Best Trade Schools in Tallahassee Metro, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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 Tallahassee Metro. This guide lists accredited options, program lengths, and specialties. You will also see Florida licensing steps for key trades and where to train locally. Skilled trades in the Big Bend area continue to offer solid job opportunities, especially in construction, HVAC, electrical, and public safety¹.

Top Trade Schools in Tallahassee

School	Program Length	Highlights
Lively Technical College (Tallahassee)	320–1,350 clock hours (program dependent)	COE-accredited public technical college. Programs in HVAC/R, Electricity, Welding, Automotive Service, Practical Nursing, Dental Assisting, Commercial Vehicle Driving. Strong employer ties and hands-on labs².
Gadsden Technical College (Quincy)	600–1,350 clock hours	COE-accredited. Offers Electricity, Welding, HVAC/R, Automotive, Patient Care Technician, Practical Nursing, and Cosmetology. Small class sizes serving the greater Tallahassee area².
Tallahassee Community College – Florida Public Safety Institute (Havana)	~300–1,100+ hours	SACSCOC-accredited college. Basic Recruit training for Law Enforcement and Corrections, Firefighter II, EMT, and Paramedic. State-approved academies and strong placement in regional agencies².
TCC Workforce & Advanced Manufacturing (Tallahassee)	750–1,050 hours (typical)	SACSCOC-accredited. Welding Technology, Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics, and short-term industry certifications. Modern labs and fast starts aligned with local employers².
Aveda Institute Tallahassee	600–1,200 hours	NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology (1,200 hours in FL) and Esthiology/Skin Care. Student salon for real client experience and state board prep².
Paul Mitchell The School Tallahassee	~1,200 hours	NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology program with salon-floor training, business/guest services, and state exam prep².

Notes:

Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school’s catalog for current hour requirements and start dates².
Accreditation types: COE (public technical), SACSCOC (regional, community college), and NACCAS (cosmetology). Accreditation supports quality and financial aid eligibility².

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician
- New construction, state facilities, and ongoing maintenance work keep electricians busy in the Tallahassee area. The occupation is projected to grow faster than average nationally, driven by building, solar integration, and upgrades¹. Training through an apprenticeship or electricity program sets you up for entry-level roles, with advancement to journeyman and contractor. See career paths: Electrician.
HVAC/R Technician
- North Florida’s heat and humidity create year-round demand for HVAC installation and service. Technicians with strong troubleshooting and EPA 608 credentials stand out. The field is growing faster than average and offers stable local work in residential and commercial service¹. Learn the track: HVAC.
Welder
- Welders support fabrication, construction, and manufacturing across the region. Certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW expand your job options. While growth varies by industry, certified welders remain valuable on job sites and in shops¹. Explore training and certs: Welding.
Plumber
- Residential and commercial plumbing demand remains steady with building and infrastructure needs. Apprenticeship plus licensure can lead to well-paid contractor roles over time. Outlook is stable, with opportunities to specialize in service, pipefitting, or medical gas¹. Path details: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Electrician (Florida)

Board: Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (DBPR).
Journeyman (local): Most counties/cities issue journeyman cards. Expect about 4 years (8,000 hours) of documented experience plus classroom training; pass a local exam where required.
Certified Electrical Contractor (statewide): 4 years proven experience (or equivalent), pass state exam, financial responsibility, and carry liability and workers’ comp insurance. Apply via DBPR³.
Tip: Many start in an apprenticeship, then test for journeyman locally before pursuing contractor status.

HVAC (Florida)

Board: Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR).
EPA Section 608 is required for anyone handling refrigerants⁴.
Certified Class A or B Air-Conditioning Contractor: 4 years verified experience or a combination of education/experience, pass the CILB exam, meet financial responsibility and insurance requirements³.
Technicians commonly work under a licensed contractor while building experience.

Plumber (Florida)

Board: Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR).
Plumbing Contractor (Certified or Registered): Document 4 years of experience or equivalent, pass exam, meet financial and insurance requirements³.
Apprenticeship is the preferred path. Local jurisdictions may recognize journeyman cards.

Welder (Florida)

Florida does not issue a state welder license.
Employers and projects often require AWS welder performance qualifications (e.g., D1.1 structural steel). Training programs prepare you for AWS or NCCER credentials⁵⁶.

General

Verify current requirements with DBPR and your local jurisdiction before you enroll or test³.
Use O*NET to review day-to-day tasks, physical demands, and related certifications for each trade⁷.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid training: TCC and Lively offer hybrid or evening options for certain programs, combining online theory with in-person labs. This is common for welding theory, electrical code, and HVAC fundamentals².
Exam prep: Florida contractor exam prep and EPA 608 test prep are widely available in online formats. Many students complete theory online and schedule in-person testing⁴.
Apprenticeships: Blended delivery is increasingly common. Look for NCCER-aligned coursework paired with paid on-the-job training⁵.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask admissions about:

Evening or weekend cohorts
Modular, self-paced clock-hour schedules
Credit for prior learning or work experience
Articulation from clock-hour certificates to A.S. degrees

Next Steps

Compare programs and start dates across Florida: visit the Florida trade school hub.
Learn more trade paths and certifications: browse the Trades hub.
New to trades? See actionable planning checklists in our Guides.
Want a broader search? Explore all regions at the main Trade School hub.

Tallahassee has solid, accredited choices for hands-on careers. Pick a program that aligns with Florida licensing, offers the certifications employers want, and fits your schedule.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, Welders). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution profiles for listed schools). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) – Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board (licensing requirements and applications). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (refrigerant handling). ↩ ↩
NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) – standardized curricula and credentials. ↩ ↩
American Welding Society (AWS) – welder performance qualifications and codes. ↩
O*NET OnLine – occupation details and work activities. ↩

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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.