Best Trade Schools in Seminole, Florida (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Seminole. This guide lists accredited options nearby, the trades with the strongest demand, and the steps to get licensed in Florida. You’ll also see flexible and online choices that work for busy adults. Wage and job outlook notes come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[^1]. You can verify school accreditation on College Navigator[^2] and ACCSC[^3].

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Top Trade Schools in Seminole

These campuses are in or near Seminole and serve Pinellas and the greater Tampa Bay area.

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician

  • Electricians keep homes, clinics, and businesses running. Construction and service firms in Tampa Bay hire year-round. National median pay is strong, and work often includes overtime[^1]. A local apprenticeship or an electricity program at PTC or Erwin can get you started.

• HVAC/R Technician

  • Florida’s heat and humidity keep HVAC techs busy. Preventive maintenance, system change-outs, and refrigerant work drive steady jobs[^1]. Look for programs that integrate EPA 608 exam prep. PTC, HCC, and Erwin all offer HVAC tracks.

• Welding

  • Welders support fabrication, marine, construction, and industrial maintenance in Pinellas and Hillsborough. Certifications like AWS D1.1 can raise your starting wage. Many welding programs include structural and pipe modules with performance tests.

• Plumbing

  • Plumbers handle installs, service, and remodels for residential and commercial clients. Aging infrastructure and ongoing construction support stable demand and good earnings[^1]. Classroom hours plus OJT or apprenticeship is the fastest route.

Other strong options around Seminole include automotive service, aviation maintenance, biomedical equipment, networking/cybersecurity, and cosmetology/barbering.

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Median salaries reflect the latest OEWS release; national data shown when state medians are unavailable.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. State data (Florida) shown where available; national OEWS values used when state data is unavailable. Job growth reflects projected U.S. change for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Florida licenses most construction trades at the state level through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Some journeyman cards are local. Always check current rules with DBPR before you apply[^4].

• Electrician

  • Get experience: complete an approved apprenticeship or combine vocational training with supervised hours.
  • Journeyman: many Florida counties issue journeyman cards via local boards or testing.
  • State contractor: to run your own electrical business or pull permits statewide, apply for Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) via the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (DBPR). Requires verifiable experience, passing the trade and business exams, background/financial review, and insurance[^4].

• HVAC/R

  • EPA 608 certification is required if you work with refrigerants[^5].
  • State contractor: Class A (unlimited tonnage) or Class B (limited tonnage) Air-Conditioning Contractor licenses are issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR). You’ll need experience, to pass the exams, meet financial responsibility, and carry required insurance[^4].

• Plumbing

  • Entry: school plus OJT or a registered apprenticeship.
  • State contractor: Certified Plumbing Contractor license via DBPR’s Construction Industry Licensing Board. Experience, exams, financial/insurance requirements apply[^4].

• Welding

  • Florida does not issue a state “welder license.” Employers and projects typically require AWS performance qualifications or NCCER credentials. Your school or employer can schedule those tests[^6].

• Cosmetology/Barbering

  • Cosmetology: 1,200 school hours plus state exam through DBPR’s Board of Cosmetology.
  • Barber: 900 hours plus state exam through DBPR’s Barbers’ Board[^4].

• Aviation Maintenance

  • Complete an FAA Part 147 program (like NAA) or document sufficient experience, then pass the FAA Airframe and Powerplant knowledge and oral/practical tests to earn the A&P. Many local employers prefer A&P for technician roles.

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid healthcare programs

  • Ultimate Medical Academy offers online coursework with local externships for Medical Assistant, Billing & Coding, and more. Good fit if you work full-time or need childcare coverage.

• IT, networking, and cybersecurity

  • St. Petersburg College runs online and hybrid certificates and A.S. degrees in networking and security. These can stack to bachelor’s paths later.

• Evening and accelerated cohorts

  • Pinellas Technical College and Erwin Technical College periodically offer evening or accelerated sections in trades like Electricity, Welding, and HVAC/R. Seats are limited; apply early.

• Apprenticeships

  • Many Tampa Bay contractors sponsor earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships that blend classroom and jobsite training. NCCER credentials are widely recognized by employers[^6].

• Short industry certifications

  • Look for programs that include prep and testing for EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, AWS welder performance tests, CompTIA A+/Network+, or ASE — whichever matches your field.

Next Steps

• Compare Florida schools and admissions steps: visit the Florida state hub at /trade-school/florida/.
• Explore careers and licenses:
  • Electrician: /trades/electrician
  • HVAC: /trades/hvac
  • Welding: /trades/welding
  • Plumbing: /trades/plumbing

• Learn how to pay for school and train on the job:

  • Guides hub: /guides/

  • Apprenticeships: /guides/apprenticeships

  • Online trade programs: /guides/online-trade-schools

• Browse all trades: /trades/

Have questions about a program or license? Start with DBPR for Florida rules, then contact the school’s admissions team. Confirm accreditation, program length, and exam pass rates before you enroll. Good training plus the right license will help you land steady work in Seminole and across Tampa Bay.

[^1]: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook profiles (accessed 2025). [^2]: U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institution search and accreditation details (accessed 2025). [^3]: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Directory of accredited institutions (accessed 2025). [^4]: Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board — licensing requirements (accessed 2025). [^5]: U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification — requirements for handling refrigerants (accessed 2025). [^6]: NCCER — National Center for Construction Education and Research. Industry-recognized credentials and apprenticeship frameworks (accessed 2025).