A non-contacting laser ultrasound system has been developed to visualize laminar defects in carbon fiber composite materials. Laser-generated ultrasound (LGU) was produced from a Nd:YAG Q-switched laser. Ultrasound was detected with the use of an actively stabilized Fabry-Perot interferometer using a 400 mW argon-ion laser source. It detected ultrasound in a typical frequency range of 1 to 10 MHz. Through-transmission C-scan measurements were made in carbon fiber composite materials of thickness 1 to 20 mm. Peak-to-peak amplitudes of the first longitudinal ultrasonic pulse were measured, with attenuation used as the basis of defect examination. Digital filtering was adopted to enhance defect visibility. Results showed that images with size resolution better than 1 mm can be achieved. Such measurements take into account any variation of surface reflectivity which can arise in industrial materials.