Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Total Aehr Test Systems Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Beginning Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2010	$ 87	$ 46,459	$ 2,691	$ (37,916)	$ 11,321	$ (40)	$ 11,281
Beginning Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2010	8,664
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Shares	268
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Amount	2	341			343		343
Stock-based compensation		947			947		947
Net (loss) income				(3,389)	(3,389)	16	(3,373)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(98)		(98)	1	(97)
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2011	89	47,747	2,593	(41,305)	9,124	(23)	9,101
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2011	8,932
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Shares	203
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Amount	2	166			168		168
Stock-based compensation		709			709		709
Net (loss) income				(3,390)	(3,390)	1	(3,389)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(135)		(135)		(135)
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2012	91	48,622	2,458	(44,695)	6,476	(22)	6,454
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2012	9,135
Issuance of common stock under private placement	1,158
Issuance of common stock under private placement	12	1,126			1,138		1,138
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Shares	306
Issuance of common stock under employee plans under employee plans, Amount	3	231			234		234
Stock-based compensation		601			601		601
Net (loss) income				(3,419)	(3,419)		(3,419)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(16)		(16)	2	(14)
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2013	$ 106	$ 50,580	$ 2,442	$ (48,114)	$ 5,014	$ (20)	$ 4,994
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2013	10,599