Best Trade Schools in Little Rock, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Little Rock. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, learn state licensing steps, and target trades with strong hiring. We highlight hands-on training and apprenticeships employers in Central Arkansas value. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers all show steady demand and good career paths1.

Top Trade Schools in Little Rock

The schools below are accredited or state-recognized and serve the Little Rock metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current offerings and outcomes with the school.

School Program Length Highlights
UA–Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock) Certificates 1–2 semesters; AAS 2 years Public college. HLC accredited. Training in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Welding, Automotive, and industrial technologies. Strong labs and employer ties2.
Arkansas Welding Academy (Jacksonville) 20–48 weeks ACCSC accredited. Pipe and structural welding based on AWS standards. Small class sizes and hiring support for fabrication, pipeline, and industrial roles3.
Arkansas Construction Education Foundation (Little Rock) 2–4 years apprenticeships NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor and U.S. DOL Registered Apprenticeship. Electrical, HVACR, Plumbing, Carpentry. Earn wage while training and build a portable NCCER credential4.
Baptist Health College Little Rock (Little Rock) 11–24 months ABHES accredited. Career-focused health programs like Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Medical Lab, and Imaging. Strong clinical rotations in major hospitals5.
CHI St. Vincent School of Radiography (Little Rock) 24 months JRCERT accredited hospital-based radiography program. Intensive clinical experience and ARRT exam eligibility on completion6.
Arkansas College of Barbering & Hair Design (Little Rock) 600–1500 hours NACCAS accredited. Barbering and instructor training with state board prep and client clinic experience7.
UAMS College of Health Professions (Little Rock) 12–24 months for many certificates Public university. HLC accredited. In-demand allied health certificates and AAS programs with strong clinical partnerships and programmatic accreditations2.

Note: Check each school’s accreditation on agency directories and College Navigator to verify current status and program approvals237654.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Power grid upgrades, construction, and facility maintenance keep electricians in steady demand. BLS projects faster than average growth nationally through 20321. Apprenticeship graduates who pass the journeyman exam have clear steps to master and contractor roles.

  • HVACR Technician

    • Heat pump growth, indoor air quality, and energy retrofits push steady hiring. Technicians with EPA 608 and state HVACR licenses stay competitive. BLS expects faster than average growth1.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, shipbuilding along the Arkansas River, and construction create durable demand for certified welders. Employers value AWS codes and multi-process skill. BLS projects consistent opportunities as infrastructure investment continues1.

  • Plumber

    • Residential and commercial work remain steady drivers. Pipefitters and steamfitters also benefit from industrial projects. BLS projects steady growth with strong replacement needs1.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Here are the baseline steps for common licensed trades. Always review forms, fees, and rule updates with the state before you apply.

  • Electrician

    • Board: Board of Electrical Examiners of Arkansas under the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing8.
    • Steps:
    • Register as an apprentice and enroll in an approved apprenticeship or show equivalent experience.
    • Accumulate about 8,000 hours of supervised field experience and related classroom instruction.
    • Apply and pass the journeyman exam through the state’s testing vendor.
    • Gain additional verified experience and pass the master exam to advance.
    • Pull permits as required by local jurisdictions.

  • HVACR

    • Board: Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board under the Department of Labor and Licensing9.
    • Steps:
    • Document qualifying experience or apprenticeship for your license class (A, B, C, D, or E).
    • Pass the state HVACR exam for your class.
    • Hold EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants10.
    • Maintain required insurance and renew on the state schedule.

  • Plumbing

    • Board: Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section and State Committee of Plumbing Examiners11.
    • Steps:
    • Register as an apprentice and complete a multi-year program with classroom training.
    • Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
    • Document additional experience and pass the master exam.
    • Follow local permitting and inspection rules.

  • Welding

    • State license is not required for general welding. Employers typically require AWS or NCCER credentials tied to the code you will weld under (structural, pipe, pressure vessels)4. Certain jobs may require procedure-specific performance qualifications.

  • Cosmetology and Barbering

    • Boards: Arkansas Department of Health Cosmetology Section and Arkansas State Board of Barber Examiners.
    • Steps:
    • Complete approved hours in a licensed school.
    • Pass written and practical state exams.
    • Apply for license and renew with required continuing education, if applicable.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training

    • Many Little Rock programs blend online theory with in-person labs. UA–Pulaski Tech and health schools often deliver lecture content online while keeping labs, simulations, and clinicals on campus or at partner sites2.

  • Short courses and upskilling

    • Working techs can stack credentials, such as EPA 608 for HVACR or NCCER craft certifications for construction and industrial maintenance. These are offered frequently and can be added around your schedule104.

  • Apprenticeship

    • Apprenticeships provide paid, structured training with scheduled classes at night or one day a week. The model is ideal for career changers who need income while learning. ACEF is a primary sponsor in Central Arkansas4.

Tip: Purely online options are limited for trades that require tools, torches, meters, and live diagnostics. Expect to attend labs or clinical rotations to build hands-on competency.

Next Steps

Set your timeline, pick a program that matches your goals, and apply early. Most selective programs fill months ahead of start dates.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians, HVACR Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders job outlook and growth. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Accredited Organizations and Credentials. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Accredited Institutions. https://abhes.org/ ↩ ↩

  6. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), Program Search. https://www.jrcert.org/ ↩ ↩

  7. National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), School Directory. https://naccas.org/ ↩ ↩

  8. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners of Arkansas. https://labor.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/electrical-examiners/ ↩

  9. Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board, Department of Labor and Licensing. https://labor.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/hvacr-licensing-board/ ↩

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

  11. Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/plumbing-natural-gas/ ↩

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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.