Best Trade Schools in Jacksonville, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Jacksonville. This guide lists accredited programs, explains Florida licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. Use it to compare options and plan your next move. You can also jump to the Florida hub for statewide schools and rules: Florida trade school hub.

Top Trade Schools in Jacksonville

All schools below hold recognized institutional accreditation or are state public technical colleges. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school for current details12.

School Program Length Highlights
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) 6–24 months (certificates); ~2 years (A.S.) Public college; SACSCOC accredited via College Navigator; welding, HVAC/R, automotive, CNC/advanced manufacturing; multiple campuses and evening options1.
Tulsa Welding School – Jacksonville 7–9 months ACCSC accredited; Professional Welder and Electro-Mechanical Technologies (HVAC/Electrical) programs; intensive labs; employer network; AWS test prep support2.
J-Tech Institute (Jones Technical Institute) ~4 weeks (CDL) to ~18 months ACCSC accredited; Automotive, Diesel, Marine & RV, Commercial Truck Driving; hands-on bays; ASE-aligned training; career services2.
Concorde Career Institute – Jacksonville 8–21 months ACCSC accredited; Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy; clinical rotations and certification prep12.
Fortis College – Jacksonville 8–18 months Institutionally accredited (ABHES listed in College Navigator); Medical Assisting, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Sterile Processing; exam prep and externships1.
Paul Mitchell The School Jacksonville 1,200 hours (about 10–12 months full-time) NACCAS accredited; Cosmetology; strong salon partnerships; prepares for Florida Board of Cosmetology exam1.
First Coast Technical College (St. Augustine) ~9–14 months Public technical college; COE accredited (listed in College Navigator); HVAC/R, Welding, Culinary, Practical Nursing; short drive from Jacksonville1.

Tip: Start with a short list of 2–3 programs. Visit campus labs, ask about certification pass rates, and review employer partnerships. Bring a copy of your resume.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Jacksonville’s logistics, shipbuilding, health care, and construction sectors keep skilled trades busy. Statewide data show stable employment and strong replacement needs for core trades3. Explore trade overviews here: All trades.

  • Electrician

    • Work includes wiring, panels, controls, and troubleshooting in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial sites.
    • Apprenticeships and school-based electrical programs lead to well-paid roles with growth potential3.
    • Learn more: Electrician careers.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Service, install, and commission heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems across residential and commercial settings.
    • Employers value EPA Section 608 certification and hands-on training with modern equipment4.
    • Learn more: HVAC careers.

  • Welder

    • Weld in fabrication shops, shipyards, construction, and maintenance. Jacksonville’s maritime and manufacturing footprint supports steady work.
    • Most employers prefer process-specific certifications (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW) and NCCER/AWS credentials5.
    • Learn more: Welding careers.

  • Plumber

    • Install and repair piping systems, backflow devices, and fixtures. Service work and construction both offer paths to advancement.
    • Contractor licensing is handled by Florida’s CILB at the state level after experience and exams6.
    • Learn more: Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida licenses contractors at the state level. Many “journeyman” cards are issued locally. Always verify with Jacksonville/Duval County building officials and the Florida DBPR.

  • Electrician (Florida)

    • Most new electricians start in a 4–5 year apprenticeship or school + on-the-job training, then test for local journeyman where available.
    • To run your own business statewide, apply to the DBPR for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) after required experience, pass exams, and meet financial responsibility rules6.
    • Keep CE as required by the DBPR.

  • HVAC/R (Air Conditioning Contractor)

    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants4.
    • Florida offers Class A (unlimited) and Class B (≤25 tons/500,000 BTU) Certified Air Conditioning Contractor licenses via the CILB. Requires verified experience, exams, background, and financial docs6.
    • Many techs work under a licensed contractor before becoming licensed themselves.

  • Plumbing

    • Contractor licensing (Certified Plumbing Contractor) is through the DBPR/CILB. Requires experience, exams, and financial responsibility6.
    • Local jurisdictions may issue journeyman/plumber cards for work under a contractor.

  • Welding

    • No Florida state license for welders.
    • Employers often require process tests to AWS codes and value NCCER credentials; shipyards may require additional procedures5.
    • Safety training like OSHA-10/30 is widely requested.

  • Cosmetology (for reference)

    • Florida Board of Cosmetology requires 1,200 training hours at an approved school and passing the state exam for licensure6.

Online & Flexible Options

Hands-on trades still need lab time, but many schools blend online theory with on-campus labs or work-based learning.

  • Blended classroom: Safety, codes, electrical theory, and HVAC fundamentals can be delivered online, with in-person labs for meters, brazing, and diagnostics.
  • Healthcare support programs: Medical office, billing, and some allied health theory often use hybrid schedules.
  • CDL and OSHA: FMCSA theory modules and OSHA 10/30 can be completed online, with road and range hours in person.
  • Night and weekend cohorts: FSCJ and several private institutes offer evening or weekend lab blocks for working adults.

Ask schools about:

  • Weekly time on tools (welding booth hours, HVAC trainers, electrical panels).
  • Certification prep included (EPA 608, NCCER, ASE, state boards).
  • Externship or apprenticeship placement support.
  • Credit for prior learning or military experience.

Next Steps

  • Compare programs and formats across the state: Florida Trade Schools.
  • See how trades stack up and choose your path: Explore all trades.
  • New to the trades? Read step-by-step planning resources: Career Guides.
  • Ready to act? Shortlist two schools, visit labs, and ask about employer partnerships and certification pass rates.

If you want a broader search beyond Jacksonville, start here: Trade School Hub.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional profiles and accreditation listings for FSCJ, Concorde–Jacksonville, Fortis College–Jacksonville, Paul Mitchell The School Jacksonville, and First Coast Technical College. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory (e.g., Tulsa Welding School–Jacksonville, J-Tech Institute, Concorde Career Institute). https://www.accsc.org/schools/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook for construction and installation trades in Florida and the U.S. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm and https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification for HVAC/R. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, Industry-recognized credentials and craft training. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  6. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board and Board of Cosmetology. Licensing requirements for Electrical, Air Conditioning, Plumbing contractors, and Cosmetology. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ and https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.