Best Trade Schools in College Station, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
Disclaimer: This article is for education only, not professional advice. Always verify details with official sources. Some links, forms, or listings are sponsored or paid, which may affect their placement. We may earn from them. Read our full Disclaimer.

Here are the best schools in College Station. This guide lists accredited local options, nearby campuses, and apprenticeships. It also explains Texas licensing steps and which trades are hiring. Electricians and HVAC techs are in steady demand across the Bryan–College Station area1.

Top Trade Schools in College Station

The schools below are accredited or state-recognized and serve College Station students. Program availability varies by campus. Always confirm current offerings.

School Program Length Highlights
Blinn College – Bryan Campus Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Public community college (SACSCOC-accredited). Welding, HVAC, industrial maintenance, EMT, and workforce certificates. Strong transfer and employer partnerships2.
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) – College Station Academies/certificates: ~4–16 weeks (varies) State-recognized training provider. Firefighter Recruit Academy, Power Lineworker Academy, EMT/Paramedic, OSHA/safety, water/wastewater operator training aligned to Texas certifications345.
Charles & Sue’s School of Hair Design – College Station 9–12 months typical NACCAS-accredited cosmetology school. TDLR-approved programs in Cosmetology Operator, Esthetics, and Instructor training; strong state board pass prep2.
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Waco (regional) Certificates: 9–18 months; AAS: ~2 years Public technical college (SACSCOC). Programs in welding, HVAC, electrical lineworker, diesel, industrial systems. Strong job placement focus statewide2.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Houston (regional) ~9–18 months National trade school (ACCSC-accredited). Automotive, diesel, and welding programs with industry-aligned labs and certifications6.
MIAT College of Technology – Houston (regional) 7–24 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC/R, wind turbine tech, and aviation maintenance (A&P) program options; blended classroom and hands-on labs6.
Lone Star College – North Harris (regional) Certificates: 1 year; AAS: ~2 years Public community college (SACSCOC). HVAC, welding, machining, and electrician helper pathways; evening and weekend options2.

Tip: If you plan to work while training, ask each school about night cohorts, hybrid classes, and externship schedules. ACCSC and SACSCOC listings are good ways to verify accreditation26.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians in College Station are in high demand1. Entry starts as an apprentice. You earn while you learn and log hours for your license. Commercial construction, facilities maintenance, and light manufacturing in the Brazos Valley keep demand steady.
    • Explore the career: Electrician

  • HVAC/R

    • Texas heat keeps HVAC companies busy year-round. Many entry-level roles are available if you have EPA Section 608 and solid troubleshooting skills. Most HVAC contractors prefer grads who can start on residential service and grow into light commercial7.
    • Explore the career: HVAC

  • Welding

    • Fabrication, construction, and oilfield suppliers within driving distance of College Station hire welders with proven process skills (GMAW, FCAW, SMAW). AWS or NCCER credentials help you stand out8.
    • Explore the career: Welding

  • Plumbing

    • Licensed plumbers are needed for residential new builds, service work, and campus facilities maintenance. Apprenticeships help you earn immediately while logging hours toward your Journeyman license9.
    • Explore the career: Plumbing

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)10

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR and work under a licensed electrician.
  • Log required experience:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours + exam.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours + exam.
    • Master Electrician: Journeyman license + additional experience + exam.
  • Electrical Contractor license required to bid/operate a company.

HVAC/R (TDLR)10

  • Work under a licensed Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (ACR) Contractor as a Registered Technician.
  • Earn experience (typically 48 months) or complete an approved training/degree pathway to qualify for the ACR Contractor exam.
  • Pass the state exam. Many employers also require EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants7.

Plumbing (TSBPE)9

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
  • Tradesman-Limited: 4,000 hours + exam; can work on one- and two-family dwellings.
  • Journeyman: 8,000 hours + exam; broader scope of work.
  • Master Plumber: Additional experience as a Journeyman + exam.
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) credential required to run a plumbing business.

Welding

  • No statewide welder license in Texas. Employers often require performance tests to specific codes and/or third-party credentials such as AWS Certified Welder or NCCER Welding certifications8.
  • Some municipalities or refineries require site-specific qualifications.

Public Safety and Utilities (common in College Station)

  • Firefighter: Complete an approved Fire Academy and pass the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) exams4.
  • EMS: EMT/Paramedic credentials are licensed by Texas DSHS; graduates must pass the National Registry exam and Texas requirements5.
  • Water/Wastewater Operator: Licensure through TCEQ with required training and exams3.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Blended learning: Many trade programs split theory online and hands-on labs on campus. This is common for HVAC, welding theory, safety, and electrical code courses.
  • TEEX online: TEEX offers online OSHA, safety, cybersecurity, and continuing education that can stack with your hands-on academies3.
  • Accelerated academies: UTI and MIAT run year-round starts and day/evening schedules to finish in 7–18 months6.
  • Community college flexibility: Blinn and Lone Star offer night classes, mini-mesters, and short workforce certificates that fit around work shifts2.

Ask each school about:

  • Night or weekend cohorts.
  • Hybrid or online modules for code, safety, and gen-ed.
  • Credit for prior learning, military training, or industry experience.
  • Employer partnerships and paid apprenticeships.

Next Steps

If you know your trade, start with the career pages above. If you are undecided, tour two or three campuses in the College Station area. Bring questions about schedules, certifications, and job placement. Verified accreditation and clear licensing steps are the best signs you are on the right path26109.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook for construction and repair trades; data for Texas and the Bryan–College Station metro. https://www.bls.gov/oes/ and https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Accreditation and program listings for Texas public colleges (e.g., Blinn College, Lone Star College). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Occupational licensing for water and wastewater operators. https://www.tceq.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), Firefighter certification. https://www.tcfp.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩

  5. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), EMS licensing. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ems-compliance-licensing/ems-licensing-and-certification-programs ↩ ↩

  6. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions (e.g., UTI, MIAT). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

  8. NCCER, Industry-recognized credentials for welding and construction crafts. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  9. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), Licensing and exams. https://tsbpe.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  10. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electrician and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.