Best Trade Schools in Ocala, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Ocala. This guide compares accredited options, program lengths, and specialties. It also covers Florida licensing steps and which trades pay and hire well in 2025. Use it to plan your next move, whether you are changing careers or starting after high school12.

Top Trade Schools in Ocala

Below are accredited schools in Ocala and nearby that train electricians, HVAC techs, welders, plumbers, medical assistants, and more. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school.

School Typical Program Length Highlights
Marion Technical College (Ocala) 6–18 months (most career certificates); 12–15 months (Practical Nursing) Public technical college. Programs in Electricity, HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Automotive Service, CNC Machining, Cybersecurity, Practical Nursing. Strong industry certifications and hands-on labs. COE-accredited. Good placement support2.
College of Central Florida – Ocala Campus 6–12 months (college credit certificates); 1–2 years (A.S.) SACSCOC-accredited community college. A.S. in Engineering Technology (mechatronics/advanced manufacturing), CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance, EMT/Paramedic, and health certificates. Modern manufacturing labs and transfer pathways2.
Rasmussen University – Ocala 9–24 months (diplomas/associate) HLC-accredited university. Practical Nursing (PN), Professional Nursing (ADN), Medical Assisting, Health Information, Cybersecurity, and IT Support. Hybrid and evening formats available. Prep for industry certifications2.
Taylor College – Belleview (near Ocala) ~20–24 months (ASN, PTA) Career-focused college for healthcare. ASN (prepares for RN) and Physical Therapist Assistant. Small cohorts, clinical placements at local facilities. Institutionally accredited (ABHES). PTA programmatic accreditation through CAPTE2.
Withlacoochee Technical College – Inverness 6–14 months COE-accredited technical college. HVAC/R, Electricity, Welding, Automotive, Practical Nursing, and Building Trades. NCCER-aligned training and industry certification testing on site23.
Lake Technical College – Eustis 6–12 months COE-accredited. HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Electricity, CNC Production, CDL, and EMT. Strong employer ties and apprenticeships. Evening options in select programs2.

Why these schools: They are accredited, hands-on, and focused on local hiring needs. Most prepare you for recognized credentials like NCCER for construction trades, EPA 608 for HVAC, AWS for welding, and state licensure exams where required243.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians are needed for residential growth, logistics facilities, and light manufacturing around Ocala and Marion County. Statewide, median pay is competitive and experienced electricians can earn more with overtime and contracting work1. Training often starts with a one-year certificate or an apprenticeship.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Florida’s climate drives steady HVAC demand. Employers look for grads who can diagnose, braze, and handle refrigerants safely. EPA Section 608 is required to service systems with refrigerants4. Many techs advance into installation lead roles or Class B/A contractor licensing.

  • Welder

    • Welding supports fabrication, equipment repair, and construction. Entry roles focus on SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW. Structural and pipe welders who add AWS certifications are in demand across Central Florida. Median wages are solid, with higher pay for night shifts and specialty codes1.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers handle new builds and service work for homes and commercial sites. Many start as helpers, then move into journeyman-level work under a licensed contractor. Contractor licensing at the state level can raise earning potential and let you run your own business5.

Salaries vary by experience, credentials, and overtime. Across Florida, median pay for these trades typically falls in the mid-0k to mid-0k range, with top earners above that1.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Here are the basic steps and boards you should know. You can start as a trainee under a licensed contractor for many trades, then grow into higher credentials.

  • Electrician (Contractor level)

    • Board: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board6.
    • Path:
    • Get foundational training or apprenticeship hours.
    • Accumulate about 4 years of verifiable experience (some education can substitute part of this).
    • Pass the state exam for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) or qualify as Registered (ER) in a locality.
    • Provide financial responsibility, background check, and insurance.
    • Note: You can work as an electrical helper or apprentice under a licensed contractor while building experience. Many local “journeyman” credentials have been changing due to state preemption; check current local requirements.

  • HVAC/R

    • Federal: EPA Section 608 required to handle refrigerants4.
    • Contractor level: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) issues Class A or B Air Conditioning Contractor licenses and Mechanical Contractor licenses5.
    • Path:
    • Complete an HVAC/R program and earn EPA 608.
    • Log supervised experience (often ~4 years or a mix of education/experience).
    • Pass the state exam and meet insurance/financial requirements.

  • Plumbing

    • Board: Florida DBPR, CILB5.
    • Path:
    • Train and work under a licensed plumbing contractor.
    • Document 4 years of experience or equivalent.
    • Pass the Certified Plumbing Contractor exam. Meet insurance and financial criteria.

  • Welding

    • Florida does not require a state welding license.
    • Employers and contractors typically require AWS certifications (for example, D1.1 structural steel). Fabrication shops may require additional codes and position tests3.
    • Training at technical colleges often includes AWS test prep and in-house testing.

Tip: Many students use NCCER credentials in construction trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing) to document competencies and speed up hiring3.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended programs: Several Ocala-area schools offer hybrid formats. Expect hands-on labs on campus with theory online. This is common in health, IT, and some manufacturing courses.
  • Evening or accelerated cohorts: Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, and HVAC cohorts may have evening or compressed schedules. Ask each school about lab hours and clinicals.
  • Certification prep: You can prepare for EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, and selected IT certs online, then test locally. Always pair online study with hands-on practice in the lab or on the job.

Browse trade overviews and certification paths in our hub:

Next Steps

Have a short list? Visit each campus, ask about lab time, certifications included, employer partners, and job placement. Start dates roll year-round, so you can move fast once you pick your trade.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Florida statewide data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_fl.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institutional profiles and programs): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. NCCER – Industry-recognized credentials and curricula: https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA – Section 608 Refrigerant Management: https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Florida DBPR – Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB): https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Florida DBPR – Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ ↩

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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.