Best Trade Schools in Fort Worth, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Fort Worth. This page ranks accredited options, covers Texas licensing, and points you to programs that hire in DFW. Skilled trades employers in the Dallas–Fort Worth area continue to add jobs for electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers1.

Top Trade Schools in Fort Worth

Below are accredited schools serving Fort Worth and nearby DFW. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each campus for start dates and schedules23.

School Program Length Highlights
Tarrant County College (Fort Worth – multiple campuses) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive Technology. Modern labs. Day/evening options. Regionally accredited (SACSCOC).
Weatherford College (Weatherford) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years Welding Technology, HVAC/R, workforce certificates. Small class sizes. SACSCOC accredited.
Universal Technical Institute – Dallas/Fort Worth (Irving) 45–75 weeks Automotive and Diesel Technology. Employer-aligned training. ACCSC accredited.
Lincoln Tech – Grand Prairie ~12–18 months Automotive Service and Collision Repair. Industry-recognized training. ACCSC accredited.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center – Dallas Metro (Irving) ~7–10 months Welding training with plate and pipe practice; employer connections. ACCSC accredited.
UEI College – Grand Prairie ~10 months HVAC training with EPA 608 exam prep and career services. ACCET accredited.
Texas State Technical College – North Texas (Red Oak) Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Welding, HVAC, Industrial Systems. High placement focus. SACSCOC accredited.

Notes:

  • Some campuses are in nearby Irving, Grand Prairie, Weatherford, and Red Oak, within typical Fort Worth commuting distance.
  • Program length varies by schedule (day, evening, weekend) and credential.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • DFW adds new commercial and residential projects every year, keeping electrical work steady1.
  • Good path: start as an apprentice, log hours, sit for the journeyman exam, then pursue master status for leadership or contracting.
  • Learn more licensing details below and on our electrician hub: Electrician careers in Texas.

HVAC/R

  • Hot summers and rapid construction drive demand for install and service techs across Tarrant and surrounding counties1.
  • Most programs teach troubleshooting, electrical controls, brazing, and EPA 608 prep. Contractor licensing is at the state level.
  • Explore HVAC training and licensing: HVAC in Texas.

Welding

  • Fabrication, manufacturing, energy, and construction employers across the DFW Metroplex hire entry-level welders with solid shop skills.
  • Structural and pipe welders with strong process proficiency (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW) stand out.
  • Compare welding pathways and certs: Welding careers.

Plumbing

  • Population growth and new builds keep plumbers busy across the metro1.
  • Apprenticeships and registered training are the usual entry points. State exams unlock higher licenses and pay.
  • Start with the basics: Plumbing in Texas.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)4.
  • Work under a licensed master electrician and log required hours (e.g., 7,000+ for journeyman).
  • Apply and pass the TDLR Journeyman Electrician exam; upgrade to Master after required experience and exam.
  • Contractors must hold the appropriate license and insurance.

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R – TDLR)

  • Register as an ACR Technician or work as a registered student under a licensed contractor5.
  • For contracting, qualify for an ACR Contractor License (Class A or B) after required experience or via approved education pathways, then pass the state exam.
  • All techs who handle refrigerants must earn EPA Section 608 certification6.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumbing Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)7.
  • Accrue documented hours and classroom training toward Tradesman-Limited or Journeyman Plumber.
  • Pass the state exam for your license level; advance to Master and then Responsible Master Plumber to run a company.

Welding (No state license)

  • Texas does not license welders at the state level.
  • Employers often require performance qualifications to AWS codes (e.g., D1.1 structural, D1.3 sheet metal) or API 1104 for pipelines8.
  • Many schools offer AWS test prep. NCCER credentials are also recognized across construction trades9.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training: Many Fort Worth–area programs blend online theory with in-person labs for HVAC, electrical, and welding. Code, safety, and math modules can be completed online. Hands-on labs are still required for skill sign-off and employer readiness.
  • Night and weekend schedules: Community colleges and career schools commonly run evening cohorts to accommodate work.
  • Test prep online: EPA 608, electrical code (NEC) updates, OSHA 10/30, and practice exams are available through schools or recognized providers.
  • Apprenticeship class nights: Electrical and plumbing apprenticeships often meet one or two evenings per week during the work year while you earn on the job.

If you need help comparing formats or credit transfer, start with our main hubs:

Next Steps

1) Shortlist schools near your commute. Tour the labs and ask about tool lists, schedules, and employer partners.
2) Confirm accreditation and program outcomes. Use College Navigator to review completion and program details2.
3) Match training to your license path. For example:

  • Electrician: confirm apprentice registration support and TDLR exam prep. See our Electrician guide.
  • HVAC: verify EPA 608 testing on campus and contractor licensing guidance. See HVAC guide.
  • Plumbing: ask about TSBPE apprentice registration and related training. See Plumbing guide.
  • Welding: check welding processes taught and test booth access for AWS quals. See Welding guide.

Ready to browse more options?

Sources:

  • The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro is one of the nation’s largest labor markets for construction and maintenance trades, with stable employment across electrical, HVAC/R, plumbing, and welding occupations1.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX MSA. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_19100.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Electricians. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/elec.htm ↩

  5. TDLR – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm ↩

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

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

  8. American Welding Society (AWS) – Certifications. https://www.aws.org/certification ↩

  9. NCCER – 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.