Best Trade Schools in Tucson, Arizona (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Tucson. This page helps you compare accredited programs, understand Arizona licensing, and see which trades are hiring in 2025. Demand for skilled workers remains strong across construction, healthcare, and transportation1.

Top Trade Schools in Tucson

Below are reputable, accredited options in and around Tucson. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Pima Community College (Center for Training & Development; Aviation Technology Center) 4–12 months certificates; 18–24 months AAS; A&P ~ 2 years Public, HLC-accredited college. Fast-track certificates in Welding, HVAC, CNC/Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Medical Assistant, Logistics. FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance at the Tucson Airport. Day/evening cohorts; strong employer ties2.
Pima Medical Institute – Tucson 9–12 months certificates; 18–24 months associate ABHES-accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Tech, Veterinary Assistant/Technician, Respiratory Therapy. Blended learning with clinical externships. Career services support2.
Carrington College – Tucson 9–12 months certificates; ~24 months associate Institutionally accredited by ACCJC. Dental, Medical, Vet Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding. Flexible scheduling; externships with local clinics2.
HDS Truck Driving Institute (CDL) 4–8 weeks (FT) Nationally accredited by ACCSC. Class A CDL training, third-party testing on site, weekday/weekend options, job placement assistance with regional and OTR carriers3.
Tucson Electrical JATC (IBEW 570/NECA) ~5 years apprenticeship Paid, registered apprenticeship. Classroom plus on‑the‑job training for Inside Wireman and Residential Wireman. Earn raises as you progress; prepares for contractor licensing down the road.
ABC Southern Arizona Apprenticeship (Associated Builders & Contractors) 3–4 years apprenticeship NCCER-aligned Registered Apprenticeship. Trades include Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry. Work full time while attending related training. Good path to ROC contractor licensure later4.
Tucson College of Beauty ~1,500 hours (11–12 months FT) NACCAS-accredited cosmetology school. Cosmetology and related specialties. Prepares for Arizona Board of Cosmetology exams. Day and part-time schedules available.
Paul Mitchell The School – Tucson ~1,500 hours (11–12 months FT) NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology with strong salon clinic experience and career placement support. Exam prep for Arizona licensure.

How we pick: We prioritize recognized accreditation (HLC, ABHES, ACCSC, ACCJC), Registered Apprenticeship quality, program completion time, and local employer connections. Use College Navigator to verify programs and outcomes2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New building, solar projects, and data centers keep electricians busy in Arizona. The BLS projects steady employment growth for electricians through 20331. Tucson’s union and non‑union shops both hire apprentices and helpers. Learn the electrician career path, training options, and certifications here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Cooling demand in Southern Arizona is constant. HVAC techs with EPA 608 certification are needed for residential and commercial service. The BLS projects ongoing demand, with faster growth in warm-weather metros1. Explore the field and credentials: HVAC.

  • Welder and Fabricator

    • Tucson’s aerospace, defense, and manufacturing base relies on welders who can read blueprints and pass AWS tests. Welding certificates from Pima or an apprenticeship can get you into entry-level roles quickly. See training paths and certs: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Water infrastructure upgrades and residential construction sustain steady plumbing work. In Arizona, you can start as a helper or apprentice and advance to foreman or contractor. Learn steps and licensing: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Arizona

Arizona keeps licensing focused on contractors rather than individual journeyman licenses for many construction trades. Here are the basics:

  • Electricians

    • No state journeyman license. To run a business or advertise, you need a contractor license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). Electrical classifications include C-11 (Commercial Electrical), CR-11 (Residential/Commercial), and R-11 (Residential)5.
    • Typical path: complete an apprenticeship or 4+ years of experience, pass the business/management and trade exams, secure bonding/insurance, and apply to ROC5.

  • HVAC/R

    • Individual technicians are not state-licensed. Contractors must hold ROC licenses such as C‑39 (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) or CR‑39 (Residential/Commercial). Experience and exams are required5.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants for most HVAC jobs6.

  • Plumbers

    • No state journeyman license. Plumbing contractors must obtain ROC licenses (C‑37 Commercial, R‑37 Residential, CR‑37 Residential/Commercial). Experience documentation and exams are required5.

  • Welders

    • No state welder license. Employers often require AWS D1.1 or other code certifications. Training through college programs or employer testing is common.

  • CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)

    • Training must meet Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards. Apply through Arizona MVD, pass knowledge tests, obtain CLP, complete ELDT with a registered provider, pass skills test, and meet medical requirements7.

  • Cosmetology and Barbering

    • Licensure is required through the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. Complete an approved program (e.g., 1,500 hours for cosmetology), pass written and practical exams, then apply for licensure8.

  • Massage Therapy

    • The Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy requires 700 hours of approved education, a background check, and passing an exam (MBLEx). Apply to the Board for a state license9.

Tip: If you plan to open your own construction business, target an ROC contractor license. If you plan to work as an employee, start with an apprenticeship or certificate and build experience.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended healthcare: Pima Medical Institute and Carrington College offer blended online/on‑campus coursework for some allied health programs, with in‑person labs and clinical externships2.
  • Hybrid trades: Pima Community College uses hybrid formats for portions of HVAC, welding theory, and construction technology, while keeping hands‑on lab time on campus2.
  • CDL: HDS offers flexible weekday, evening, and weekend scheduling for working adults3.
  • Apprenticeships: Tucson Electrical JATC and ABC Southern Arizona provide earn‑while‑you‑learn schedules. Related classroom instruction is typically evenings to accommodate full-time work.

If you need fully online options, look for theory-only portions online with scheduled on‑site labs. Most skilled trades still require hands‑on training and in‑person assessments for safety and competency.

Next Steps

  • Compare Arizona trade schools and statewide options: Arizona Trade School Hub
  • Explore careers and training paths by trade: Trades Hub
  • New to career training? Start with our how‑to resources: Guides
  • Ready to choose a program? Visit each school, ask about externships, instructor experience, certification pass rates, and employer partners. Verify accreditation and program approvals on College Navigator and accreditor/board sites235.

Footnotes:

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections and Occupational Outlook, 2023–2033. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. NCCER, Accredited Training Sponsors and Apprenticeship Resources. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

  5. Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), License Classifications and Requirements. https://roc.az.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  7. Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division, Commercial Driver License. https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles ↩

  8. Arizona State Board of Cosmetology, Licensing Requirements. https://boc.az.gov/ ↩

  9. Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, Licensing. https://massagetherapy.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.