Best Trade Schools in Henderson, Nevada (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Henderson. This guide lists accredited programs, explains Nevada licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. Use it to find a fast, affordable path into a skilled job. Construction and building services in Southern Nevada create steady demand for electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers1.

Top Trade Schools in Henderson

Below are reputable, accredited options in Henderson and nearby Las Vegas. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current offerings and schedules.

School Program Length Highlights
College of Southern Nevada – Henderson Campus 6–24 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Public college with hands-on labs. Programs in HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Advanced Manufacturing, and EMT/Paramedic. Institutionally accredited; strong employer ties and apprenticeships2.
UEI College – Henderson 10–12 months Career-focused diplomas in HVAC, Electrical Technician, and Medical Assistant. ACCSC accredited; frequent day/evening starts and externships32.
Advanced Training Institute (ATI) – Las Vegas 9–12 months ACCSC-accredited programs in HVAC/R, Automotive Technology, and Commercial Refrigeration. Short-term training with career services; ~20 minutes from Henderson32.
Nevada Career Institute – Las Vegas 8–15 months ACCSC-accredited allied health diplomas including Medical and Dental Assistant. Strong externships and job placement support32.
Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas 9–24 months (certificate/associate) ABHES-accredited allied health programs like Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Surgical Technology, and Respiratory Therapy. Lab-heavy with clinical rotations2.
Asher College – Las Vegas 9–12 months ACCET-accredited career training in IT (PC Repair, Networking), Office Admin, and Medical Billing. Flexible scheduling with certification prep2.
UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC JATC – Las Vegas 4–5 years Registered apprenticeship with paid on-the-job training in plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC service. Earn while you learn; leads to journeyman status in Southern Nevada2.
Electrical JATC Local 357 – Las Vegas 4–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman and Residential Wireman. Paid OJT plus classroom instruction; pathway to journeyman credentials in Clark County2.

Tip: Compare graduation rates and accreditation on College Navigator before enrolling2. You can also verify trade schools on the ACCSC directory3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New housing, resort upgrades, and commercial builds in the Las Vegas–Henderson area drive steady need for electricians1. Training focuses on wiring, code, and safety. Many students start as helpers or apprentices and advance to journeyman, then foreman or contractor.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • HVAC is essential in Southern Nevada. Employers value EPA 608 certification, troubleshooting skills, and customer service. Short programs can lead to entry-level roles in residential service, light commercial, and refrigeration1.

  • Welding and Fabrication

    • Welders support construction, manufacturing, signage, and facility maintenance. Certifications in common processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW) and AWS procedures improve job options. Many welders cross-train in fabrication or pipe work1.

  • Plumbing

    • Growth in construction and building maintenance supports stable plumbing careers. Journeyman plumbers in Clark County typically complete an apprenticeship or equivalent hours and pass a local exam. Service, construction, and pipefitting are common paths1.

If you want a quick overview of these careers, see our trade hub: Explore all trades. Trade-specific pages: Electrician, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding.

Licensing Requirements in Nevada

Licensing in Nevada is a mix of state contractor licenses and local journeyman cards. Here are the typical steps.

  • Electrician

    • Get training: complete a registered apprenticeship or accumulate equivalent experience through a trade school plus supervised work.
    • Journeyman card: In Southern Nevada, journeyman certificates are issued by local authorities such as Clark County after required hours (often 8,000 for inside wireman) and passing an exam (commonly ICC-based)4.
    • To start a business or contract work, obtain a Nevada State Contractors Board C-2 Electrical license. You need verified trade experience, pass trade and management exams, and meet financial and background requirements5.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Federal requirement: EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants (core plus Type I/II/III as needed)6.
    • Techs can work for a licensed contractor without a personal state license. To contract independently, apply for the NSCB C-21 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning license. Requires experience, exams, and financial qualifications5.

  • Plumbing

    • Journeyman plumber card: Issued locally in Clark County after apprenticeship or equivalent hours and passing the journeyman exam4.
    • Contractor licensing: NSCB C-1 Plumbing and Heating classification for those bidding jobs as business owners. Requires experience verification and exams5.

  • Welding

    • Nevada does not issue a general welder license. Employers often require AWS performance qualifications (for example, D1.1 Structural Steel or D17.1 Aluminum). Tests are taken at accredited test facilities7.
    • If you perform structural steel erecting or similar contracting, an appropriate NSCB classification (for example, C-14 Steel) may be required5.

Always check local city or county building departments for permitting and card rules. Henderson follows Southern Nevada practices aligned with Clark County.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training

    • Many hands-on trades still require lab hours. Schools like CSN and PMI blend online theory with in-person labs and clinicals, which helps you keep working while you retrain2.

  • Evening and accelerated schedules

    • UEI, ATI, Asher, and NCI offer frequent start dates and day/evening tracks. This is useful for career changers with family or job commitments23.

  • Test-out and certifications

    • HVAC students can prepare for EPA 608 online before taking the exam. IT programs at Asher align to CompTIA certifications that you can schedule year-round.

If you need fully online options, focus on trades that support remote coursework like IT support or construction management fundamentals, then complete any required labs or externships on campus.

Next Steps

Choosing a trade is easier when you match your timeline, preferred work environment, and licensing path. Visit campuses, ask about lab time, externships, and certification pass rates. Then enroll and start building experience on real jobs.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment data for construction and maintenance trades. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation, programs, and outcomes by school. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. Clark County Building & Fire Prevention, Journeyman certification and trade card information for Southern Nevada. https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/building/ ↩ ↩

  5. Nevada State Contractors Board. License classifications and applications. https://www.nscb.nv.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  7. American Welding Society, Certifications and Performance Qualifications. https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩

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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.