Best Trade Schools in Sandpoint, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Sandpoint. This guide compares accredited options near Bonner County, the programs they offer, and how licensing works in Idaho. You will also see which skilled trades are hiring now and where to train for them. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers continue to see steady demand and solid wages across the region¹.

Top Trade Schools in Sandpoint

Below are accredited and state-recognized schools within an easy drive of Sandpoint. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each campus for current offerings².

School	Program Length	Highlights
North Idaho College – Sandpoint Center (Sandpoint, ID)	Advising + short courses; pathways to 1–2 year credentials	Local center connects Sandpoint students to NIC technical programs. Placement and advising for welding, automotive, machining, healthcare pathways at nearby NIC sites. Regionally accredited (NWCCU)².
North Idaho College – Parker Technical Education Center (Rathdrum, ID)	9–24 months Certificate; 2 years AAS	Hands-on labs for Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair, Industrial Mechanics/Millwright, Mechatronics, and Precision Machining. Small cohorts and strong employer ties. NWCCU accredited².
North Idaho College – Workforce Training Center (Post Falls, ID)	4–20 weeks short-term certificates; 4-year apprenticeship related training	Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC-related instruction, CNC/Machining, CDL, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy. Industry-recognized cert prep and registered apprenticeship classroom hours. Part of NIC’s regional accreditation².
Spokane Community College (Spokane, WA)	1–2 years Certificate/AAS	HVAC/R, Welding, Machining, Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Aviation Maintenance. Extensive shops and employer-sponsored projects. NWCCU accredited².
Pima Medical Institute – Spokane (Spokane, WA)	9–24 months	Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Technician, Pharmacy Technician. Day and evening cohorts. Institutionally accredited².
Paul Mitchell The School – Coeur d’Alene (Coeur d’Alene, ID)	10–12 months	Cosmetology and Esthetics with strong state board pass prep and salon floor experience. Nationally accredited and licensed in Idaho².

Tip: Many Sandpoint students start advising and pre-reqs at the NIC Sandpoint Center, then complete labs at the Parker Technical Education Center or Workforce Training Center.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

New housing, light industrial, and resort projects around North Idaho keep electricians busy. Apprentices earn while they learn, which helps you avoid debt¹. See what an Electrician does and where this job can lead.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC techs handle heating, cooling, and refrigeration in homes, hospitals, and food service. The work is steady across seasons in the Inland Northwest. EPA 608 certification is required if you work with refrigerants¹.

Welder

Fabrication shops, boat builders, and maintenance crews in the region need welders who can read blueprints and pass AWS tests. Adding machining or industrial maintenance skills can boost pay¹.

Plumber

Plumbing remains essential on every construction site and in service work. Idaho plumbing journeyman licensing is straightforward with an approved apprenticeship and exam¹.

Explore more trades in our Trades Hub.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Electrician licensing – Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)

Register as an electrical apprentice with DOPL and enroll in an approved program.
Complete 4 years and at least 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training plus classroom instruction.
Apply for and pass the Idaho Journeyman Electrician exam.
Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses require additional verified experience and passing the appropriate exams. Contractors must meet business requirements and carry insurance³.

Plumber licensing – Idaho DOPL

Register as a plumbing apprentice and complete a 4‑year program with 8,000 hours OJT plus related instruction.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam.
Plumbing Contractor licensing requires verified journeyman experience, exam, and business requirements like bonding and insurance⁴.

HVAC/Mechanical licensing – Idaho DOPL

Idaho licenses HVAC apprentices, journeymen, and contractors through the Mechanical Program.
Typical path is a 4‑year apprenticeship with classroom hours, then the Journeyman exam.
EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants⁵⁶.

Welding

Idaho does not issue a state welder license. Employers commonly require AWS structural or pipe credentials and may ask for OSHA safety cards. Training at NIC or SCC can prepare you for those tests.

If you plan to work across the state line in Washington, also check Washington licensing and apprenticeship rules. Requirements differ by state.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid apprenticeships: NIC’s Workforce Training Center delivers evening classes and online theory combined with paid jobsite experience for electrical, plumbing, and related trades. This helps you work full time while progressing to journeyman status².
Community college flexibility: Spokane Community College and NIC offer multiple start dates in many programs, along with fast-track certificates you can finish in under a year².
Healthcare and cosmetology: Pima Medical Institute offers blended schedules for several programs. Cosmetology and esthetics at Paul Mitchell include theory that may be delivered in a flexible format, with required in-person clinic hours².
Certification prep: Look for programs aligned to industry credentials like NCCER for construction, AWS for welding, and EPA 608 for HVAC/R. These stackable credentials make you job-ready faster⁶.

Next Steps

Compare all Idaho options on the Idaho Trade School Hub.
See programs and planning tips on the Trade School Hub.
Learn about careers in the Trades Hub, including Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.
Get how‑to guides on planning, applications, and scholarships in our Guides.

Have questions about licensing or choosing a program near Sandpoint? Start with advising at the NIC Sandpoint Center, then tour labs at Parker Technical Education Center or the Workforce Training Center. That in-person visit will help you pick the right track.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook data and employment trends for construction and maintenance trades. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program listings for public and private career schools. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) – Electrical Program. Licensing requirements and applications. ↩
Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) – Plumbing Program. Licensing requirements and applications. ↩
Idaho DOPL – Mechanical (HVAC) Program. Licensing requirements and applications. ↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Section 608 Technician Certification for handling refrigerants. ↩ ↩

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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.