Best Trade Schools in Moscow, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Moscow. This guide lists accredited options nearby, what each school does well, and how to get licensed in Idaho. You will also see which trades are hiring and flexible ways to train in 2025.

Top Trade Schools in Moscow

All schools below are accredited and within driving distance of Moscow. Accreditation confirmed via federal or recognized accrediting bodies.¹²

School	Program Length	Highlights
Lewis-Clark State College – Technical & Industrial Division (Lewiston, ID)	Certificates 1–2 years; AAS ~2 years	Hands-on labs; programs commonly include Automotive, Welding, CNC Machining, Industrial Electronics; strong industry ties in the LC Valley¹
Walla Walla Community College – Clarkston Campus (Clarkston, WA)	Certificates 1–2 years; AAS ~2 years	Welding and Automotive offerings between Clarkston and Walla Walla campuses; small class sizes; employer-connected projects¹
Spokane Community College (Spokane, WA)	Certificates 1–2 years; AAS ~2 years; Apprenticeship-related instruction	Wide range: HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive, Machining, Carpentry, Water/Wastewater; robust apprenticeship partnerships¹
North Idaho College – Career Technical Education (CDA/Rathdrum/Post Falls, ID)	Certificates 1–2 years; AAS ~2 years; Apprenticeship RI	Welding, Machine Technology, Industrial Mechanic/Millwright, Automotive; apprenticeship classes for electrical, HVAC, plumbing; CDL via partnerships¹
Northwest Lineman College (Meridian, ID)	15-week intensive	Power lineworker training; pole-climbing, rigging, distribution systems; employer recruiting on campus; ACCSC-accredited²
College of Western Idaho (Nampa/Boise, ID)	Certificates 1–2 years; AAS ~2 years; Apprenticeship RI	Popular for Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Automotive; evening and hybrid options; statewide employer network¹

Tip: Visit each school’s program page for current start dates and entry requirements. Many programs fill early.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

New construction, agricultural processing, and facility maintenance drive steady hiring in the Palouse and LC Valley. Nationally, electricians see stable demand and replacement needs as experienced workers retire³. Training blends classroom code study with supervised, paid hours.

HVAC/R

Cold winters and hot summers mean year-round calls for heating and cooling techs. Systems are more efficient and complex, so employers value grads who can diagnose, braze, and handle refrigerants. EPA Section 608 certification is required to service refrigerants⁴.

Welding

Fabrication shops, equipment repair, lumber and paper mills, and transportation makers need welders who can read prints and pass code tests. Multi-process skills (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) improve job options. NCCER and AWS credentials are widely recognized⁵.

Plumbing

Residential and commercial upgrades, along with water system retrofits, keep plumbers busy. Apprentices learn code, venting, and fuel gas, progressing to journeyman after hours and exams. Many plumbers later become contractors and run service trucks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction and mechanical trades offer solid wage potential with opportunities to advance into foreman, estimator, or small business owner roles³.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Electrician (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Electrical Board)

Register as an Electrical Apprentice with a licensed employer/sponsor.
Complete 4 years and at least 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction.
Apply for and pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
For Master Electrician, document additional experience and pass the master exam.
To operate a business, obtain an Electrical Contractor license and meet insurance/bond requirements⁶.

HVAC (Idaho DOPL – HVAC Board)

Register as an HVAC Apprentice under a licensed contractor.
Complete about 4 years and 8,000 hours of supervised work with related instruction.
Pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman exam.
For HVAC Contractor, meet experience, insurance, and bond requirements.
EPA Section 608 certification is required to purchase or handle refrigerants⁶⁴.

Plumbing (Idaho DOPL – Plumbing Board)

Register as a Plumbing Apprentice.
Complete roughly 4 years and 8,000 hours of supervised work and classroom instruction.
Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
For Plumbing Contractor, meet experience, bond, and insurance requirements⁶.

Welding

Idaho does not license welders at the state level. Employers and certain jobs require code certifications, commonly to AWS or ASME standards. NCCER credentials are also recognized in the region⁵. If you will weld on pressure vessels or structural steel, expect to pass a procedure-specific test.

Helpful notes

Keep experience logs and classroom transcripts. You will need them when you apply to test.
Many apprentices start their related instruction at nearby community colleges listed above.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid and evening: Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College, Spokane Community College, and College of Western Idaho offer evening labs or hybrid coursework for trades that allow it. Hands-on labs still require in-person time¹.
Apprenticeship classes: NIC and SCC provide related instruction for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing apprentices on flexible schedules¹.
Short programs: Northwest Lineman College runs a 15-week intensive that gets you into the field fast. Consider housing and travel if relocating is needed².
Online theory: Safety, math, blueprint reading, and code classes are often online or blended, with lab competencies completed on campus. Always confirm delivery format before you enroll.

Next Steps

Compare all Idaho options: Visit the state hub at Trade Schools in Idaho.
Browse all trades: See career paths, licensing, and salaries in the Trades Hub.
Learn the trades: Start with Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.
Plan your training: Read our guides on Financial Aid and Apprenticeships.
Explore more schools: Go to the national Trade School Directory.

If you live in Moscow, tour programs at LCSC in Lewiston first, then compare Spokane and North Idaho options for your trade. Ask about waitlists, required tools and PPE, and exam pass rates. A short campus visit often answers most questions.

U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator entries: Lewis-Clark State College; North Idaho College; Spokane Community College; Walla Walla Community College; College of Western Idaho. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory – Northwest Lineman College (Meridian, ID). https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R, Plumbers, Welders). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Management Program – Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩
NCCER, Industry-Recognized Credentials and Craft Training. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) – Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing Licensing Boards 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.