Best Trade Schools in San Antonio, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in San Antonio. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, training length, and specialties. You will also find Texas licensing steps and links to trade pages so you can move fast. Skilled trades like electrician, HVAC, welding, and plumbing remain in steady demand in Texas1.

Top Trade Schools in San Antonio

School Program Length Highlights
St. Philip’s College (Alamo Colleges) 6–12 months (cert); ~2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited by SACSCOC. Strong shops for HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel, and Electrical trades. Day/evening options and career services2.
Hallmark University – College of Aeronautics ~15–24 months (associate/fast-track) ACCSC accredited. FAA Part 147-approved Airframe & Powerplant training, avionics labs, accelerated schedules for quick entry to aviation maintenance careers3.
Southern Careers Institute (SCI) – San Antonio (North & South) ~7–15 months (diploma/cert) ACCSC accredited. Hands-on programs in HVAC, Electrical Technician, Medical Assistant, and business-focused certificates. Career placement support3.
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) – San Antonio ~10–12 months (diploma) ACCSC accredited. HVAC & Basic Refrigeration, Welding, and allied health programs. Employer-aligned training and externships3.
Concorde Career College – San Antonio ~8–20 months (diploma/associate) ACCSC accredited. Allied health focus: Dental Assistant, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, Respiratory Therapy. Labs and clinicals with local partners3.
Pima Medical Institute – San Antonio ~9–20 months (cert/diploma); ~2 years (AAS) ABHES accredited. Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and more. Blended formats with externships2.
Milan Institute – San Antonio ~6–12 months (diploma) ACCET accredited. Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, and Dental Assistant. Day/night schedules and exam prep support2.
Ogle School – San Antonio ~7–12 months (diploma) NACCAS accredited. Cosmetology and Esthetics. TDLR-approved training with strong state exam pass support2.

Tip: Always confirm current program offerings, schedules, and accreditation in College Navigator or the school catalog before you enroll2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician Electricians build and maintain the power systems that keep San Antonio running. Work spans residential, commercial, and industrial sites, plus solar and EV infrastructure. National growth is steady and Texas metro areas continue to add projects1. Training often starts at a trade school or through an apprenticeship. See the path on our Electrician page.

  • HVAC/R Technician San Antonio’s hot climate keeps HVAC techs busy year-round. Technicians install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Employers value EPA Section 608 and strong troubleshooting skills. Explore steps and certifications on our HVAC page1.

  • Welder Welders support manufacturing, construction, pipelines, and defense suppliers around the I‑35 corridor. Entry-level certifications and solid shop skills lead to fast hiring. Specialized processes like TIG or pipe welding can boost pay. Learn training paths on our Welding page1.

  • Plumber Plumbers install and repair water, drain, and gas systems. Texas licensing is structured and clear, with paid apprenticeships common. The work is steady and essential across residential and commercial markets. Start with the Plumbing page1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Here are the state boards and core steps for popular trades. Always verify details with the board before applying.

  • Electrician (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, TDLR)

    • Register as an Electrical Apprentice with TDLR4.
    • Earn 8,000 hours of documented on-the-job experience under a Master Electrician for Journeyman; pass the state exam.
    • Residential Wireman license requires 4,000 hours and an exam.
    • Master Electrician requires 12,000 hours and holding a Journeyman license for at least two years; pass the exam.
    • Electrical Contractors must meet insurance and business requirements with TDLR.

  • HVAC/Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (TDLR)

    • Get EPA Section 608 Technician Certification to work with refrigerants5.
    • ACR Contractor license: typically 48 months of practical experience in the past 72 months under a licensed contractor (education may substitute for part of this), pass the TDLR exam, hold liability insurance, and register your business4.
    • Individuals assisting a licensed contractor should register with TDLR as ACR Technicians. Training programs often prepare you for Section 608.

  • Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, TSBPE)

    • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE6.
    • Tradesman-Limited: 4,000 hours of supervised experience and pass the exam.
    • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours of supervised experience and pass the exam.
    • Master Plumber: meet experience requirements as a Journeyman and pass the exam.
    • To run a plumbing business, obtain Responsible Master Plumber status and required insurance.

  • Welding (No state license)

    • Texas does not license welders. Employers often require AWS certifications (such as D1.1 Structural Steel or pipe codes). Many jobs also require OSHA safety cards or NCCER credentials depending on the site.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training works well for many trades. Schools deliver theory (safety, codes, electricity fundamentals, HVAC troubleshooting, medical terminology) online. You complete labs, shops, and clinicals on campus or at employer sites.
  • Accelerated or evening schedules are common in San Antonio. Programs at SCI, STVT, Concorde, and Pima offer multiple start dates and externships. Alamo Colleges also provides online general education that can apply to AAS degrees2.
  • For working adults, ask about:
    • Night/weekend labs and clock-hour flexibility
    • Credit for prior learning or documented work hours
    • Embedded certifications (EPA 608, OSHA 10, NCCER) and state exam prep
    • Apprenticeship pathways that combine paid work with classroom training

Next Steps

Footnotes

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R Technicians, Plumbers, Welders), job outlook and employment data. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. School profiles, programs, and accreditation. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

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

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  6. 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.