Best Trade Schools in Mesa, Arizona (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Mesa. This guide lists accredited programs, hands-on training options, and Arizona licensing steps. It is built for high school grads and career changers who want fast, job-ready skills. Mesa and the Phoenix metro keep adding construction, manufacturing, and service jobs, which supports steady demand for skilled trades1.

Top Trade Schools in Mesa

School Program Length Highlights
UEI College – Mesa 10–12 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Electrician Technician, Medical and Dental Assisting. Morning, afternoon, and evening schedules. Career services and certification prep.
East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) – Adult Education, Mesa 6–12 months (certificates) Cognia-accredited public CTE district. Welding, HVAC, Automotive, Cosmetology, Medical programs. Adult and high school options. Strong employer ties and modern labs.
Pima Medical Institute – Mesa 9–24 months ABHES-accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary programs. Blended learning and clinical externships.
Carrington College – Mesa 8–24 months Institutionally accredited. Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding. Small classes and externships.
Mesa Community College (MCC) 1–2 years (AAS/certificates) HLC-accredited. Automotive, advanced manufacturing/CNC, construction, and EMT/Fire Science. Strong transfer and workforce pathways. Multiple campuses in Mesa.
GateWay Community College (Phoenix, near Mesa) 6–24 months HLC-accredited. HVAC-R, Welding, Automotive, and industrial trades. Hands-on labs. Day and evening cohorts.
The Refrigeration School (RSI) – Phoenix 6–15 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC/R, Electrical Applications. Fast-track career training, night classes, and certification prep including EPA 608.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) – Phoenix ~18–24 months ACCSC-accredited; FAA Part 147. Aviation Maintenance Technician (A&P). Advanced avionics labs and employer recruiting on campus.

Tip: Verify current program offerings and start dates on each school’s site or on College Navigator2. Check institutional accreditation or programmatic approval (e.g., FAA Part 147 for aviation).

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • The Phoenix–Mesa area keeps building homes, data centers, and hospitals. That means steady electrical work in construction, maintenance, and solar. Electrician jobs are projected to grow nationally, with strong replacement needs as workers retire1.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Arizona heat drives year-round HVAC demand. Techs with EPA 608 and solid troubleshooting skills find work in residential service, commercial systems, and refrigeration. BLS projects continued openings from growth and turnover1.

  • Welding

    • Welders support fabrication, manufacturing, aerospace, and construction across the East Valley. Multi-process skills (GMAW, GTAW, FCAW) and certs are valued. Employers often seek candidates who can read blueprints and pass weld tests1.

  • Plumbing

    • Ongoing residential and commercial builds keep plumbing busy. Service companies also need techs for repairs and repipes. Contractor licensing is at the state level, with steady openings expected1.

Explore careers and training paths:

Licensing Requirements in Arizona

Arizona licenses contractors through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). The state does not issue a statewide journeyman license for electricians or plumbers. Many techs work under a licensed contractor while they gain experience and then test for a contractor license when ready3.

  • Electrician

    • No statewide journeyman card.
    • To operate a business or contract, get an AZ ROC electrical classification (e.g., C-11, CR-11, or KB for dual).
    • Steps: gain verifiable experience or complete an apprenticeship; pass the trade exam and business/management exam; secure a bond; apply to ROC3.
    • Check city requirements before you start work on municipal projects.

  • HVAC/R

    • No statewide journeyman card.
    • Contractor must hold an HVAC/R classification (e.g., C-39 or CR-39).
    • EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification is required for anyone who services or buys regulated refrigerants4.
    • Steps: complete training, earn EPA 608, log experience, pass trade and business exams, obtain bond, apply to ROC3.

  • Plumbing

    • No statewide journeyman card.
    • Contractor must hold plumbing classification (e.g., C-37, C-37R, or CR-37).
    • Steps: training and experience, pass trade and business exams, bond, ROC application3.

  • Welding and Fabrication

    • No state license for welders.
    • Employers often require weld tests and may recognize credentials such as NCCER module completions. Structural and fabrication contractors must hold the proper ROC classification to bid work53.

Helpful points:

  • Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom training. They help you document experience hours for ROC applications.
  • Always follow OSHA safety rules. Keep copies of certifications (EPA 608, forklift, OSHA 10/30).

Online & Flexible Options

You can learn theory online, but most trades require hands-on labs. Look for hybrid schedules if you work full time.

  • Maricopa Community Colleges (MCC, GateWay) offer evening and accelerated sections for many workforce programs.
  • UEI College, RSI, and PMI schedule day and evening cohorts. Some courses run in short blocks to move faster.
  • For HVAC, prep for EPA 608 can be completed with online modules before in-person testing4.
  • For electricians and plumbers, consider a registered apprenticeship to earn while you learn. Many related classes run at night.

Find options across Arizona: /trade-school/arizona/

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, pick two or three schools from the list. Visit each campus. Ask about certification pass rates, lab hours, employer partners, and job placement support. If you plan to start a business, read the ROC requirements before you enroll.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. School profiles and program data (accessed 2025). ↩

  3. Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC). License classifications, exams, and application steps (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. Rules for refrigerant handling and certification (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩

  5. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Accredited institutions directory (accessed 2025). ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.