Best Trade Schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Albuquerque. This page compares accredited programs, apprenticeship options, and licensing steps. It’s built for career changers and high school grads who want a fast path to a solid job. Skilled trades remain in demand in the Albuquerque metro, and most roles do not require a four-year degree1.

Top Trade Schools in Albuquerque

Accreditation verified in U.S. Department of Education College Navigator and program or agency directories23.

School Program Length Highlights
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) Certificates: ~6–12 months; Associate: ~2 years Public college (HLC accredited). Strong hands-on labs. Programs in Electrical Trades, HVAC, Plumbing, Welding, Automotive. Multiple stackable certificates leading to licensure pathways2.
Pima Medical Institute – Albuquerque Diplomas: ~9–12 months; Associate: ~18–24 months Allied health focus (institutionally accredited by ABHES). Programs include Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Veterinary, Respiratory Therapy. Day/evening options at many campuses2.
Carrington College – Albuquerque Certificates and Associate: ~9–24 months Healthcare career training (institutionally accredited by ACCJC). Programs commonly include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Medical Billing/Claims, and other entry-level healthcare roles2.
Associated Builders and Contractors of New Mexico (ABC NM) – Albuquerque Apprenticeships: ~2–4 years NCCER Accredited Training Sponsor. USDOL-registered apprenticeship options in Electrical, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, HVAC, Carpentry. Earn while you learn. Evening classes are common4.
IBEW Local 611 JATC (Albuquerque Electrical JATC) Apprenticeships: ~4–5 years Union apprenticeship for inside wireman and related classifications. Paid OJT + classroom instruction. Prepares for New Mexico journeyman electrician exams and licensing through the state5.
UA Local 412 JATC (Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center) – Albuquerque Apprenticeships: ~5 years Union apprenticeship in Plumbing, Pipefitting, and HVACR Service. Industry certifications (e.g., OSHA, brazing/weld quals) embedded. License-focused training for New Mexico journeyman classifications5.
Sheet Metal Workers Local 49 JATC – Albuquerque Apprenticeships: ~4–5 years Union apprenticeship for Sheet Metal and HVAC fabrication/installation. Combines paid jobsite training with weekly classes; safety and TAB certifications commonly included5.
Aveda Institute New Mexico – Albuquerque Programs: ~9–12 months Cosmetology/Esthetics training (NACCAS-accredited). Prepares graduates for New Mexico Board licensing exams in barbering/cosmetology fields2.

Tip: For private career schools, confirm current accreditation and program approvals in the US Department of Education listings or accreditor directories such as ACCSC before you enroll23.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Duties: Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industrial sites. Many projects in Albuquerque involve service upgrades, solar tie-ins, and tenant improvements.
  • Outlook: Electricians remain in steady demand regionally due to construction and infrastructure projects1. Apprenticeships and school-based pathways both work. See role details: Electrician.

HVAC

  • Duties: Service and install heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Work includes diagnostics, airflow, controls, and refrigerant handling.
  • Outlook: Heat and cooling needs in the high desert climate keep HVAC techs busy year-round. EPA Section 608 certification is required when working with refrigerants6. Learn more: HVAC.

Welding

  • Duties: Fabricate and repair metal structures using processes such as SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW. Common work spans construction, manufacturing, and energy.
  • Outlook: Welding supports multiple sectors in the Albuquerque area, with employers valuing AWS process qualifications. Many programs integrate cert prep. Explore the trade: Welding.

Plumbing

  • Duties: Install and repair water, waste, and gas systems. Skills include reading plans, code compliance, and joining methods.
  • Outlook: New builds, retrofits, and service calls drive steady work for licensed plumbers1. Pathways often start in apprenticeships. See trade overview: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in New Mexico

New Mexico licensing is administered by the Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), Construction Industries Division (CID)5. Always verify current rules before testing or applying.

Electrician

  • Journeyman pathway: Complete a registered apprenticeship or verifiable on-the-job experience (commonly 8,000 hours), then pass the state-approved exam.
  • Residential journeyman classifications may require fewer hours. Check CID for exact category requirements and exam details.
  • Contractor: Designate a Qualifying Party, pass trade and business/law exams, show financials and bond, and apply to CID.

HVAC/Mechanical

  • Journeyman classifications (e.g., refrigeration, sheet metal) typically require a registered apprenticeship or ~8,000 hours of supervised experience plus a passing exam score.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants6.
  • Contractor licensing requires a Qualifying Party, exams, bond, and application with CID.

Plumbing

  • Journeyman Plumber (JP) typically requires ~8,000 hours under a licensed professional and a passing score on the state exam.
  • Contractor licensing follows the same Qualifying Party, exam, bond, and application process.

Welding

  • New Mexico does not issue a general “welder” state license. Employers and contractors often require process-specific certifications (e.g., AWS or ASME). Welders performing code work must meet project and employer credential requirements.

Permits

  • In Albuquerque, permits are pulled by licensed contractors through the local jurisdiction. You must hold the proper state license to contract, advertise, or pull permits on regulated work5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Many Albuquerque programs use blended models. Safety, code, blueprint reading, and theory are often online, while labs remain in person.
  • Apprenticeship schedules: ABC NM and union JATCs commonly run evening or block classes so you can work full-time.
  • Short courses: EPA 608 prep, OSHA 10/30, brazing, and basic electrical theory are available in short-format classes or online modules through schools and training centers.
  • CNM Ingenuity and continuing education: CNM regularly offers accelerated certificates, bootcamps, and flexible start dates for workforce programs2.

Remember: Hands-on labs and on-the-job training are essential for trades. Purely online options are limited for licensure-level skills.

Next Steps

  • Compare New Mexico programs and requirements: New Mexico Trade Schools
  • Browse trades and pick your path: All Trades
  • Learn how to choose a school, pay for training, and prepare for exams: Guides
  • Start local: Contact the schools above to tour labs, confirm accreditation, and ask about job placement. Then map your license path with the New Mexico CID site5.

If you are still deciding between trades, skim our overviews for Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing to see day-to-day work and training time.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook Handbook and employment data for construction and skilled trades. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution accreditation and program information). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), Accredited Training Sponsor information. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩

  5. New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, Construction Industries Division (CID) — licensing classifications, exams, and applications. https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

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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.