Best Trade Schools in Alexandria, Louisiana (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Alexandria, Louisiana. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, typical program lengths, and hands-on training. You’ll also see Louisiana licensing steps and the trades with steady demand and solid pay1.

Top Trade Schools in Alexandria

Below are accredited and state-recognized options in and around Alexandria. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school for current schedules and start dates. Accreditation and program details verified via U.S. Department of Education College Navigator and recognized accreditors23.

School Program Length Highlights
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) – Alexandria Campus Certificates: 9–12 months; Associate degrees: ~2 years Public technical college. HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive, Industrial/Electrical, Practical Nursing. Industry-aligned labs. Institutional accreditation via SACSCOC2. Many programs prepare for NCCER and EPA 608 exams.
Blue Cliff College – Alexandria Diplomas: ~9–15 months ACCSC-accredited career school3. Programs often include Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Office, and allied health labs. Day/evening schedules and externships with local providers.
Unitech Training Academy – Alexandria Certificates/Diplomas: ~6–12 months Career training in Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Phlebotomy/EKG, Billing & Coding. Externships and fast starts. Institutional accreditation listed in College Navigator2.
Rapides Regional Medical Center – School of Radiologic Technology 24 months Hospital-based X-ray program with extensive clinical rotations. Graduates qualify for ARRT exam eligibility. Listed in College Navigator with program details2.
National EMS Academy (NEMSA) – Alexandria EMT: ~2–4 months; Paramedic: ~12–16 months EMS training site recognized by the Louisiana Bureau of EMS4. NREMT-focused coursework and clinical/field time. Some hybrid delivery for didactic units.
LSU Alexandria (LSUA) – Division of Nursing & Allied Health ASN: ~2 years Public university with associate-level nursing path and clinical partnerships in Central Louisiana. Institutional accreditation via SACSCOC; program info in College Navigator2.

Tip: If a specific trade you want isn’t offered in Alexandria this term, check nearby CLTCC campuses in Central Louisiana or consider short-term online theory paired with local labs.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes, plants, and hospitals running. Louisiana’s industrial base and ongoing construction drive steady hiring1. Technical school plus apprenticeship is a common path. See the full career path and tools you’ll need here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Central Louisiana’s heat and humidity create year-round service calls. HVAC techs install, troubleshoot, and maintain comfort systems for homes and businesses1. Certifications like EPA Section 608 help you stand out. Explore requirements: HVAC.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, maintenance, shipbuilding support, and pipeline work keep welders busy in Louisiana. Entry can be fast with a 9–12 month certificate and practice on common processes like SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW1. Learn more: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbing pros handle construction and service for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Licensing is statewide in Louisiana, with a clear path from apprentice to journeyman to master5. Start here: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

Licensing is state- or parish-managed depending on the trade. Always verify current requirements before testing or bidding.

  • Electrician (Journeyman/Master and Contractors)

    • Path: Enroll in an approved training program or apprenticeship, log trade experience (often ~8,000 hours for journeyman-level competency), and pass local parish/city exams where required.
    • Contractor: The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) licenses Electrical and Residential/Commercial contractors for projects at or above state thresholds, with classification exams, financials, and insurance6.
    • Tip: Keep OSHA-10/30 current and track hours with your employer.

  • HVAC/R

    • EPA: Federal EPA Section 608 certification required to handle refrigerants7.
    • Contractor: Mechanical/HVAC contractors obtain licensure through LSLBC when bidding above state thresholds; classification exams and business requirements apply6.
    • Local permits may be required for installs and change-outs.

  • Plumbing

    • State-regulated by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA). Typical steps: register as apprentice, complete 4 years/8,000 hours OJT and related instruction, pass Journeyman exam; later test for Master Plumber5.
    • Medical gas endorsements require extra training and a separate exam.

  • Welding

    • No state license. Employers commonly require performance qualifications to specific codes (e.g., AWS D1.1) and accept NCCER credentials as proof of competency1. NCCER credentials are widely recognized in Louisiana’s industrial corridor1.

  • Healthcare-related (for Alexandria programs listed)

    • Radiologic Technology: Louisiana licensure is through the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners after ARRT certification8.
    • EMS: EMT/Paramedic credentialing is via NREMT and the Louisiana Bureau of EMS4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: Many Alexandria programs deliver classroom theory online with labs and clinicals on campus or at partner sites. This is common in medical assisting, billing/coding, and EMS didactic courses.
  • Evening tracks: Career changers can often find night or weekend schedules at career colleges and public technical colleges in Central Louisiana.
  • Short-format credentials: Stack entry certificates (CPR, OSHA-10, EPA 608, NCCER modules) to get hired sooner while you finish a longer diploma or degree.

Ask each school about:

  • Hybrid schedules for working adults
  • Externship placements and employer partners
  • Industry certifications included in tuition
  • Credit transfer between CLTCC and LSUA pathways

Next Steps

  • Compare all Louisiana trade schools: /trade-school/louisiana/
  • Explore all skilled trades and career paths: /trades/
  • Visit our Trade School hub for planning tools: /trade-school/
  • Browse guides on training, exams, and career changes: /guides/

If you already know your trade, start with the detailed paths: Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing. Then contact two or three Alexandria schools to compare start dates and labs, and apply early to secure clinical or shop slots.

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

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution and program profiles for CLTCC, LSUA, Unitech Training Academy, Rapides Regional Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institutions Directory (Blue Cliff College – Alexandria). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩

  4. Louisiana Department of Health – Bureau of EMS (Education, Training Sites, and Licensure). https://ldh.la.gov/page/ems ↩ ↩

  5. State Plumbing Board of Louisiana – Apprentice Registration, Journeyman/Master Licensing. https://spbla.com/ ↩ ↩

  6. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) – Licensing, Classifications, Exams, and Thresholds. https://lslbc.louisiana.gov/ ↩ ↩

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

  8. Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners – Licensure. https://www.lsrtbe.org/ ↩

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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.