Best Trade Schools in Tupelo, Mississippi (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 Tupelo. This page lists accredited options, hands-on programs, and program lengths. You will also see Mississippi licensing steps and which trades are hiring in 2025. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers continue to see steady demand across North Mississippi1.

Top Trade Schools in Tupelo

Below are accredited schools near Tupelo with strong skilled-trade programs. Always confirm start dates, schedules, and admissions with the school. Program availability can change.

School Program Length Highlights
Itawamba Community College (Tupelo & Fulton) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years HVAC Technology (EPA 608 prep), Electrical Technology, Welding & Cutting, Industrial Maintenance, Automotive Service Tech (ASE-aligned), Practical Nursing. Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Strong labs and employer ties23.
Northeast Mississippi Community College (Booneville) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years Heating & Air Conditioning Tech, Welding, Electrical Tech, Precision Manufacturing/Mechatronics, Practical Nursing. Regionally accredited (SACSCOC). Day/evening options on some tracks2.
East Mississippi Community College – Golden Triangle (Mayhew/Columbus) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years Welding Technology, Electrical & Automation, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, CDL. Known for modern training centers and industry partnerships. Regionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.
Northwest Mississippi Community College (Oxford/Senatobia) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years Welding, HVAC, Electrical, Facilities Maintenance, Construction Tech, Automotive. Multiple campus options in North MS. Regionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.
Delta Technical College (Horn Lake) Diplomas: ~9–12 months Hands-on HVAC/R, Welding, CDL, and allied health labs; day and evening cohorts. Nationally accredited by ACCSC4.
Mister Wayne’s School of Cosmetology (Tupelo) Cosmetology: 1,500 hours State-approved cosmetology training with salon clinic experience. Prepares for Mississippi licensure exam. Check current schedules and start dates with the school5.

Why these schools?

  • They offer short, skills-first programs with clear job outcomes.
  • They prepare you for required certifications such as EPA 608 for HVAC, OSHA-10, NCCER modules, or state board exams where applicable36.
  • They are accredited or state-approved and listed in recognized education directories245.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Steady hiring across construction, facilities, and manufacturing. National projections show continued need as infrastructure is upgraded and buildings are retrofitted for efficiency1.
    • Local work often includes residential service, commercial build-outs, and plant maintenance.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Year-round demand in residential and commercial service. Heat pumps, refrigeration, and indoor air quality systems drive work. Employers value EPA 608 and strong troubleshooting skills13.

  • Welder

    • North Mississippi manufacturing and fabrication shops use MIG, TIG, and flux-cored processes. Structural steel and custom fabrication continue to need certified welders1.
    • AWS or NCCER credentials improve hiring odds6.

  • Plumber

    • New construction, rehab, and service calls keep plumbers busy. Backflow prevention and gas line skills are valued by local jurisdictions and utilities1.

Tip: If you prefer paid, on-the-job training, ask about apprenticeships or co-op placements through the community colleges or local contractors. Apprenticeship hours can help you qualify for contractor licensing down the road.

Explore trade career paths:

  • Electrician (/trades/electrician)
  • HVAC (/trades/hvac)
  • Plumbing (/trades/plumbing)
  • Welding (/trades/welding)
  • All trades hub (/trades/)

Licensing Requirements in Mississippi

Mississippi licensing is trade-specific. Some trades license at the contractor level statewide and at the journeyman level locally.

  • Electrician

    • Mississippi does not issue a statewide journeyman or master electrician license. Many cities and counties require local journeyman/master exams for permitting.
    • To operate a business or bid over thresholds, you need a Mississippi State Board of Contractors license (Residential ≥ 0,000; Commercial ≥ 0,000). Pass trade and Business & Law exams, document experience, and meet insurance/bonding requirements7.
    • Steps:
    • Complete technical training or a 4-year apprenticeship.
    • Obtain local journeyman/master card if your city requires it.
    • For contracting, apply to MSBOC for Electrical (commercial) or Residential Electrical classifications and pass required exams7.

  • HVAC/R

    • EPA Section 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants in any state3.
    • Mississippi issues Mechanical/HVAC contractor licenses via MSBOC for work at or above the residential and commercial thresholds. You must document experience, pass the trade and Business & Law exams, and carry insurance7.
    • Steps:
    • Finish an accredited HVAC program and earn EPA 608.
    • Accumulate supervised experience.
    • Apply for a Mechanical/HVAC contractor license with MSBOC if you will bid above thresholds73.

  • Plumbing

    • Many jurisdictions issue local journeyman/master plumber cards.
    • Contractor licensing for plumbing is handled by MSBOC for residential and commercial work at or above the thresholds. Experience, exams, and insurance are required7.
    • Steps:
    • Complete a plumbing technology program or apprenticeship.
    • Obtain local journeyman/master status if required.
    • Apply to MSBOC for Plumbing contractor classification when you are ready to contract7.

  • Welding

    • No state welding license. Employers typically require performance qualifications (e.g., AWS D1.1) or NCCER certifications matched to the job scope6.
    • Steps:
    • Complete a welding program.
    • Test to the code your employer needs (AWS/NCCER). Keep procedures and continuity logs current.

  • Cosmetology (bonus for personal services)

    • Mississippi requires 1,500 training hours at a state-approved school and passing the state exam to become a licensed cosmetologist5.

Not sure where you fit? Review trade paths and choose the training that aligns with your licensing goal: (/trades/).

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges near Tupelo offer a mix of day, evening, and hybrid courses. Hands-on labs occur on campus, while safety, code, math, and some theory can be online.
  • Good candidates for hybrid: HVAC theory, electrical code, blueprint reading, safety, and general education coursework tied to an AAS.
  • Accelerated options: Many welding, HVAC, and CDL cohorts can be completed in under a year if you attend full time.
  • Working adults: Ask about evening sections, modular scheduling, and credit for prior learning or industry certifications (e.g., NCCER or OSHA-10/30)6.

Use our guides to plan your schedule and funding: (/guides/)

Next Steps

  • Compare Mississippi programs and admissions dates: (/trade-school/mississippi/)
  • See all trades and pick your path: (/trades/)
  • Learn the basics of choosing a school, paying for training, and apprenticeships: (/guides/)
  • Ready to act? Contact 2–3 schools above. Ask about start dates, lab hours, certifications included, placement help, and evening options.

Footnotes

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

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution listings for Mississippi community colleges). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification — refrigerant handling requirements. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory (Delta Technical College). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩

  5. Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology — school approval, hours, and licensure. https://www.msbc.ms.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. NCCER — industry-recognized curricula and credentials for construction trades. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) — licensing classifications, thresholds, and exams. https://www.msboc.us/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.