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Auto body repair classes in California

15 auto body programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

11 schools offer these auto body repair programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Automotive body repairers restore, refinish and replace vehicle bodies and frames; glass repairers replace windshields and window glass. Most employers prefer workers who have finished a collision repair program, which trade and technical schools usually run as a 6-month to 1-year certificate and some community colleges as a 2-year program; new workers still need 2 or 3 years on the job to work independently, and certification is recommended though not required.1 Body shops covered by a federal air rule must train and certify everyone who spray-paints vehicles within 180 days of hiring, in spray gun setup and technique and spray booth upkeep, with refresher training every five years.2

In California, 8 of the 15 programs take students without a high school diploma, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 15 programs here are auto body certificate or diploma (13 programs), estimating course (1 program) and auto body (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 15 programs

How much do auto body repair classes cost in California?

$1,076 to $2,520 is what most auto body programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 14 programs with a price. All of them: $595 to $47,650

In the typical program

Finished the program
87%
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
32 to 48 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer auto body repair classes. How these figures are made

Are there free auto body repair classes in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 15 auto body programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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15 programs

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Auto Body Basic Repair and Restoration

    San Joaquin Delta College

    Stockton

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    San Joaquin Delta College, StocktonAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$35,000
    Price if you pay yourself$1,104
    More details about Auto Body Basic Repair and Restoration at San Joaquin Delta College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,742
    Length
    34 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,464
    Students counted
    639
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,104

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Collision Repair & Refinish Technology with Estimating -754

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

    Long Beach

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc., Long BeachAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$31,100
    Price if you pay yourself$47,650
    Program website, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology with Estimating -754 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    More details about Collision Repair & Refinish Technology with Estimating -754 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    Finished
    64%
    Working at 6 months
    40%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,768
    Length
    54 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $245
    Students counted
    489
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $47,650
    Program website, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology with Estimating -754 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Automotive Collision Repair Technology

    Fresno City College

    Fresno

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fresno City College, FresnoAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,702
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Fresno City College
    More details about Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Fresno City College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    45 weeks, 26 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,034
    Students counted
    240
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,702
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Fresno City College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Collision Repair & Refinish Technology -751

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

    Long Beach

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc., Long BeachAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$32,100
    Price if you pay yourself$45,150
    Program website, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology -751 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    More details about Collision Repair & Refinish Technology -751 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    40%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,015
    Length
    51 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $245
    Students counted
    216
    Earned a year, estimated
    $32,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $45,150
    Program website, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology -751 at Universal Technical Institute of Southern California Inc.

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Automotive Collision Repair, CTC (F.807V.CC)900 Hours, Noncredit Program

    Fresno City College

    Fresno

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fresno City College, FresnoAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair, CTC (F.807V.CC)900 Hours, Noncredit Program at Fresno City College
    More details about Automotive Collision Repair, CTC (F.807V.CC)900 Hours, Noncredit Program at Fresno City College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    120
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair, CTC (F.807V.CC)900 Hours, Noncredit Program at Fresno City College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaHybridNo diploma needed

    Automotive Collision Repair Technology, Master Collision Repair

    College of Marin

    Greenbrae

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    College of Marin, GreenbraeAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,800
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair Technology, Master Collision Repair at College of Marin
    More details about Automotive Collision Repair Technology, Master Collision Repair at College of Marin
    Finished
    87%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    17 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,000
    Students counted
    54
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,800
    Program website, Automotive Collision Repair Technology, Master Collision Repair at College of Marin

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Auto Body Repair Technician

    Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD

    Los Angeles

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD, Los AngelesAuto body certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,780
    Program website, Auto Body Repair Technician at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD
    More details about Auto Body Repair Technician at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD
    Finished
    29%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    45 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    39
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,780
    Program website, Auto Body Repair Technician at Abram Friedman Occupational Center-LAUSD

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Auto Body Collision Repair

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$595
    Program website, Auto Body Collision Repair at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Auto Body Collision Repair at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $595
    Program website, Auto Body Collision Repair at College of the Redwoods

  • Estimating courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Damage Estimator

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Contra Costa College, San PabloEstimating course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$644
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Damage Estimator at Contra Costa College
    More details about Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Damage Estimator at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $331
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $644
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Damage Estimator at Contra Costa College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaHybridEducation and courses

    Autobody Repair and Refinishing Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$860
    More details about Autobody Repair and Refinishing Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $860

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Autobody Technician C.A.

    Cuesta College

    San Luis Obispo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Cuesta College, San Luis ObispoAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,067
    Program website, Autobody Technician C.A. at Cuesta College
    More details about Autobody Technician C.A. at Cuesta College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $933
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,067
    Program website, Autobody Technician C.A. at Cuesta College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Basic Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing

    San Bernardino Valley College

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    San Bernardino Valley College, San BernardinoAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,104
    Program website, Basic Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing at San Bernardino Valley College
    More details about Basic Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing at San Bernardino Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    96 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,406
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,104
    Program website, Basic Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing at San Bernardino Valley College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaHybridNo diploma needed

    Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Technology

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Contra Costa College, San PabloAuto body certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,702
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Contra Costa College
    More details about Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $197
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,702
    School website, Cert. of Achievement Automotive Collision Repair Technology at Contra Costa College

  • Auto body certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Auto Body and Fender Repair

    Kern High School District-Rop

    Bakersfield

    No diploma needed

    Kern High School District-Rop, BakersfieldAuto body certificate or diplomaIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,800
    School website, Auto Body and Fender Repair at Kern High School District-Rop
    More details about Auto Body and Fender Repair at Kern High School District-Rop
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    41 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,800
    School website, Auto Body and Fender Repair at Kern High School District-Rop

  • Auto body (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    AS Degree Automotive Services: Auto Collison Repair Technology

    Contra Costa College

    San Pablo

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Contra Costa College, San PabloAuto body (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    School website, AS Degree Automotive Services: Auto Collison Repair Technology at Contra Costa College
    More details about AS Degree Automotive Services: Auto Collison Repair Technology at Contra Costa College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $197
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    School website, AS Degree Automotive Services: Auto Collison Repair Technology at Contra Costa College

How to pay for auto body repair classes in California

WIOA funding can pay for auto body repair classes in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for auto body repair classes

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for auto body repair classes

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Auto body repair classes in California

programs with a price cost under $1,000
3 of 14
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
2nd of 17
auto body programs here, against the typical state's 7
15 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the auto body repair classes by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Auto body repair classes in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas.

Other training in California

How auto body repair classes compare with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in California

Where the California auto body repair program numbers come from

Which California auto body repair programs are on this list?

These are the auto body repair programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California auto body repair programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about auto body repair classes in California

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Automotive Body and Glass Repairers
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 40 CFR 63.11173, paint stripping and surface coating at area sources
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List