Best Trade Schools in Tyler, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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 Tyler. This guide shows accredited options, program lengths, and what each school does well. You also get Texas licensing steps and links to help you plan your training. Skilled trades in Texas have steady demand and solid pay potential¹.

Top Trade Schools in Tyler

These schools are accredited and offer hands-on training near Tyler. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each college for exact timelines and start dates².

School	Program Length	Highlights
Tyler Junior College (Tyler)	Certificates: ~8–12 months; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Strong HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Automotive Technology (ASE-aligned labs), Industrial Maintenance, health sciences. Flexible start dates and evening options.
Kilgore College (Kilgore)	Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Process Technology, Instrumentation and Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Automotive. Good placement ties with East Texas plants.
Texas State Technical College – Marshall (Marshall)	Certificates: ~9–16 months; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Welding Technology (NCCER skill standards), HVAC Technology with EPA 608 prep, Diesel Equipment, Industrial Systems. Career services focused on technician roles.
Panola College (Carthage)	Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Electrical and Instrumentation, Welding, HVAC/R, Petroleum Technology. Small class sizes and lab-centered learning.
Trinity Valley Community College (Athens/Terrell)	Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. HVAC, Welding, Automotive Technology, CDL training. Multiple campuses for flexible scheduling.
Angelina College (Lufkin)	Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Welding, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Machining, Automotive. Industry certifications available through program pathways.
Northeast Texas Community College (Mount Pleasant)	Certificates: ~1 year; AAS: ~2 years	SACSCOC-accredited. Welding, HVAC, Industrial Technology, Automotive. Employer partnerships across Northeast Texas.

Notes:

SACSCOC is the regional accreditor for public two-year colleges in Texas².
Many programs embed industry credentials such as NCCER, ASE, or EPA 608 where relevant³.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

Electricians wire and service homes, schools, and plants across East Texas. Many jobs are tied to construction and maintenance. Apprenticeships help you earn while you learn. Texas employment for electricians is projected to stay strong through the decade¹. See how to get started here: Electrician careers.

HVAC/R Technician

HVAC techs install and service heating and cooling systems for homes and commercial sites. Work is steady in hot Texas summers. Most entry roles require a certificate and EPA 608. Many techs move into contracting after experience¹. Learn the steps: HVAC training and licensing.

Welder

Welders work in fabrication, pipelines, manufacturing, and repair. Employers value hands-on skill, clean welds, and safety. NCCER credentials help document your skills for hiring³. Compare training paths: Welding programs.

Plumber

Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and drain systems. Texas requires state licensing with documented hours and exams. Many start as apprentices with a local contractor and move up to journeyman and then master plumber¹. See career details: Plumbing training.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician licensing (TDLR)

Register as an Electrical Apprentice with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). No exam at this stage⁴.
Log supervised hours. Journeyman Electrician requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed master electrician⁴.
Apply and pass the Journeyman exam. Upgrade to Master after additional experience and an exam⁴.
Many students complete a certificate or AAS to speed job readiness while they gain hours.

HVAC/Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (TDLR)

Register as an ACR Technician to work under a licensed contractor. No exam for technician registration⁵.
To run your own business or pull permits, test for the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License. You typically need 48 months of practical experience or an approved degree plus experience, and you must pass the exam⁵.
EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants³.

Plumbing (TSBPE)

Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)⁶.
Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours plus required training and an exam⁶.
Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours as an apprentice, required classroom hours, and an exam⁶.
Master Plumber: Additional experience and a master exam⁶.

Welding

Texas does not issue a state welder license. Employers and projects set requirements.
Common credentials include NCCER Welding levels or employer tests to the job spec. Your college lab work will prepare you to test to those standards³.

Helpful tips

Keep records of all work hours signed by your supervising license holder.
Ask your program advisor which state forms and exams match your track.
Many colleges host on-site exam prep or proctor credential tests.

Online & Flexible Options

Hybrid classes: Many programs deliver theory online with labs on campus. This can cut your weekly commute while keeping hands-on time in the shop.
Evening and weekend cohorts: TJC, Kilgore, and other area colleges often run evening labs for working adults. Check current schedules.
Short-term certificates: Entry certificates in HVAC, welding, and electrical basics can be finished in under a year. You can stack into an AAS later.
Credit for experience: Some schools award prior learning credit for military or industry experience after skills assessments.
Exam prep online: EPA 608, OSHA 10/30, and parts of state exam prep can be completed through online modules, then tested in person³.

Next Steps

Compare all Texas trade schools: Texas trade school hub
Explore trades and pick your path: Skilled trades hub
Read how-to guides and checklists: Career guides
Dive deeper into specific careers:
Visit campuses. Talk to admissions about start dates, schedules, and required tools. Ask about embedded certifications and local employer partners.

Tyler and the East Texas region offer strong community college options with trusted accreditation and employer ties. Pick a program that matches your timeline, get your state registrations in place, and start building hours toward your license. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can earn and move up the ladder¹².

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook and Employment Projections, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator program listings for Texas public two-year colleges, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩
NCCER and U.S. EPA, Industry Credentials and Section 608 Technician Certification, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Electrician Licensing and Requirements, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Licensing, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), License Types and Requirements, accessed 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.