Technician training determines whether your car returns repaired to factory specs or just repaired to pass. At Royal Collision, our body technician and painter each hold I-CAR Platinum certification, the highest individual credential I-CAR offers. Together, they bring 45 years of quality collision repair experience.
Key Takeaways:
- I-CAR Platinum is technician-level: Our body technician and painter hold it individually. We do not carry I-CAR Gold Class or any OEM manufacturer certification.
- 45 combined years of repair work:
- The training gap is real: Only 48,980 technicians hold I-CAR Platinum nationwide, per I-CAR’s 2025 Impact Report.
- OEM procedures need trained hands: Following a manufacturer’s steps means knowing why each one matters.
That distinction matters once you see what training actually covers.
What Does Technician Training Actually Cover?
Collision repair training covers structural welding, OEM repair procedures, frame measurement, and paint-matching science. I-CAR breaks this into role-specific coursework, with Platinum as the top individual credential.
A trained technician can identify the exact repair method a specific make, model, and impact point call for. Steel and aluminum need different welding techniques. A bumper strike near a sensor may call for recalibration steps a less-trained technician could miss.
At Royal Collision, our estimators write every repair plan around OEM collision repair procedures before work begins. The plan only holds up if the technician can follow it correctly. That is the core of professional collision repair.
Why Does I-CAR Platinum Matter for OEM Auto Body Repair?
I-CAR Platinum is I-CAR’s highest individual credential, awarded to a technician, not a shop. Our body technician and painter both hold it.
| Credential | Applies To | Royal Collision Status | |
| I-CAR ProLevel 1-3 | Individual technician, role-based track | Exceeded by our current staff | |
| I-CAR Platinum | Individual technician, top role-based credential | Held by our body technician and painter | |
| I-CAR Gold Class | Entire shop staff, facility-wide recognition | Not held; certification is technician-level only |
Nationally, I-CAR reported 48,980 Platinum-certified technicians in its 2025 Impact Report . That is a small share of the national OEM auto body repair workforce.
Does Experience Matter as Much as Certification on Newer Vehicles?
Yes. Later-model vehicles use high-strength steel and sensor-based safety systems that call for OEM collision repair procedures, not shortcuts. Certification proves a technician learned the standard. Years on the floor prove they can apply it under real conditions.
We built this shop on that combination. Our owner, Ryan Oeftering, is a second-generation technician with 15 years in the trade. His father trained him and has 55 years in the industry, still working in the shop today.
That kind of experience is what quality collision repair looks like in practice. It means catching hidden damage during teardown that a rushed inspection would miss. It also means knowing when a repair calls for a second diagnostic scan before reassembly.
What Should You Ask Before Any Professional Collision Repair Begins?
- Ask who will personally work on your vehicle, and their experience with your repair.
- Ask if the credential is technician-level or shop-level. A shop can advertise training without every technician holding it.
- Ask if OEM procedures apply to your make and model. A trained technician names the document they follow.
We answer all three before your car reaches the shop floor, and we handle the insurance conversation that follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a shop need I-CAR Gold Class to do good work?
Not necessarily. Gold Class is a shop-wide designation, and a shop without it can employ trained technicians. Ask about the technician, not the sign on the building.
How long does it take to earn I-CAR Platinum?
It takes progressing through I-CAR’s three ProLevel stages, then six training credits yearly to maintain the credential.
Does my insurer’s preferred shop have better-trained technicians than my own choice?
Not automatically. California law lets you choose your repair shop, regardless of technician credentials.
Get Collision Repair From I-CAR Platinum-Trained Technicians
Technician training is not a detail to overlook after a collision. At Royal Collision, our I-CAR Platinum-certified team brings decades of experience to every repair. We provide collision repair in Riverside, CA, handling all steps from estimate to delivery. Call (951) 276-4421 or email us at ryan@royalcollisionriverside.com. Let our trained team handle your repair and insurance claim from start to finish.