Best Trade Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Raleigh. This guide lists accredited training options, top programs, and North Carolina licensing steps. Raleigh’s construction, manufacturing, health, and tech employers need skilled workers. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers show steady demand and solid wages statewide1.

Top Trade Schools in Raleigh

Below are accredited options in Raleigh and nearby. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check current offerings and accreditation on College Navigator before you enroll2.

School Program Length Highlights
Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh) 6–24 months certificates, 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Plumbing, Automotive, Building Automation, Biotech manufacturing. Strong apprenticeship and employer partnerships. Multiple campuses and evening options.
Durham Technical Community College (Durham) 6–24 months certificates, 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. HVACR, Welding Technology, Electrical Systems, Biomedical Equipment Technology. AWS-aligned welding training. Flexible schedules and short-term workforce certificates.
ECPI University – Raleigh 12–18 months associate, 2.5 years bachelor’s SACSCOC accredited. Career-focused programs such as Mechatronics, Electronics Engineering Technology, IT, and Cybersecurity. Accelerated terms and hybrid formats. Career services support.
Johnston Community College (Smithfield) 8–16 weeks short-term, 1–2 years diplomas/AAS SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Electrical Systems, Industrial Maintenance, Truck Driver Training. Modern labs and employer-aligned programs.
Central Carolina Community College (Harnett County/Lillington) 8–12 months certificates, 2 years AAS SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Building Construction, Bioprocess Technology. Day and evening classes. Strong industry ties across the Triangle.
Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh 10–12 months (approx. 1,500 hours) NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics. State board exam prep and salon-based training. Multiple start dates and financial aid for those who qualify.
MyComputerCareer – Raleigh 7–11 months certificates ACCET accredited. IT technical training with certification prep in networking, security, and systems admin. Day, evening, and online-supported formats. Career placement assistance.

Tip: For private career schools, confirm programmatic or institutional accreditation and state approval. ACCSC and ACCET are recognized accreditors for career schools3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Raleigh’s growth in construction and advanced manufacturing supports steady hiring1. Training often includes a certificate or AAS plus paid apprenticeship hours.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • Work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Hot summers and expanding commercial space keep HVAC techs busy in the Triangle. National projections show consistent growth through the decade1. EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants4.

  • Welder

    • Fabricate and repair metal structures for construction, manufacturing, utilities, and automotive. AWS and NCCER credentials help with entry and advancement. Short-term certificates can get you job-ready quickly, with options to stack more advanced processes5.

  • Plumber

    • Install and repair piping, fixtures, and gas distribution. Raleigh’s residential and commercial development supports ongoing demand. Apprenticeships and state contractor licensing open higher-earning roles1.

Explore trade overviews and career paths in our hub: /trades/. See focused guides for Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in North Carolina

Licensing protects public safety. Always verify current rules with the state board before you test or apply.

  • Electrician

    • Board: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors.
    • Steps:
    • Get hands-on experience through an apprenticeship or supervised work.
    • Choose a license classification that fits your scope of work (for example, Residential, Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited).
    • Apply to the board, get approved, and pass the required exam.
    • Maintain license with required continuing education and renewals.

  • HVAC and Refrigeration

    • Board: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for heating and air. North Carolina State Board of Refrigeration Examiners for commercial refrigeration.
    • Steps:
    • Complete trade school and supervised field experience.
    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification if you handle refrigerants4.
    • Apply for the appropriate license classification and pass the exam.
    • Maintain license with continuing education and renewals.

  • Plumbing

    • Board: North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
    • Steps:
    • Complete school or apprenticeship with verified work hours.
    • Apply for exam eligibility for your license classification.
    • Pass the exam and meet insurance and renewal requirements.

  • General Contractor

    • Board: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
    • Steps:
    • For jobs at or above the state project threshold, a GC license is required.
    • Choose license limitation and classification.
    • Apply, pass the exam, and meet financial responsibility requirements.

  • Cosmetology and Esthetics

    • Board: North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
    • Steps:
    • Complete required hours at an approved school.
    • Pass the state board written and practical exams.
    • Apply for licensure and renew as required.

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

    • Agency: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
    • Steps:
    • Get a DOT medical card and Commercial Learner’s Permit.
    • Complete ELDT with a registered provider.
    • Pass vehicle inspection, basic controls, and road tests with NCDMV.
    • Add endorsements as needed and maintain your medical certification.

Note: Welders do not have a state license. Employers often require process-specific certifications. NCCER and AWS credentials are common in North Carolina shops and job sites5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Many Raleigh programs run hybrid. Theory can be online, while labs and clinicals are on campus or at employer sites.
  • Wake Tech and area community colleges offer online general education and trade theory, plus evening and weekend labs.
  • ECPI and MyComputerCareer run accelerated or evening tracks, with virtual resources and in-person skills work.
  • HVAC students can prepare for EPA Section 608 with online coursework. Exams require approved proctoring4.
  • For construction trades, NCCER modules support blended delivery with hands-on performance verifications at approved facilities5.

Working adults can often earn credit for prior learning or documented industry experience. Ask each school about transfer credit, testing out of courses, and employer tuition benefits.

Next Steps

  • Compare programs and formats in our state hub: /trade-school/north-carolina/.
  • Learn how to choose a school, pay for training, and prepare for exams in our guides: /guides/.
  • Explore trade career paths and certifications: /trades/, plus focused pages for Electrician, HVAC, Welding, and Plumbing.
  • Ready to visit campuses? Start with Wake Tech and nearby community colleges, then add one private career school that matches your schedule.

Raleigh has the programs, employers, and apprenticeships to help you start fast and grow. Pick a trade, verify licensing steps, and schedule a campus tour this week.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook. Electricians, HVACR technicians, plumbers, and welders show stable national demand with regional growth aligned to construction and manufacturing. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Use to verify accreditation, programs, and outcomes for North Carolina schools. ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. Recognized institutional accreditor for many career schools. ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification for handling refrigerants. ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), industry-recognized credentials and training standards for construction trades. ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.