The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) introduced its new certification for the avionics industry, the Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET), during the 2025 AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Phoenix.
Developed and supported by the AEA, the CAET becomes the primary certification for technicians, according to association officials.
The CAET is a knowledge-based certification for entry-level technicians and requires passing a written exam that must be taken online through the AEA’s new partner, the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI).
The credential is the foundation for a series of stackable certifications that will eventually include the CAET-Advanced with more in-depth knowledge and skill requirements and a practical test, along with the CAET-Pro designed for experienced technicians and avionics managers, which assesses skills needed to successfully lead a team of professionals, AEA officials explained.
“The AEA is committed to supporting the growth and development of the aircraft electronics industry by providing high-quality training and certification programs,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer. “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. We expect avionics professionals will be able to take the initial certification exam in the second quarter of this year, and in the fall, we will launch the training and certification program in high schools and colleges through our partnership with USI.”
“Beginning this fall, CAET training and exams will be available to USI’s network of schools and colleges,” said Josh Olds, president and CEO of USI. “We envision this certification both as a stand-alone career track as well as a maintenance skill enhancement for those in our UAS programs. We are excited to partner with the AEA and provide the avionics industry with a standards-based certification that is the ultimate resource for growing a skilled workforce.”
With more than 300 instructors and over 20,000 USI certifications awarded around the world, USI works with commercial enterprises and nearly 500 schools in all 50 states. USI offers primary, advanced, and complex training and certification programs that are applicable to drone and advanced air mobility operations, USI officials explained.
“USI has the scale to administer credential testing for the avionics industry and has already established important relationships with hundreds of schools through its work in the drone segment of the aviation industry,” Adamson noted. “Avionics professionals from a broad range of organizations came together to modernize the knowledge-based test, and it will be a must-have certification for technicians. 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.”
For more information: AEA.net/CAET
