DALLAS, TEXAS, March 24, 2026 – As the 69th annual Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show is underway this week in Dallas, the Federal Aviation Administration has formally recognized the AEA's Certified Aircraft Electronics Technician (CAET) credential as equivalent to formal training when showing eligibility for the issuance of a repairman certificate.
First introduced to the industry in 2025, the CAET is a knowledge-based certification for entry-level technicians and requires passing a written exam that must be taken online through the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI). The credential is the foundation for a series of stackable certifications for avionics technicians.
The Federal Aviation Regulations have specific requirements for eligibility for a repairman certificate, including age, qualifications specific to the job assignment, language, and being recommended by the employer; the regulations also list specific requirements for qualifications. To be qualified for recommendation, the applicant must have either at least 18 months of practical experience applicable to the maintenance duties of the specific job, or completed formal training specifically designed to qualify the applicant for the job on which the applicant is employed. This is where the AEA's CAET credential comes into focus.
The AEA, in its continuing effort to promote the avionics industry and the value and rewards of an avionics technician career, petitioned the FAA to recognize the CAET certification as an acceptable means of compliance to the formal education option as listed in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) section 65.101(a)(5)(ii).
As a result of the petition, the CAET certification is now considered equivalent to completing formal training that is acceptable to the administrator as required by the regulations.
"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," wrote Jackie L. Black, manager of the FAA's Aircraft Maintenance Division, in a letter to the AEA dated March 23, 2026. "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."
"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 Mike Adamson, AEA president and chief executive officer.
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the CAET, visit aea.net/caet.
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Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.