Take the Airline & Aerospace Finishing (CAF) live at SUR/FIN 2026 in Rosemont, Illinois.

2 Sessions, Monday, June 1-Thursday June 2, 2026 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CT. 

The Airline & Aerospace Surface Finishing (CAF) Classroom Course provides a comprehensive overview of metal finishing operations commonly used in the airline and aerospace industry.

Upon registration, learners will receive access to the full CAF eLearning course, which includes downloadable materials, recorded live instruction, knowledge-check questions, and additional resources. Participants are expected to review all eLearning materials prior to the start of the live classroom course.

The live classroom sessions will not cover all CAF content. Instead, instruction will focus on the most critical topics and allow time for interactive discussion and Q&A.

Instructors will also host office hours for live Q&A on June 3–4 at the NASF booth on the show floor. Attendees are encouraged to stop by for one-on-one time with an instructor. Cost of course includes access to show floor during SUR/FIN.

Course Description: This course will provide a broad range of information related to metal finishing operations that are ‎common in the Airline/Aerospace industry.‎

Learning Objectives: Those completing this course and/or earning the CAF certification are able to demonstrate

• Expertise in each step of the surface finishing process related to the aerospace industry ‎from preparation & manufacturing to final inspection.‎
• The ability to anticipate, recognize, diagnose, troubleshoot, and correct surface finishing ‎discrepancies, anomalies, or defects.‎
• Competence in matching plating strategy to the end-use application and environment

Recommended Time and Experience: The CAF Prep Course and Exam covers advanced processes and techniques that require a strong ‎Foundation in chemistry and math only provided through work experience and/or specialized ‎training. The course and exam are structured for an individual who has at least 3 years’ experience in ‎the Aerospace or the Surface Finishing industry. A two-year degree or higher in a STEM related ‎program is helpful but not required.‎

Designed For: Individuals working in a facility following NADCAP standards. It is recommended, but not limited to ‎individuals in the following positions: Quality & Plating Management; Vendors and Suppliers of ‎Chemistry & Equipment on the commercial and technical level; Technical Specialists (R&D, Lab) ‎within Aerospace.

Course Content Level: Advanced (300 level)‎

Elective: Primary Elective for Master Surface Finishers (MSF) designation.‎

Thank you for registering for an exam with NASF.
Someone will reach out to you via email to confirm your registration.
Attached to this event, you will find an Industry Glossary of Terms and a Formula sheet. Both items can be used during the exam. We recommend downloading a copy for your records.
To see what the Online Exam experience will look like, please view the document titled "The Online Exam Experience." 
If you have any questions, please email us at kkind@nasf.org

The CAF Exam covers advanced processes and techniques that require a strong Foundation in chemistry and math only provided through work experience and/or specialized training. The exam is structured for an individual who has at least 3 years’ experience in the Aerospace or the Surface Finishing industry. A two-year degree or higher in a STEM related program is helpful but not required.   

All SUR/FIN 2026 Exams will be taken onsite in Rosemont, IL at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on Friday, June 5th from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM CT.

A proctor will be provided for the exam.
All exams are administered online and you will be required to bring your own laptop to the testing location. Some extension cords will be available, but we recommend bringing your laptop fully charged.
You are allowed to use the Industry Glossary of terms and Formula worksheet during the exam. You can find those linked to this event
To see how the online exam experience will look, please view the attachment titled "The Online Exam Experience" 
More information, including room location, will be sent closer to SUR/FIN via email.
If you have any questions, please email us at kkind@nasf.org

Join us for a 2 hour webinar on Airline & Aerospace Surface Finishing (CAF)on October 20th from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM ET. 

This event will review the most difficult topics covered in this course as well as live Q&A with the instructor. 
Materials (Digital Textbook, eLearning Course) must be purchased separately but is not required to attend this webinar. 

The Airline & Aerospace Surface Finishing (CAF) Web-Based Course will provide a broad range of information related to metal finishing operations that are ‎common in the Airline/Aerospace industry.‎

Course Content Level: Advanced (300 level)‎

Learning Objectives: 
Those completing this course and/or earning the CAF certification are able to demonstrate

Expertise in each step of the surface finishing process related to the aerospace industry ‎from preparation & manufacturing to final inspection.‎
The ability to anticipate, recognize, diagnose, troubleshoot, and correct surface finishing ‎discrepancies, anomalies, or defects.‎
Competence in matching plating strategy to the end-use application and environment

Join us for a 2 hour webinar on Airline & Aerospace Surface Finishing (CAF)on March 24th from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM ET. 

This event will review the most difficult topics covered in this course as well as live Q&A with the instructor. 
Materials (Digital Textbook, eLearning Course) must be purchased separately but is not required to attend this webinar. 

The Airline & Aerospace Surface Finishing (CAF) Web-Based Course will provide a broad range of information related to metal finishing operations that are ‎common in the Airline/Aerospace industry.‎

Course Content Level: Advanced (300 level)‎
Learning Objectives: 
Those completing this course and/or earning the CAF certification are able to demonstrate

Expertise in each step of the surface finishing process related to the aerospace industry ‎from preparation & manufacturing to final inspection.‎
The ability to anticipate, recognize, diagnose, troubleshoot, and correct surface finishing ‎discrepancies, anomalies, or defects.‎
Competence in matching plating strategy to the end-use application and environment

Take the Aluminum Finishing live at SUR/FIN 2026 in Rosemont, Illinois.

2 Sessions, Monday, June 1-Thursday June 2, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CT. 

The Aluminum Finishing Classroom Course provides an in-depth understanding of the pre-treatment, application of topcoats, anodizing, and testing of Aluminum substrates. In addition, it provides the student a clear understanding of the steps necessary to properly finishing ‎aluminum alloys, including terminology, coating differences, chemistry, processes, and ‎equipment used.‎ It is designed for, but not limited to, Operators with some level of aluminum finishing experience including but not limited to plating line work, supervisors,‎ sales personnel serving metal finishers and managers.‎

Upon registration, learners will receive access to the full CAF eLearning course, which includes downloadable materials, recorded live instruction, knowledge-check questions, and additional resources. Participants are expected to review all eLearning materials prior to the start of the live classroom course.

The live classroom sessions will not cover all Aluminum Finishing content. Instead, instruction will focus on the most critical topics and allow time for interactive discussion and Q&A.

Instructors will also host office hours for live Q&A on June 3–4 at the NASF booth on the show floor. Attendees are encouraged to stop by for one-on-one time with an instructor. Cost of course includes access to show floor during SUR/FIN.

Course Description: This course will provide an in-depth understanding of the pre-treatment, application of topcoats, anodizing, and testing of Aluminum substrates. In addition, it provides the student a clear understanding of the steps necessary for properly finishing ‎aluminum alloys. It is designed for, but not limited to, Operators with some level of aluminum finishing experience including but not limited to plating line work, supervisors,‎ sales personnel serving metal finishers and managers.‎

Learning Objectives:  
Those completing this course and/or earning a certificate in Aluminum Finishing are able to demonstrate:
• Proper identification and description of the basic properties of aluminum.
• The methods used in the production of aluminum parts.
• Correct analysis on the impact of different production methods on the finishing of aluminum parts.
• Recognize the significance of alloying elements in aluminum and their effects on surface finish.
• Ability to differentiate and identify between equipment requirements, coloring and sealing, and the different anodizing processes.

Course Content Level:  Intermediate to Advanced (200 to 300 Level)

Thank you for registering for an exam with NASF.
Someone will reach out to you via email to confirm your registration.
Attached to this event, you will find an Industry Glossary of Terms and a Formula sheet. Both items can be used during the exam. We recommend downloading a copy for your records.
To see what the Online Exam experience will look like, please view the document titled "The Online Exam Experience." 
If you have any questions, please email us at kkind@nasf.org

The Aluminum Finishing Exam covers the pre-treatment, application of topcoats, anodizing, and testing of Aluminum substrates. it is designed for, but not limited to, operators with some level of aluminum finishing experience including but not limited to plating line work, supervisors,‎ sales personnel serving metal finishers and managers.‎

All SUR/FIN 2026 Exams will be taken onsite in Rosemont, IL at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on Friday, June 5th from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM CT.

A proctor will be provided for the exam.
All exams are administered online and you will be required to bring your own laptop to the testing location. Some extension cords will be available, but we recommend bringing your laptop fully charged.
You are allowed to use the Industry Glossary of terms and Formula worksheet during the exam. You can find those linked to this event
To see how the online exam experience will look, please view the attachment titled "The Online Exam Experience" 
More information, including room location, will be sent closer to SUR/FIN via email.
If you have any questions, please email us at kkind@nasf.org