Best Trade Schools in Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. This guide lists accredited options, the trades in demand, and the steps to get licensed in Texas. Use it to compare hands-on programs and pick a path with strong job prospects in 2025¹².

Top Trade Schools in Lubbock

Below are reputable, accredited schools and apprenticeship programs that serve Lubbock. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school for current schedules.

School	Program Length	Highlights
South Plains College – Lubbock Center	Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years	Public college (SACSCOC). Workforce programs in HVAC-R, Welding Technology, Automotive Service, Diesel Service, and Precision Machining. Strong lab facilities and employer partnerships².
Covenant School of Nursing (Lubbock)	~16 months (4 terms)	Hospital-based RN diploma with intensive clinicals. Approved by Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN. Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN².
Covenant School of Radiography (Lubbock)	~22–24 months	JRCERT-accredited radiography program with clinical rotations at Covenant Medical Center. Prepares for ARRT certification exam³.
Milan Institute of Cosmetology – Lubbock	9–12 months (program-dependent)	NACCAS-accredited beauty school. Programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Manicuring. Day and evening schedule options; state board exam prep².
Vogue College of Cosmetology – Lubbock	9–12 months (program-dependent)	NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology operator and instructor training with client clinic experience and state licensing prep².
Lubbock Hair Academy	~9–12 months	NACCAS-accredited. Cosmetology operator and instructor programs with hands-on salon practice and TDLR exam preparation².
IEC West Texas – Electrical Apprenticeship (Lubbock)	4 years	U.S. DOL–registered apprenticeship combining paid on-the-job training with weekly classroom instruction. Meets Texas requirements for licensing exams when paired with hours under a licensed contractor⁴.

Tip: Visit each school, tour the labs, and ask about recent placement rates, certifications earned, and employer partners. Use College Navigator to verify accreditation and program outcomes².

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Lubbock’s growth and steady industrial and commercial projects keep electricians busy. Apprentices earn while they learn and can move into foreman or contractor roles over time. Texas maintains strong employment for electricians with consistent openings each year¹. Explore the path: Electrician careers.

HVAC

HVAC technicians handle installation, service, and refrigeration work in homes, hospitals, and campus facilities. Summer heat and year-round service contracts drive steady demand in West Texas¹. Technicians working with refrigerants need EPA 608 certification. Learn more: HVAC careers.

Welding

Welders support manufacturing, construction, agriculture equipment, and energy projects around the South Plains. Structural and pipe welding skills transfer across industries. Certifications from AWS or NCCER can boost job options¹. See the path: Welding careers.

Plumbing

Plumbers and pipefitters are needed for new builds, renovations, and service work in residential and commercial properties. Apprenticeships lead to Journeyman and Master licensing, with strong overtime potential¹. Get started: Plumbing careers.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation)

Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR and work under a licensed contractor⁴.
Accrue required hours: typically 8,000 hours for Journeyman Electrician; 4,000 for Residential Wireman.
Pass the state exam for your license class.
For Electrical Contractor status, hold a Master Electrician license or employ one, meet insurance requirements, and register the business with TDLR⁴.

HVAC (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)

Work under a licensed ACR Contractor while gaining experience. Many technicians register with TDLR as ACR Technicians⁴.
Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants (required)⁵.
Qualify for the ACR Contractor license by meeting experience requirements (usually 48 months practical experience or equivalent) and passing the state exam⁴.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners)

Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE and train under a licensed plumber⁶.
Complete hours: 4,000 for Tradesman-Limited; 8,000 for Journeyman.
Pass the applicable exam and meet classroom training requirements.
To operate independently, advance to Master Plumber and obtain Responsible Master Plumber status for business operations⁶.

Welding

No state license is required for general welding in Texas.
Employers often require performance qualifications to specific codes (for example, AWS D1.1) or NCCER credentials. Keep position and process certificates current for job mobility⁷.

Cosmetology and Barbering (TDLR)

Complete a state-approved program, pass the written and practical exams, and apply for licensure through TDLR. Schools in Lubbock prepare students for the Texas operator exams⁴.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid learning: Many Lubbock programs blend online theory with lab and shop time on campus. South Plains College commonly offers lecture content online while keeping hands-on training in person².
Evening and weekend schedules: Cosmetology schools and electrical apprenticeships often run evening classes so you can work during the day.
Exam prep online: OSHA-10/30, EPA 608, and journeyman-level code refreshers are widely available in online formats. Always confirm that the credential or proctoring meets Texas requirements before enrolling⁴⁵.
Apprenticeships: The IEC model pairs paid on-the-job training with weekly class sessions, a good route if you want to earn while you learn.

Next Steps

Compare more schools statewide: Visit the Texas hub: Trade Schools in Texas.
Explore trades and pick a path: Visit the Trades Hub.
Learn how licensing works and what to expect on exams:
- Electrician
- HVAC
- Welding
- Plumbing
New to career training? Start with our Guides for financial aid, apprenticeships, and certification prep.
Ready to visit campuses? Use our main directory: Trade School Finder.

Sources
Electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and welders all show stable employment and strong replacement needs across Texas, with solid middle-income earnings potential and overtime opportunities¹.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and May 2023 State Employment/Wage data for Texas trades. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (programs, accreditation, outcomes). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) – Radiography program accreditation. ↩
Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) – Electrician, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, and Cosmetology licensing. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification for refrigerants. ↩ ↩
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) – Plumbing apprentice, Tradesman, Journeyman, and Master licensing. ↩ ↩
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – national accreditation information for career schools. ↩

Explore Related Topics:

Notice an update we should make?
We strive for accuracy. Contact us here if you see incorrect or outdated info on this page.

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.