Best Trade Schools in Moreno Valley, California (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 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 and around Moreno Valley. This guide compares accredited programs, California licensing, and in-demand trades across the Inland Empire1.

Top Trade Schools near Moreno Valley

Programs below serve Moreno Valley, Riverside, and the Inland Empire. Confirm accreditation, schedules, and start dates23.

School Program Length Highlights
Riverside City College (Riverside) Certificates 6–12 months; A.S. ~2 years ACCJC accredited. HVAC-R, Welding, Automotive, Electrical. Strong labs and apprenticeship paths2.
San Bernardino Valley College (San Bernardino) Certificates 9–12 months; A.S. ~2 years ACCJC accredited. Electricity/Electronics, HVAC-R, Welding, Automotive. Employer ties and evening options2.
Norco College (Norco) Certificates 8–12 months; A.S. ~2 years ACCJC accredited. Industrial Automation, Manufacturing, Electrical/Instrumentation. Work-based learning2.
UEI College – Riverside/Fontana 9–12 months ACCET/ACCSC accredited3. HVAC, Electrician Technician, Automotive. Hands-on labs with frequent starts.
Summit College – Colton 9–12 months ACCSC accredited3. HVAC, Electrician, Welding. Skills-focused labs and flexible schedules.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Warehousing/logistics and solar projects sustain demand. DIR state certification required for most roles4.
  • HVAC/R: New construction and retrofits drive hiring. EPA 608 required; CSLB C-20 license to contract56.
  • Welding: Fabrication and construction throughout the Inland Empire. Employers value AWS/code qualifications7.
  • Plumbing: Residential/commercial service. CSLB C-36 required to contract6.

Licensing in California

  • Electrician: Register as Electrician Trainee → accumulate OJT hours → pass DAS exam; C-10 license to contract46.
  • HVAC: EPA 608 for refrigerants; C-20 license to contract56.
  • Plumbing: C-36 license to contract; experience and exams required6.
  • Welding: No state license; employers/jurisdictions require code quals as needed.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges: hybrid lecture with on-campus labs.
  • Private career schools: accelerated schedules and externships.
  • Short credentials: OSHA-10/30, EPA 608 stack with longer programs.

Next Steps

  • Compare CA programs: /trade-school/california/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National resources: /trade-school/

Tour labs, confirm accreditation, and ask how programs align with California licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook (Electricians, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding). bls.gov/ooh ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. ACCSC/ACCET Directories. accsc.org, accet.org ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. CA DIR Electrician Certification. dir.ca.gov/das/ElectricalTrade.html ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608. epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. California CSLB Contractor Licensing. cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. American Welding Society (AWS). aws.org ↩

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.