ASEs really are just a check in the box it seems.... I work on Volvos and VCNA (Volvo Carns North America, not Volvo Penta, big trucks) use ASEs for our ratings along with other things.... There's 4 different levels of certification by Volvo standards, which could be like any of the auto brands you may be looking at.... There's:

Quality rated technician: 4 PREs a year, 0 years experience, 0 ASEs

Certified rated technician: 4 PREs a year, 0 years experience, 4 ASEs

Master rated technician: 4 PREs a year 8 ASEs (A1-A8), 2 years experience

Expert rated technician: 4 PREs a year 8 ASEs (A1-A8), L1 recert, 5 years experience, expert recommendation, expert conference attendee.

The PREs I was talking about are Volvo specific test. They stand for Professional Resource Evaluation. They are random computer generated tests that we have to score at least 85% to pass. The answers are found in our scan tool, VIDA, and various on line training ans sales portals. These tests are done quarterly, every 3 months.

Another thing with ASEs are that they don't mean a thing without 2 years verified and documented experience. That's when you actually get your blue sheet certificate