Best Trade Schools in Boise, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Boise. This page lists accredited options, program lengths, and specialties. It also covers Idaho licensing steps and which trades are hiring. Use it to pick a school and move into a job with clear training and credentials123.

Top Trade Schools in Boise

Below are Boise metro schools with recognized accreditation and job-focused programs. Always confirm start dates and entry requirements with the school.

School Program Length Highlights
College of Western Idaho (CWI) — Nampa/Boise 1–24 months for certificates; 2 years for AAS; 4-year apprenticeships Public community college accredited by NWCCU. Trades include Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Advanced Manufacturing, and Healthcare. Strong apprenticeship-related classroom training and evening options2.
Northwest Lineman College (NLC) — Meridian 15 weeks (Electrical Lineworker Program) National career school accredited by ACCSC. Focus on power delivery, linework, and utility operations. Intensive hands-on field training, safety certifications, and graduate placement support3.
Carrington College — Boise 8–24 months (program dependent) Institutionally accredited college focused on allied health. Programs often include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy Technology, and Veterinary Assisting. Mix of lab and clinical experiences2.
The Salon Professional Academy — Boise 4–12 months typical; hour-based NACCAS-accredited. Idaho Board-approved cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology training. Student salon and spa for real client practice. Preps for Idaho licensure exams.
Boise Barber College a d.MARTiN Academy — Garden City Hour-based; typical 9–12 months track NACCAS-accredited. Classic and modern barbering, shaving, and chemical services. Preps for Idaho barber or barber-stylist license. Strong clinic floor experience.
Aveda Institute — Boise/Meridian Hour-based; typical 6–14 months track NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology and esthetics with brand-specific curriculum. Client services in a teaching salon. State exam preparation built in.
Idaho State University — Meridian Health Sciences 1–24 months for certificates; longer for degrees Regionally accredited by NWCCU. Career-focused healthcare tracks offered at the Meridian campus, including paramedic science and allied health labs. Strong clinical partnerships2.

Tip: If you plan to work while training, ask each school about evening cohorts, hybrid classes, and externship schedules.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Power, construction, and maintenance roles are steady in the Boise metro as the region grows1. Training pairs classroom instruction with paid apprenticeship. See what electricians do and how much they earn here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Boise’s four-season climate and expanding housing stock support year-round HVAC service demand. EPA Section 608 is required to handle refrigerants. Learn more: HVAC1.

  • Welder and Fabricator

    • Manufacturing, construction, and utility contractors rely on welders for structural and pipe work. Earning AWS certifications helps you qualify fast. Explore the path: Welding1.

  • Plumber

    • Residential and commercial builds in the Treasure Valley keep plumbers busy. Apprenticeships combine paid work with technical classes. Start here: Plumbing1.

These trades typically offer apprenticeship options, stackable credentials, and clear promotion paths. National data shows consistent employer demand and competitive wages for these roles1.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Idaho licensing is administered through state boards housed within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Always review the latest rules before you apply.

  • Electrician (Idaho DOPL Electrical Program)

    • Register as an apprentice and work under a licensed contractor.
    • Complete 4 years and at least 8,000 hours OJT plus related classroom training.
    • Apply for and pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
    • Advance to Master/Contractor with additional experience and exams1.

  • Plumbing (Idaho DOPL Plumbing Program)

    • Register as an apprentice.
    • Complete 4 years and at least 8,000 hours OJT plus classroom hours.
    • Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
    • Master/Contractor licensing requires additional verified experience and testing.

  • HVAC (Idaho DOPL HVAC Program)

    • Apprentice registration required for trainees.
    • Complete a 4-year apprenticeship with classroom instruction.
    • Pass Idaho Journeyman HVAC exam. Contractors must meet experience and business requirements.
    • Federal EPA Section 608 certification required for refrigerants1.

  • Cosmetology and Barbering (Idaho Barber & Cosmetology Services under DOPL)

    • Complete an Idaho-approved program and hours:
    • Cosmetology: 1,600 hours
    • Barber: 900 hours
    • Barber-Stylist: 1,500 hours
    • Esthetics: 600 hours
    • Nail Technology: 400 hours
    • Pass written and practical exams and submit an application.

  • Welding

    • Idaho does not issue a state welding license. Employers often require American Welding Society (AWS) certifications matched to the job. Programs at CWI and local employers help you test to relevant codes.

  • Emergency Medical Services

    • Complete an Idaho-approved EMT or paramedic program.
    • Pass National Registry (NREMT) exams, background check, and state application.

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

    • Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit, complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training with a registered provider, and pass skills testing with the Idaho Transportation Department.

Contact DOPL for current forms, fees, and exam schedules. School advisors can help you file applications correctly the first time.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning

    • Many Boise programs blend online coursework with on-campus labs. Expect to complete OSHA, safety, code, and theory modules online, then come to campus for shop or clinical skills.

  • Apprenticeship-related instruction

    • Evening or weekend classroom blocks are common for apprentices in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. CWI’s Workforce Development offers flexible sections that fit jobsite hours.

  • Healthcare

    • Allied health schools often deliver lecture and exam prep online while labs and clinical rotations happen in person. Ask about simulation labs and clinical site availability.

  • Short certificates and industry prep

    • Test prep for EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, NCCER, First Aid/CPR, and AWS welding performance qualifications may be offered in short, stackable formats. These can boost your resume fast.

Ask each school about credit for prior learning, military experience, and whether online hours count toward Idaho licensure where required.

Next Steps

  • Compare programs and request start dates from the schools above.
  • Review licensure steps for your trade before you enroll.
  • Map your budget, work schedule, and transportation to the campus or jobsite.

Helpful links:

Start by contacting two or three schools, verify their accreditation, and ask how their program aligns with Idaho licensing. Then pick the schedule and training that fits your goals.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — institutional profiles for Boise-area campuses, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory — Northwest Lineman College, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩

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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.