Best Trade Schools in Texarkana, Arkansas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Texarkana. This guide lists accredited options, what they teach, and the steps to get licensed in Arkansas. It is built for high school grads and career changers. You will also find job demand trends and flexible training paths you can start this year12.

Top Trade Schools in Texarkana

All schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training in high-demand trades2.

School Program Length Highlights
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) – Texarkana & Hope Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited community college. Welding, HVACR, Industrial Electricity/Controls, Electromechanical, EMT/Paramedic, Practical Nursing. Small class sizes. Day and evening options. Strong employer ties2.
Texarkana College (Texas) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC-accredited. Welding, HVACR, Electrical Lineworker, Diesel, Automotive, Construction Technology, Nursing Assistant. Proven regional job placement. Extensive labs and continuing education tracks2.
Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) – East Camden Certificates/Diplomas: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited. Process Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Welding, HVACR, Aviation Maintenance Technology. On-campus housing and modern training labs2.
University of Arkansas Cossatot – De Queen, Ashdown, Nashville Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited. Welding, Industrial Technology, Automotive Service, CNC/Manufacturing, CNA/LPN. Multiple campuses within driving distance of Texarkana2.
UA Rich Mountain – Mena Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited. Welding Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive Service, Nursing pathways. Small cohorts and rural employer partnerships2.
Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) – Bossier City, LA Technical Diplomas/Certificates: 1–4 terms; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC-accredited. HVACR, Welding, Advanced Manufacturing, EMT/Paramedic, Cybersecurity. Hybrid options and strong transfer/stackable credentials2.
ASU Three Rivers – Malvern Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years HLC-accredited. Welding, HVACR, Electrical Systems, Industrial Technology, CDL. Weekend and evening scheduling in select programs2.

Tip: Tour the shops and labs. Ask about licensure pass rates and recent job placement by program. Use College Navigator to confirm accreditation and program offerings2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Work on residential, commercial, and industrial systems. Training blends classroom safety and code with on-the-job experience. Demand is steady due to construction, maintenance, and upgrades to power and controls1. See career paths and pay on our electrician hub: Electrician.

  • HVACR Technician

    • Install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Jobs grow with replacement of older systems, higher efficiency standards, and year-round service contracts1. Many roles require EPA 608 certification for refrigerants. Explore training and certifications: HVAC.

  • Welder/Fabricator

    • Cut, join, and repair metal for construction, manufacturing, and energy. Local employers value AWS and NCCER credentials and strong blueprint reading. Cross-train in fabrication and pipe to widen your options1. Learn more: Welding.

  • Plumber/Pipefitter

    • Install and maintain water, gas, and drain systems. Apprentices learn code, math, and safety on the job. Work is stable across residential and industrial sites1. Start here: Plumbing.

BLS projects steady employment across these fields and competitive wages relative to the state median1. Hands-on programs in the Texarkana region target these skills with short certificates you can stack into an AAS.

Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Electrician (Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Board of Electrical Examiners) 3

  • Register as an apprentice with the state.
  • Complete 8,000 hours of documented OJT under a licensed electrician. Classroom hours from approved programs can count toward requirements.
  • Pass the Arkansas Journeyman Electrician exam.
  • For Master Electrician, complete required experience beyond journeyman and pass the master exam.
  • Renew on schedule and complete any required CE.

HVACR (Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board) 4

  • Gain 2 or more years of experience or approved education plus experience in HVACR.
  • Pass the Arkansas HVACR exam for your license class (A through E covers system types and capacities).
  • Hold EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants5.
  • Contractors must maintain proper business licensing and insurance.
  • Renew and complete CE as required.

Plumbing (Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section) 6

  • Register as an apprentice and log experience under a licensed plumber.
  • Typically 4 years (8,000 hours) experience for Journeyman eligibility.
  • Pass the Arkansas Journeyman Plumber exam.
  • Meet experience and exam requirements for Master Plumber.
  • Maintain license and CE per state rules.

Welding

  • Arkansas does not license welders. Employers and jobsites require performance qualifications such as AWS D1.1 structural, ASME Section IX for pipe, or NCCER credentials7.
  • Schools and employers often provide test-outs. Keep continuity logs current.

Tip: If you train across the state line in Texas or Louisiana, confirm that your coursework and hours meet Arkansas licensing rules before you enroll. Your Arkansas license is issued by Arkansas boards even if you study elsewhere.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs: Many local colleges deliver theory online with labs on campus. This is common in HVAC, welding safety, industrial maintenance, and healthcare prerequisite courses.
  • Evening/weekend cohorts: UAHT, SAU Tech, and other community colleges often run night labs for working adults. Ask admissions about next start dates and seat limits.
  • Short credentials first: Stack OSHA 10, EPA 608, Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welding, or NCCER Core early. These help you get hired while you finish a longer certificate or AAS.
  • Apprenticeship: Earn while you learn. Electrical and plumbing apprenticeships blend paid OJT with related training. Confirm your employer is a registered sponsor with the state36.

Next Steps

  • Compare more Arkansas options: Arkansas Trade School Hub
  • See all trades and salary guides: Trade Career Hub
  • Get planning checklists and study guides: Guides
  • Ready to start? Explore programs and request tours this week. Then map your licensing steps for your trade.

If you want help choosing a program, start at our main directory: Trade Schools. Bring your timeline, target trade, and any prior credits to your advising meeting.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook and wages for skilled trades. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program details for community and technical colleges. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board. License classifications, exams, and renewals. https://www.labor.arkansas.gov/ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. Refrigerant handling rules and exam types. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. Arkansas Department of Health, Plumbing and Natural Gas Section. Apprentice registration, journeyman and master licensing. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/ ↩ ↩

  7. NCCER. Industry-recognized credentials and performance verifications for construction crafts. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

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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.