Best Trade Schools in Scottsdale, Arizona (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Scottsdale. This guide compares accredited programs, program lengths, and specialties. It also covers Arizona licensing steps and growing trades in the Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale area so you can choose a fast, job-ready path123.

Top Trade Schools in Scottsdale

The schools below are accredited or part of the Maricopa Community Colleges system and serve Scottsdale residents. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school for current details.

School Program Length Highlights
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) 6–12 months (certificates); ~2 years (AAS) Public college with EMT/Paramedic, Fire Science, Culinary, IT, and Film/Media programs; transfer and workforce tracks; part of Maricopa Community Colleges (HLC accredited)2.
GateWay Community College (Phoenix) 9–12 months (certificates); ~2 years (AAS) Strong hands-on labs for HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive, Water Resources, and Industrial Tech; day/evening options; Maricopa Community Colleges (HLC)2.
The Refrigeration School (RSI) – Phoenix 6–15 months Focused HVAC/R, electrical controls, and welding programs; accelerated training with industry certifications support; ACCSC accredited3.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Avondale ~9–18 months Automotive, Diesel, and Welding training with manufacturer-aligned curricula and industry cert prep; ACCSC accredited3.
Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI) – Glendale ~10–20 months Automotive Service, Diesel/Heavy Truck, HVAC/Basic Refrigeration, and Welding specialties; ACCSC accredited3.
Pima Medical Institute (PMI) – Phoenix/Mesa ~8–24 months Allied health programs like Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Pharmacy Tech; externships; institutionally accredited and listed in College Navigator2.
Carrington College – Mesa/Phoenix ~9–24 months Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Trades-related health programs; institution is listed in College Navigator for program verification2.
Paul Mitchell The School – Scottsdale ~5–12 months Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics; state board exam prep; NACCAS-accredited cosmetology school (program info via College Navigator)2.

Tip: Visit each school, see labs, and ask about employer partnerships and externships. Verify accreditation in College Navigator2 and, for career colleges, in ACCSC’s directory3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale employers hire for construction, service, and solar work. Entry paths include pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or school-based electrical training. Project growth in the metro area keeps demand stable1.
    • Get hands-on experience early. Many employers value OSHA 10/30, basic conduit bending, and blueprint reading.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Arizona heat drives steady HVAC hiring across residential and commercial service. Techs with EPA Section 608 and strong troubleshooting skills are in demand year-round1.
    • Schools like RSI and GateWay offer refrigerant, controls, and brazing practice aligned with industry needs.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, construction, aerospace supply chain, and utilities use welders around the Valley. Consistent work exists for MIG, TIG, flux-core, and structural welding with cert potential1.
    • Employers value weld-test readiness and portable credentials such as NCCER Welding modules4.

  • Plumber

    • Residential growth and commercial tenant improvements support plumber and pipefitter hiring. Service plumbers with diagnostic and customer skills are especially valuable1.
    • Apprenticeships and supervised on-the-job training help you progress to contractor work in Arizona.

Note: The Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale metro is one of the nation’s largest labor markets. That scale helps new grads land entry roles and move up with experience1.

Licensing Requirements in Arizona

Arizona focuses on contractor licensing rather than statewide individual journeyman licenses for many trades. Always check city permitting rules and employer requirements.

  • Electrician

    • No statewide journeyman/master electrician license for individuals. To run your own jobs, you need an Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) license such as C‑11 (Electrical) or CR‑11 (Residential Electrical)5.
    • Common path: complete an apprenticeship or equivalent on-the-job hours, then qualify for an ROC contractor license exam and bond/insurance5.
    • Keep OSHA safety training and manufacturer certifications up to date.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.
    • Individuals don’t need a state HVAC license to work as employees. To contract, obtain ROC C‑39 (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) or CR‑39 (Residential) classification5.
    • NATE and other industry credentials are optional but help with hiring and pay.

  • Plumber

    • Employees can work under a licensed contractor’s supervision. To operate your own plumbing business, seek ROC classifications such as C‑37/CR‑37 (Plumbing)5.
    • Apprenticeship or documented experience helps you qualify for ROC testing and financial requirements5.

  • Welding

    • No state license for welders. Employers often require passing a weld test. Industry-recognized training (e.g., NCCER modules) can document skills4.
    • Structural and pipe welding jobs may require procedure-specific qualifications.

  • Cosmetology/Barbering/Esthetics

    • Complete an approved program and pass written and practical exams to earn an Arizona license through the Arizona State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology7.
    • Schools like Paul Mitchell prepare you for state testing and salon readiness.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Maricopa Community Colleges (including SCC and GateWay) offer hybrid and online general education plus some theory courses. Hands-on labs for trades still require in-person attendance2.
  • Career colleges like UTI, RSI, and AAI use blended models: online theory, on-campus labs, and certification prep3.
  • If you work full-time, ask about evening cohorts, accelerated blocks, or weekend labs.
  • For self-paced exploration, review job tasks and skill profiles on O*NET to match your interests with training paths4.

How to Choose a Program

  • Check accreditation and program outcomes in College Navigator2.
  • Tour labs and ask about instructor experience and employer partners.
  • Confirm prep for required credentials: EPA 608 (HVAC)6, OSHA-10, NCCER modules, and state board exams for cosmetology7.
  • Compare schedules, externships, and placement support rather than only brand names.

Next Steps

Set up two or three campus visits this month. Bring questions about certification pass rates, lab time, and placement support. Pick the program that gives you the most hands-on practice and a clear path to Arizona licensing or industry credentials.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale MSA. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_38060.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) and O*NET OnLine. https://www.nccer.org and https://www.onetonline.org ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). https://roc.az.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  7. Arizona State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. https://bcb.az.gov ↩ ↩

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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.