Best Trade Schools in Huntington Beach, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Huntington Beach. This guide compares accredited programs nearby, explains California licensing, and highlights trades in demand. Orange County students can access strong labs and apprenticeships while working locally or across the wider LA metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Huntington Beach

Accredited options in Huntington Beach and nearby Orange County. Always confirm current program lists and schedules with each school23.

School Program Length Highlights
Golden West College (Huntington Beach) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public community college. CTE offerings include Automotive, Construction-related, and Healthcare pathways. Regionally accredited2.
Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public, regionally accredited. Aviation Maintenance, Welding, Automotive, Marine-related labs2.
Cypress College (Cypress) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Public community college. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Automotive, Mortuary Science. Evening options2.
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana) 6–24 months certificates; ~2 years associate Welding, Automotive, Pharmacy Tech, Fire Tech. Stackable certificates and apprenticeships2.
Concorde Career College – Garden Grove 8–20 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. Allied health programs: Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Surgical Tech, VN3.
UEI College – Garden Grove 10–15 months diplomas ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Electrician Technician, Medical Assistant. Frequent start dates3.
Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) – Anaheim 9–24 months Electrical Technology, HVAC, Biomedical Equipment Technology. Hands-on labs. ACCSC-accredited3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Construction, tenant improvements, and green energy projects sustain demand across OC and LA1.
  • HVAC/R Technician: Service and retrofits are steady year-round; EPA 608 is required for refrigerants14.
  • Welder: Local fabrication and construction benefit from strong SMAW/GMAW/GTAW skills and AWS credentials15.
  • Plumber: Residential/commercial builds and water-efficiency upgrades support consistent hiring1.

Licensing Requirements in California

  • Electricians: State certification via DIR/DAS; log required hours and pass the exam. Register as an Electrician Trainee if not yet certified6.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 is required for refrigerants; C-20 CSLB license needed to contract jobs 00+47.
  • Plumbing: Work under a contractor, or get the C-36 CSLB license to bid 00+7.
  • Welding: No state license; employers may require AWS/code tests5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges offer hybrid lecture + in-person labs, plus evening cohorts2.
  • Private schools provide accelerated schedules and externships3.
  • Ask about exam prep built into programs (EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, AWS).

Next Steps

  1. BLS Occupational Outlook + metro employment data. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. College Navigator — accreditation, programs, outcomes. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. ACCSC Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  5. American Welding Society (AWS) — certifications. https://www.aws.org ↩ ↩

  6. California DIR, Electrician Certification Program. https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/ElectricalTrade.html ↩

  7. California CSLB — license classifications and requirements. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩

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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.