Best Trade Schools in Kerrville, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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 Kerrville. This guide lists accredited programs near Kerrville, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Texas licensing steps. Use it to compare programs, from electrician apprenticeships to HVAC, welding, plumbing, and allied health. Texas employers continue to hire skilled trades workers, and pay is strong for many roles¹.

Top Trade Schools in Kerrville

These are accredited colleges and registered apprenticeship programs in Kerrville or within a reasonable drive. Program lengths are typical ranges. Always confirm current offerings and schedules with the school.

Name	Program Length	Highlights
St. Philip’s College – Southwest Campus (San Antonio)	1–2 years (Certificates/AAS)	Regionally accredited. Hands-on labs for HVAC, welding, machining, automotive and diesel. Strong employer ties through Alamo Colleges².
IEC San Antonio (Independent Electrical Contractors)	4 years (Apprenticeship)	U.S. DOL-registered apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training plus classroom. Preps for Texas Journeyman Electrician exam and OSHA/NFPA 70E safety.
San Antonio Electrical JATC (IBEW Local 60)	3–5 years (Apprenticeship)	Inside Wireman and Residential programs. DOL-registered. Earn while you learn. Extensive lab training. Prepares for Texas licensing.
Hallmark University – College of Aeronautics (San Antonio)	15–20 months	Institutionally accredited. FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance. Airframe and Powerplant prep with high-bay hangar labs³.
Lamson Institute (San Antonio)	9–15 months	ACCSC-accredited. Programs in HVAC and Electrical Technician. Day/evening schedules designed for career changers³.
Southern Careers Institute – San Antonio North	9–15 months	ACCET-accredited career training. Popular options include HVAC, welding, and medical programs with employer-aligned skills.
UA Local 142 JATC (San Antonio)	4–5 years (Apprenticeship)	Registered apprenticeship in plumbing, pipefitting, and HVACR service. Paid training, industry certifications, and Texas exam prep.
Pima Medical Institute – San Antonio	8–20 months	ABHES-accredited. Allied health programs like Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, and Pharmacy Tech. Fast entry to patient-care roles.

Notes:

Community colleges like St. Philip’s appear in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator².
ACCSC accreditation can be verified with the accrediting commission³.
Apprenticeships listed are U.S. Department of Labor registered programs recognized in Texas.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians keep homes, plants, and hospitals running. Texas shows steady demand and competitive wages for electricians¹. Training usually starts with an apprenticeship. Classroom work covers code, motors, controls, and safety. Learn more on our electrician hub: Explore electrician careers.

HVAC

HVAC technicians install and service heating and cooling systems in homes and commercial buildings. Texas heat keeps service calls steady. Most entry-level roles require EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerants⁴. Many programs in San Antonio offer fast, hands-on training. Read more: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

Welding

Welders work in fabrication, construction, pipeline, and manufacturing. In the Hill Country and I-35 corridor, shops value welders who can read blueprints and pass bend tests. Employers often prefer industry-recognized credentials like NCCER or AWS D1.1 performance qualifications⁵. Learn more: Explore welding careers.

Plumbing

Licensed plumbers are in demand across Texas for residential service, medical gas, and commercial work. Apprenticeship is the common route. Texas requires registration and supervised hours before you test for a license⁶. Get the basics here: Explore plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electricians (TDLR)

Register as an Electrical Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Work under a licensed contractor⁷.
Complete required on-the-job hours: 8,000 for Journeyman, more for Master.
Complete classroom training through a registered apprenticeship or approved provider.
Apply to TDLR, pass the Journeyman or Master exam, and maintain continuing education.

HVAC – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (TDLR)

Entry-level techs often start as registered technicians under a licensed contractor.
To open your own business, you need a TDLR ACR Contractor license, which requires work experience and passing the state exam⁷.
EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants⁴.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)

Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE and work under a licensed plumber⁶.
Accumulate the required hours and complete approved training.
Apply for Tradesman, Journeyman, or Master Plumber exams, complete background check, and pass the exam.
Specialized endorsements like Medical Gas Brazing require additional training/testing.

Welding

Texas does not issue a state welding license.
Employers may require performance qualifications to specific codes (e.g., AWS D1.1) or NCCER credentials. Many schools test to these standards⁵.

CDL – Commercial Driver’s License (optional add-on skill)

Complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with an approved provider.
Test with Texas DPS for CDL Class A or B. Medical card and skills test required.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid community college programs: Many colleges deliver safety, codes, and theory online, with labs on campus nights or weekends. This works well for HVAC and electrical.
Apprenticeship classroom nights: IEC, IBEW, and UA programs schedule classes after work, letting you earn while you train.
Short online prep: OSHA 10/30, EPA 608 exam prep, and basic electrical theory are available online. You still need in-person labs to build hands-on skills.
Allied health flexibility: Schools like Pima offer blended schedules with clinical rotations at local sites.

Ask each program about:

Evening or weekend cohorts
Start dates every 5–8 weeks
Credit for prior experience or military training
Industry certifications included in tuition (EPA 608, OSHA, NCCER, NATE)

Next Steps

Compare programs statewide: Visit the Texas hub at /trade-school/texas/.
Browse all trades and pick a path: See our trade hub at /trades/.
Learn how to pay for school: Read our guides at /guides/.
Ready to start? Explore more schools at the main hub /trade-school/, then contact 2–3 programs to compare schedules and start dates.

Tip: If you want to work in Kerrville, ask each school about local employer partners in the Hill Country and San Antonio regions. Apprenticeships and internships often lead to job offers.

Footnotes

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook and Employment/Wages data, Texas. ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institution listings and program data). ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), accredited school directory. ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification. ↩ ↩
NCCER credentials and AWS structural welding standards (employer-recognized certifications). ↩ ↩
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), licensing and apprenticeship requirements. ↩ ↩
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electrician and ACR Contractor licensing. ↩ ↩

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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.