FAA Formally Recognizes AEA's CAET Certification as Pathway to Avionics Repairman Certificate
Key Takeaways
- FAA recognition of the AEA's CAET credential gives aspiring avionics technicians a viable alternative to traditional formal training programs when pursuing a repairman certificate.
- The CAET is administered by the Aircraft Electronics Association, a nationally recognized aviation industry body – lending the credential both regulatory acceptance and professional credibility.
- Candidates can now pursue FAA repairman certification without enrolling in a formal training institution, removing a significant barrier to entry for many.
- The recognition comes at a critical time: aviation faces a well-documented shortage of qualified avionics technicians, and the CAET expands the pipeline of eligible candidates.
- For employers, the CAET provides a consistent, FAA-recognized benchmark for evaluating entry-level avionics hires.
The Federal Aviation Administration has formally recognized the Aircraft Electronics Association's Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential as an Alternate Means of Compliance (AMOC) for meeting the eligibility requirements for the issuance of a Repairman Certificate.
The development was announced at the 69th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas on March 24, 2026, and represents a meaningful regulatory milestone for the avionics industry and the technicians who work in it.
The recognition means that technicians who hold a current CAET certification may use it to satisfy the formal training requirement under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 65.101(a)(5)(ii) – an alternative pathway to the 18 months of practical experience otherwise required for Repairman Certificate eligibility.
A New Industry Standard, One Year in the Making
The CAET was first introduced to the industry in March 2025 at the 68th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Phoenix – developed by the AEA to establish a standardized, industry-backed credential for entry-level avionics technicians in business and general aviation. It was created with direct input from some of the industry's most respected organizations, including Duncan Aviation, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Park Rapids Avionics, Columbia Air Services, Cirrus Aircraft, Tramper Avionics, and Banyan Air Services.
The credential addresses a long-recognized gap in the avionics field: the absence of a single, nationally recognized competency standard for entry-level technicians. Established against an ASTM International standard for aircraft electronics technicians, the CAET validates foundational knowledge across eight subject areas: maintenance procedures and regulatory requirements; basic electrical theory and systems; communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems; flight instruments and pitot-static systems; digital databus systems; aircraft wiring, hardware, and installation; tools, test equipment, and measurement techniques; and safety, housekeeping, and best practices.
Built to Address a Growing Workforce Crisis
The CAET's origins are rooted in a workforce challenge that has been building for years. The avionics technician community – currently comprising roughly 21,400 employed professionals in the United States – is facing a growing talent pipeline shortage. Across the broader aviation maintenance sector, industry projections call for more than 416,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians over the next decade. The median age of FAA-certificated mechanics is 54, retirements are accelerating, and roughly one-third of available seats in aviation maintenance training programs remain unfilled.
"The launch of the CAET program is a significant step toward addressing the workforce shortage and ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of business and general aviation," said Mike Adamson, AEA president and CEO, at the certification's 2025 introduction. "Approved maintenance organizations will want to include CAET certifications as part of their hiring processes, as well as their continuous training requirements for current employees."
To administer credential testing and expand CAET access to high schools and colleges, the AEA partnered with the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) – a globally recognized leader in workforce development with more than 300 instructors, 20,000-plus certifications awarded worldwide, and established relationships with nearly 500 schools across all 50 states.
What the CAET Requires
The CAET is designed as an accessible, no-prerequisite entry point for individuals pursuing avionics careers. Candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds – aviation high school and career and technical education (CTE) programs, Part 147 technical schools, military avionics training, and on-the-job experience in repair stations.
The certification exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 90 minutes, with a passing score of 70%. The exam is delivered via remote online proctoring through USI, with up to three attempts included per registration – at $119 for virtual proctoring or $109 for in-person testing at an AEA-approved site. Candidates have 90 days from the date of purchase to complete the exam.
To support preparation, the AEA offers a comprehensive prep course in both self-study and instructor-led virtual formats, providing approximately 150 hours of curriculum aligned directly with the certification standard. CAET holders recertify every three years through Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or by advancing to the next level of the certification pathway.
A Three-Tier Pathway for the Long Term
The CAET is designed as the foundation of a stackable, career-long certification system aligned with the ASTM standard for aircraft electronics technicians:
CAET – Level 1 is the foundational credential for entry-level technicians, assessed through a written exam covering the eight knowledge domains above.
CAET-Advanced – Level 2 builds on the foundation with hands-on competency requirements: 65 tasks across 8 system categories, with evaluator signoff and an oral board examination required in addition to a written assessment.
CAET-Pro – Level 3, expected in 2027, is designed for experienced technicians and avionics managers, assessing human factors, safety management, and professional leadership skills.
Technicians who hold the legacy NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) certification can transition to the CAET through a targeted upgrade exam covering only the gap between the legacy AET content and the current CAET standard – available at an introductory rate of $49 through July 2026 (then $59 at the standard rate).
The FAA's Formal Recognition
The FAA's AMOC determination came in a letter dated March 23, 2026, from Jackie L. Black, Manager of the FAA's Aircraft Maintenance Division.
"The CAET certification program has been thoroughly reviewed and found to effectively demonstrate the knowledge base of technicians while assessing the competencies of each qualified individual," Black wrote. "We conclude that the CAET certification program provides current, comprehensive, and rigorous assessments, and is an acceptable AMOC. As such, it meets the intent of the regulatory requirements outlined in 14 CFR § 65.101(a)(5)(ii) for the issuance of a repairman's certificate."
Under 14 CFR § 65.101(a)(5), technicians seeking a Repairman Certificate must demonstrate qualifications through one of two pathways: at least 18 months of practical experience applicable to their specific maintenance duties, or completion of formal training acceptable to the FAA Administrator specifically designed to qualify the applicant for the job. The FAA's recognition of the CAET places it squarely in the second category – without the need for additional rulemaking.
The action mirrors a precedent established in 2019, when the FAA recognized the NCATT AET certification – combined with at least one NCATT avionics endorsement – as satisfying the same regulatory requirement. In both cases, the AEA petitioned the FAA following the development of a rigorous, ASTM-backed certification standard.
"This recognition culminates the efforts of an ASTM task group convened in 2024 to modernize the legacy standard to reflect the evolving technical complexity of avionics systems and the operational needs of Part 145 repair stations," said Ric Peri, AEA Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs.
"The CAET represents the next generation of aircraft electronics technician certification and signals the start of a technical and professional journey for avionics integrators," added Adamson.
What It Means Going Forward
For prospective avionics technicians, the FAA's AMOC recognition adds substantive regulatory weight to the CAET credential. A technician who earns the CAET now holds a documented, FAA-accepted pathway toward a Repairman Certificate – without necessarily satisfying the traditional 18-month experience threshold.
For Part 145 repair stations, the recognition provides a consistent framework for evaluating entry-level candidates: a CAET holder has demonstrated foundational competency against an ASTM standard and satisfied an FAA-recognized training benchmark.
"The CAET is more than just a certification – it's a commitment to professional, technical, and industry readiness," said Danny Santiago of Banyan Air Services, one of the organizations that contributed to the credential's development. "For repair stations and technicians alike, it's a game-changer in workforce development."
More information about the CAET certification, exam registration, and prep courses is available at aea.net/caet.
Pilot John International® (PJi®) serves the aviation maintenance community with a comprehensive catalog of avionics test equipment, ground support equipment, aircraft parts, tooling, pilot supplies, and safety equipment. Contact our team at [email protected].
