Best Trade Schools in Riverside, California (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Riverside. This guide compares accredited programs, shows the fastest paths to a license in California, and highlights jobs in demand for 2025. Skilled trades like electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing continue to offer steady careers with solid pay1.

Top Trade Schools in Riverside

All schools below are accredited institutions serving Riverside and the Inland Empire. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school and College Navigator2.

School Program Length Highlights
Riverside City College (Riverside) Certificates 6–12 months; Associate 2 years Public community college. ACCJC accredited. Strong labs in HVAC-R, Welding, Automotive, and Electrical. Pathways to apprenticeships and industry certifications.
UEI College – Riverside 9–12 months Career-focused training. Nationally accredited (ACCET). Hands-on labs in programs like HVAC, Electrician Technician, and Automotive Service. Day and evening schedules with externships.
Norco College (Norco) Certificates 8–12 months; Associate 2 years Public community college in RCCD. ACCJC accredited. Programs in Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Electrician and Instrumentation, and Automotive. Work-based learning options.
Universal Technical Institute – Rancho Cucamonga 12–18 months ACCSC accredited3. Automotive and Diesel Technology with manufacturer-aligned training. Industry certifications prep and career services.
Summit College – Colton 9–12 months ACCSC accredited3. Programs in HVAC, Electrician, and Welding. Flexible scheduling and skills-focused labs.
San Bernardino Valley College (San Bernardino) Certificates 9–12 months; Associate 2 years Public community college. ACCJC accredited. HVAC-R, Electricity and Electronics, Welding, and Automotive Technology. Strong employer ties.
Concorde Career College – San Bernardino 8–20 months ACCSC accredited3. Allied health programs like Medical Assistant, Surgical Technology, and Dental Assistant. Short, focused training with externships.
Platt College – Riverside 12–24 months ACCSC accredited3. Allied health programs such as Veterinary Technology and Surgical Technology. Career services and externships.

Tip: Public community colleges are a good fit if you want stackable certificates that build to an associate degree. Private career schools can get you job-ready faster with intensive lab time and externships. Use College Navigator to verify accreditation and program outcomes before you enroll2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician
    • Work includes residential, commercial, and industrial wiring, panels, and controls. Inland Empire logistics, warehousing, and solar projects keep demand steady. Electricians earned a national median of about 1,590 in 2023 and employment is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 20321.
  • HVAC Technician
    • Install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. New construction and retrofits drive hiring. National median pay was about 7,300 in 2023, with 6% projected growth through 20321.
  • Welder
    • Fabrication, repair, and structural welding for construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Riverside County’s manufacturing base supports steady work. National median pay was about 8,940 in 20231.
  • Plumber
    • Install and service water, gas, and drainage systems in homes and businesses. Ongoing residential growth in the region sustains demand. National median pay was about 1,550 in 20231.

If you are new to the trades, start with an entry-level certificate, then add industry certifications and on-the-job hours. See our trade hub for career paths and credentials by trade: /trades/.

Licensing Requirements in California

Licensing is handled at the state level. Here are the main paths for popular trades. Always check the state sites for current rules.

  • Electrician licensing and certification

    • California requires most electricians to be state-certified through the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DIR/DAS)4.
    • Common classifications and typical hour requirements:
    • General Electrician: 8,000 hours OJT + exam.
    • Residential Electrician: 4,800 hours OJT + exam.
    • Fire/Life Safety Technician: 4,000 hours OJT + exam.
    • Voice Data Video Technician: 4,000 hours OJT + exam.
    • Register as an Electrician Trainee while you earn hours in a state-approved program. Pass the state exam for your classification.
    • To run your own business, you also need the C-10 Electrical Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)5.

  • HVAC technician and contractor

    • California does not license HVAC technicians at the state level. Many employers require EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants6.
    • To bid work as a business owner, obtain the C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor license from CSLB. You need four years of journeyman-level experience in the trade in the last 10 years and must pass trade and law exams5.

  • Plumbing technician and contractor

    • No statewide journeyman plumber license. You can work under a licensed contractor while you gain experience.
    • To contract independently, apply for the C-36 Plumbing Contractor license from CSLB. Four years of experience and passing scores on state exams are required5.

  • Welding

    • No state license for welders. Employers and local jurisdictions set requirements.
    • Many jobs prefer or require certifications aligned to specific processes or codes. Check job postings and align training with common credentials noted in O*NET for welders7.

Not sure which license you need? Start with entry-level employment under a licensed contractor. Build hours while attending a state-approved training program. Then plan your exam timeline.

Online & Flexible Options

If you need to work while you learn, Riverside has flexible choices:

  • Community colleges like Riverside City College and San Bernardino Valley College offer evening and hybrid courses in many CTE programs. Lecture can be online, with labs on campus.
  • Private career schools such as UEI College, Summit College, and UTI offer day and evening cohorts. Some use blended delivery for theory and in-person labs for skills.
  • EPA Section 608 exam prep is widely available online, with in-person or online proctored testing options6.
  • For a deeper overview of each trade and credential pathway, start at our trade pages:

When comparing programs, ask schools about:

  • Accreditation and state approvals.
  • Lab hours and equipment.
  • Prep for state exams and industry certifications.
  • Employer partnerships and job placement support.
  • Class schedule, externships, and start dates.

Next Steps

Choose a program that is accredited, aligns with California licensing, and fits your schedule. Then set your exam plan and start earning experience.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook and Employment/Wages, 2023 data and 2022–2032 projections. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. California Department of Industrial Relations, Electrician Certification Program. https://www.dir.ca.gov/das/ElectricalTrade.html ↩

  5. California Contractors State License Board. https://www.cslb.ca.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  7. O*NET OnLine, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4121.00 ↩

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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.