Best Trade Schools in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2025 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Oklahoma City. Use this list to compare accredited programs, see program lengths, and plan your license. We also include Oklahoma licensing steps and in-demand trades. Trades in OKC show steady demand and replacement needs through 2032¹.

Top Trade Schools in Oklahoma City

Below are reputable, accredited options serving Oklahoma City and the metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Schedules vary by day, evening, or accelerated formats.

Tip: Public technology centers often provide adult education, licensure exam prep, and industry-recognized credentials (NCCER, OSHA, EPA 608 for HVAC). Private schools like AIM focus on specialized trades with national accreditation such as ACCSC³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

• Electrician

  • Electricians keep OKC’s aerospace, energy, and commercial sectors running. Programs teach residential and commercial wiring, code, motor controls, and safety. Many students enter a registered apprenticeship while taking evening classes. See career paths and certifications on our electrician hub: Electrician. Employers in the metro report ongoing replacement demand for trained electricians¹.

• HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC techs install and service heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Expect coursework in electrical fundamentals, refrigeration cycle, airflow, and controls. Oklahoma requires mechanical licensing for most HVAC work, and federal EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerants⁵. Explore the field: HVAC. BLS projects steady openings driven by construction, retrofits, and system upgrades¹.

• Welder

  • Welders are needed across fabrication, pipelines, aerospace components, and maintenance in the region. Training covers SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW, along with blueprint reading and metallurgy basics. Most employers want process-specific certs like AWS D1.1 or NCCER Performance Verifications⁶. Learn more paths and credentials: Welding.

• Plumber

  • Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and waste systems in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial sites. Training includes code, blueprint reading, fixtures, pipefitting, and safety. Apprenticeships pair OJT with classroom instruction. See career details: Plumbing. Replacement needs remain strong across the trades in Oklahoma¹.

Licensing Requirements in Oklahoma

Oklahoma licenses construction trades through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB)⁴. Below are the common steps.

• Electrician

  • Register as an electrical apprentice with the CIB.
  • Accumulate 8,000 hours of supervised experience; approved classroom education may count toward a portion of hours.
  • Pass the Oklahoma Journeyman Electrician exam.
  • To become an Electrical Contractor, meet experience requirements, pass the contractor exam, and show business insurance and bonding as required.
  • Complete continuing education for renewals.

• HVAC/Mechanical

  • Register as a mechanical apprentice with the CIB.
  • Gain approximately 4 years of supervised experience, or combine approved education with field hours.
  • Pass the appropriate Mechanical Journeyman exam (limited or unlimited categories).
  • Hold EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants⁵.
  • Contractor level requires additional experience, the contractor exam, and business requirements.

• Plumbing

  • Register as a plumbing apprentice with the CIB.
  • Complete a minimum of several years of supervised experience before testing for Journeyman.
  • Pass the Oklahoma Journeyman Plumber exam.
  • Contractor level requires additional verified experience, the contractor exam, and business requirements.
  • Continuing education is required for renewals.

• Welding

  • No state license for general welding work.
  • Employers typically require process-specific certifications such as AWS codes or NCCER performance credentials⁶.
  • Certain work scopes may require additional qualifications, procedure qualifications, or site access credentials.

Always verify current requirements with the CIB before you enroll or test⁴.

Online & Flexible Options

• Hybrid learning

  • Many OKC programs blend online theory with in-person labs. Expect to complete safety, math, code, and electrical theory online, then attend campus labs for hands-on skills.

• Evening and accelerated schedules

  • Technology centers and private schools offer evening tracks for working adults. Accelerated day programs can help you finish faster if you can commit more hours per week.

• Apprenticeship classroom schedules

  • Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing apprenticeships often hold related instruction one or two evenings per week during the school year, paired with full-time paid OJT.

• Exam prep and micro-credentials

  • EPA 608 prep and code update courses are often available as short, flexible classes. Many schools are NCCER training providers, so you can stack portable credentials as you progress⁶.

Next Steps

• Compare programs and plan your enrollment on the Oklahoma Trade School Hub.
• Explore all skilled trades and certifications on our Trades Hub.
• New to trade careers? Start at the main Trade School Hub for how to choose a program, questions to ask, and timelines.

Ready to move? Shortlist two or three schools, ask about start dates, evening options, and which credentials you can earn before you graduate. If your goal is state licensure, confirm how the program aligns with CIB requirements.

Explore Related Topics:

• Best Electrician Schools in Oklahoma