Best Trade Schools in Rogers, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Rogers. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program length, and what each school does well. You will also see Arkansas licensing steps for popular trades and flexible training options. Electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing jobs remain steady in Arkansas with solid replacement demand and year‑round work1.

Top Trade Schools in Rogers

Below are accredited options in Rogers and nearby Northwest Arkansas. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school’s catalog for specific start dates and schedules.

School Program Length Highlights
Bryan University – Rogers Certificates: 9–16 months; AAS: ~2 years ACCSC-accredited career school. HVAC/R diploma and AAS, medical assisting, dental assisting, fitness training. Small labs, EPA 608 prep, job placement support2.
Northwest Technical Institute (NTI) – Springdale Diplomas/Certificates: ~9–12 months Public technical institute. HVAC/R, Industrial Maintenance, Welding, Machine Tool, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Practical Nursing. Strong employer ties in NWA manufacturing3.
Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) – Bentonville Certificates: 1–2 terms; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited. HVAC installer/tech pathways, Construction Technology, Welding Technology, Mechatronics, Brightwater culinary. Stackable credentials and apprenticeships3.
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus Technical Certificates: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Automation Technology, Automotive, Welding. Day and some evening options; credential stacking to AAS3.
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM) Certificates: 1–2 terms; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited. HVAC, Welding, Drafting, Industrial Mechanics, Automotive. Strong transfer and employer partnerships; modern labs3.
North Arkansas College – Harrison Certificates: 1–2 terms; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited. Welding Technology, Construction Technology, Advanced Manufacturing. NCCER-aligned coursework and industry labs3.
Paul Mitchell The School – Fayetteville Cosmetology: ~10–12 months; Instructor: varies Accredited cosmetology program. Preps for Arkansas licensure with hands-on clinic experiences and state board exam prep3.

All listed schools are accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or ACCSC. Use College Navigator to verify current program approvals and accreditation before you enroll3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electricians keep homes, stores, and factories running. Work includes installs, service calls, and controls. Many roles are filled through apprenticeships and local contractors. Nationally, employment remains steady with good replacement needs as experienced workers retire1. In Arkansas, licensed journeymen and masters are consistently needed for commercial and residential projects4.

  • HVAC/R Technician Northwest Arkansas growth means year‑round demand for HVAC installation and service. HVAC/R techs work on furnaces, heat pumps, chillers, and refrigeration. Entry-level roles start with certificates and EPA Section 608 certification5. Field experience leads to higher license classes in Arkansas6.

  • Welder Welders support construction, manufacturing, and maintenance. Employers value certifications and the ability to read blueprints and follow AWS/NCCER procedures. Short programs can get you job-ready, with additional process qualifications earned on the job7.

  • Plumber Plumbers install and service water, drain, and gas systems. Arkansas requires apprenticeship and state exams for journeyman and master levels8. Demand stays stable due to ongoing construction and service work1.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Here are the common steps. Always confirm current rules with the state board before applying.

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

    • Register as an apprentice with the state and work under a licensed contractor4.
    • Complete 8,000 hours of supervised on‑the‑job training plus classroom instruction (or approved equivalent)4.
    • Apply for and pass the Arkansas Journeyman Electrician exam4.
    • Upgrade to Master after required journeyman experience and passing the Master exam4.
    • Complete required continuing education for renewal4.

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

    • Start as a registered HVAC/R apprentice or complete approved training with documented experience6.
    • Choose license class based on scope: Class A (unlimited), B (restricted capacity), C/D (specialty)6.
    • Pass the state exam for your class and provide required liability insurance6.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants5.
    • Renew your license and keep insurance and CE current6.

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

    • Register as a plumbing apprentice and train under a licensed plumber8.
    • Complete 4 years (8,000 hours) of OJT plus related instruction (credit may apply for approved schooling)8.
    • Pass the Journeyman exam; advance to Master with additional experience and exam8.
    • Maintain required continuing education and renewal8.

  • Cosmetology (Arkansas Department of Health – Cosmetology)

    • Complete 1,500 hours at a licensed cosmetology school9.
    • Pass the written and practical exams approved by the state (NIC)9.
    • Apply for your license and renew as required9.

  • Welding (No state license)

    • Earn employer‑recognized certifications such as NCCER or AWS code tests (e.g., structural or pipe procedures)7.
    • Keep procedure qualifications current per code and employer requirements7.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning

    • Many Rogers‑area programs blend online theory with on‑campus labs and shops. HVAC and healthcare courses at Bryan University and NWACC often follow this model for working adults32.

  • Short-term stacks

    • Schools like NTI, NWACC, ATU‑Ozark, UACCM, and North Arkansas College offer short certificates that stack into diplomas or AAS degrees. This lets you start working sooner and build credentials over time3.

  • Evening and accelerated formats

    • Look for evening labs, weekend intensives, or accelerated daytime cohorts, especially in HVAC, welding, and medical assisting32.

  • Industry credentials

    • Ask programs about embedded certifications: EPA 608 for HVAC5, OSHA‑10/30, NCCER core and craft credentials7. These add value to your resume.

Next Steps

Have a short list? Tour the campus, ask about pass rates and job placement, and confirm the school’s accreditation and state approvals on College Navigator and the Arkansas boards before you enroll34689.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections for Electricians, HVAC/R Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory – Bryan University, Rogers, AR (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – institutional profiles for Northwest Technical Institute (Springdale), Northwest Arkansas Community College, Arkansas Tech University–Ozark Campus, UACCM, North Arkansas College, and Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners – Licensing, exams, and apprenticeship registration (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification – Refrigerant handling requirements (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, HVAC/R Licensing Board – License classes, applications, exams, and insurance requirements (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. NCCER, Industry-recognized construction and craft credentials; O*NET OnLine occupational competency profiles (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  8. Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section – Apprentice registration and journeyman/master licensing (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  9. Arkansas Department of Health, Cosmetology and Massage Therapy Section – School requirements and state licensure (accessed 2025). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.