Best Trade Schools in Post Falls, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Post Falls. This guide compares accredited options nearby, what they teach, typical program lengths, and Idaho licensing steps. You will also see which trades are hiring and where to train. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers all show steady demand and solid pay in Idaho1.

Top Trade Schools in Post Falls

Below are accredited colleges and career schools in Post Falls or within an easy commute. Program offerings can change. Confirm current details with the school.

School Program Length Highlights
North Idaho College (NIC) – Coeur d’Alene 1–2 years for Certificates/AAS; some 8–16 week fast-track courses Regionally accredited public college. Hands-on labs for Welding, Automotive Technology, Machining/CNC, Industrial Maintenance, and more. Strong employer ties and apprenticeship-related training through Workforce Training2.
NIC Workforce Training Center – Post Falls 4–24 weeks for short-term certificates; Apprenticeship classroom is multi-year Noncredit, fast training in Welding, CNC, Construction, Healthcare (CNA, Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant), and safety. Evening/weekend options and local employer partnerships. Delivers related instruction for Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC apprenticeships2.
Spokane Community College (SCC) – Spokane, WA 1–2 years for Certificates/AAS Large CTE college with modern shops in Welding, HVAC/R, Automotive, Diesel, Machining, and Construction. Apprenticeship center and strong placement support. NWCCU accredited. About 20–30 minutes from Post Falls2.
Carrington College – Spokane 9–12 months (diplomas) Accredited allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Pharmacy Technology. Skills labs and clinical externships. Good option if you want a fast path into healthcare support roles2.
Pima Medical Institute – Spokane 8–12 months (diplomas) Focused healthcare training in Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, and related programs. ABHES accredited with clinical partnerships for hands-on learning2.
Paul Mitchell The School – Coeur d’Alene 6–14 months depending on program NACCAS-accredited cosmetology school offering Cosmetology and Esthetics. State board prep with client clinic floor experience. Short commute from Post Falls2.

Tip: If you plan to work in Idaho, training at a nearby Washington school is fine. Your license is issued by Idaho boards, so follow Idaho’s licensing steps and exams even if you trained across the state line.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician New housing, data infrastructure, and manufacturing keep electricians busy in Kootenai County and the greater Spokane–Coeur d’Alene area. Apprentices earn while they learn, and journeyman licensing provides mobility and wage growth1.

  • HVAC/R Technician Hot summers and cold winters mean steady HVAC work. Technicians install and service furnaces, heat pumps, and refrigeration. EPA Section 608 is required for those who handle refrigerants13.

  • Welder and Fabricator Regional metal fabrication, boatbuilding, and construction contractors need welders who can read blueprints and work across processes like SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW. Many employers prefer or require AWS certifications14.

  • Plumber Residential and commercial projects drive demand. Plumbing apprenticeships combine paid hours with classroom instruction leading to journeyman licensing and strong wage progression1.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Here are the basic steps for common licensed trades. Always check the state site for the latest rules and forms.

  • Electrician (Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)

    • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with Idaho DOPL5.
    • Complete 4 years and 8,000 hours of documented on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction.
    • Pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam to become licensed.
    • Move up to Master Electrician with additional experience and exam, then Electrical Contractor with business requirements.

  • Plumber (Idaho DOPL)

    • Register as a Plumbing Apprentice6.
    • Complete 4 years and 8,000 hours of OJT with classroom instruction.
    • Pass the Idaho Journeyman Plumber exam.
    • Advance to Master and Plumbing Contractor as you gain experience and meet application requirements.

  • HVAC (Idaho DOPL)

    • Register as an HVAC Apprentice7.
    • Complete a 4-year program with documented hours and classroom instruction.
    • Pass the Idaho HVAC Journeyman exam. Specialty categories may apply depending on scope.
    • Master and contractor licensing are available for advanced scope and business ownership.

  • Cosmetology and Esthetics (Idaho DOPL – Barber & Cosmetology Services)

    • Complete a state-approved program: typically 1,600 hours for Cosmetology and 600 for Esthetics in Idaho.
    • Pass the required theory and practical exams.
    • Apply for your Idaho license and maintain it per renewal rules8.

  • Refrigerants (Federal)

    • If you service systems with regulated refrigerants, earn EPA Section 608 certification (Type I–IV as applicable)3.

  • Welding (Industry Certifications)

    • Idaho does not license welders. Many employers look for AWS D1.1, D17.1, or process-specific certifications tied to the job4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: NIC, SCC, Pima, and Carrington offer some online theory with on-campus labs for hands-on practice. This can reduce commute time while keeping the required shop hours intact2.
  • Evening and weekend classes: The NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls schedules many evening or weekend sections that fit full-time work.
  • Apprenticeships: Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC apprenticeships combine paid job experience with scheduled classroom nights. You earn while you train and move toward journeyman licensing567.
  • Credit vs noncredit: If you want a degree, look at for-credit certificates and AAS programs at NIC or SCC. If you want speed, noncredit options at NIC’s Workforce Training Center can get you job-ready fast.

Next Steps

  • Compare Idaho trade schools: Visit the Idaho hub page to see statewide options and plan your shortlist: /trade-school/idaho/
  • Explore trades and career paths: See requirements, certifications, and salaries across all skilled trades: /trades/
  • Learn how to pay for school: Read our financial aid and scholarship tips: /guides/financial-aid
  • Find and join an apprenticeship: How apprenticeships work and where to apply: /guides/apprenticeships
  • Deep-dive into a trade:
    • Electrician: /trades/electrician
    • HVAC: /trades/hvac
    • Welding: /trades/welding
    • Plumbing: /trades/plumbing
  • Start here if you are still exploring: /trade-school/

You can tour multiple campuses in one day around Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and Spokane. Ask to see the labs, meet instructors, and review recent placement data. Choose the program that fits your schedule, budget, and the Idaho license you plan to earn.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook and Employment Trends. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. American Welding Society – Certification. https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩ ↩

  5. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Electrical. https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/electrical/ ↩ ↩

  6. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – Plumbing. https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/plumbing/ ↩ ↩

  7. Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses – HVAC. https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/hvac/ ↩ ↩

  8. Idaho DOPL – Barber and Cosmetology Services. https://dopl.idaho.gov/boards/barbercosmo/ ↩

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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.