Best Trade Schools in Pearland, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Pearland. This guide compares accredited options close to home, the trades that hire, and the steps to get licensed in Texas. Use it to pick a program and plan your path. Electricians, HVAC techs, welders, and plumbers all show steady demand in the Houston metro1.

Top Trade Schools in Pearland

Below are accredited schools in or near Pearland with strong hands-on programs. Program lengths are typical; check the college for exact start dates and schedules23.

School Program Length Highlights
Alvin Community College (Alvin) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: 2 years SACSCOC-accredited. Welding, HVACR, Process Technology, Machining, Industrial technology. Small classes and strong industry ties.
San Jacinto College – South & Central (Houston/Pasadena) Certificates: 1 year; AAS: 2 years SACSCOC-accredited. Electrical Technology, Welding, HVACR, Pipefitting, Process/Instrumentation. Multiple campuses near Pearland with modern labs.
Houston Community College – Southwest/Stafford Certificates: 9–12 months; AAS: 2 years SACSCOC-accredited. HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Plumbing, Automotive. Day, evening, hybrid options across Houston.
Texas State Technical College – Fort Bend (Rosenberg) 1–2 years (certificates and AAS) SACSCOC-accredited. Welding Technology, HVAC Technology, Electrical/Controls-focused programs. Employer-aligned curriculum and career services.
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center – Houston 7–9 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited. Welding Specialist and Electro-Mechanical Technologies (HVAC/electrical). Intensive skills training with NCCER-aligned curriculum.
Remington College – Houston Southeast (Webster) 9–12 months (diplomas) ACCSC-accredited. HVAC and Facility Maintenance programs with EPA 608 prep. Short-term, career-focused schedules.
Pima Medical Institute – Houston 9–24 months (certificates/associate) ABHES-accredited. Allied health programs such as Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Sterile Processing. Strong clinical partnerships.

Notes:

  • Community colleges listed above are institutionally accredited by SACSCOC and report outcomes via the U.S. Department of Education2.
  • Private career schools list programmatic and institutional accreditation via ACCSC or ABHES3.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes, hospitals, and plants in the Houston area running. You can start as a registered apprentice and build toward a Journeyman or Master license with TDLR4. National job outlook is steady, and pay rises with experience and licensing1. See our electrician career guide for roles and pathways: Electrician.

  • HVAC Technician

    • Summers in Pearland are hot and humid. That means reliable work for HVAC installers and service techs. You’ll need EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants and, in Texas, experience to qualify as a licensed contractor54. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Welder

    • Houston’s energy, shipyard, and construction employers hire welders for structural and pipe work. Texas does not require a state welding license, but employers value AWS or NCCER credentials and verified skill tests. Good programs emphasize SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW on plate and pipe6. Explore the trade: Welding.

  • Plumber

    • Licensed plumbers work on new builds, service calls, and industrial sites across Greater Houston. Start as a registered Apprentice, earn hours, then test for Tradesman-Limited or Journeyman. Master Plumbers can supervise and run businesses7. Career path details: Plumbing.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)4

  • Register as an Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
  • Accumulate supervised experience:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours + exam.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours + exam.
    • Master Electrician: hold Journeyman for 2 years and document total experience + exam.
  • Pass the relevant state exam(s).
  • Renew with continuing education each year.

HVAC – Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (TDLR + EPA)45

  • Get EPA Section 608 certification to work with refrigerants (required nationally).
  • Register as an ACR Technician if working under a licensed contractor.
  • To become a Contractor (Class A or B; Environmental A/B):
    • Show 48 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor in the past 72 months, or
    • Use acceptable education/experience equivalents per TDLR.
  • Pass the state contractor exam and maintain insurance.
  • Complete continuing education for renewal.

Plumber (TSBPE)7

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
  • Earn experience under a licensed plumber:
    • Tradesman-Limited: 4,000 hours + approved training + exam.
    • Journeyman: 8,000 hours + exam.
    • Master Plumber: meet experience requirements + exam.
  • Optional Responsible Master Plumber endorsement to operate a company.
  • Complete continuing professional education annually.

Welder (No state license)

  • Texas does not issue a welding license. Employers may require:
    • AWS (e.g., D1.1 Structural Steel) or ASME performance qualifications.
    • NCCER Welding certifications for site or industrial work6.
  • Pipeline or pressure work may require additional procedure tests by the employer.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid learning: Community colleges like HCC, San Jacinto, and Alvin often blend online theory with on-campus labs for welding, HVAC, and electrical. This helps working adults keep a job while training2.
  • Evening and weekend schedules: Many programs offer night labs and accelerated blocks so you can finish faster without quitting your day job.
  • Short programs with fast starts: Private career schools such as Tulsa Welding School and Remington College run frequent start dates and focused skill blocks that get you job-ready in months3.
  • Exam prep built in: Look for courses that include NCCER modules, OSHA-10/30, and EPA 608 test prep to strengthen your resume56.

Next Steps

If you’re ready now, contact two or three programs above. Ask about start dates, hands-on lab hours, evening options, and what certifications or licenses their grads typically earn. Then apply and schedule your placement tests or orientation.

Footnotes

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians; HVAC Mechanics and Installers; Welders; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institutional data and programs). https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) – Electrician and A/C & Refrigeration licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  6. NCCER – Industry-recognized construction credentials. https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) – Licensing and exams. 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.