Best Trade Schools in Nashville, Tennessee (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Nashville. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Tennessee licensing. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers are in steady demand in the Nashville area1. Use this page to pick a school and plan your next steps.

Top Trade Schools in Nashville

Below are accredited options in Nashville and nearby campuses in the metro. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm the current catalog.

School Program Length Highlights
Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) – Nashville 6–20 months (certificates/diplomas) Public technical college. Council on Occupational Education (COE) accredited. Programs include HVAC/R, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Diesel Technology, Machine Tool, and Practical Nursing. Day and evening cohorts. Strong employer ties2.
Lincoln College of Technology – Nashville (NADC) 10–18 months ACCSC accredited. Hands-on labs for Automotive, Diesel & Truck, Collision Repair & Refinishing, and Welding. Longstanding industry reputation as the former Nashville Auto-Diesel College3.
SAE Institute – Nashville 12–24 months ACCSC accredited. Audio Engineering, Music Production, Live Sound, and Entertainment Business. Project-based training in professional studios on Music Row3.
Nashville State Community College 1–2 years (certificates/AAS) SACSCOC accredited public college. Career programs in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Computer Networking, Culinary Arts, and more. Multiple Nashville-area campuses and hybrid options2.
TCAT – Smyrna (Nashville Metro) 6–20 months COE accredited. Welding, HVAC/R, Mechatronics, Industrial Electricity, Machine Tool, and Practical Nursing. Close to many Nashville employers and distribution hubs2.
Paul Mitchell The School – Nashville ~10–13 months NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology and barbering-focused training with state board prep. Strong salon network for placement.
North Central Institute (Clarksville – commuting distance) 18–24 months ACCSC accredited. Aviation Maintenance training designed for FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification pathways. Small class sizes and veteran-friendly campus3.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Navigator for program listings and institutional data2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) directory for institutional accreditation where noted3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Nashville’s construction and health care buildouts are driving steady electrical work. Electricians install and service wiring, panels, lighting, and controls. Apprenticeships and on-the-job training lead to higher wages and supervisory roles1.

  • HVAC/R Technician Population growth and new construction keep HVAC busy year-round. Techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration. EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants4. Demand stays strong during seasonal peaks1.

  • Welder Manufacturing, heavy equipment, and construction in Middle Tennessee need welders who can read prints and pass process tests (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW). Structural and pipe welding offer overtime opportunities and travel work1.

  • Plumber Residential and commercial projects create steady openings for plumbers and pipefitters. Skills in layout, code compliance, and service diagnostics are valuable. Many employers sponsor apprenticeships with raises as you pass milestones1.

Tip: Compare programs with strong lab time, employer partnerships, and industry certifications (NCCER, OSHA 10/30, manufacturer training).

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Licensing is regulated at the state level for contractors, with local permitting in cities and counties. Here are the basics for Nashville and the state.

  • Electrical

    • Limited Licensed Electrician (LLE): For projects under 5,000 in jurisdictions that accept LLE. Requires an exam (PSI) and application to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors5.
    • Electrical Contractor (CE classification): Required for projects 5,000 or more statewide. Requires trade exam, Business & Law exam, proof of experience, financial statement, and insurance. Metro Nashville issues permits based on your state license and local rules5.

  • HVAC/Mechanical

    • For projects 5,000 or more, you need a Tennessee Contractor license with a Mechanical classification appropriate to the scope (e.g., HVAC/Refrigeration). Business & Law exam, trade exam, experience, and financial statement are required5.
    • EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling in any HVAC job (federal requirement)4.
    • Local permits are required for installation and service work in Metro Nashville.

  • Plumbing

    • Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP): For plumbing work under 5,000 in jurisdictions that accept LLP. Requires a PSI exam and state application5.
    • Contractor license with a plumbing/mechanical classification is required for projects 5,000 or more. Expect Business & Law exam, trade exam, experience verification, and financials5.

  • Welding

    • Tennessee does not license welders at the state level. Employers and job specs determine the certifications you need (e.g., AWS D1.1, ASME). Structural jobs may require procedure tests witnessed by a CWI. Local permits apply to the job, not the welder.

General steps most candidates follow: 1) Choose a school or registered apprenticeship.
2) Get entry certifications (OSHA-10, EPA 608 for HVAC, NCCER if offered).
3) Accumulate supervised experience hours.
4) Apply for the appropriate state license or limited license and pass exams.
5) Pull local permits as required and keep insurance current.

Always confirm the latest rules with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and Metro Nashville Codes before you start work5.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended HVAC and electrical programs: Many Nashville-area schools deliver theory online and labs on campus weekly. This can cut travel while keeping hands-on training.
  • Community college certificates: Nashville State offers hybrid general education and technical courses that stack into an AAS, useful if you want supervisory roles later2.
  • Test prep and safety: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, and code update courses are widely available online. You still need in-person lab time to build skills.
  • Night and weekend cohorts: TCAT campuses and private career schools commonly run evening sections for working adults.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask schools about:

  • Credit for prior learning or work experience.
  • Accelerated tracks for experienced helpers.
  • Employer-sponsored apprenticeships and tuition help.

Next Steps

Nashville offers strong training options and steady demand across key trades. Pick a program with solid labs, verified accreditation, and clear support for licensing. Then start building experience while you study.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Employment data. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (programs, accreditation, and campus data). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited School Directory. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (refrigerant handling requirements). ↩ ↩

  5. Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (licensing, exams, and classifications). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.