Red Seal Auto Body Technician study guide
Red Seal Auto Body Technician · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Red Seal Auto Body Technician certification is an interprovincial trade credential for professionals in collision repair and refinishing. It confirms that a tradesperson meets a national standard of competence, allowing them to work across Canadian provinces without additional testing. The Red Seal Auto Body Technician study guide has 9 sections and about 3,277 words.
01Occupational Skills and Safety
This domain tests how you apply legislation, hazard control, trade math, documentation, and safe work practices in a collision shop. Expect questions on WHMIS/GHS labels and safety data sheets (SDS), PPE selection, respiratory protection, fire prevention, compressed-gas safety, electrical lockout, lifting, and waste handling.
364 words, about 2 min02Vehicle Body Construction and Materials
This domain tests whether you can identify body construction, materials, and the repair limits that follow. Questions cover body-on-frame versus unibody, crumple zones, mild steel, high-strength steel (HSS), ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS), boron/martensitic steels, aluminum, magnesium, composites, and joining methods.
380 words, about 2 min03Damage Assessment and Estimating
This domain tests how you inspect collision damage and build a defensible estimate. Expect direct, indirect, and inertial damage; measuring; parts and labour; paint materials; sublet; scanning and calibration; supplements; total-loss decisions; and documentation.
362 words, about 2 min04Metal Repair and Panel Replacement
This domain tests hand metalwork and the decision to repair or replace. Expect hammer and dolly, off-dolly, pick and file, shrinking and stretching, stud welding, panel alignment, hem flanges, adhesive bonding, rivet bonding, and weld-through primer.
368 words, about 2 min05Frame and Structural Repair
This domain tests structural straightening and replacement on unibody and frame vehicles. Expect measuring systems, anchoring, pulling, stress relieving, sectioning, structural welding, corrosion protection, and OEM repair procedures.
342 words, about 2 min06Welding, Cutting, and Joining
This domain tests joining methods and their limits. Expect GMAW (MIG), squeeze-type resistance spot welding (STRSW), GTAW (TIG) for aluminum, oxy-acetylene and plasma cutting, brazing, adhesive bonding, self-piercing rivets, and flow-drill screws.
349 words, about 2 min07Surface Preparation and Body Filling
This domain tests substrate preparation and filler work. Expect cleaning, sanding, featheredging, primer selection, body filler and glaze, plastic repair, guide coat, block sanding, and corrosion protection.
364 words, about 2 min08Refinishing and Paint Application
This domain tests paint system setup and application. Expect mixing ratios, viscosity, spray-gun setup, air pressure, booth conditions, sealer, basecoat, clearcoat, blending, colour match, tri-coat, and defect correction.
374 words, about 2 min09Glass, Trim, and Interior Components
This domain tests glass replacement, trim removal, and interior service. Expect windshield urethane systems, primers, suction cups, safe drive-away time, ADAS camera calibration, airbag/SRS safety, battery disconnect, trim clips, water leaks, and electrical connectors.
374 words, about 2 min