Best Trade Schools in Chubbuck, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Chubbuck. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, understand Idaho licensing, and see which trades are in demand. Most options are in nearby Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg with short commutes. Electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing skills remain steady needs in construction, manufacturing, and utilities1.

All schools below are institutionally accredited and listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator database2. Northwest Lineman College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)3.

Top Trade Schools in Chubbuck

School Program Length Highlights
Idaho State University – College of Technology (Pocatello) 1–2 years (certificate, AAS) Regional accreditation (NWCCU)2; hands-on labs for Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Machining, and Health programs; strong employer partnerships and apprenticeship pathways.
Idaho State University – Workforce Training (Pocatello/Idaho Falls) Weeks to months (noncredit) Short, job-focused training for industrial maintenance, electrical basics, healthcare, and safety; flexible schedules for upskilling and career changes; backed by ISU’s accreditation2.
College of Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls) 9–24 months (certificate, AAS) Regional accreditation (NWCCU)2; programs in Welding, Machine Tool, Cybersecurity, Drafting, and Healthcare; apprenticeship-related instruction and evening options.
BYU–Idaho (Rexburg) 1–2 years (certificates, AAS) Regional accreditation (NWCCU)2; applied certificates in Automotive, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction-related tech; stackable credentials that lead toward degrees.
Paul Mitchell The School – Rexburg About 12–18 months Accredited by NACCAS2; cosmetology and esthetics training; strong state board pass prep; guest artist demos and salon floor experience.
Northwest Lineman College (Meridian) 15 weeks (certificate) ACCSC-accredited3; Electrical Lineworker Program; intensive field training, safety, and climbing skills; industry-recognized credentials and hiring events.
College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls) 9–24 months (certificate, AAS) Regional accreditation (NWCCU)2; Welding, HVAC, Diesel, Electrical-related training; modern labs and strong transfer/apprenticeship ties.

Tip: Tour labs, ask about pass rates and placement, and verify the program meets Idaho licensing or certification needs for your trade.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New construction, facility upgrades, and power distribution keep electricians busy across Idaho1. Hands-on training in conduit bending, motors, VFDs, and code is valued by employers. Many roles require apprenticeship and a journeyman license for advancement.

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC pros handle comfort, efficiency, and refrigeration safety for homes and commercial buildings. Preventive maintenance and retrofits drive steady work in Eastern Idaho’s seasonal climate1. EPA Section 608 is required for refrigerants4.

  • Welder

    • Welding supports fabrication, repair, and construction. Local manufacturers and contractors need MIG, TIG, and flux-core skills. Certifications by AWS or performance qualifications through NCCER are common employer requirements5.

  • Plumber

    • Water, gas, and hydronic systems require trained plumbers for install and service. Apprentices who advance to journeyman and master see the best prospects and pay progression1.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Below are typical steps. Always confirm current rules with Idaho’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)6.

  • Electrician (Apprentice → Journeyman → Master)

    • Register as an electrical apprentice with Idaho DOPL.
    • Complete a multi-year apprenticeship (on‑the‑job training plus classroom). Keep verified hours.
    • Pass the Idaho journeyman exam; apply for licensure with DOPL’s Electrical Program.
    • Master electrician typically requires journeyman experience plus a master exam.
    • Electrical contractors need additional business licensing, insurance, and bonding as required6.

  • HVAC (Apprentice → Journeyman → Contractor)

    • Register as an HVAC apprentice with Idaho DOPL’s HVAC Program.
    • Complete approved apprenticeship and classroom instruction; log hours.
    • Pass the Idaho HVAC journeyman exam and obtain the journeyman license.
    • Consider specialty categories if applicable (e.g., gas piping or limited HVAC).
    • Contractors obtain the HVAC contractor license to run a business.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for handling refrigerants4.

  • Plumbing (Apprentice → Journeyman → Master)

    • Register as a plumbing apprentice with DOPL.
    • Finish a multi‑year apprenticeship with related instruction.
    • Pass the Idaho journeyman plumber exam; apply for licensure.
    • Master plumber status requires journeyman experience and an additional exam.
    • Contractors must meet DOPL and business requirements6.

  • Welding

    • Idaho does not issue a state welder license.
    • Employers or projects may require performance qualifications (e.g., AWS codes) or NCCER credentials. Schools and employers provide weld tests to specific codes5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: Many programs deliver safety, code, and theory online with hands‑on labs on campus. Ask about evening or weekend cohorts to fit work schedules.
  • Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn with employer sponsors. Classroom hours often align with local colleges listed above.
  • Exam prep: Online prep for electrical and plumbing journeyman exams can speed licensure timelines. Verify your prep matches Idaho code editions6.
  • HVAC refrigerant handling: Section 608 certification exams are offered by approved providers; some deliver proctored online testing options4.

If you need purely online programs, focus on trades with theory-heavy coursework or stackable certificates (e.g., safety, building science, basic electrical theory). For lab‑intensive trades, expect required in‑person labs or clinicals.

Next Steps

Have questions about a program near Chubbuck? Make a short list, schedule campus tours, and verify each program meets Idaho licensing rules before you enroll6.

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

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

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

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

  5. NCCER, Industry-Recognized Credentials and Assessments. https://www.nccer.org ↩ ↩

  6. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing). https://dopl.idaho.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.