NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 Insurance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Insurance [Member]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 15,800,000
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	Pursuant to the bankruptcy, the plant assets were sold for $6,802,000. On December 6, 2011, the court issued an order allocating proceeds from the sale and authorizing their distribution. Of the total amount, $1,054,418 was allocated to ENGlobal. Of that amount, $845,529 is still being held by the court pending the outcome of continuing litigation regarding the claims of one subcontractor. We estimate the court will render a final decision regarding this matter in the third quarter of 2012.
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	1,054,418
Insurance Stop Loss, Per Occurrence			200,000
Employee-related Liabilities, Current	$ 11,210,000	$ 12,319,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 1,200,000