estimated 40,000 technician positions unfilled across the U.S. Training costs are a barrier to entry for many aspiring technicians. I-CAR’s price hike, while small, could further discourage newcomers—especially those who already pay out-of-pocket for certification.
However, I-CAR has also introduced a need-based scholarship program in 2024, which may offset the impact for low-income candidates. The organization told Collision Repair Today that the scholarship fund will be expanded by 15% in the second half of 2025, but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to counterbalance the price increase.
“We’re seeing a bifurcation: large MSOs [multi-shop operators] can easily absorb the cost and even use it as a tax write-off, but independent shops and individual technicians will feel it more,” noted Mark Sullivan, a workforce consultant for the Automotive Service Association.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that education and training services inflation has averaged 3.2% annually over the past three years, slightly below the overall inflation rate of 4.5%. I-CAR’s 5% increase is above that average, but according to the organization, it reflects “catch-up” after years of holding prices steady. Competitors like ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) have also raised prices by 2–4% in the same period.
I-CAR’s last price adjustment was in 2022, when it increased fees by 3% due to pandemic-related disruptions. Since then, the organization has expanded its digital training catalog by 40% and added more than 50 new courses covering electric vehicle repair, ADAS recalibration, and structural aluminum repair.
Collision repair businesses are advised to review their training budgets and consider enrolling technicians before the June 1 deadline to lock in current pricing. I-CAR offers a “Price Lock” option for shops that purchase a bundle of credits in advance, which can mitigate the impact of the increase. Additionally, some state and local workforce development grants may cover training costs for qualifying technicians.
The SCRS is planning to host a webinar on April 25 to discuss the price increase and offer strategies for managing training expenses. I-CAR has also stated that it will not increase prices again for at least 12 months after this change.
I-CAR’s decision reflects a broader trend in the automotive aftermarket: the cost of staying current with technology is rising. As vehicles become more software-defined and repair procedures become more specialized, training providers will likely need to continue investing—and that investment will be passed on to shops. For now, the 5% increase is a manageable step, but the industry will watch closely to see if it becomes a pattern.
“We’re at an inflection point,” said Dr. Chen. “If training becomes too expensive, the industry risks losing its ability to repair vehicles safely and correctly. That’s a safety issue, not just a business one.”
I-CAR has not announced any additional price increases beyond this 5% for the remainder of 2025, but the organization’s board will review pricing again in early 2026.
