Best Trade Schools in Kansas City, Missouri (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Kansas City. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, licensing steps in Missouri, and good career paths. It is built for high school grads and career changers. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain in steady demand and pay solid wages in the Kansas City area and statewide1.

Top Trade Schools in Kansas City

Below are accredited options in the Kansas City, MO metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for start dates, admissions, and prerequisites23.

School Program Length Highlights
Metropolitan Community College – Business & Technology (Kansas City, MO) 1–2 years HLC accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC, Electrical, Welding, Industrial Tech, Linework, Automotive. Strong employer ties and stackable certificates2.
Concorde Career College – Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) 8–20 months ACCSC accredited. Allied health focus: Medical Assistant, Dental Assisting, Surgical Tech, Respiratory Therapy. Clinical rotations and certification prep3.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) 18–24 months ACCSC accredited. FAA Part 147 A&P training with aircraft labs. Preps for FAA Airframe and Powerplant exams; day and evening schedules3.
Kansas City Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 124) (Kansas City, MO) 4–5 years Registered apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. NEC code training. Leads toward journeyman status and industry credentials.
Pipefitters Local 533 Training Center (Kansas City, MO) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in pipefitting and HVACR service. Earn-while-you-learn. UA welding and brazing qualifications.
Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 8 Training Center (North Kansas City, MO) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship. Plumbing, pipefitting, code, backflow, and medical gas training. Paid OJT plus classroom.
Summit Salon Academy Kansas City (Independence, MO) 10–12 months NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics. Prepares for Missouri state board exams. Salon floor training and guest services.

Tip: Use College Navigator to confirm program offerings and accreditation before you apply2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep projects moving in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance. National job growth is projected to be steady through 2032, with median pay around the low 0Ks per year1. The Kansas City metro has active commercial and industrial projects, which supports both construction and service roles.
    • Explore the career path: Electrician

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC and refrigeration technicians are needed for new installs, retrofits, and year-round service. Median pay is in the mid to upper 0Ks nationally, with strong demand driven by efficiency upgrades and heat pump adoption1. Many employers want EPA 608 certification.
    • Explore the career path: HVAC

  • Welder

    • Welders support fabrication, construction, and repair across the metro’s logistics and manufacturing sectors. Median pay is in the high 0Ks nationally, with overtime common in shutdowns and turnarounds1. Credentials like AWS D1.1 help when bidding for structural work.
    • Explore the career path: Welding

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers and pipefitters are essential for residential, commercial, and industrial systems. Median pay is around the low 0Ks nationally, with steady replacement and service demand1. Apprenticeships offer paid training and benefits.
    • Explore the career path: Plumbing

Browse more options in construction, energy, healthcare, and transportation at our trade hub: All Trades.

Licensing Requirements in Missouri

Licensing in Missouri often happens at the city or county level, especially in the Kansas City area. Here is how to get started and stay compliant. Always verify with your local building department and the state.

  • Electrician

    • Complete an approved program or a 4–5 year apprenticeship with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
    • Pass a journeyman exam based on the National Electrical Code, as required by your local jurisdiction.
    • Move up to master level with additional experience and an exam.
    • If you plan to operate as a contractor across multiple jurisdictions, apply for a statewide Electrical Contractor license through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. You will need experience, an exam, and proof of insurance4.
    • Keep continuing education if your jurisdiction requires it.

  • HVAC/Mechanical

    • Finish a certificate or apprenticeship with strong refrigeration and electrical fundamentals.
    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants. This is required nationwide5.
    • Mechanical contractor licensing is issued locally in Missouri. Check Kansas City or your county for contractor license, exam, and insurance rules.
    • Maintain manufacturer training and any local CE requirements.

  • Plumbing

    • Enter a registered apprenticeship or equivalent training with classroom instruction and 7,500–10,000 hours of OJT, depending on the local standard.
    • Pass journeyman and then master exams through your city or county.
    • Obtain a local plumbing contractor license if you plan to run projects or a business. Expect insurance, bond, and supervisor credentials.
    • Keep backflow prevention and medical gas cards current when your scope requires them.

  • Welding

    • No state license is required. Employers and project owners set the bar.
    • Earn performance qualifications such as AWS D1.1 structural, ASME Section IX, or other codes your jobs require.
    • Consider NCCER credentials to document skills across multiple processes and positions6.

Good to know:

  • Many Missouri municipalities recognize a statewide electrical contractor license for bidding across city lines4.
  • EPA 608 certification is a must for any refrigerant work, even entry-level tasks5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training
    • Community colleges and private career schools in Kansas City often deliver theory online and labs on campus. This works well for HVAC, electrical code, and allied health courses.
  • Apprenticeships
    • JATCs and union training centers blend paid work with evening or block classroom schedules, which is ideal if you need to earn as you learn.
  • Exam prep
    • NEC update classes, journeyman test prep, and EPA 608 prep are commonly offered in short, flexible formats.
  • Credit for experience
    • Some schools award prior learning credit for verified industry experience, military training, or industry certifications like NCCER and AWS.

Use College Navigator to compare delivery formats and completion rates before you enroll2.

Next Steps

  • Compare programs and requirements at the Missouri hub: Trade Schools in Missouri
  • Explore careers and salaries across the skilled trades: All Trades
  • Learn how to plan, pay, and apply: Guides
  • Browse more local options and contact admissions early. Seats fill fast for high-demand programs.

Citations

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

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

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

  4. Missouri Division of Professional Registration, Office of Statewide Electrical Contractors. https://pr.mo.gov/electricalcontractors.asp ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  6. NCCER, Credentials and Assessments. https://www.nccer.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.