Best Trade Schools in Killeen, 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 Killeen. This page helps you compare accredited programs, understand Texas licensing, and see which trades are hiring now. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers remain steady careers across Texas and the Killeen–Temple area¹.

Top Trade Schools in Killeen

Below are accredited schools in Killeen and nearby cities within a reasonable drive. Confirm current offerings and start dates on each school’s website.

School	Program Length	Highlights
Central Texas College (Killeen)	Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC accredited. Hands-on labs for Welding, HVAC, Automotive, Diesel. Strong veteran support and Fort Cavazos partnerships. Evening options in some programs.
Temple College (Temple)	Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC/R, Precision Machining, Automotive. Dual credit options and flexible schedules.
Texas State Technical College – Waco	Certificates/AAS: ~1–2 years	SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Electrical Lineworker, Industrial Systems, Welding, Diesel. Employer-aligned training and fast job placement support.
Universal Technical Institute – Austin	9–18 months	ACCSC accredited². Automotive and Diesel technician training. Manufacturer-aligned labs and career services. Multiple start dates.
UEI College – Austin	~10 months	ACCSC accredited². HVAC, Electrician Technician, Medical Assistant. Day/evening schedules and externships for some programs.
Milan Institute – Killeen	~8–9 months	ACCET accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Esthetician. Externship experience and career support.
Star College of Cosmetology 2 – Killeen	~7–12 months	NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics. State board exam prep and flexible schedules.
McLennan Community College – Waco	Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Automotive. Strong labs and local employer ties.

Tip: Use College Navigator to verify accreditation, completion rates, and program outcomes before you apply³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

New builds, solar tie-ins, and commercial upgrades keep electricians busy in Central Texas¹. Killeen’s military community also generates steady facilities and maintenance work. Good paths: residential wireman, journeyman, industrial electrician, and low-voltage tech. See career details: Electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

Texas heat and growth mean high year-round service demand for installation and repair¹. Many employers expect EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants⁴. Skills in heat pump diagnostics and smart controls boost job options. Learn more: HVAC.

Welder

Fabrication, construction, and defense contractors near Fort Cavazos rely on certified welders¹. GMAW and FCAW on structural steel are common, while pipe welding commands premium pay. Explore training: Welding.

Plumber

Residential construction and renovation fuel demand for plumbers, with steady commercial service work too¹. Upgrading to tankless systems and code knowledge are valuable. Career path overview: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)

Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR. Work under a master electrician⁵.
Complete 8,000 hours of verifiable on‑the‑job training to qualify for the Journeyman Electrician exam⁵.
Pass the journeyman exam and maintain continuing education.
Master Electrician typically requires 12,000 hours and additional experience plus an exam⁵.
To run your own shop, a licensed Electrical Contractor must have a master electrician on staff and meet insurance rules⁵.

HVAC/R licensing (TDLR – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration)

Gain 48 months of practical experience under a licensed ACR contractor, or combine experience with approved education to meet eligibility⁶.
Register as an ACR Technician with TDLR if performing maintenance/service under a contractor⁶.
Pass the Class A or Class B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor exam to hold a contractor license and pull permits⁶.
Earn EPA Section 608 certification to service refrigerant systems (federal requirement)⁴.

Plumbing licensing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)

Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE and work under a licensed plumber⁷.
Tradesman-Limited Journeyman: 4,000 hours plus exam; Journeyman: 8,000 hours plus exam⁷.
Advance to Master Plumber after meeting experience and exam requirements. Responsible Master Plumber status is required to operate a plumbing business⁷.
Optional endorsements include Medical Gas and Backflow Prevention.

Welding

Texas does not issue a state welder license. Employers often require AWS/ASME performance qualifications. Many programs embed NCCER credentials that are portable across employers and regions⁸.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid programs: Many schools deliver code, safety, and theory online, with in-person labs for hands-on practice. This is common for HVAC, electrical theory, and welding safety modules.
Accelerated terms: Career schools like UTI and UEI often offer year-round schedules with multiple starts, day/evening sections, and externships.
Community college pathways: Central Texas College, Temple College, and MCC offer stackable certificates that build toward an AAS. This helps you enter the workforce fast, then return for advanced skills while working.
Military and GI Bill: Killeen-area schools have strong veteran services. Ask about credit for military experience and dedicated advising at Central Texas College and nearby public colleges.

Next Steps

Compare schools across the state: Texas Trade School Hub
Browse all trades and career guides: Trades Hub
Learn how to pick a program, funding options, and apprenticeships: Guides
If you are still exploring, start at our sitewide hub: Trade School Directory

Before you enroll

Verify accreditation and program outcomes on College Navigator³.
Confirm Texas licensing steps with TDLR and TSBPE for your trade⁵⁶⁷.
For HVAC, plan your EPA Section 608 certification early⁴.

Killeen offers solid options for starting a career in the skilled trades. Pick a school with the labs, schedule, and placement support that fit your goals, then follow the Texas licensing steps to get job-ready.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩
U.S. EPA – Section 608 Refrigerant Management. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Electricians. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/ele.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/acr/acr.htm ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) – Licensing. https://tsbpe.texas.gov/licensing/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
NCCER – Industry-Recognized Credentials. https://www.nccer.org/credentials/ ↩

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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.