Best Trade Schools in Abilene, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Abilene. This page compares accredited programs, shows how Texas licensing works, and highlights high-demand trades with reliable job data12. If you want a faster, hands-on path to a good job, the schools below are the best starting points in and near Abilene.

Top Trade Schools in Abilene

Below are accredited options in Abilene, plus a few strong campuses within easy driving distance. Program availability can vary by campus. Confirm the program you want is offered at the Abilene location.

School Program Length Highlights
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Abilene Certificates: ~6–18 months; AAS: ~2 years Public technical college; hands-on labs; programs commonly include HVAC Technology, Welding Technology, Industrial Systems, Cybersecurity, and Allied Health (varies by campus); strong employer partnerships; SACSCOC accredited; multiple West Texas locations for flexibility2.
Cisco College – Abilene Educational Center Certificates: 1–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Community college with workforce programs; options include LVN/Allied Health, EMT, Welding (check campus), IT support, and business; small class sizes; transfer or direct-to-work pathways; SACSCOC accredited2.
Texas College of Cosmetology – Abilene 1,000 hours (Cosmetology Operator); 750 (Esthetics); 600 (Nail Tech) NACCAS-accredited cosmetology school; TDLR-licensed programs; student salon for real client practice; evening options often available; state board exam prep built in.
Abilene Dental Assistant School Short-format certificate: ~10–12 weeks Focused dental assisting training; classes often on evenings/weekends; RDA exam prep; practical chairside and radiography skills in dental offices.
TSTC – Sweetwater (near Abilene) Certificates: ~6–18 months; AAS: ~2 years 40 minutes from Abilene; known for Wind Energy Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker, Welding, Automotive, and CDL; extensive labs and outdoor training structures; SACSCOC accredited2.
Western Texas College – Snyder (near Abilene) Certificates/AAS: ~1–2 years Programs in Welding, HVAC, Electrical & Instrumentation, and Cosmetology; small cohorts; regional employer ties; SACSCOC accredited2.
Ranger College – Brownwood/Early (near Abilene) Certificates/AAS: ~1–2 years Welding Technology, Cosmetology, Industrial Maintenance, and Health Sciences; pathways to fast employment; SACSCOC accredited2.

How we select: We prioritize accredited schools with hands-on labs, strong completion and placement support, and clear licensing prep for Texas. We verify programs using College Navigator and state boards where applicable2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes, plants, and businesses powered. Work spans residential, commercial, and industrial. Median pay nationwide was about 1,600 in 20231. Apprentices earn while they learn, and overtime is common. Abilene’s mix of healthcare, manufacturing, and base facilities creates steady work.
    • Explore the career: Electrician

  • HVAC Technician

    • HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Texas heat keeps demand high year-round. The 2023 national median wage was about 7,3001. Technicians often add EPA 608 and manufacturer certs for higher pay.
    • Explore licensing: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas

  • Welder

    • Welders build and repair metal structures for energy, manufacturing, and construction. Oil and gas, wind projects, and fabrication shops near Abilene hire welders with solid shop skills. National median wages were about 9,000 in 20231. AWS or NCCER credentials can help you stand out3.
    • Explore the career: Welding

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers install and maintain piping systems. Work is steady across new builds, service, and industrial sites. The 2023 national median wage was about 1,6001. Apprenticeship is the standard path in Texas.
    • Explore the career: Plumbing

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)

  • Register as an Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
  • Accumulate required hours under a licensed electrician:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours
    • Master Electrician: 12,000 hours plus time as a Journeyman
  • Apply, pass the state exam for your license level, and complete continuing education to renew4.

HVAC (TDLR – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration)

  • Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor.
  • To run your own business, qualify for the ACR Contractor license:
    • 48 months of practical experience (or approved combinations) in the past 72 months
    • Pass the Class A or Class B state exam
    • Maintain required insurance
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants45.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners – TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice.
  • Complete on-the-job training:
    • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours + exam
    • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours + exam
    • Master Plumber: additional experience + exam
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) required to operate a company6.

Welding

  • Texas does not issue a state welder license.
  • Employers may require AWS D1.1, pipe codes, or NCCER performance verifications. Many programs prepare you for these tests3.

Cosmetology (TDLR)

  • Complete 1,000 hours at a TDLR-licensed school (Cosmetology Operator).
  • Pass written and practical exams; complete continuing education to renew4.

Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)

  • Meet FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.
  • Pass knowledge, skills tests, and DOT medical exam; obtain Texas CDL through DPS7.

Online & Flexible Options

  • TSTC offers hybrid and online courses in areas like IT support, cybersecurity, drafting, and general education. Many technical labs still require in-person time.
  • Cisco College blends online general education with in-person labs for trades and health programs.
  • Short-format certificates (dental assisting, esthetics, IT help desk) may offer evening or weekend schedules for working adults.
  • If you need full-time work while training, ask schools about night cohorts, accelerated blocks, or competency-based options that let you progress faster once you master a skill.

Tip: For any “online” trade program, confirm how much hands-on lab time is required and where you must complete it. Employers value verifiable, in-person skills.

Next Steps

Have questions about a program or license step? Talk to the school’s admissions team and the Texas licensing board for the most up-to-date requirements.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and OEWS wage data, 2023. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  3. NCCER Credentials and Performance Verification. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  4. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) – Electrician, ACR, and Cosmetology licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). https://tsbpe.texas.gov/ ↩

  7. FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) overview. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt ↩

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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.