Best Trade Schools in Daytona Beach, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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 Daytona Beach. This guide compares accredited options, program lengths, specialties, and how licensing works in Florida. You will also see which skilled trades are in demand and how to train fast for a good job in 2025¹²³.

Top Trade Schools in Daytona Beach

Below are reputable, accredited schools in Daytona Beach and nearby. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Daytona State College (Daytona Beach)	4–12 months (college credit certificates); 2 years (A.S.)	Public college accredited by SACSCOC. Hands-on programs in HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Automotive Service, CNC/Advanced Manufacturing, Building Trades, and Allied Health. Modern labs at the Advanced Technology College. Day/evening schedules.
Florida Technical College – DeLand	9–20 months (diplomas/degree)	Nationally accredited by ACCSC. Career programs in HVAC/R (with EPA 608 prep), Electrical, Welding, and Medical Assisting. Bilingual support, frequent start dates, and employer partnerships.
International Academy (South Daytona)	6–12 months	NACCAS-accredited beauty and wellness school. Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics/Skin Care, Massage Therapy, and Electrology. Strong Florida board exam preparation and clinic experience.
Daytona College (Ormond Beach)	8–20 months	Nationally accredited (ACCSC). Programs in Medical Assisting, Cosmetology, Skin Care, and Massage Therapy. Small class sizes and on-site salon/spa for real client practice.
Keiser University – Daytona Beach	18–24 months (A.S.)	Regionally accredited by SACSCOC. Career-focused associate degrees in allied health and technology with weekly course scheduling, small cohorts, and career services support.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Orlando	~21 months	ACCSC-accredited. FAA-approved Airframe & Powerplant training for aviation maintenance careers. Hands-on hangar labs and test prep for FAA A&P certification.
Lake Technical College – Eustis	6–12 months (PSAV/CTE certificates); apprenticeships	COE-accredited public technical college. Welding Technology, HVAC/R, Electricity, Automotive, CDL, Public Safety, and Health programs. Day and evening options with industry-recognized credentials.

Accreditors listed per institutional disclosures, ACCSC directory, and College Navigator²³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

New construction, data centers, and solar projects keep demand steady across Florida¹.
Apprenticeships and school-based programs build experience and hours toward licensure. Many entry roles start as helpers while you train.

HVAC/R Technician

Florida’s climate drives year-round service needs. Residential and light commercial employers hire graduates quickly¹.
EPA 608 certification is standard for handling refrigerants⁴.

Welder

Fabrication, marine repair, and construction along the Space Coast and I-4 corridor need welders with solid shop safety and process skills (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW). NCCER and AWS credentials can help you stand out⁵.

Plumber

Renovation and new builds fuel steady demand. Many techs start as helpers or apprentices and move into journeyman roles before becoming contractors¹.

Pay and outlook vary by metro and experience. Florida wages for these trades are competitive, with strong overtime potential in busy seasons¹.

For overviews of each career path, see the trade hub: Explore all trades, or go directly to Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida regulates many trades at the state level through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Here are the basics for popular careers. Always check current rules before you apply.

Electricians (DBPR Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)⁶

Choose your path: Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide) or Registered Electrical Contractor (local). Most aim for Certified.
Typical steps: complete apprenticeship or equivalent experience, document work hours, pass the state exam, obtain liability insurance and workers’ comp, and apply to DBPR.
Journeyman status is usually handled locally or via apprenticeship sponsors; DBPR licenses contractors.

HVAC/R (Air Conditioning) Contractors (DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board)⁷

To run your own business or pull permits, get licensed as a Class A (unlimited) or Class B (limited to ≤25 tons cooling/500,000 BTU heating) Air Conditioning Contractor.
Steps: verified experience/education, state exam, financial/credit requirements, insurance, and DBPR application.
Technicians who work under a licensed contractor do not need a state contractor license, but must hold EPA 608 for refrigerants⁴.

Plumbing Contractors (DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board)⁷

Contractor license required to contract or pull permits.
Steps: accumulate verifiable experience (often via apprenticeship), pass the business and trade exams, meet financial responsibility and insurance requirements, and apply to DBPR.
Local jurisdictions may recognize journeyman credentials tied to apprenticeship. Confirm with your city/county.

Cosmetology and Barbering (DBPR Board of Cosmetology / Barbers’ Board)⁸

Graduate from a Florida-approved program, pass the state exam, submit application and fees to DBPR, and maintain continuing education as required.

Apprenticeships

Many trades use registered apprenticeships that combine paid work with classroom training. Explore programs and sponsors through the Florida Department of Education Apprenticeship office⁹.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid learning: Many Daytona-area schools blend online theory with on-campus labs for HVAC, electrical, welding safety, and allied health. Ask about evening or weekend labs.
Short-format certificates: OSHA-10/30, EPA 608, CPR/BLS, and NCCER Core are often offered in flexible schedules. These stack with your main program and boost employability⁴⁵.
General education online: Community and state colleges let you take general-education courses online while completing hands-on labs in person.
Test prep: FAA A&P, state contractor exams, and board exams often include online practice and review modules from your school.

If you need maximum flexibility, talk to admissions about start dates, pacing options, and whether you can alternate day/evening sections mid-program.

Next Steps

Compare programs and campuses across the state: Florida Trade School Hub
Browse all career paths and certifications: Trades Hub
Learn how to pay for school and plan your training: Guides
Or explore all states and schools: Trade School Directory

Tip: Visit each campus, ask about job placement support, and confirm their accreditation and program approvals. Use College Navigator, ACCSC, and state boards to verify details before you enroll²³⁶⁷⁸.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Florida and trade outlooks. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/index.aspx ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩
NCCER – Industry-recognized credentials. https://www.nccer.org/credentials-certifications/ ↩ ↩
Florida DBPR – Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ ↩ ↩
Florida DBPR – Construction Industry Licensing Board (HVAC, Plumbing, etc.). https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ ↩ ↩ ↩
Florida DBPR – Board of Cosmetology. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/ ↩ ↩
Florida Department of Education – Apprenticeship Programs. https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/apprenticeship-programs.stml ↩

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.

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.