Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Total Aehr Test Systems Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Beginning Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2013	10,599,000
Beginning Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2013	$ 106	$ 50,580	$ 2,442	$ (48,114)	$ 5,014	$ (20)	$ 4,994
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Shares	604,000
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Amount	$ 6	709	0	0	715	0	715
Stock-based compensation	0	0	853	0	853	0	853
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	422	422	0	422
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	46	0	46	(1)	45
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2014	11,203,000
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2014	$ 112	52,142	2,488	(47,692)	7,050	(21)	7,029
Issuance of common stock under private placement, Shares	1,065,000
Issuance of common stock under private placement, Amount	$ 11	2,563	0	0	2,574	0	2,574
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Shares	589,000
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Amount	$ 6	849	0	0	855	0	855
Stock-based compensation	0	993	0	0	993	0	993
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	(6,647)	(6,647)	0	(6,647)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	(257)	0	(257)	3	(254)
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2015	12,857,000
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2015	$ 129	56,547	2,231	(54,339)	4,568	(18)	4,550
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Shares	359,000
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, Amount	$ 3	509	0	0	512	0	512
Stock-based compensation	0	996	0	0	996	0	996
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	(6,785)	(6,785)	0	(6,785)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 0	0	6	0	6	(2)	4
Ending Balance, Shares at May. 31, 2016	13,216,000
Ending Balance, Amount at May. 31, 2016	$ 132	$ 58,052	$ 2,237	$ (61,124)	$ (703)	$ (20)	$ (723)