Best Trade Schools in Star, Idaho (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Star. This page compares accredited trade programs near Star, Idaho, and explains local licensing. Use it to choose a program that leads to a job in 6–24 months. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in steady demand in Idaho and nationwide1.

Top Trade Schools in Star

Below are accredited options within a short drive of Star. Program lengths are typical ranges; your timeline depends on schedule and specialization.

School Program Length Highlights
College of Western Idaho (CWI) — Nampa/Boise 1–24 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Public, regionally accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Machine Tool, Electrical apprenticeship support, and more. Strong employer ties and day/evening schedules2.
Northwest Lineman College — Meridian ~15 weeks (Lineworker) ACCSC-accredited. Electrical lineworker training with pole climbing, pole-top rescue, OSHA-10, CDL preparation, and career placement support3.
Carrington College — Boise 8–12 months (most certificates) Accredited allied health programs including Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, and Veterinary Assisting. Hybrid courses and career services2.
Milan Institute — Boise 7–12 months ACCSC-accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, and Esthetician. Day and evening cohorts; certification exam prep3.
Aveda Institute — Boise 6–12+ months (varies by program) Cosmetology and Esthetics programs designed to meet Idaho licensure requirements. Salon-quality training and guest services experience2.
Paul Mitchell The School — Nampa 6–12+ months (varies by program) Cosmetology and Barbering training aligned to Idaho board exams. Flexible schedules and strong salon network2.
Western Idaho Electrical JATC — Meridian ~4–5 years (apprenticeship) Registered apprenticeship combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Pathway to Idaho journeyman electrician licensing exam4.
Idaho Medical Academy — Meridian 4–16 weeks (most courses) State-approved EMT/AEMT and short-term healthcare programs (e.g., phlebotomy, CNA pathways). Fast entry into healthcare support roles2.

Program availability changes. Always confirm current offerings, schedules, placement rates, and admissions. Program details above were cross-checked with U.S. Department of Education College Navigator and accreditor listings23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Reliable work across residential, commercial, solar, and industrial projects. National employment is projected to grow, and median wages remain strong1. Apprenticeships in the Boise metro help you earn while you train.

  • HVAC Technician

    • Growth is driven by new construction and energy-efficient retrofits. EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants, and many Idaho programs include exam prep15.

  • Welder

    • Employers in fabrication, construction, and manufacturing hire welders with process skills (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW). Certifications through AWS or ASME help you stand out. Steady national demand with opportunities to upskill into pipe or structural specialties1.

  • Plumber

    • New building and maintenance work keep plumbing steady. Apprenticeship leads to journeyman licensing in Idaho. Backflow, medical gas, and hydronic specialties can increase pay1.

Note: National median pay (BLS, May 2023) is solid across these trades, and many roles allow overtime or project-based premiums1.

Licensing Requirements in Idaho

Idaho regulates several construction trades through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Below are common pathways. Always verify current rules before you apply4.

  • Electrician (Idaho Electrical Board)

    • Register as an apprentice with DOPL.
    • Complete about 8,000 hours of documented on‑the‑job training plus related classroom instruction (typically 4 years).
    • Apply for and pass the Idaho journeyman electrician exam.
    • Maintain license and continuing education as required4.

  • HVAC (Idaho HVAC Board)

    • Register as an HVAC apprentice.
    • Accumulate required on‑the‑job hours and related training (commonly 4 years for full HVAC journeyman; specialty categories have different hour requirements).
    • Pass the appropriate journeyman or specialty exam.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling (federal)45.

  • Plumbing (Idaho Plumbing Board)

    • Register as a plumbing apprentice.
    • Complete roughly 8,000 hours of supervised work and related instruction (about 4 years).
    • Apply for the journeyman plumber exam and pass.
    • Keep license current per state CE and renewal rules4.

  • Welding

    • Idaho does not issue a general “welder” license. Employers and specific work scopes may require industry credentials such as AWS D1.1 (structural) or ASME Section IX (pipe/pressure). Boiler/pressure vessel work may require approvals through the state boilers program. Confirm requirements with your employer or the authority having jurisdiction4.

Helpful tip: Many schools listed above embed apprenticeship or certification prep so you can meet Idaho’s requirements on the first try.

Online & Flexible Options

If you need to balance work and training, consider these flexible pathways near Star:

  • Hybrid programs at community colleges and career schools. Many lecture components (safety, codes, theory) run online, with labs scheduled on campus in the evenings or weekends.
  • Registered apprenticeships. You earn a paycheck while completing required classroom hours, often one to two evenings per week during the school year.
  • Short courses and credentials online. OSHA-10/30, construction math, blueprint reading, and EPA 608 exam prep can be completed online; hands-on or proctored exams may be in person5.
  • Healthcare support roles. Medical assisting, dental assisting, and EMT programs often offer blended schedules and multiple start dates throughout the year2.

Ask each school about:

  • Evening/weekend cohorts
  • Part-time tracks
  • Prior learning credit
  • Military and veteran benefits
  • Employer partnerships and placement

Next Steps

Footnotes:

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and wage data for Electricians, HVAC/R Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — program and campus listings for Idaho institutions. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) — accredited school directory (e.g., Northwest Lineman College, Milan Institute). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (refrigerants). https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.