Best Trade Schools in Washington, District of Columbia (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Washington. This guide lists accredited programs in DC and nearby, explains licensing steps, and shows which skilled trades are hiring in 2025. Use it to compare programs and choose the right path for your goals and schedule.

Top Trade Schools in Washington

Below are respected, accredited options in DC and the surrounding metro. Program lengths are typical ranges for diplomas, certificates, or apprenticeships. Always confirm current offerings.

School Program Length Highlights
University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC) – Washington, DC 6–24 months Public, MSCHE-accredited. Short-term certificates and pathways in HVAC, building maintenance, electrical basics. EPA 608 prep available. Metro accessible.1
Bennett Career Institute – Washington, DC 9–12 months NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology and barbering with DC Board exam prep. Strong client clinic for hands-on hours.1
Aveda Institute Washington DC – Washington, DC 6–12 months NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology and esthiology. High salon placement support and state licensure prep.1
ABC Metro Washington Chapter – Silver Spring, MD 3–4 years Registered apprenticeship. Electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry. Earn while you learn. NCCER curriculum. Evening classes common.23
IEC Chesapeake – Laurel, MD 4 years Registered electrical apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training plus classroom instruction. Journeyman exam preparation.2
Fortis College – Alexandria, VA 9–12 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC/R diploma with hands-on labs. Day and evening schedules.4
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Manassas, VA 18–21 months ACCSC-accredited and FAA Part 147. Aviation maintenance technician training with strong employer ties.4
Montgomery College – Rockville/Germantown, MD 6–12 months MSCHE-accredited. Welding, building trades, and electrical certificates. Modern labs and credit or noncredit pathways.1

Tip: Community colleges can be a good value if you want stackable certificates that lead into associate degrees. Apprenticeships are best if you want to work and earn from day one.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician
DC and the wider Washington metro area have steady hiring for electricians on large commercial, federal, and infrastructure projects.5 Apprenticeship plus a journeyman license leads to strong wages and union or nonunion career paths. See our Electrician career guide for job types and certifications.5 Explore Electrician careers.

HVAC/R
Government buildings, data centers, and hospitals keep HVAC technicians in demand across the region.5 EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants. Many schools here offer prep and testing support. Explore HVAC careers.

Welding
Welders support construction, utilities, transit, and fabrication shops. Structural welding codes and AWS certifications help you qualify for higher-paying roles.5 Explore Welding careers.

Plumbing
Plumbers and pipefitters are needed for new builds, tenant fit-outs, and maintenance work across DC and Northern Virginia.5 Apprenticeship is the standard route to journeyman and master licensing. Explore Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in District of Columbia

Licensing is managed by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Most building trades are under the DC Board of Industrial Trades.6

Electrician – DC Board of Industrial Trades

  • Start in a registered apprenticeship through an employer or program recognized by the DC Apprenticeship Office and the U.S. DOL.2
  • Complete required on-the-job hours and classroom instruction. Many paths take about four years.
  • Apply to DLCP to take the journeyman exam and pass the test.
  • Work as a journeyman under code.
  • After required experience, apply for the master electrician exam and license.6

HVAC/R – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

  • Apprentice under a licensed contractor or registered program.2
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants.7
  • Qualify for the journeyman license through hours and classroom training, then pass the exam.
  • Advance to master after additional verified experience and testing.6

Plumbing – DC Board of Industrial Trades

  • Enter a registered apprenticeship.
  • Complete required OJT hours and related instruction.
  • Pass the journeyman exam and then, with additional experience, the master exam.62

Cosmetology and Barbering – DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology

  • Complete state-required training at a Board-approved, accredited school.
  • Pass written and practical exams recognized by DC.
  • Apply for your DC license and keep it current with renewals and any continuing education as required.6

Welding

  • DC does not issue a general welder license, but employers and jobsites often require AWS certifications based on the process and position.
  • Structural work may require specific procedure qualifications and code testing. Your school or employer can help you schedule performance tests with an accredited test facility.

Good to know

  • Most trade applicants will register, test, and renew through DLCP. Exams are offered by approved testing vendors. Always verify current hours, exams, and fees with DLCP before you apply.6
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction safety is widely requested by employers and often included in apprenticeships.

Online & Flexible Options

You can complete many theory courses online while still getting hands-on lab or jobsite training locally.

  • Hybrid HVAC, electrical, and welding programs let you do code, math, and safety modules online, then attend scheduled labs.
  • Apprenticeships often hold related instruction in the evening so you can work days.
  • Cosmetology and barber programs may offer online theory, but hands-on hours must be done in the school’s clinic.
  • Test prep for EPA 608, OSHA, and NIC exams is commonly offered online through schools or third-party providers.7
  • If you need maximum flexibility, consider starting with an online pre-apprenticeship or skills bootcamp, then transition into a registered apprenticeship or campus labs.

Next Steps

Choosing a trade is easier when you see real options side by side. Use this page with our state hub and trade guides to plan your next move.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional profiles and program listings for UDC-CC, Bennett Career Institute, Aveda Institute Washington DC, and Montgomery College. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, and DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) Apprenticeship Office. Registered apprenticeship standards and sponsors. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Industry-recognized construction curricula and credentials. ↩

  4. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Accreditation status for Fortis College Alexandria, Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas, and other listed campuses. ↩ ↩

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Outlook and May 2023 employment data for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and welders, including the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Board of Industrial Trades and Board of Barber and Cosmetology. Licensing applications, exams, and renewal requirements. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Section 608 Technician Certification requirements for handling refrigerants. ↩ ↩

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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.