Best Trade Schools in Harlingen, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Harlingen. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program length, Texas licensing steps, and job demand. We focus on hands-on careers like electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, BLS, and accrediting agencies123.

Top Trade Schools in Harlingen

The schools below serve Harlingen and the Rio Grande Valley. All are accredited and offer job-focused training.

School Program Length Highlights
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Harlingen Certificates 8–12 months; AAS 2 years Public technical college. SACSCOC accredited. Strong labs for HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Cybersecurity, and Nursing. Career services and employer partnerships2.
Southern Careers Institute – Harlingen 7–15 months ACCSC accredited. HVAC, Electrical Technician, Welding, Medical Assisting. Externships and employer network3.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute – Brownsville 10–18 months ACCSC accredited. HVAC and Basic Refrigeration, Welding, Automotive Service Technician, Medical Assisting. Career placement support3.
South Texas College – McAllen Certificates about 1 year; AAS 2 years SACSCOC accredited. Electrician Technology, HVACR, Welding, Advanced Manufacturing. Apprenticeship pathways and industry labs2.
Texas Southmost College – Brownsville Certificates about 1 year; AAS 2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVACR, Electrical Lineworker, Automotive. Modern training facilities and workforce programs2.
Rio Grande Valley College – Pharr 9–18 months ABHES accredited. Healthcare-focused training such as Vocational Nursing, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech. Evening and day schedules2.

Tip: Visit each program page for start dates and schedules. Then tour the campus to see labs and meet instructors.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Texas is one of the top states for electrician employment. BLS projects steady demand from construction, solar, and grid upgrades1. Many entry roles start as paid apprentices. Learn more about the career at our Electrician hub: /trades/electrician.

HVAC

  • HVAC technicians are needed year-round in the Valley. Growth is driven by heat, humidity, and efficiency upgrades. Employers value EPA 608 certification and hands-on training1. See licensing and career paths: /trades/hvac.

Welding

  • Welders support fabrication, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects across the RGV. Performance-based credentials and shop hours matter to employers1. Explore welding careers and certifications: /trades/welding.

Plumbing

  • Plumbers are essential for residential and commercial builds, hospitals, and service work. Texas licensing is tiered from apprentice to master with clear steps to advance1. Get the overview here: /trades/plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing – Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)4

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice to work under a licensed electrician.
  • Residential Wireman requires 4,000 hours of supervised experience and passing the exam.
  • Journeyman Electrician requires 8,000 hours under a Master Electrician and passing the exam.
  • Master Electrician requires 12,000 hours, hold a Journeyman license for at least two years, and pass the exam.
  • Complete required continuing education for renewals.

HVACR licensing – TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration5

  • Start as a Registered ACR Technician working under a licensed contractor.
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants6.
  • To become an ACR Contractor, document required experience, pass the state exam, select endorsements, and carry insurance. Class A covers any size system. Class B limits capacity.
  • Keep up with continuing education for renewal.

Plumbing licensing – Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)7

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice to work under a licensed plumber.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited requires 4,000 hours and an exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber requires 8,000 hours and an exam.
  • Master Plumber requires Journeyman status for one year plus an exam.
  • Continuing education is required each renewal cycle.

Welding credentials – not state-licensed

  • Texas does not license welders. Employers often require performance qualifications under AWS codes such as D1.1 or industry-recognized credentials like NCCER89.
  • Pipeline and plant work may require additional site-specific tests.

Online & Flexible Options

  • TSTC Harlingen: Offers a mix of on-campus labs with some online coursework in select programs. Technical courses with shop or lab time meet in person2.
  • South Texas College: Many general education and some technical theory classes are online. Labs are on campus or hybrid. Look for evening sections if you work days2.
  • Southern Careers Institute: Some programs use blended formats. Expect hands-on labs on campus and online learning for theory3.

Flex scheduling tips

  • Ask about night or weekend cohorts.
  • Confirm how many hours are on campus in labs each week.
  • Verify externship or clinical schedules early, especially for healthcare programs.

How to Choose a School in Harlingen

  • Verify accreditation and program approvals. Use College Navigator to confirm institutional accreditation and program outcomes2.
  • Match training to the state license. For example, electrician and plumbing programs should help you register as an apprentice and track hours47.
  • Tour the labs. Welding booths, HVAC trainers, and electrical panels should mirror job sites.
  • Ask about employer partnerships. Local unions, contractors, hospitals, and manufacturers often hire directly from partner schools.
  • Compare schedules. Check cohort start dates, day versus evening tracks, and externship timing.

Electricians and HVAC technicians in Texas have strong employment prospects and solid pay compared to many entry-level jobs1. Choose a program that gets you into the field quickly and supports your next credential.

Next Steps

Want more choices across Texas or online programs? Start at our main hub: /trade-school/.

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, career pages for Electricians, HVACR Technicians, Plumbers, and Welders. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Electricians. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/electricians.htm ↩ ↩

  5. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors. 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, Licensing. https://www.tsbpe.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩

  8. American Welding Society, 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.