Best Trade Schools in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (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 Coeur d'Alene. This page makes it simple to compare accredited programs, understand Idaho licensing, and see which trades are hiring in 2025. We focus on short programs that lead to solid jobs in the region. Data and links to official sources are included for confident decisions¹²³.

Top Trade Schools in Coeur d'Alene

Below are accredited options in Coeur d’Alene and nearby Spokane that Coeur d’Alene students commonly attend. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for current details².

School	Program Length	Highlights
North Idaho College (NIC) – Coeur d’Alene and Parker Technical Education Center (Rathdrum)	1–2 years (AAS, Certificates)	Regionally accredited (NWCCU). Welding, Machining, Industrial Mechanic/Millwright, Automotive, Collision Repair, Culinary, Healthcare. Strong labs and employer ties².
NIC Workforce Training Center – Post Falls	3–12 months (noncredit)	Short-term, hands-on training. HVAC tech prep, Welding bootcamps, CNC operator, Electrical/Plumbing apprenticeship classes, OSHA and EPA 608 prep. NIC accreditation applies².
Paul Mitchell The School Coeur d’Alene	6–12 months	NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics programs. Prepares for Idaho cosmetology or esthetics licensure exams³⁴.
American Institute of Clinical Massage (Post Falls)	6–11 months	Accredited career school. Prepares for MBLEx and Idaho massage therapy licensure. Strong clinical hours and job placement support²⁵.
Spokane Community College (nearby Spokane, WA)	1–2 years	Regionally accredited (NWCCU). HVAC/R, Welding, Machining, Automotive, Aviation Maintenance, Culinary. Many Coeur d’Alene students commute².
Carrington College – Spokane	9–12 months	Institutionally accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Tech. Strong externships at regional clinics and dentists².
NIC CDL Training with SAGE (Post Falls)	4–8 weeks	Commercial Driver’s License A/B training delivered with SAGE at NIC. One-student-per-truck driving model. Idaho CDL testing support²⁶.

Tip: Use College Navigator to confirm program offerings and accreditation for each campus before you apply².

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician New construction and industrial maintenance drive steady demand in North Idaho. Electricians enjoy strong job security and good wages with overtime potential. National projections show faster-than-average employment for electricians through 2032¹.
HVAC Technician Homes and commercial buildings need skilled techs year-round. HVAC mechanics and installers are projected to grow, and EPA 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants¹⁷.
Welder Manufacturing, fabrication, and construction across the Coeur d’Alene–Spokane corridor rely on welders. Employers value AWS and NCCER credentials backed by hands-on practice¹⁸.
Plumber Population growth keeps residential and commercial plumbing busy. Idaho law requires licensed plumbers for code-compliant work. Apprenticeship is the best path to a journeyman card⁹¹.

These trades reward practical skills and industry certifications. Short programs paired with paid apprenticeships can reduce student debt while you earn¹.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Licensing rules vary by trade. Always verify with Idaho’s official boards before you enroll or schedule exams.

Electrician (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Electrical Board)
- Register as an apprentice.
- Complete 4 years and 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training, plus related classroom instruction.
- Pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
- Master Electrician requires additional verified experience as a journeyman.
- Electrical Contractor requires a qualifying master on staff and insurance⁹.
Plumber (Idaho Plumbing Board)
- Register as an apprentice.
- Complete 4 years and 8,000 hours OJT with related instruction.
- Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
- Master Plumber requires journeyman experience and successful exam.
- Plumbing Contractor requires a qualifying master and insurance⁹.
HVAC (Idaho HVAC Board)
- Register as an HVAC apprentice.
- Complete about 4 years and 8,000 hours OJT with related instruction.
- Pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman exam.
- HVAC Contractor requires qualifying journeyman or master, plus insurance.
- Many roles also need EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants⁹⁷.
Welding
- Idaho does not issue a state welder license.
- Employers may require certifications such as AWS D1.1 structural or ASME Section IX pipe. NCCER Welding credentials are widely recognized⁸.
Cosmetology and Esthetics (Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Board)
- Complete an approved program and required hours.
- Pass written and practical exams.
- Apply for state license and renew per rules⁴.
Massage Therapy (Idaho Board of Massage Therapy)
- Graduate from an approved 500+ hour program.
- Pass the MBLEx exam.
- Submit background check and state application⁵.
CDL – Commercial Driver’s License (Idaho Transportation Department)
- Complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training with a registered provider.
- Obtain DOT medical card.
- Pass Idaho CDL knowledge and skills tests. Endorsements require extra tests⁶.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid trade programs
- NIC blends online theory with in-person labs in programs like Welding, Machining, and Automotive where appropriate. Hands-on lab time is required to build skills.
Apprenticeship related instruction
- Many Coeur d’Alene apprentices take evening or flexible classroom coursework for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC while working full time. NIC Workforce Training Center offers related classes that align with Idaho exams⁹².
Certification prep
- EPA Section 608 test prep is available locally with exams delivered in person or through approved proctors⁷.
- OSHA 10/30 and basic safety courses are offered on flexible schedules through NIC Workforce.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask schools about night sections, accelerated blocks, or modular starts. Always confirm that online hours meet Idaho licensing requirements for your trade.

Next Steps

Compare more Idaho schools: visit the Idaho state hub at /trade-school/idaho/.
Browse all trades, typical salaries, and certifications at the main trades hub: /trades/.
Learn how to choose a program and pay for it:
- How to choose a trade school: /guides/how-to-choose-a-trade-school
- Financial aid and scholarships: /guides/financial-aid
Go deeper on specific careers:
- Electrician: /trades/electrician
- HVAC: /trades/hvac
- Welding: /trades/welding
- Plumbing: /trades/plumbing
Explore all school options: /trade-school/

Have questions about licensing or entry steps for your trade in Idaho? Start with the state hub above, then contact the appropriate Idaho board before you enroll. Getting the right school and the right license plan saves time and money.

Sources

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Program and accreditation lookup for each campus. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩
Idaho Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board (DOPL). https://dopl.idaho.gov/bcb/ ↩ ↩
Idaho Board of Massage Therapy (DOPL). https://dopl.idaho.gov/mas/ ↩ ↩
Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles, Commercial Driver’s License. https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩
NCCER, Industry-recognized construction and welding credentials. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC). Licensing requirements and applications. https://dopl.idaho.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.