Best Trade Schools in Amarillo, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Amarillo. This guide compares accredited programs, shows typical program lengths, and explains Texas licensing steps. It focuses on high-demand trades like electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing. These careers offer steady job openings and solid wages in Texas1.

Top Trade Schools in Amarillo

School Program Length Highlights
Amarillo College (East and Washington St. Campuses) 4–9 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Public, institutionally accredited. Career programs in HVAC-R, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Machining, and CDL prep. Day and evening options. Strong employer ties2.
Amarillo College Truck Driving Academy 4–8 weeks Focused CDL training with yard and road practice. Prepares for Texas CDL skills and knowledge tests. Job search support via college career services2.
Milan Institute – Amarillo 8–12 months ACCSC-accredited career school. Hands-on labs. Programs commonly include Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Massage Therapy. Flexible schedules and externships3.
Clarendon College – Amarillo (Cosmetology Center) 10–12 months Public, institutionally accredited. Cosmetology Operator certificate and related courses. Small class sizes and state board prep2.
Frank Phillips College (Borger, near Amarillo) 1 year (Level 1 cert); 2 years (AAS) Public, institutionally accredited. Welding, Industrial Technology, and Allied Health. Good option if you can commute from Amarillo2.
Exposito School of Hair Design – Amarillo 10–12 months Accredited cosmetology school with practical salon training. Prepares for Texas operator licensing exam. Day schedules available2.

Tip: Visit each program’s catalog for course lists, externship details, and start dates. Use College Navigator to confirm accreditation and program offerings2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Work includes installing and maintaining wiring, controls, and fixtures in homes, plants, and commercial sites.
  • Texas continues to add construction and industrial projects, which supports electrician hiring1.
  • Many students start at a community college or enter a registered apprenticeship, then test for journeyman.

HVAC

  • HVAC techs service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes and businesses.
  • Texas heat drives steady demand for installation and service calls year-round1.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required for refrigerant handling, and many employers look for it even for entry-level roles4. See our guide: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

Welding

  • Welders work in fabrication, construction, repair, energy, and manufacturing.
  • Skills in MIG, TIG, and stick are valued. Certifications from AWS or NCCER help you stand out5.
  • Short-term college certificates can place you into helper roles quickly. You can stack advanced process training later.

Plumbing

  • Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and waste systems in residential and commercial settings.
  • Texas population growth supports ongoing plumbing demand and apprenticeships across the state1.
  • Licensing is state-regulated. Training plus supervised hours lead to Tradesman and Journeyman levels. Learn more: Explore plumbing careers.

Browse more trades: All trade career paths.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electricians (TDLR)

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
  • Get supervised experience. Common paths:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours and exam.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours and exam.
    • Master Electrician: hold journeyman status, accumulate qualifying hours, and pass the master exam.
  • Many apprentices complete classroom training through an apprenticeship or college program before testing6. See Electrician careers.

HVAC (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, TDLR)

  • Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor.
  • To become a licensed ACR Contractor, meet experience requirements (typically 4 years under a licensed contractor or an approved mix of education and experience) and pass the state exam. Choose Class A or Class B endorsement.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants64. See HVAC career overview.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
  • Earn hours and advance:
    • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours and exam.
    • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours and exam.
    • Master Plumber: journeyman license, additional experience, and master exam.
  • Some endorsements require extra training and testing (medical gas, multipurpose residential fire protection)7.

Welding

  • Texas does not require a state license to weld.
  • Employers often prefer or require industry credentials such as AWS D1.1 or NCCER Performance verifications. Your college or training center can align courses to these tests5. See Welding career overview.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Local colleges often blend online theory with in-person labs. You may complete safety, math, and blueprint reading online, then attend campus labs for hands-on work. Check Amarillo College program pages for hybrid availability2.
  • Evening and accelerated tracks: Many Amarillo programs offer evening or weekend labs to fit work schedules. Short-term certificates help you enter the field in months, not years.
  • Exam prep: Online practice tests and code update courses can help you prepare for TDLR or TSBPE exams. These do not replace required hours or supervised experience.
  • Transfer and stackable credentials: Start with an entry certificate, then stack advanced certificates or an AAS to increase pay and scope of work over time.
  • Military and credit for prior learning: Some schools evaluate military training or work experience for credit, which can shorten time to completion.

If you need a fully online option, focus on trades where online study makes sense, such as construction management basics or safety. Core skilled trades still require hands-on labs and supervised experience.

Next Steps

  • Compare programs across the state: Texas trade school hub
  • Explore all trade careers and guides: Trade career hub
  • Learn how to choose a program, pay for school, and plan your path: Career guides
  • Ready to act? Contact two or three schools from this list. Ask about start dates, certification pass rates, employer partners, and lab hours. Then visit a lab in person before you enroll.

Also see our national directory: Trade school hub.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Electricians, HVAC Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers, and Welders job outlooks. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institution profiles for Amarillo College, Clarendon College, Frank Phillips College, Milan Institute (Amarillo), and Exposito School of Hair Design. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. Milan Institute – Amarillo campus. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/index.aspx ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Section 608 Technician Certification for refrigerant handling. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER. Industry-recognized construction credentials and performance verifications. https://www.nccer.org/credentials-certifications/ ↩ ↩

  6. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Electricians and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm and https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm ↩ ↩

  7. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Licensing and exam requirements. https://tsbpe.texas.gov/licensing/ ↩

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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.