Best Trade Schools in Port St. Lucie, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Port St. Lucie. This guide compares accredited local programs, the trades in demand, and Florida licensing steps so you can move fast into a good job. Construction, home services, and health programs remain strong in the Treasure Coast area1.

Top Trade Schools in Port St. Lucie

Below are accredited options in Port St. Lucie and nearby. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current details with the school23.

School Program Length Highlights
Fort Pierce Technical College (Fort Pierce) 6–14 months (clock-hour certificates) COE-accredited public technical college. Electricity, HVAC/R, Welding, Plumbing, Automotive, Cosmetology, Practical Nursing. Day/evening options. NCCER-aligned labs and local employer ties2.
Indian River State College (Port St. Lucie & Fort Pierce) 10–12 months (certificates), ~24 months (AS) Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). HVAC, Electricity, Automotive, Welding (Vero Beach), CDL, Public Safety (EMT/Paramedic). Multiple campuses and strong work-based learning2.
Fortis Institute – Port St. Lucie 9–18 months (diplomas) Nationally accredited by ACCSC. HVAC/R, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Practical Nursing. Hands-on labs and externships; day/evening schedules3.
Keiser University – Port St. Lucie 12–24 months (diploma/AS) Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology. One-class-at-a-time format and flexible scheduling2.
Treasure Coast Technical College (Vero Beach) 10–14 months (clock-hour certificates) COE-accredited public tech college. Welding Technology, HVAC/R, Electricity, Automotive, Practical Nursing. NCCER curriculum and industry certifications2.
IRSC Public Safety Training Complex (Fort Pierce) 1–12 months (varies by academy) State-approved EMT, Paramedic, Fire Academy, and Law Enforcement training in a modern, purpose-built facility2.
Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth/Belle Glade) 10–24 months (certificates/AS) Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Welding (Belle Glade), HVAC (Lake Worth), electrical and industrial technology pathways. Good option if you can commute south2.

Tip: Visit each campus. Ask about program outcomes, certification pass rates, employer partners, and schedule options.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians install, maintain, and troubleshoot wiring and control systems in homes and businesses. Apprenticeships and school-based pathways are both common.
  • Demand in Florida stays steady due to growth and replacement needs, and electricians earn competitive wages with overtime potential1.
  • Training paths: electrical certificates, pre-apprenticeship, or a formal apprenticeship leading to journeyman status (local), then contractor licensing to run your own business.

HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC techs service air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Florida’s climate creates year-round service demand and steady emergency calls1.
  • Many entry-level roles only require a certificate and EPA Section 608 credential to handle refrigerants4. With experience, you can pursue a Florida air conditioning contractor license to supervise jobs and bid work.

Welder

  • Welders work in construction, fabrication, marine repair, and manufacturing. The Treasure Coast’s marine and construction activity supports steady shop and field welding needs.
  • Short programs get you job-ready. Certifications from AWS are valuable for hiring and advancement.

Plumber

  • Plumbers install and repair water, drain, and gas systems. New housing and renovations in St. Lucie County support consistent work1.
  • Apprenticeship is a common start. Experienced plumbers can test for a Florida plumbing contractor license to run their own projects.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

In Florida, most trades can work under a licensed contractor while in training. To bid jobs or run a company, you typically need a state contractor license. Here are the basics.

Electrician (Contractor level)

  • Licensing authority: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board5.
  • To become a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) eligible to work statewide:
    • 4 years of experience or a mix of education and experience.
    • Pass the trade and business exams.
    • Show financial responsibility, background check, and required insurance.
  • Florida does not issue a single statewide journeyman license. Local jurisdictions may offer journeyman licensing; many electricians progress via apprenticeship and work under an EC.

HVAC/R (Air Conditioning Contractor)

  • Licensing authority: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)6.
  • Class A (unlimited), Class B (≤25 tons cooling), or Class C (service) contractor licenses.
  • Requirements typically include 4 years of experience (or education + experience), passing exams, financials/insurance, and business registration.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required for handling refrigerants4.

Plumbing (Contractor level)

  • Licensing authority: Florida DBPR, CILB6.
  • Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide) or Registered (local) depending on scope.
  • Requirements: 4 years experience (or equivalent), pass trade and business exams, financials/insurance, and background check.

Welding

  • No Florida state license for general welding.
  • Employers look for AWS credentials (e.g., D1.1 structural) and strong performance weld tests. NCCER welder certifications are also widely recognized7.
  • OSHA-10/30 safety cards are often requested for jobsite access.

Helpful tip: Many schools align to NCCER or AWS standards and will schedule your first certification tests in class.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid schedules: Local schools such as IRSC, Fort Pierce Technical College, and Keiser often split theory online with required in-person labs and clinicals. Ask about evening or weekend labs if you work full-time2.
  • Short online add-ons: OSHA-10/30, First Aid/CPR, and some NCCER modules are available in flexible formats7.
  • HVAC self-study: You can prepare for EPA Section 608 online, then test through an approved proctor, including remote options4.
  • Apprenticeships: Some programs blend paid on-the-job training with weekly classroom sessions. Ask schools about partnerships with local contractors.

Next Steps

  • Compare Florida trade schools: Visit the state hub at /trade-school/florida/.
  • Explore careers and requirements by trade: see the /trades/ hub, including Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.
  • Plan your training path: Read our latest how-to articles in /guides/.
  • Ready to move? Start with campus tours, ask about certification pass rates, and confirm program schedules. Then enroll and get your entry-level credentials.

If you need a broader search across cities, start at our main /trade-school/ hub.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians; HVAC/R Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters; Welders, accessed 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org/Directory-of-Schools.aspx ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Refrigerant Management. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board, licensing requirements. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/electrical-contractors/ ↩

  6. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board, Air Conditioning and Plumbing contractor licensing. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ ↩ ↩

  7. NCCER, industry-recognized credentials and training frameworks. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

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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.