CITEA was founded in 1928 as the California Industrial Arts Association (CIAA), later became the California Industrial Education Association (CIEA) and is now the California Industrial and Technology Education Association, reflecting our commitment to both Technology Education and Industrial/Vocational Education.

Due to the crisis in California's ITE Education System and the need for political engagement to address the issues, CITEA separated into two organizations in the late 1990s.

CITEA became the political arm of the organization and incorporated as a politically active nonprofit organization. 

The CITEA Foundation was formed at the same time, to carry on the educational, professional development, and social functions of the organization.