Best Trade Schools in Springdale, 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 Springdale. This guide lists accredited programs, local licensing steps, and trades hiring now. Use it to compare options and plan your next move. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers are in steady demand with solid pay and career paths¹.

Top Trade Schools in Springdale

Below are accredited and state-recognized training providers serving Springdale and Northwest Arkansas. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current start dates and schedules.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Northwest Technical Institute (Springdale)	8–12 months diplomas; 11–18 months for select health programs	Public technical school. COE accredited (via College Navigator). Hands-on labs in Welding, HVAC/R, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive, Machine Tool, and Practical Nursing. Day and evening options. Strong local employer ties².
Northwest Arkansas Community College (Bentonville)	1–2 semesters (certificates); 2 years (AAS)	Public college with modern shops. Welding Technology, Construction, HVAC, Automotive Technology, and CDL through workforce. Stackable certificates that lead to AAS. Convenient to Springdale.
Arkansas Welding Academy (Huntsville)	30–45 weeks	ACCSC-accredited welding school. Pipe welding focus with SMAW/GTAW/GMAW/FCAW. Employer recruiting events and AWS test preparation³.
Career Academy of Hair Design (Springdale, Rogers)	6–12 months depending on program hours	Accredited cosmetology academy. Cosmetology (1,500 hours), Esthetics (600 hours), and Instructor Training. Salon-floor practice and state board prep (locations close to Springdale). Listed in College Navigator².
Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville	9–12 months (program-hour based)	Accredited cosmetology school with strong industry brand. Cosmetology training, guest artists, and state board prep. Short drive from Springdale. Listed in College Navigator².
Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Arkansas — NWA Training (Fayetteville)	4-year apprenticeships; classes 1–2 nights/week	Employer-sponsored, NCCER-curriculum apprenticeships in Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing. Earn while you learn. Classroom plus on-the-job training. Graduates qualify to test for journeyman licenses where applicable⁴.

Tip: Always verify institutional or programmatic accreditation and state licensure approvals before you enroll. Use College Navigator to confirm schools and programs², and ACCSC for career-school accreditation checks³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industry. Work includes reading blueprints, running conduit, and troubleshooting. The trade offers steady demand and strong wages nationally¹. In Springdale, major construction and manufacturing projects keep electricians busy year-round.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC techs service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Training covers electricity, controls, refrigerants, and system diagnostics. EPA 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling. Employers value techs who can start service calls on day one¹⁵.

Welder

Welders join metal using SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW processes. Northwest Arkansas fabrication, structural steel, and maintenance shops hire welders with strong plate and pipe skills. Industry certifications help prove your ability and boost pay¹⁴.

Plumber

Plumbers install and repair water, waste, and gas piping systems. Apprentices learn layout, code, venting, and gas-fitting. After apprenticeship, you can test for a journeyman license and later a master license. Demand stays consistent due to housing growth and maintenance work¹.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Electrician (Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing — Board of Electrical Examiners)

Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed electrician.
Complete the required experience (commonly 8,000 hours OJT plus related classroom training).
Apply and pass the Arkansas journeyman electrician exam.
Master license requires additional verified experience as a journeyman and passing the master exam.
Electrical contractors must hold or employ a master and meet bonding/insurance requirements⁶.

HVAC/R (Arkansas Department of Health — HVACR Licensing Board)

Choose the appropriate license: HVACR Class A–E contractor licenses vary by system size/scope.
Document experience, pass the state exam for contractor licensure, and provide insurance as required.
HVACR technicians work under a licensed contractor; contractors must ensure compliance.
EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling (all classes)⁷⁵.

Plumbing (Arkansas Department of Health — Plumbing & Natural Gas)

Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed plumber.
Complete apprenticeship (commonly 4 years/8,000 hours plus classroom instruction).
Apply and pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Master license requires additional experience as a journeyman and passing the master exam.
Separate endorsements may be needed for natural gas work⁸.

Welding

Arkansas does not issue a general welder license.
Employers and projects often require certifications such as AWS D1.1 structural, ASME pipe, or NCCER performance verifications. Many schools and employers test to these standards⁴.

Always confirm current requirements with the official boards before applying. Rules and fees can change.

Online & Flexible Options

You can start theory online for many trades and complete hands-on labs on campus or at work:

Hybrid HVAC and electrical programs use online modules for code, math, and safety, then schedule lab blocks for meters, brazing, and controls.
Apprenticeships blend paid OJT with one or two evenings of related instruction per week. This is ideal if you need to earn while you train.
Exam prep for EPA 608, electrician code updates, and welding theory is widely available online. Skills still need in-person practice and performance testing⁵⁴.

Compare formats and time commitments. Ask schools about evening/weekend labs, externships, and employer partnerships.

Next Steps

See all Arkansas options: Arkansas Trade Schools.
Compare national programs and tips: Trade School Hub.
Explore careers and requirements:
- Electrician
- HVAC
- Welding
- Plumbing
Planning help:
Tour two or three campuses. Bring questions about schedules, certifications, job placement, and licensure steps in Arkansas.

Start with the program that matches your timeline and learning style. Springdale has strong hands-on options and employer demand to match.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook entries for Electricians, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — search accredited institutions and programs in Arkansas (e.g., Northwest Technical Institute; cosmetology schools). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institution Directory — Arkansas Welding Academy. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩
NCCER — standardized construction craft training and credentials; apprenticeship curricula. https://www.nccer.org ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification — refrigerant handling requirements. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩
Arkansas Department of Labor & Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners — licensing and exams. https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/boards-commissions/electrical-examiners/ ↩
Arkansas Department of Health, HVACR Licensing Board — licensing classes and applications. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/hvacr-licensing ↩
Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas — licensing and exams. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/plumbing-and-natural-gas ↩

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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.