Best Trade Schools in Temple, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Temple. This page lists accredited options nearby, the trades in demand, and the licensing steps in Texas. Use it to pick a program and plan your path. Demand for skilled workers in Texas remains strong across construction, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing1.

Top Trade Schools in Temple

All schools below are accredited institutions or registered apprenticeship programs that appear in trusted federal or state resources2.

School Program Length Highlights
Temple College (Temple) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS 2 years Strong allied health pathways. EMT/Paramedic, Medical Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Surgical Technology. Flexible schedules and local clinicals2.
Central Texas College (Killeen) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS 2 years HVAC, Welding, Automotive, Diesel Technology, and CDL training. Evening and hybrid options. GI Bill friendly2.
Texas State Technical College – Waco Certificates 9–16 months; AAS 2 years HVAC Technology, Welding Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, Industrial Systems, Diesel Equipment Technology. Skills labs and employer ties2.
McLennan Community College (Waco) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS 2 years Air Conditioning Technology, Welding, Automotive Technology, Biomedical Equipment. Small class sizes and hands-on labs2.
Heart of Texas Electrical JATC (Waco) Apprenticeship 4–5 years IBEW–NECA inside wireman apprenticeship. Paid on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction. Leads to Journeyman exam eligibility in Texas3.
UA Local 529 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC (Waco) Apprenticeship 4–5 years Plumbing, pipefitting, and HVAC service apprenticeship. Paid OJT, classroom instruction, and industry credentials. Prepares for TSBPE licensing steps4.

Tip: Visit each program page and confirm start dates, admission steps, and clinical or lab requirements. Use College Navigator to verify accreditation and program lists before you apply2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians keep growth steady in Texas. Work includes installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting in homes, commercial buildings, and industry15. Apprentices earn while they learn and progress to licensure through TDLR.

HVAC

  • Central Texas has a hot climate, so HVAC work stays busy year-round. Training focuses on refrigeration cycles, controls, and code. EPA 608 certification is essential to handle refrigerants16.

Welding

  • Welders support construction, manufacturing, and repair shops across Bell and McLennan counties. Programs cover SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, blueprint reading, and safety. Many employers prefer AWS or NCCER credentials even though Texas does not license welders17.

Plumbing

  • Licensed plumbers are in steady demand for new construction and service calls. Apprentices learn pipefitting, codes, fixtures, and backflow. Licensure in Texas runs through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners14.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electricians (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation – TDLR)3

  • Register as an Apprentice Electrician with TDLR.
  • Log supervised hours:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours.
  • Apply and pass the state exam for Residential Wireman or Journeyman.
  • Advance to Master Electrician after required journeyman experience and exam.
  • Renewal requires continuing education each cycle.
  • Learn more and compare roles at our electrician hub: Explore Electrician careers.

HVAC – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (TDLR)3

  • Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor.
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants6.
  • To operate your own business, qualify for the ACR Contractor License:
    • Meet experience requirements or approved education plus experience.
    • Choose Class A or Class B and endorsements.
    • Pass the state exam.
  • Keep your registration or license active with required CE.
  • Start here: Explore HVAC licensing in Texas.

Plumbing (Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners – TSBPE)4

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice.
  • Complete hours and training:
    • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours under a licensed plumber and an approved course.
    • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours and exam.
    • Master Plumber: journeyman experience and exam.
  • Backflow tester and medical gas endorsements are available.
  • See career steps: Path to become a Plumber.

Welding (No state license)

  • Texas does not license welders. Employers often require or prefer industry credentials:
    • AWS Certified Welder performance tests.
    • NCCER Welding certifications mapped to national standards7.
  • Choose a program with hands-on booth time and structural or pipe modules. Learn more: Welding training paths.

Other notes for Temple

  • Some contractor activities may require City of Temple permits or registrations. Always confirm local requirements before you bid work.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training: Temple-area colleges often blend online theory with on-campus labs. You may complete code, safety, and math online, then do labs for welding beads, HVAC charging, or electrical conduit bending in person.
  • Evening and weekend: Central Texas College, TSTC Waco, and MCC frequently schedule night sections for working adults2.
  • Short certificates that stack: Many programs offer Level 1 or Level 2 certificates that stack into an AAS degree. This lets you gain entry-level skills fast and return later to finish advanced coursework.
  • Certifications: Prep for EPA 608 online, then take the proctored exam locally6. Many schools align to NCCER modules for portable credentials7.
  • Apprenticeship classroom: JATCs use scheduled evening classes plus paid daytime jobsite hours, which is ideal if you need income while you train.

Next Steps

If you already know your trade, jump into a licensing guide:

Choose one or two schools, schedule a campus visit, and ask about start dates, externships, and job placement. Then line up your state registration and certification plans so you can work as soon as you graduate.

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

  2. U.S. Department of Education. College Navigator. Institutional profiles for Temple College, Central Texas College, Texas State Technical College, and McLennan Community College. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR). Electricians and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration licensing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Licenses and examinations. https://tsbpe.texas.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. O*NET OnLine. Occupation details and task lists for skilled trades. https://www.onetonline.org/ ↩

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

  7. NCCER. National construction education credentials and assessments. 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.