Best Trade Schools in Tampa, Florida (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Tampa. This page compares accredited options, program length, and specialties. It also explains Florida licensing for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and welders. Demand for skilled trades remains strong and pay is competitive1.

Top Trade Schools in Tampa

Below are accredited schools in Tampa and nearby Tampa Bay. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each campus for current schedules and start dates.

School Program Length Highlights
Erwin Technical College (Tampa) 9–15 months COE-accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC/R, Welding, Electricity, Practical Nursing, Dental Assisting, Cybersecurity. Day and evening cohorts. Prep for certs like EPA 608 and NCCER2.
Hillsborough Community College (multiple Tampa campuses) 8–24 months (certs), 2 years (A.S.) SACSCOC-accredited public college. Welding, Automotive, Drafting/CAD, Engineering Technology, Construction-related certificates and A.S. degrees. Strong employer ties3.
Aparicio-Levy Technical College (Tampa) 4–12 months COE-accredited. Short, career-focused programs in manufacturing, CNC/mechatronics, logistics, IT support, pharmacy tech, medical coding. Small class sizes2.
National Aviation Academy – Tampa Bay (Clearwater) 14–21 months ACCSC-accredited. FAA Part 147 A&P mechanic training with hangar-based labs. Aviation employers recruit on campus4.
Pinellas Technical College – Clearwater 7–15 months COE-accredited. HVAC/R, Welding, Electricity, Plumbing, Marine Service, Automotive, Practical Nursing. Flexible scheduling options2.
Fred K. Marchman Technical College (New Port Richey) 9–14 months COE-accredited. Welding, Electricity, HVAC/R, Automotive Service. Night sections available for working adults2.
IEC Florida West Coast Chapter (Tampa) 4 years (apprenticeship) Registered electrical apprenticeship. Earn while you learn with paid on-the-job training plus evening classroom instruction. Preps for local journeyman exams and contractor pathways5.
ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Training (Tampa) 2–4 years (apprenticeship) Registered apprenticeships in Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry. NCCER curriculum. Paid OJT with Tampa Bay contractors5.

Tip: Visit each program’s accreditation page and Florida licensure disclosures before enrolling342.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Tampa’s building and service work keeps electricians busy. The occupation offers stable, full-time work with overtime potential. The 2023 national median pay was about 1,600, with steady growth projected1. Local apprenticeships help you earn while you train.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Florida heat drives year-round demand for installers and service techs. Employers value EPA 608 certification and strong troubleshooting skills. National median pay was about 7,300 in 2023, with consistent job openings expected1.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, ship/boat work, construction, and maintenance contractors in the Tampa Bay region hire welders who can read drawings and pass bend tests. The 2023 national median pay was about 8,9001. AWS certifications improve job options.

  • Plumber

    • Residential and commercial projects, plus service and remodel work, support demand. Many start as apprentices, then pursue a contractor license to run their own business. The 2023 national median pay was about 1,6001.

Explore trades in more detail:

  • Electrician career path and training: Electrician
  • Heating, cooling, and refrigeration: HVAC
  • Metal joining and fabrication: Welding
  • Water, waste, and gas systems: Plumbing

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Licensing is managed at the state and, in some cases, local level. Here are the high-level steps and boards to know.

  • Electricians

    • Board: Florida DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB)6.
    • Path:
    • Complete an apprenticeship or equivalent experience (often 4 years OJT plus classroom).
    • Many counties issue journeyman cards; check local requirements.
    • To operate independently statewide, qualify for a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC or ER) license by meeting experience, financial responsibility, and exam requirements through DBPR6.
    • Maintain continuing education as required.

  • HVAC/R

    • Board: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)6.
    • Path:
    • Train in an accredited HVAC program and work under a licensed contractor.
    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling (federal requirement)7.
    • For business ownership and pulling permits statewide, qualify for Certified Air Conditioning Contractor:
      • Class A (unlimited tonnage) or Class B (restricted), each requiring verified experience, exams, and financial criteria through DBPR6.

  • Plumbers

    • Board: Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)6.
    • Path:
    • Complete an apprenticeship or verified experience.
    • Local jurisdictions may issue journeyman plumber credentials.
    • For statewide practice as a business, apply for Certified Plumbing Contractor licensure via DBPR, meet experience and exam requirements, and maintain CEUs6.

  • Welders

    • Florida has no state welder license.
    • Employers and public agencies usually require AWS welder performance qualifications (process- and position-specific) and may accept NCCER credentials for construction sites18.

  • Apprenticeships

    • Florida registered apprenticeships pair paid OJT with classroom instruction. Search programs by trade and county through the Florida Department of Education5.

Always confirm current rules on the DBPR site and with your local building department before testing or applying.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid labs: Many Tampa technical colleges offer day, evening, or hybrid sections. Erwin Technical College and Pinellas Technical College commonly run flexible cohorts for working adults2.
  • Apprenticeship schedules: IEC and ABC schedules often use 1–2 nights of class per week with full-time paid OJT during the day5.
  • Healthcare and office-based trades: Some programs deliver theory online with in-person labs or externships in Tampa. Check local options and institutional accreditation on College Navigator3.
  • Short industry certifications: HVAC EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, NCCER craft credentials, and AWS welder quals can fit into tight schedules and improve employability78.

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, go straight to the hub pages above. If not, shortlist 2–3 Tampa programs, visit the labs, and ask about schedules, placement, and certifications. Then enroll in the next start date.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R, Plumbers, Welders) – https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Council on Occupational Education (COE), Accredited Schools – https://council.org/accredited-schools/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator – https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  5. Florida Department of Education, Registered Apprenticeships – https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/apprenticeship-programs/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Licensing Boards – Electrical and Construction – https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification – https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  8. NCCER, Industry-recognized construction credentials – 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.