Best Trade Schools in Lufkin, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Lufkin. This guide compares accredited programs near you, shows Texas licensing steps, and highlights trades with strong job demand. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers earn solid pay in Texas, and steady construction and industrial growth keep hiring strong1.

Top Trade Schools in Lufkin

All schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training. Program lengths are typical ranges. Confirm start dates and schedules with each school. Accreditation verified through College Navigator and ACCSC23.

School Program Length Highlights
Angelina College (Lufkin) Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Strong local option with Welding, HVAC-R, Electrical Technology, Automotive, Industrial Maintenance, Machining, CDL, and Health Sciences (LVN/ADN). Day and evening labs; local employer partnerships2.
Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. High-demand programs: Process Technology, Instrumentation, Non-Destructive Testing, Welding, HVAC-R, Diesel, and Industrial Systems. Known for petrochemical and energy pathways2.
Tyler Junior College (Tyler) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC-R, Electrical Technology, Welding, Precision Machining, Automotive, and Construction. Robust labs and multiple start dates2.
Kilgore College (Kilgore) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, and a respected Electrical Lineworker program. Strong East Texas industry ties2.
Panola College (Carthage) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding, HVAC, Electrical & Instrumentation, Petroleum Technology, and Allied Health. Small class sizes and fast-track certificates2.
Texas State Technical College – Marshall Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. Welding Technology, HVAC Technology, Industrial Systems, Precision Machining, Diesel Equipment. Employer-aligned training across East Texas2.
Lone Star College – Montgomery (The Woodlands/Conroe) Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC accredited. HVAC-R, Welding, Mechatronics/Automation, Automotive, and Cybersecurity. Multiple campuses and evening sections2.
Tulsa Welding School – Houston Certificate: ~7–10 months ACCSC accredited. Intensive welding focus: SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and pipe welding. Day or evening shifts and strong placement support for Gulf Coast jobs3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Texas builders and manufacturers need electricians for new construction, plant maintenance, and grid work. Texas median pay is around the mid-0Ks, with higher pay for industrial and overtime work1. Start as an apprentice, then sit for the Journeyman exam after enough hours.

  • HVAC Technician

    • East Texas heat and humidity keep HVAC busy year-round. Techs with EPA 608 and solid troubleshooting skills find steady work with contractors and facility teams. Texas median pay is around the low 0Ks1. Many local programs offer fast certificates and AAS options.

  • Welder

    • Fabrication, pipeline, shipyard, and plant turnarounds across the Gulf Coast create consistent welding demand. Entry roles start with plate welding. Pipe and TIG skills can boost pay. Texas median pay is in the mid-0Ks, with higher earnings for travelers and certified pipe welders1.

  • Plumber

    • Ongoing residential construction and infrastructure upgrades mean plumbers stay busy in Texas. Apprentices gain paid experience, then test for Tradesman or Journeyman licenses. Texas median pay is in the mid-to-high 0Ks1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)

  • Register as an Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and work under a licensed Master Electrician4.
  • Journeyman Electrician: complete 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job experience and pass the TDLR exam4.
  • Master Electrician: document 12,000 hours and pass the exam; additional experience requirements apply4.
  • Electrical Contractor: must employ a Master Electrician and meet insurance requirements4.

HVAC – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (TDLR)

  • Work as a Registered ACR Technician under a licensed contractor to gain experience4.
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants (required by federal law)5.
  • ACR Contractor License: typically 48 months of practical experience or equivalent education, pass the TDLR exam, and show insurance4.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) and train under a licensed plumber6.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: about 4,000 hours of experience and exam6.
  • Journeyman Plumber: about 8,000 hours, required training, and exam6.
  • Master Plumber: hold a Journeyman license for the required period, meet experience criteria, and pass the exam6.
  • Plumbing Contractor: additional registration if you own or operate a business6.

Welding (No state license)

  • Texas does not license welders at the state level. Employers and jobsites often require industry credentials:
    • AWS Certified Welder performance tests (structural, pipe)7.
    • NCCER Welding credentials and performance verifications8.
    • For specific code work, ASME Section IX or API certifications may be required by employers.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training: Local colleges like Angelina College, TJC, and others often deliver theory online with hands-on labs on campus. This helps if you work full-time.
  • Nights and weekends: Many welding, HVAC, and electrician courses offer evening labs so you can learn after work.
  • Short-term certificates: Entry credentials in Welding, HVAC helper, Electrical helper, and OSHA safety can be finished in a few months and lead to entry-level jobs. You can stack these into an AAS later.
  • Test prep: Look for EPA 608, TDLR electrician exam prep, and NCCER/AWS practice built into programs or offered as continuing education.

Next Steps

Footnotes

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections 2022–2032 for Electricians (47-2111), HVAC/R Technicians (49-9021), Plumbers (47-2152), and Welders (51-4121). Includes Texas wage data, accessed 2025. https://www.bls.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. Institutional profiles and accreditation for Angelina College, Tyler Junior College, Kilgore College, Panola College, Lamar Institute of Technology, Texas State Technical College, Lone Star College. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), School Directory. Verified accreditation for Tulsa Welding School – Houston. https://www.accsc.org ↩ ↩

  4. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Electrician and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration licensing requirements, applications, and exams. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification for HVAC refrigerants. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Apprentice registration and licensing steps for Tradesman, Journeyman, and Master Plumber. https://tsbpe.texas.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. American Welding Society (AWS), Certified Welder Program and code test information. https://www.aws.org ↩

  8. NCCER, Welding curriculum and performance verification credentials. 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.