Best Trade Schools in Baton Rouge Metro, Louisiana (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in Baton Rouge. This guide compares accredited programs, program length, specialties, and Louisiana licensing steps. The Baton Rouge industrial corridor needs skilled workers in electrical, HVAC, welding, and plumbing1. Use this list to pick a practical program and get licensed the right way.

Top Trade Schools in Baton Rouge

School Program Length Highlights
ITI Technical College (Baton Rouge) 12–24 months (diplomas/AOS) ACCSC-accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC/R, Instrumentation & Control, Process Technology, Electrical, Drafting & Design. Day/evening schedules. Employer partnerships with petrochemical and industrial firms2.
Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) 6–24 months (certs/AAS) Regionally accredited. HVAC, Welding, Automotive Tech, Process Technology, EMT. Stackable certificates that lead to AAS degrees. Multiple lab facilities and industry advisory boards3.
River Parishes Community College – Gonzales (Ascension Campus) 9–24 months (certs/AAS) Regionally accredited. Strong in Process Technology, Instrumentation, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding. Close ties to plants along the I‑10 industrial corridor3.
ABC Pelican Chapter Training Center (Baton Rouge) 2–4 years (apprenticeships) NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor/Center. Electrical, Welding, Pipefitting, Millwright, and more. Earn-while-you-learn model with evening classes; NCCER portable credentials4.
Baton Rouge Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 995) 5 years (registered apprenticeship) Paid on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction. Prepares for journeyman electrician exams and OSHA credentials. Strong contractor network placement.
Diesel Driving Academy – Baton Rouge 3–8 weeks (CDL A programs) ACCSC-accredited. ELDT-compliant training, range/road practice, and employer recruiting on campus. Fast path to regional and OTR driving jobs2.
Blue Cliff College – Baton Rouge 9–15 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited. Massage Therapy and Medical Assisting. Blends classroom, lab, and clinical hours. Multiple start dates for quick entry2.
Medical Training College – Baton Rouge 9–12 months (certificates) ACCSC-accredited. Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, and EKG/Phlebotomy. Day or evening cohorts and career services support2.

Tip: Verify each program’s current accreditation and outcomes on College Navigator or the accreditor’s directory before you enroll32.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Industrial sites, refineries, and commercial construction keep demand steady around Baton Rouge. Apprenticeship plus classroom training leads to journeyman, then contractor work. Electricians have solid wages and steady job growth nationally and in Louisiana1.
  • Start with an electrical apprenticeship or an electrical technology program, then work under a licensed contractor while you log hours. See our electrician overview for training paths and certifications: Electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Hot, humid summers and large healthcare and campus facilities create year-round HVAC work. Technicians who hold EPA 608 and can service heat pumps, chillers, and controls are especially valuable15.
  • Look for programs with strong lab time and prep for EPA 608. Learn more about the trade and certifications: HVAC.

Welder

  • Petrochemical, shipbuilding, fabrication shops, and maintenance turnarounds drive demand. Structural and pipe welding with SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW are common in the corridor. Many employers seek NCCER or AWS certifications4.
  • Schools with pipe stands, plate booths, and bend testing will help you advance. Explore welding training and credentials: Welding.

Plumber

  • New construction, industrial facilities, and medical gas systems need licensed plumbers. Louisiana licenses plumbers at the state level; journeyman and master status raise pay and independence6.
  • Training typically follows an apprenticeship or a community college plumbing program. See career paths: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

Electricians

  • Who licenses: Electrical contractor licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Journeyman and master electrician licenses are typically issued by local/parish authorities7.
  • Steps:
    • Complete an apprenticeship or verified work experience plus classroom hours.
    • Pass the local journeyman or master exam if required.
    • For contracting, meet LSLBC requirements (trade exam, business/finance exam, insurance) for Electrical Work or Residential Electrical Contractor, especially for projects at or above state thresholds7.
    • Maintain any required continuing education locally.

HVAC/R

  • Who licenses: Louisiana licenses Mechanical Work at the contractor level through LSLBC for jobs at or above state thresholds. Technicians must hold EPA 608 to handle refrigerants; some parishes have journeyman/master mechanical licensing75.
  • Steps:
    • Complete an HVAC/R program or apprenticeship and earn EPA 608 certification5.
    • Work under a licensed mechanical/electrical contractor as required.
    • For contracting, meet LSLBC requirements for Mechanical Work (trade/business exams, insurance)7.

Plumbers

  • Who licenses: Louisiana State Plumbing Board (LSPB) licenses Journeyman and Master Plumbers statewide and administers Medical Gas endorsements6.
  • Steps:
    • Complete a registered apprenticeship or equivalent training.
    • Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam; apply to LSPB.
    • Accrue experience and pass the Master Plumber exam to upgrade.
    • Add Medical Gas endorsement if your work requires it6.

CDL (Commercial Driving)

  • Who licenses: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)8.
  • Steps:
    • Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).
    • Complete Entry-Level Driver Training with an approved provider.
    • Pass skills testing at OMV and meet medical and background checks8.

Welders

  • No state welders’ license. Employers commonly require AWS or NCCER performance qualifications and site-specific tests. TWIC cards may be required for some plant or port jobs4.

Always confirm local permit and licensing rules with East Baton Rouge Parish or the relevant parish/city office before you start work.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges: BRCC and RPCC offer hybrid options for general education and some theory courses. Lab, shop, and clinical hours remain in person3.
  • Career colleges: Many Baton Rouge career schools run day and evening cohorts so you can work while training2.
  • Short credentials: EPA 608 exam prep and NCCER Core modules can be studied online, with in-person proctored exams or performance verifications54.
  • Apprenticeship: ABC Pelican and the Baton Rouge Electrical JATC schedule evening classroom hours alongside paid daytime work. This is the most flexible path if you need income while training.

Next Steps

How to use this page: 1) Shortlist 2–3 schools above that match your trade. 2) Visit their program pages, confirm accreditation, and ask about lab hours, certifications, and placement. 3) For licensed trades, review the board steps linked here and plan your timeline. If you are still deciding, start with trade overviews: Electrician, HVAC, Welding, Plumbing.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook for construction and maintenance trades, May 2023. ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institutions Directory (e.g., ITI Technical College, Diesel Driving Academy, Blue Cliff College, Medical Training College). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator profiles for Baton Rouge Community College and River Parishes Community College. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Accredited Training Sponsor/Center Directory and portable credentials. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification requirements. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Louisiana State Plumbing Board (LSPB), Journeyman/Master licensing and Medical Gas endorsements. ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), contractor licensing classifications and requirements for Electrical and Mechanical Work. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  8. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements and testing. ↩ ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.