Best Trade Schools in Baltimore, Maryland (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Baltimore. This guide lists accredited programs, program lengths, key specialties, and Maryland licensing steps. It is built for career changers and recent grads. We cite BLS job data and state boards so you can plan with confidence1234.

Top Trade Schools in Baltimore

The schools below are accredited or run state-registered apprenticeships. Always confirm current accreditation and program availability with the school56.

School Program Length Highlights
North American Trade Schools (Windsor Mill) 7–15 months (program dependent) ACCSC accredited6. Hands-on labs in Electrical Technology, HVAC/R, Combination Welding, Automotive, and Building Construction. Day and evening schedules. Career services.
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Certificates: 1–2 semesters; A.A.S.: ~2 years Public college, MSCHE listed on College Navigator5. Strong options in HVAC/R, Electrical, Welding and Fabrication, Transportation (CDL), and Construction Management. Multiple campuses across the county.
Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) Certificates: ~6–12 months; Degrees: ~2 years Public college, MSCHE listed on College Navigator5. Workforce programs in manufacturing, health tech, EMT, and construction pre-apprenticeship. Support services for adult learners.
Lincoln Tech – Columbia, MD Diplomas: ~9–15 months ACCSC accredited6. Career-focused training in Automotive Technology, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and HVAC. Employer partnerships and skills labs.
Fortis Institute – Towson Diplomas: ~9–12 months ACCSC accredited6. HVAC/R, Medical Assisting, and Dental Assisting. Hybrid classroom and lab training. Flexible schedules.
IEC Chesapeake – Laurel Training Center Electrical apprenticeship: 4 years State and U.S. DOL registered apprenticeship7. About 8,000 on-the-job hours plus classroom instruction. Earn while you learn. Preps for Maryland journeyperson licensing.
IBEW Local 24 JATC – Baltimore Inside Wireman apprenticeship: 5 years Union apprenticeship registered with the state7. Paid OJT, classroom training, and safety certs. Strong contractor network for placement.
UA Local 486 Plumbers & Steamfitters JATC – Baltimore Plumbing, pipefitting, HVACR apprenticeship: 4–5 years State-registered apprenticeship7. Paid OJT, classroom training, and welding opportunities. Pathways to journeyperson and master licensing.

Tip: Use College Navigator to verify majors and outcomes, and ACCSC’s directory to confirm current accreditation status56.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians keep buildings powered and safe. Work includes wiring, panels, motors, lighting, and controls. National median pay was about 1,590 in 2023, with steady demand projected through 20321. Baltimore-area projects and building maintenance create year-round work.

HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration. You need EPA Section 608 to handle refrigerants8. National median pay was about 7,300 in 2023, with growth tied to energy efficiency and building retrofits1. Hospitals, schools, and commercial sites in the region hire regularly.

Welder

  • Welders join and repair metal parts in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance. National median pay was about 8,940 in 20231. Many employers prefer industry-recognized credentials for process and code work. NCCER credentials are widely recognized by contractors9.

Plumber

  • Plumbers and pipefitters install and service piping, fixtures, and gas lines. National median pay was about 1,550 in 20231. Licensed plumbers are needed for new builds, renovations, and service companies across the Baltimore metro.

Licensing Requirements in Maryland

Electrician licensing (Maryland State Board of Electricians)2

  • Apprentice
    • Register with the Board. Work under a master electrician. Enroll in related instruction.
  • Journeyperson
    • Complete an approved apprenticeship or document qualifying experience (commonly about 8,000 on-the-job hours plus classroom training). Pass the journeyperson exam.
  • Master Electrician
    • Document additional experience at the journeyperson level and pass the master exam. Local jurisdictions may still require permits and registrations. Maintain any required insurance and continuing education if applicable.

HVAC/R licensing (Maryland Board of HVACR Contractors)3

  • Apprentice
    • Register with the Board and work under a licensed contractor or master.
  • Journeyman
    • Qualify through a registered apprenticeship or documented experience and pass the exam.
  • Master Restricted or Master
    • Meet experience requirements and pass the state exam for your category. Contractors must maintain required liability insurance.
  • EPA Section 608 is required to service systems with regulated refrigerants8.

Plumbing licensing (Maryland State Board of Plumbing)4

  • Apprentice (plumbing and/or gasfitting)
    • Register with the Board. Work under a licensed journeyman or master and complete related training.
  • Journeyman
    • Complete an approved apprenticeship and pass the journeyman exam.
  • Master
    • After journeyman experience, pass the master exam. Separate gasfitting categories exist. Some local permitting rules still apply.

Welding

  • Maryland does not issue a general state welder license. Employers may require code qualifications and industry credentials. NCCER credentials can document your skills across processes and codes9. Specialized work, such as medical gas brazing, may require additional approvals through the relevant board or authority on a project-by-project basis.

Apprenticeships

  • Apprenticeships are registered with the Maryland Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor. They combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction7. Completion often satisfies experience requirements for journeyperson licensing.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training: Many Baltimore-area schools blend online theory with in-person labs. This is common in HVAC, electrical, and allied health.
  • Evening and weekend classes: NATS, Lincoln Tech, Fortis, and CCBC offer flexible schedules that fit work and family commitments.
  • Short-term certificates: CCBC and BCCC run workforce certificates that can be completed in months. These can stack into longer credentials.
  • Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn. Wages increase as you progress. Classroom nights are usually one or two evenings per week.
  • Self-paced theory: Some programs offer online modules for safety, math, code, and blueprint reading. Hands-on labs still require campus or shop time.

If you need a fully online pathway, consider starting with general education and trade theory, then schedule concentrated lab weeks or weekend intensives. Confirm format options directly with each program.

Next Steps

Plan your route, verify accreditation, and match the schedule to your life. Baltimore has solid options whether you want a fast certificate, a registered apprenticeship, or a full degree.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Maryland Department of Labor, State Board of Electricians. https://labor.maryland.gov/license/elec/ ↩ ↩

  3. Maryland Department of Labor, Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. https://labor.maryland.gov/license/hvacr/ ↩ ↩

  4. Maryland Department of Labor, State Board of Plumbing. https://labor.maryland.gov/license/pl/ ↩ ↩

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

  6. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Maryland Department of Labor, Apprenticeship and Training Program. https://labor.maryland.gov/employment/appr/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  9. NCCER Credentials and Certifications. https://www.nccer.org/credentials-certifications ↩ ↩

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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.