Best Trade Schools in Fort Pierce, Florida (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 Fort Pierce. This guide compares accredited trade programs, explains Florida licensing, and highlights high-demand careers. Use it to choose a practical program with strong job placement in 2025. Job growth for construction and repair trades remains steady in Florida, with competitive wages and frequent openings statewide1.

Top Trade Schools in Fort Pierce

Below are accredited options in Fort Pierce and the nearby Treasure Coast. Program lengths are approximate and vary by schedule.

School Program Length Highlights
Indian River State College (IRSC) – Fort Pierce 1 semester to 24 months; apprenticeships 2–4 years SACSCOC-accredited public college2. Trade certificates and A.S. degrees in HVAC/R, Welding, Electrical, Advanced Manufacturing, Diesel/Marine, Building Construction, CDL, and Public Safety (EMT, Paramedic, Fire, Law Enforcement). Strong employer partnerships and modern labs.
Treasure Coast Technical College (Port St. Lucie) 6–18 months (career certificates) District technical college. Programs in HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive Service, Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Cosmetology, and more. Hands-on, clock-hour training designed for rapid job entry.
Fortis Institute – Port St. Lucie 9–12 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited career school3. HVAC/R and allied health training with day/evening schedules. Prepares for EPA 608 and entry-level industry certifications.
Keiser University – Port St. Lucie 8–12 months (certificates) or 18–24 months (A.S.) Regionally accredited by SACSCOC2. Career-focused programs in information technology, cybersecurity, medical assisting, imaging, and business. One-class-at-a-time format and multiple start dates.
Aviator College of Aeronautical Science & Technology (Fort Pierce) 18–24 months (A.S.) ACCSC-accredited3. Aviation career training hub at KFPR. While pilot-focused, it offers FAA-approved, skills-first training in a highly technical field with strong demand.

Tip: Visit each school’s program pages for current start dates, schedules, and credential options. Verify programmatic accreditations where applicable (for example, EMT/Paramedic, Fire, or Nursing programs often carry additional approvals).

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Why it’s strong: New housing, solar interconnections, commercial build-outs, and industrial maintenance keep demand steady across the Treasure Coast. Electricians enjoy career ladders from apprentice to foreman, estimator, and contractor1.
    • Training path: Start with an electrical technology certificate or an apprenticeship combining paid work and classroom training.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Why it’s strong: Florida’s climate drives year-round service calls and replacement cycles. Technicians who can troubleshoot, braze, and handle newer refrigerants are in demand1.
    • Training path: A 9–12 month HVAC/R program prepares you for entry-level roles. Most employers expect EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling4.

  • Welder

    • Why it’s strong: Fabrication shops, marine repair, construction, and utilities need welders who can pass code tests. Ability to read blueprints and weld in multiple processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW) increases your value.
    • Training path: A career certificate with AWS-aligned lab practice helps you qualify for employer weld tests.

  • Plumber

    • Why it’s strong: Residential and commercial construction plus a large maintenance market keep steady work for installers and service plumbers. Experience leads to inspection or contractor roles1.
    • Training path: Many start in an apprenticeship or a plumbing technology certificate, then pursue contractor licensing for leadership or business ownership.

O*NET also lists many of these roles with faster-than-average growth and stable annual openings, reflecting long-term employer demand in Florida5.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Most building-trade licensing in Florida is handled by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Here are the basics:

  • Electrician

    • Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide) license through the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) at DBPR6.
    • Typical steps: Document 4–6 years of experience (or equivalent education/experience mix), pass the state exam, background check, credit/financial responsibility, and required insurance.
    • Note: Some counties/municipalities issue journeyman cards locally. Confirm local rules with the authority having jurisdiction.

  • HVAC/R (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)

    • Licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) at DBPR as a Certified Class A or Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor, or Mechanical Contractor7.
    • Typical steps: Verified experience (usually 4+ years), state exam, financial responsibility, background check, and insurance.
    • Federal requirement: EPA Section 608 certification is required to service equipment containing controlled refrigerants4.

  • Plumbing

    • Licensing through DBPR’s CILB as a Certified Plumbing Contractor for statewide practice7.
    • Typical steps: Several years of verifiable experience, state exam, background check, financial responsibility, and insurance.
    • Local journeyman licensing may apply before contractor status; check your county/city.

  • Welding

    • Florida has no statewide welder license. Employers and project owners typically require passing performance qualifications to AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, or similar codes. Completing OSHA-10/30 can help employability. If you plan to open a business that contracts work, follow local business licensing and permitting rules.

Always confirm current requirements with DBPR and your local permitting office before you enroll or test.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs: Many Treasure Coast programs blend online theory with on-campus labs. Expect hands-on competencies for trades like welding, HVAC, and electrical to be completed in person.
  • Evening and accelerated schedules: Schools like Fortis Institute and IRSC often offer evening or compressed blocks for working adults. Ask about weekend labs and make-up hours.
  • Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships combine paid work and classroom training over 2–4 years. IRSC partners with area contractors and associations for registered pathways in electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. You earn while you learn and build documented hours for licensing.
  • Short courses and stackable credentials: Start with OSHA-10, EPA 608, NCCER modules, or basic electrical/HVAC certificates, then stack into advanced credentials or a contractor license later.
  • General education online: Colleges such as IRSC and Keiser commonly offer gen-ed and some technical theory online, which can shorten your time on campus.

Next Steps

  • Compare statewide options: Visit the Florida hub to see more schools and apprenticeships across the state: /trade-school/florida/
  • Explore trades: Read career paths, certifications, and typical timelines in our trade hub: /trades/
    • Electrician overview and steps: /trades/electrician
    • HVAC technician training and EPA 608: /trades/hvac
    • Welding processes and certifications: /trades/welding
    • Plumbing training and licensing: /trades/plumbing
  • New to training? Start with our main school guide: /trade-school/
  • Want a plan? Map your pathway from pre-apprentice to licensed contractor in our how-to guides: /guides/

If you’re in Fort Pierce, tour IRSC and nearby campuses first. Bring your questions about schedules, certifications, employer partners, and placement support. Choose the program that gets you licensed, certified, and working fast.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment and Wages data for construction and installation/repair occupations, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – institutional profiles and accreditation, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited school directory, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification requirements for handling refrigerants, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

  5. O*NET OnLine, occupation outlook indicators for Electricians, HVAC Mechanics, Plumbers, and Welders, accessed 2025. ↩

  6. Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board – applications, exams, and requirements, accessed 2025. ↩

  7. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board – contractor licensing requirements, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

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.