Best Trade Schools in Laredo, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Laredo. This guide shows accredited options, the trades in demand, and the steps to get licensed in Texas. Laredo’s logistics and construction activity keeps steady demand for skilled workers in HVAC, electrical, welding, and plumbing1.

Top Trade Schools in Laredo

Below are reputable, accredited, or state‑approved options serving Laredo. Program lengths are typical ranges. Confirm current details with each school.

School Program Length Highlights
Laredo College Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years; CE short courses 4–12 weeks Public, SACSCOC‑accredited community college. HVAC/R, Welding, Automotive, Electrical Technology, CDL, and allied health. Day/evening options and hands‑on labs2.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) — Laredo 9–15 months (diploma) ACCSC‑accredited career school. Programs include HVAC, Combination Welding, Automotive Service Technician, and Medical Assistant. Focus on practical labs and career services3.
Laredo Beauty College, Inc. 5–12 months (varies by license hours) State‑licensed cosmetology programs. Cosmetology Operator, Esthetics, and Manicuring. Client clinic for real‑world practice; bilingual support.
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) — Continuing Education 8–24 weeks (varies) Non‑credit workforce certificates. Options in logistics, OSHA/safety, medical administration, and IT support. Some courses offered online or on evenings/weekends2.
Southwest Texas Junior College — Eagle Pass (near Laredo) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC‑accredited regional option. Welding, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Diesel, Automotive, and other technical programs. Good choice if you want more program variety nearby2.

Tips:

  • If you want fast entry into the field, look at Laredo College’s workforce/CE tracks for CDL, OSHA, and quick skills.
  • If you prefer a focused trade school environment with accelerated pacing, compare STVT’s diploma programs.
  • For beauty and barbering paths, confirm Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) program approvals and required hours.

Explore more options statewide at the Texas hub: /trade-school/texas/. See all categories at our trade hub: /trades/.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians work across residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Texas continues to add jobs as construction and warehousing expand1.
  • Apprentices start paid while they learn. Over time, you can move up to journeyman and master levels with higher pay1.
  • Strong long‑term outlook in Texas. See training paths: /trades/electrician.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Laredo’s hot climate means steady demand for installation and service of cooling systems in homes, warehouses, and retail. Many roles need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants4.
  • Expect hands‑on work, emergency calls, and seasonal overtime. Career growth includes controls, refrigeration, and management1.
  • Explore HVAC licensing in Texas: /trades/hvac.

Welder

  • Texas is a top employer of welders. Work spans fabrication, pipelines, manufacturing, and repair shops1.
  • Employers often want AWS process certs (such as SMAW, FCAW, GMAW). Training time is relatively short, and advancement comes with more process codes and materials experience.
  • Compare welding careers and certifications: /trades/welding.

Plumber

  • Plumbers and pipefitters are needed for new builds, remodels, and industrial maintenance. Texas offers a clear license ladder with strong wages at each step1.
  • Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom learning. Many employers sponsor your training.
  • Understand Texas plumbing licenses: /trades/plumbing.

Note on pay: National median wages in 2023 were about 1k for electricians, 7k for HVAC techs, 9k for welders, and 2k for plumbers. Texas offers competitive pay and heavy concentration of jobs in these fields1. Your actual earnings will depend on certifications, overtime, and industry.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)

  • Register as an Apprentice Electrician with TDLR. Work under a licensed master electrician5.
  • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours on‑the‑job + exam.
  • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours under a master + exam.
  • Master Electrician: Journeyman license for at least 2 years, total 12,000 hours, pass exam.
  • Keep up with continuing education for renewals.

HVAC/R (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration — TDLR)

  • Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor5.
  • To become a licensed ACR Contractor: typically 48 months of practical experience (or approved equivalents), pass the state exam, and carry required insurance.
  • EPA Section 608 certification required to handle refrigerants4.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE6.
  • Tradesman Plumber‑Limited: 4,000 hours + required training + exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours + training + exam.
  • Master Plumber: Hold Journeyman license for at least 4 years + exam.
  • Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) status is needed to operate as a contractor/business.

Welding

  • No state license required. Many employers require AWS certifications for specific processes and codes. Community colleges and trade schools align training with common certs and test procedures.

Cosmetology/Barbering (TDLR)

  • Complete a TDLR‑approved program with required hours, pass the written and practical exams, and maintain continuing education as required5.

Always verify current rules on the official boards before enrolling. Licensing rules can change.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid HVAC: Many HVAC programs deliver theory online with in‑person labs for electrical fundamentals, brazing, and troubleshooting. This can reduce weekly campus time.
  • Evening electrician classes: Apprenticeship classroom hours are often offered at night so you can work full‑time.
  • Welding: Core skills require shop time. However, safety, blueprint reading, and math are often available online or in short modules.
  • Allied health and business certificates: Non‑credit options at TAMIU and Laredo College can be online or evening‑based.
  • Exam prep: Look for EPA 608, OSHA‑10/30, and NCCER modules offered in short, flexible formats.

Browse trade overviews to see which paths fit online or hybrid learning:

  • /trades/hvac
  • /trades/electrician
  • /trades/welding
  • /trades/plumbing
  • All trades: /trades/

Next Steps

  • Compare programs statewide: /trade-school/texas/
  • See our national school hub: /trade-school/
  • Read how to choose a trade, pay for school, and prep for apprenticeships: /guides/
  • Ready to move? Shortlist 2–3 programs, ask about start dates, required tools, pass rates, and employer partners. If your goal is a license, confirm the program aligns with Texas requirements shown above.

Citations
Electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing job outlook and wages1. Accreditation and program data cross‑checked via College Navigator2 and ACCSC3. Texas licensing details via TDLR and TSBPE56. Refrigerant handling rules via EPA Section 6084.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Outlook and wage data. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  4. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Management. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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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.