Best Trade Schools in Hot Springs, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in Hot Springs. Use this 2025 guide to compare accredited programs, see which trades are hiring, and learn the Arkansas licensing steps. Electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders continue to see steady demand and solid pay¹.

Top Trade Schools in Hot Springs

The schools below are accredited and within a reasonable drive of Hot Springs. Program availability changes, so always confirm details with the college. Accreditation verified through the U.S. Department of Education and recognized accrediting bodies².

Name	Program Length	Highlights
National Park College (Hot Springs)	Certificates: 1–2 semesters; Diplomas/AAS: 1–2 years	HLC-accredited public college. Welding Technology, Industrial/Mechatronics, Drafting & Design, Health Sciences (CNA, LPN), IT pathways. Hands-on labs and local employer partnerships².
Arkansas State University Three Rivers (Malvern)	Certificates/Diplomas: 9–18 months; AAS: ~2 years	HLC-accredited. HVAC-R, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive Service, Practical Nursing. Apprenticeship-friendly options².
UA Pulaski Technical College (Little Rock / North Little Rock)	Technical Certificates: 9–18 months; AAS: ~2 years	HLC-accredited. Welding, HVAC, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Advanced Manufacturing. Day and evening cohorts².
Southeast Arkansas College (Pine Bluff)	Certificates: 1–2 semesters; Diplomas/AAS: 1–2 years	HLC-accredited. Welding, Industrial Technology, Medical Assisting, Practical Nursing, EMT. Strong workforce ties².
Baptist Health College Little Rock (Little Rock)	Clock-hour health programs: ~12–24 months	ABHES-accredited health career college. Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Radiography, Medical Laboratory Technology. Clinical rotations at major hospitals².
UA Community College at Morrilton (Morrilton)	Certificates/Diplomas: 9–18 months; AAS: ~2 years	HLC-accredited. Welding Technology, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive Service. Employer-aligned training and certifications².

Tip: Many programs allow you to stack a short-term certificate into a diploma or AAS. Schools often run multiple start dates per year.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians handle wiring, panels, motors, and controls in homes and industry. Median pay nationally is about 1,590, and employment is projected to grow through 2032¹. Apprentices earn while they learn and can test for a journeyman license in Arkansas.

HVAC

HVAC technicians install and service heating and cooling systems. Median pay is about 7,300 with solid year-round demand from residential and commercial customers¹. EPA 608 certification is standard for work with refrigerants.

Welding

Welders work in fabrication, construction, piping, and maintenance. Median pay is about 8,940, with overtime common on shutdowns and projects¹. Local employers value AWS structural and pipe certifications.

Plumbing

Plumbers and pipefitters build and maintain water, waste, and gas systems. Median pay is about 1,550 and the trade has steady growth driven by construction and replacement needs¹. Arkansas licenses plumbers at the apprentice, journeyman, and master levels.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Electricians (Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners)

Register as an apprentice with the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing³.
Gain 8,000 hours (4 years) of qualifying experience under a licensed master or through an approved apprenticeship.
Pass the Arkansas journeyman electrician exam (NEC-based)³.
Residential Wireman is available with 4,000 hours and an exam.
Master Electrician requires additional experience (typically 2 years as a journeyman) and a separate exam.

HVACR (Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board, Department of Health)

Choose license class: A (unlimited), B (limited capacity), C (service), or D (restricted)⁴.
Document required experience (often 2 years) or an approved education/experience mix.
Pass the trade exam and maintain EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants⁴⁵.
Businesses that contract HVAC work must hold the company license.

Plumbers (Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing & Natural Gas)

Register as an apprentice plumber⁶.
Complete 8,000 hours of supervised experience (generally 4 years) via an approved apprenticeship.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Qualify for master plumber after journeyman experience and pass the master exam⁶.

Cosmetology and Barbering

Cosmetologist: Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed school and pass state exams under the Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section⁷.
Barber: Complete required hours/training and pass exams under the Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners⁷.

Welding

No state license. Employers often require passing AWS D1.1/D1.3 or ASME Section IX performance tests. Schools and employers may host weld tests; keep your qualification records current.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid programs: Many community colleges in Central Arkansas offer general education online with labs on campus for trades like welding, industrial maintenance, and automotive.
Evening/weekend cohorts: Check for night classes in welding, HVAC, and healthcare support roles that fit work schedules.
Short-term certificates: 8–16 week certificates can help you upskill quickly and stack into a diploma or AAS.
Exam prep online: Use online prep for NEC, HVACR trade exams, OSHA 10/30, and EPA 608 while completing labs in person⁵.

If you work full-time, ask advisors about part-time pacing and whether prior experience or industry certifications can earn you credit.

Next Steps

Compare schools across the state: visit the Arkansas hub at trade-school/arkansas.
Browse all trades and pick a path: see the Skilled Trades hub.
Go deeper by trade:
Learn how to pay for school and plan your timeline in our Guides.
Or start fresh at the national Trade School directory.

Local tip: Start your application early. Apprenticeships and popular labs fill quickly. Ask about placement rates, employer partners, and which industry certifications are embedded in the program.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers/Pipefitters/Steamfitters, and Welders/Cutters/Solderers/Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional profiles and accreditation for Arkansas public colleges and career schools. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners (Licensing and Exams). https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/board-of-electrical-examiners/ ↩ ↩
Arkansas Department of Health, HVACR Licensing Board. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/hvacr-licensing-board ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩
Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section (Licensing). https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/plumbing-and-natural-gas ↩ ↩
Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology Section and Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners. https://healthy.arkansas.gov and https://arbarber.com ↩ ↩

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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.