Best Trade Schools in Bentonville, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Bentonville. This guide focuses on accredited programs local to Northwest Arkansas, how licensing works in Arkansas, and which trades are hiring. Use it to compare program lengths, specialties, and next steps.

Top Trade Schools in Bentonville

Below are reputable, accredited options in Bentonville and the surrounding metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Confirm current details with each school. School accreditation and program data are verified through the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator and accreditors where noted12.

School Program Length Highlights
NorthWest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville) 1–2 years (certificates/associate); short-term certificates 8–16 weeks HLC-accredited via College Navigator; welding, HVAC, construction technology, automotive, CDL and healthcare pathways; strong employer partnerships; day/evening options1
Northwest Technical Institute (Springdale) 9–18 months COE-accredited per College Navigator; HVAC/R, welding, industrial maintenance, ammonia refrigeration, automotive, networking; hands-on labs; apprenticeship-aligned1
Blue Cliff College – Fayetteville 9–15 months ACCSC-accredited; massage therapy and medical assisting; day/evening schedules; exam prep and career services2
Paul Mitchell The School Arkansas (Fayetteville) ~10–12 months (cosmetology) NACCAS-accredited per College Navigator; salon-focused training, guest services floor, instructor training available in some terms1
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus (Ozark) 1–2 years HLC-accredited via College Navigator; automation technology, HVAC, welding, allied health; small cohorts; stackable credentials1
North Arkansas College (Harrison) 1–2 years HLC-accredited via College Navigator; welding, HVAC, construction, industrial tech, LPN/RN pathways; work-based learning opportunities1

Tip: If you want a broad technical foundation with transfer options, community colleges like NWACC, ATU-Ozark, and North Arkansas College are a good fit. If you want an accelerated clock-hour program that gets you job-ready fast, look at NTI or Blue Cliff.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industry. Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom training. BLS projects steady national demand and solid wages for electricians3. See what electricians do and how to train on our page: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R

    • Heating and cooling techs are busy year-round with installs, service calls, and refrigeration. EPA Section 608 is required to handle refrigerants. Employers value grads with hands-on lab time and 608 certification. BLS reports stable employment and replacement needs as senior techs retire3. Explore training paths: HVAC.

  • Welding

    • Welders support construction, manufacturing, and repair shops across NWA. Entry roles start with SMAW/MIG, then move to advanced processes and pipe. Many employers prefer performance-based credentials from AWS or NCCER4. Learn more about welding careers: Welding.

  • Plumbing

    • Plumbers are essential for new construction and service work. Arkansas requires licensing (apprentice to journeyman to master). The work is steady and often includes overtime opportunities. See trade details: Plumbing. BLS notes consistent demand for skilled plumbers nationwide3.

Local outlook: Northwest Arkansas continues to grow in residential and commercial construction. That growth supports steady hiring in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and structural welding roles3.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Use these steps as a quick blueprint. Always verify current rules with the state boards before you enroll or test.

  • Electrician (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – Board of Electrical Examiners)

    • Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed master electrician.
    • Complete a state-recognized apprenticeship (commonly 8,000 hours OJT plus classroom).
    • Apply for and pass the Journeyman Electrician exam.
    • After required journeyman experience, apply for the Master Electrician exam and license5.

  • HVAC/R (Arkansas HVAC/R Licensing Board)

    • Entry-level techs register as HVACR Technicians to work under a license holder.
    • To contract or pull permits, earn a Class A–E HVACR license based on system types and capacity.
    • Meet experience requirements, submit application, and pass the state exam.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling67.

  • Plumbing (Arkansas Department of Health – Plumbing and Natural Gas)

    • Register as an apprentice and complete an approved apprenticeship (typically 4 years).
    • Apply for and pass the Journeyman Plumber exam.
    • Accrue additional experience and pass the Master Plumber exam to supervise and contract8.

  • Welding

    • Arkansas does not license welders at the state level.
    • Employers often require weld tests and may prefer AWS or NCCER performance-based credentials. Training programs help you prepare for these tests4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning

    • Many local programs blend online theory with on-campus labs. Expect to be on site for labs in HVAC, welding, electrical, and automotive.

  • Evening or accelerated schedules

    • NTI and Blue Cliff offer day/evening tracks. Community colleges offer 8–16 week certificates that stack into longer credentials.

  • General education online

    • At community colleges, some general education and safety courses are available online, which can lighten your weekly commute.

  • Licensing exams and certifications

    • Test prep for EPA Section 608, electrical code, and other exams is often available online, but you will still test in person or at approved centers756.

If your schedule is tight, ask each school about hybrid sections, evening cohorts, and start dates. Confirm how many hours are on campus versus online each term.

Next Steps

How to choose:

  • Visit two or three campuses.
  • Ask about accreditation, program outcomes, and employer partnerships.
  • Verify the program meets Arkansas licensing or certification requirements for your trade.
  • Map your path from entry certificate to journeyman or advanced credentials.

Start with schools close to home in Bentonville. Confirm program start dates and admission steps, then enroll in the next available cohort.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional accreditation and program information for Arkansas schools. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory (e.g., Blue Cliff College – Fayetteville). https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians, HVAC/R mechanics, plumbers, and welders employment and wage data. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. NCCER – Industry-recognized, performance-based credentials and assessments. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  5. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing – Board of Electrical Examiners. Licensing rules, applications, and exams. https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/ ↩ ↩

  6. Arkansas HVAC/R Licensing Board – Licensing and exam information. https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. EPA – Section 608 Technician Certification for Refrigerants. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  8. Arkansas Department of Health – Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. Licensing and apprenticeship info. https://healthy.arkansas.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.