Best Trade Schools in Round Rock, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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 Round Rock. This page lists accredited options, nearby apprenticeships, and the steps to get licensed in Texas. You’ll also see which skilled trades are hiring in the Austin–Round Rock area and where to get hands-on training. Data and links come from trusted sources so you can move forward with confidence123.

Top Trade Schools in Round Rock

Below are accredited schools and DOL-registered apprenticeship programs serving Round Rock and Williamson County. Program lengths are typical ranges and vary by credential.

School Program Length Highlights
Austin Community College (ACC) – Round Rock Campus 1–2 years SACSCOC-accredited public college; health sciences and workforce labs; options across HVAC, welding, automotive, medical imaging, and more through ACC campuses; flexible schedules; strong employer ties2
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – East Williamson County (Hutto) 1–2 years SACSCOC-accredited; hands-on labs for HVAC, welding, electrical lineworker, precision machining, industrial systems; job-focused training near Round Rock2
Lincoln College of Technology – Austin 9–18 months ACCSC-accredited; automotive and diesel technology; industry-standard labs; day/evening schedules; employer network in Central Texas3
Central Texas College – Killeen 1–2 years SACSCOC-accredited community college; welding, HVAC, automotive, diesel, electrical trades; GI Bill-friendly; hybrid options for some courses2
Temple College – Temple 1–2 years SACSCOC-accredited; machining, welding, industrial maintenance, healthcare; small class sizes; regional partnerships2
IEC Austin (Independent Electrical Contractors) Apprenticeship 4 years U.S. DOL-registered electrical apprenticeship; earn while you learn; prepares for Texas Journeyman Electrician licensing; evening classes for working apprentices1
UA Local 286 Training Center (Austin) 4–5 years U.S. DOL-registered apprenticeship in plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC-R service; paid on-the-job training; prepares for TSBPE plumbing licenses1
Paul Mitchell The School – Austin 9–12 months NACCAS-accredited cosmetology program; prepares for Texas cosmetology operator licensing; day and evening schedules2

Tip: Many ACC workforce programs deliver labs at specific campuses across the district. Confirm which campus hosts your trade before enrolling2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Austin–Round Rock is growing fast, and construction stays busy. Electricians have steady demand in residential, commercial, and solar projects. The BLS projects growth for electricians nationally, with strong replacement needs as experienced workers retire1. IEC Austin and ACC provide direct training paths locally.

  • HVAC/R Technician Texas heat keeps HVAC employers hiring. Technicians who hold EPA 608 and a state A/C license can work in install, service, and controls. The BLS notes steady growth for HVAC mechanics and installers, with year-round service work in warm climates1. TSTC Hutto and ACC offer hands-on HVAC labs.

  • Welder Manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure projects in Central Texas require skilled welders. AWS certifications help you stand out. Community colleges like Temple and Central Texas College offer structural and pipe welding with practical test prep2.

  • Plumber New builds and service calls keep plumbing busy in the metro. Apprentices who log hours and pass TSBPE exams can move up to Journeyman and beyond. UA Local 286 combines paid training with classroom instruction geared to Texas licensing standards1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – TDLR)

  • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR and work under a licensed electrician.
  • Log required hours:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours
  • Apply and pass the state exam (PSI). Maintain continuing education for renewal1.
  • Learn more: see our trade hub and state links below and your local apprenticeship provider.

HVAC (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)

  • Get hands-on experience as a registered A/C Technician or complete an approved training program.
  • Typical pathway: 48 months of practical experience under a licensed contractor, or equivalent education plus experience.
  • Pass the Texas A/C contractor exam for Class A or B license; carry required insurance.
  • EPA 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants1.
  • Explore HVAC licensing steps in our guide: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners – TSBPE)

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice to start logging hours.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours + exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours + exam.
  • Master Plumber: additional experience after Journeyman + exam.
  • Separate endorsements exist for medical gas and other specialties.

Welding

  • Texas does not license welders at the state level.
  • Employers often require AWS certifications (e.g., D1.1 structural). Schools and union programs can help you test to code requirements.
  • NCCER credentials are valued on many industrial sites.

Cosmetology/Barbering (TDLR)

  • Cosmetology Operator: complete an approved program (1,000 hours) and pass written and practical exams.
  • Barbering licenses have similar school and exam requirements.

Always verify current requirements with TDLR and TSBPE before applying. Rules can change.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid coursework: Many trade programs deliver theory online with scheduled campus labs for hands-on skills. ACC and TSTC commonly use this model for general education and some technical theory2.
  • Evening/weekend training: IEC Austin and UA Local 286 run apprenticeship classes outside standard work hours so you can earn while you learn.
  • Short industry certifications: OSHA 10/30, CPR/First Aid, and EPA 608 often have online prep with in-person testing. These stack well with a certificate or apprenticeship.
  • Credit for experience: Community colleges may award prior learning credit. Ask about CLEP, industry cert crosswalks (NCCER), and military training evaluations.

How to Choose a Program

  • Verify accreditation. Look for regional accreditation (SACSCOC for public colleges) or recognized national accreditation (e.g., ACCSC for Lincoln Tech)23.
  • Confirm program location. In multi-campus systems like ACC, specific trades run at specific campuses.
  • Check licensure alignment. Your program should map clearly to Texas hour requirements and exams for your trade.
  • Tour labs. Quality labs, modern tools, and small lab ratios matter in skilled trades.
  • Ask about placements. Good programs share employer partners, apprenticeship pipelines, and recent placement data.

Next Steps

  • Compare schools and programs statewide: Texas Trade Schools Hub
  • Browse all trades and pick your path: Skilled Trades Hub
  • Learn how to pay for school and plan your timeline: Guides
  • Start locally with the options above, then confirm campus, schedule, and licensure alignment for your chosen trade.

If you’re ready to move, contact two schools and one apprenticeship today. Visit a lab, ask about certifications, and map your path to a license.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians; Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers; Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters). Also see BLS Occupational Employment data for the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown metro. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator: Austin Community College District; Texas State Technical College; Central Texas College; Temple College; Paul Mitchell the School Austin. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institutions Directory – Lincoln College of Technology (Austin). State licensing authorities: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). EPA Section 608 program information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.