Best Trade Schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado (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 Colorado Springs. This guide compares accredited programs, explains Colorado licensing, and shows which trades are hiring in 2025. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers continue to see steady demand in the region1.

Top Trade Schools in Colorado Springs

Below are accredited and state-recognized training options in the Colorado Springs area. Program lengths are typical; check each school for details. Verify accreditation on College Navigator or the accrediting body23.

Name Program Length Highlights
Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) 1–2 years (certificates and AAS) Public college (HLC-accredited). Welding, machining, automotive, diesel, construction, culinary, EMT, cybersecurity. Strong labs and multiple campuses.
IntelliTec College – Colorado Springs 9–18 months (diploma/AOS) ACCSC-accredited career college. HVAC-R, Automotive Tech, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Computer Systems Technician. Day/evening schedules; EPA 608 and ASE prep3.
Pima Medical Institute – Colorado Springs 9–24 months (certificate/AAS) Institutionally accredited. Medical assistant, dental assistant, veterinary technician (programmatic approvals vary by program). Clinical externships built in2.
International Salon and Spa Academy 5–12 months NACCAS-accredited cosmetology/barber/esthetics/nails school. Student salon, state board prep, flexible schedules2.
Paul Mitchell The School – Colorado Springs 10–13 months NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics. State board prep and practical training2.
Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy ~9–12 months COMTA-accredited massage therapy program. Neuromuscular therapy focus, MBLEx preparation2.
Pikes Peak Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 113) 4–5 years (registered apprenticeship) Earn-while-you-learn electrician training. Classroom + paid OJT. Prepares for Colorado Journeyman Electrician licensing exams (registered with state/U.S. DOL).

Tip: Apprenticeships can reduce tuition costs and put you on a jobsite fast. Check local openings through the JATC or employers.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Why it’s hot: New builds, military facilities, and ongoing upgrades keep demand steady. Electrician employment is projected to grow faster than average nationally, with solid wages1.
    • Training path: Approved apprenticeship or school + on-the-job hours, then the state exam.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Why it’s hot: Heating and cooling service is essential, and older systems need upgrades. EPA 608 is required to handle refrigerants14.
    • Training path: Diploma/AOS plus EPA 608; local mechanical licensing may apply to pull permits.

  • Welder

    • Why it’s hot: Fabrication, defense suppliers, and construction need welders. Certifications like AWS D1.1 improve hiring chances15.
    • Training path: Certificate or AAS in welding; add process-specific certs (SMAW, FCAW, GTAW) as you advance.

  • Plumber

    • Why it’s hot: Residential and commercial service are steady, and licensed tradespeople are in short supply. Wages are competitive across Colorado1.
    • Training path: Registered apprenticeship, documented hours, and state exams for Residential, Journeyman, and Master levels.

Licensing Requirements in Colorado

Electrician licensing (Colorado State Electrical Board – DORA)6

  • Apprentice: Register with DORA before accumulating hours.
  • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours of residential wiring experience; pass the state exam (PSI).
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours (including commercial/industrial); pass the state exam.
  • Master Electrician: 12,000 hours total, including 2,000+ as a licensed Journeyman; pass the state exam.
  • Continuing education is required for renewal. Verify current rules and exam providers with DORA.

Plumber licensing (Colorado State Plumbing Board – DORA)6

  • Apprentice: Register with DORA; log supervised hours.
  • Residential Plumber: 3,400 hours over at least 2 years; pass the state exam (PSI).
  • Journeyman Plumber: 6,800 hours over at least 4 years; pass the state exam.
  • Master Plumber: 9,780 hours total, including Journeyman experience; pass the state exam.
  • CE may be required for renewal; confirm details with DORA.

HVAC/R (Colorado Springs area)

  • Colorado has no statewide HVAC license for technicians. To handle refrigerants, you must pass EPA Section 6084.
  • To pull mechanical permits in the Colorado Springs area, contractors must be licensed through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). Experience and exams (often ICC) are required for contractor classifications. Check PPRBD for current categories and requirements7.

Welding

  • Colorado does not issue a state welder license. Employers and local code authorities may require procedure- and code-specific qualifications (e.g., AWS D1.1 structural, ASME Section IX for pipe).
  • Certifications are employer- or project-driven. Review in-demand certifications for your target job; O*NET and NCCER list common credentials and skills5.

Cosmetology/Barber/Esthetics (DORA)

  • Complete required hours at an approved school, pass written and practical exams, and apply to the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensing (DORA). Schools like Paul Mitchell and International Salon and Spa Academy prepare you for the state exams6.

Massage Therapy (DORA)

  • Complete a board-approved program, pass the MBLEx, and meet background and application requirements with the Colorado Office of Massage Therapy Licensure6.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: Many Colorado Springs programs mix online theory with on-campus labs. This is common in HVAC, medical assisting, IT support, and cosmetology theory.
  • Evening/weekend tracks: IntelliTec, PPSC, and several cosmetology schools offer schedules for working adults.
  • Exam prep online: EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, and trade math refreshers can often be completed online before or during your program.
  • Apprenticeships: The Pikes Peak Electrical JATC combines paid jobsite learning with weekly classes. Expect some theory content supported by online materials.

Ask each school about:

  • Hands-on lab hours and equipment
  • Externships or co-ops with local employers
  • Industry certification prep (EPA 608, AWS, ASE, CompTIA)
  • Credit for prior learning or military experience
  • Career services and employer partnerships

Next Steps

Local hiring needs change. Before you enroll, confirm accreditation, program approvals, and state or local licensing rules with the school and the relevant board.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook and Employment/Wages data for electricians, HVAC mechanics and installers, plumbers, and welders. 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 (ACCSC), School Directory. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩

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

  5. O*NET and NCCER resources on trade credentials and competencies. https://www.onetonline.org/ and https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  6. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) – State Electrical Board, State Plumbing Board, Office of Barber and Cosmetology, Office of Massage Therapy. https://dpo.colorado.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) – Licensing and Permits (Colorado Springs region). https://www.pprbd.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.