Best Trade Schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Chattanooga. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Tennessee licensing basics so you can train, test, and get hired1.

Top Trade Schools in Chattanooga

Programs serve Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. Verify current offerings and accreditation23.

School Program Length Highlights
Chattanooga State Community College Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Industrial Maintenance; modern labs and employer ties2.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Chattanooga Diplomas 9–16 months COE accredited. HVAC/R, Welding, Industrial Electricity, and more with hands-on training.
IBEW Local 175 – Electrical JATC (Chattanooga) 3–5 years Registered electrical apprenticeship; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 43 – JATC (Chattanooga) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR with paid training and certifications.

Licensing in Tennessee

  • Electrical, HVAC/Mechanical, Plumbing: Local licensing/registration common; state Board for Licensing Contractors covers contracting above thresholds. EPA 608 required for refrigerants4.
  • Welding: No state license; employers require performance quals.

Next Steps

  • Compare TN programs: /trade-school/tennessee/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National guides: /trade-school/

Visit labs, confirm accreditation, and map training to Tennessee licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chattanooga Metro. bls.gov/oes ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory. accsc.org ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. 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.