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

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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 Long Beach. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains California licensing. It’s built for career changers and new grads who want clear steps and trusted sources. Local demand in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim area remains strong for electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers according to federal data1.

Top Trade Schools in Long Beach

Below are accredited, nearby options with hands-on training. Program length is typical for a full-time certificate or diploma; associate degrees take about two years.

School Program Length Highlights
Long Beach City College (LBCC) 6–24 months (certificates); ~2 years (A.S.) Public community college with Welding, Electrical Technology, Automotive, Advanced Transportation. Day/evening labs. Institutional accreditation; see College Navigator for programs and outcomes2.
Universal Technical Institute – Long Beach 12–18 months ACCSC-accredited. Automotive and Diesel Technology with manufacturer-aligned training and prep for ASE certifications3.
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) 6–24 months (certificates); ~2 years (A.S.) Public college with Electrical Construction, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding pathways. Strong lab facilities and union connections. See College Navigator for details2.
Los Angeles Harbor College (Wilmington) 6–12 months (certificates) Welding Technology certificates close to Long Beach. Public, hands-on instruction with multiple welding processes2.
UEI College – Gardena 8–12 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, Automotive Technician, and Electrician Technician programs with fast-track, hands-on training3.
North-West College – Long Beach 8–12 months ACCSC-accredited. Allied health career training (Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Tech) with daytime/evening schedules3.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Los Angeles (Inglewood) 18–21 months ACCSC-accredited. Aviation Maintenance Technician (A&P prep) with extensive lab time and FAA exam preparation3.
Cerritos College (Norwalk) 6–24 months (certificates); ~2 years (A.S.) Public community college. HVACR, Welding, Automotive, and more. Multiple stackable certificates and industry-recognized prep2.

Tip: Use College Navigator to verify program availability, completion data, and campus locations before you apply2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Work includes installing and maintaining electrical systems in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial sites. Training covers safety, code, conduit bending, motors, and controls.
    • The LA–Long Beach–Anaheim metro employs a large number of electricians, with steady openings from retirements and construction projects1.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Install and service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. You will learn diagnostics, air flow, controls, and refrigerant handling.
    • Technicians with EPA Section 608 certification are preferred. Demand is supported by year-round climate control needs and strict energy codes in California14.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication and structural welding in construction, manufacturing, shipyards, and aerospace. Skills include SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, cutting, and blueprint reading.
    • Certifications like AWS D1.1 are common hiring requirements; structural work in the LA region may also require local approval tests56.

  • Plumber

    • Install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems. Training covers code, pipefitting, fixtures, and safety.
    • Residential and commercial construction, renovations, and water efficiency upgrades keep demand stable across the metro1.

Salaries vary by certification, overtime, and union status. In general, these trades in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim area offer competitive wages compared to national averages, with premium pay for night shifts, industrial sites, and specialized credentials1.

Licensing Requirements in California

California regulates who can contract and how certain trades work. Here are the essentials:

  • Electricians (Employee/Technician level)

    • California certifies electricians through the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS)7.
    • Choose a classification and complete required on-the-job hours:
    • General Electrician: 8,000 hours
    • Residential Electrician: 4,800–6,000 hours
    • Voice Data Video (Low Voltage): 4,000 hours
    • Fire/Life Safety Technician: 3,200–4,000 hours
    • Apply and pass the state certification exam. If you are not in a registered apprenticeship, register as an Electrician Trainee (ET) to work under supervision7.
    • Renew every three years with continuing education (commonly 32 hours)7.

  • HVAC Contractors

    • To run a business or take jobs over 00, you need a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)8.
    • Requirements: 4 years of journeyman-level experience (or equivalent), pass trade and law/business exams, background check, surety bond, and proof of worker’s compensation (if applicable)8.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for anyone who buys or handles regulated refrigerants4.

  • Plumbing Contractors

    • For projects over 00, hold a C-36 Plumbing license from CSLB. Same process as HVAC: document 4 years of experience, pass exams, and meet bonding and insurance requirements8.
    • Some municipalities and employers may require backflow tester or medical gas endorsements.

  • Welders

    • No state contractor license is required to work as a welder employee, but certifications matter.
    • Common credentials: AWS D1.1 (structural steel) or process-specific tests requested by employers5.
    • Structural welding within the City of Los Angeles often requires performance testing and approval through LADBS or an approved facility6.
    • If you operate a welding business contracting over 00, you must hold the appropriate CSLB license.

Not sure which license you need? Review the trade pages above and the California state hub: /trade-school/california/

Online & Flexible Options

Hands-on labs are essential in the skilled trades. That said, many local programs offer:

  • Hybrid schedules: theory online with on-campus labs.
  • Evening or weekend cohorts for working adults.
  • Short, stackable certificates that build to an associate degree.
  • Test prep for certifications like EPA 608, AWS, or ASE.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask admissions about:

  • Online learning platforms for theory modules.
  • Credit for prior learning or work experience.
  • Start dates throughout the year.

Use our trade hub to compare paths and credentials: /trades/

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, start with these pages:

Citations

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment and Wages data for Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro and related occupational outlook. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – Program listings, accreditation, and outcomes by institution. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification for handling refrigerants. ↩ ↩

  5. American Welding Society (AWS) – Welder certification standards (e.g., D1.1). ↩ ↩

  6. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) – Approved welder and structural welding requirements. ↩ ↩

  7. California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Division of Apprenticeship Standards – Electrician Certification Program. ↩ ↩ ↩

  8. California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) – License classifications, requirements, and exam information. ↩ ↩ ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.