Best Trade Schools in Conroe, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Conroe. This guide compares accredited training options, explains Texas licensing, and shows which trades are hiring. If you want a faster path to a good job, the schools below offer hands-on training with industry credentials. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers continue to be in demand and earn solid wages1.

Top Trade Schools in Conroe

All schools below are accredited institutions or campuses commonly chosen by Conroe students. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always verify current offerings and schedules with the school. Accreditation and directory details can be confirmed in College Navigator and ACCSC listings23.

School Program Length Highlights
Lone Star College – Conroe Center (Conroe) 4–12 months (certificates); up to 2 years (AAS) Hands-on labs for Welding, CNC/Machining, Electrical Technology, HVAC, and CDL. Evening options. Institutional accreditation (Lone Star College System). Local employers recruit on campus.
Lone Star College – Montgomery (The Woodlands) 1–2 years (certificates/AAS) Allied health (EMT/Paramedic, Medical Assisting), Fire Science, Cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing pathways coordinated with Conroe Center. Strong transfer and workforce services.
The College of Health Care Professions – The Woodlands 8–20 months Focused healthcare training such as Medical Assisting and Medical Billing and Coding. Hybrid schedules and career services. Accredited by ABHES; institution listed in College Navigator2.
Aveda Institute – The Woodlands 6–12 months Cosmetology and Esthetics with real-client salon experience. NACCAS-accredited programs; prep for Texas operator or esthetician licensing.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center – Houston 7–10 months High-intensity welding programs with multiple process certifications. Strong employer network in Gulf Coast fabrication and construction. ACCSC-accredited3.
MIAT College of Technology – Houston 9–24 months HVACR, Wind/Industrial, and other technical programs with accelerated schedules. Blended learning and cert prep. ACCSC-accredited3.
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) – Houston 1–2 years Automotive and Diesel technician training with manufacturer-aligned labs and ASE-aligned curriculum. ACCSC-accredited3.
Lone Star College – North Harris (North Houston) 1–2 years (certificates/AAS) HVAC-R, Automotive Technology, and Electrical Technology. Evening/weekend sections common. Institutional accreditation (Lone Star College System).

Tip: For shortest routes into work, look at Level I Certificates (often two semesters) in Welding, HVAC, Electrical, or CDL at Lone Star College – Conroe Center. For welding-only career paths, TWS-Houston offers intensive programs geared toward AWS test prep.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Work includes installing and maintaining electrical systems in homes, plants, and commercial buildings. National median pay was about 1,590 in 2023, with steady demand across construction and maintenance1. Many apprentices start earning while they train.

  • HVAC Technician

    • Service, install, and troubleshoot heating and cooling systems. Refrigeration skills add year-round job options. National median pay was about 7,300 in 2023. EPA Section 608 is required to handle refrigerants14.

  • Welder

    • Structural steel, pipe, and fabrication roles are strong across the Houston region’s energy and manufacturing economy. National median pay was about 8,940 in 2023. Multiple processes (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) make you more versatile1.

  • Plumber

    • Install and repair piping systems in residential and industrial settings. National median pay was about 1,550 in 2023. Apprenticeships combine paid hours with classroom learning1.

Electricians, HVAC, welding, and plumbing are reliable options for Conroe graduates and career changers. These roles are less likely to be automated and follow clear licensing or certification paths.

Explore trades in more detail:

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, TDLR)5

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice.
  • Accumulate 8,000 hours under a Master Electrician for Journeyman eligibility.
  • Pass the Journeyman Electrician exam to earn your license.
  • After holding Journeyman for at least 2 years and documenting 12,000 hours total, take the Master Electrician exam.
  • Electrical Contractor license is required to run your own business and pull permits.

HVAC – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (TDLR)5

  • Entry-level techs commonly register with TDLR as an ACR Technician.
  • Gain 4 years of practical experience (or equivalent) to qualify for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license (Class A or B).
  • Pass the state exam. Maintain insurance and meet code requirements.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is mandatory to handle refrigerants4.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, TSBPE)6

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice.
  • Tradesman-Limited Journeyman Plumber: 4,000 hours + exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours + exam.
  • Master Plumber: meet experience requirements, hold Journeyman for at least 1 year, and pass the Master exam.
  • Responsible Master Plumber is required to contract plumbing work.

Welding

  • Texas does not issue a state “welder license.” Employers look for performance qualifications and industry credentials such as AWS structural/pipe codes or NCCER credentials7. Schools often provide test prep and on-site weld tests.

Cosmetology/Esthetics (TDLR)

  • Complete an approved program (Cosmetology Operator typically 1,000 hours; Esthetician 600 hours), pass written and practical exams, and apply to TDLR.

CDL – Commercial Driving

  • Meet FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, pass knowledge tests to earn your CLP, complete BTW training, and pass the CDL skills test with Texas DPS.

Online & Flexible Options

Hands-on labs are required in trades like welding, HVAC, and automotive, but many schools in the Conroe area offer hybrid formats:

  • Lone Star College often blends online theory with on-campus labs and offers evening or weekend sections for working adults.
  • CHCP delivers hybrid healthcare courses with in-person labs and externships for clinical skills.
  • ACCSC-accredited schools like MIAT and UTI use blended delivery for theory, with manufacturer-grade labs on campus3.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask each school about:

  • Night/weekend cohorts
  • Accelerated certificates vs. associate degrees
  • Credit for prior learning or work experience
  • Stackable credentials that build toward higher licenses

Next Steps

Have questions about which program fits your goals? Start with your target license, then choose the shortest accredited path that meets Texas requirements.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Occupational Outlook, May 2023 data for Electricians, HVACR Mechanics and Installers, Plumbers/Pipefitters/Steamfitters, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional profiles and accreditation details. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory of Accredited Institutions. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification for refrigerants. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

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

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

  7. NCCER, Industry credentials and craft training. https://www.nccer.org ↩

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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.