I'm a mechanic! (according to some government office)

[D-Mac]

After taking classes for a year, writing an exam, and waiting nearly two months for the exam results (with a LOT of phone calls involved), I finally heard back about my state mechanic exam.

I passed! (apparently with a 97%  ). So once I submit the paperwork, I will be a licensed "Master" mechanic in the state of Michigan!

Time to start a new career? Maybe.

[bomber]

Well done, bud! Life-long learning is a a powerful thing, and it's ALWAYS outstanding to make a dream come true . . . . .

[Reddog*]

So once I submit the paperwork, I will be a licensed "Master" mechanic in the state of Michigan!

As long as you pay the license fees when due you will be.  

[Baz]

I have had some master mechanic dealings I would rather not talk about......

Sort of saying the paperwork is really not a good grade of the worker.   (Of course not suggesting that you will be like those people)

Congrates!

[Breadman]

  Good for you, Dean!

[wibornz]

So when do you want to adjust the valves on Zacks ninja 650?

[mxvet57]

So when do you want to adjust the valves on Zacks ninja 650?

I learned by trial and error. A BIG error.

Pro tip, reinstall the cam chain spring before turning engine over to recheck valves. Cam chain jumped. It took me an hour to retime everything.

[Stripes]

After taking classes for a year, writing an exam, and waiting nearly two months for the exam results (with a LOT of phone calls involved), I finally heard back about my state mechanic exam.

I passed! (apparently with a 97%  ). So once I submit the paperwork, I will be a licensed "Master" mechanic in the state of Michigan!

Congratulations!  

Time to start a new career? Maybe.

Whenever you're ready we'll talk. My offer still stands!  

[D-Mac]

I got my official letter and registration form today. It's costs $25 per year to register as a "specialty" or "Master" mechanic.  

I thought about it for exactly 5 seconds, then filled out the form, wrote the check, and dropped it back in the mail.

[Ack535]

Congratulations!

[Mutley]

Congrats D-Mac! Are you the automotive or MC field?

[monkeybuttpowder]

Congrats man!   I'm assuming your focus is aimed towards MC after reading your project thread... When will you be open for business? Good luck in your endeavors.

[D-Mac]

I spent a lot of time thinking about various options last year and even visited a lot of "experimental" types of motorcycle shops in the US and Canada. Then I put any plans for this kind of thing on hold when I got a promotion at work and our family moved. Now that I'm done with moving, and the luster of my "promotion" has worn off  , I'm back to thinking about my motorcycle options again.

I'd love to set up a shop, although it would need to be a side-project - at least at first. On the plus-side, my current job gives me a lot of flexibility. I'm a prof, so I'm only under contract 9 months per year (mid-May to mid-August off if I want them, along with most of December and January too). I could likely get an unpaid leave for up to a year-and-a-half if needed too, and teach some online courses elsewhere if I needed more money. Even a regular work week in my current job gives me some flexibility in my schedule. I now have a out-building at my new place to use too, so that might be one option. Another possibility would be to rent some space elsewhere.

We'll see. I'm going to talk this over with some folks and take my time mulling it over. I'm generally not a risk-taker (a big reason I spent so many years in school I think), so this is pretty new territory for me. My wife started a successful business a few years back, and that has given me more confidence to take risks too, along with a much better idea of what it takes to run a business.

[OU812]

Awesome!
You work on Harley's?

[D-Mac]

Awesome!
You work on Harley's?

Yeah, but I've always tried to avoid them.  

[monkeybuttpowder]

How about BMW's with a "flying brick" motor?

[D-Mac]

How about BMW's with a "flying brick" motor?

Love those bikes. I spent quite a bit of time doing diagnostics on a K-75 last summer.

[monkeybuttpowder]

Love those bikes. I spent quite a bit of time doing diagnostics on a K-75 last summer.

Alrighty then! Good to know!  

[D-Mac]

Update.....and it's not good.

Something really needs to be done about the business licensing and certification process in Michigan. As I wrote earlier, I took a mechanic test over three months ago and waited until December to get the results (over a month after they "promise" results will be mailed out). I spent several hours on the phone and must have talked with a dozen people before I got a response about my test. At various points I was given information from folks that was false, and I was often treated like I was somehow mistaken about the whole test (I was actually asked at one point if I was sure I wrote it ?!?!). If I hadn't had proof I had written the test (which I did end up having to use), I suspect I'd still be waiting to hear back. When I finally talked to the person who grade the tests (who sounded like a decent guy), he was able to find my test within minutes and it was graded within 24 hours (albeit about 6 weeks late).

Anyway, I received my test result letter on December 14th and immediately sent in my certificate registration form and payment. They cashed my check on December 18th. As of today, I still haven't received my certificate.

I phoned the Licensing Bureau this morning and they told me that I still wasn't in their system, and that it would be AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH OR TWO (OR MORE!) for them to send out my certificate. They also told me that I am NOT certified to do any repair work until my certificate arrives. They already know I passed the test and the registration form is only used to update my current address and check off a few boxes about my educational background/plans for the certification (info they already have on file from when I wrote the test!) Apparently they are still "processing" forms for checks they cashed back in November, and according to the person I spoke with there are currently over ONE THOUSAND mechanics waiting for certification (plus many others waiting for licenses in areas such as "heating and cooling").

Can anyone say "job killer?"  In my case time is not critical, but I do know others who are waiting for their certificates so they can go to work in jobs they have been offered. I have nothing against government regulation of important areas where health and safety are concerned, but this process is an absolute JOKE!

[Stripes]

That sucks Dean. You are not allowed to touch any of my motorcycles anymore until you have the licence in hand.  JK!  I had no problems w/ starting my business or getting my licences. It was actually done in a couple of days! However, I had my accountant & corporate council take care of it!