Best Trade Schools in Wichita Falls, Texas (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Wichita Falls. This guide compares accredited programs, shows which trades are hiring, and explains Texas licensing. Use it to choose a fast, affordable path into a skilled job with steady demand and solid pay12.

Top Trade Schools in Wichita Falls

These schools are accredited, offer hands-on labs, and prepare you for entry-level jobs and state exams. Program availability can vary by campus and term. Verify details with the school before applying2.

School Program Length Highlights
Vernon College – Century City Center (Wichita Falls) 4–12 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Allied health and service programs including Vocational Nursing (LVN), Surgical Technology, Pharmacy Technician, EMT, and Cosmetology. Modern labs, clinical partnerships, student support. Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.
Vernon College – Skills Training Center (Wichita Falls) 8–12 months (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Skilled trades focus: Welding, HVAC/R, Automotive Technology, Industrial Maintenance. Small cohorts, employer connections, day/evening sections. Prepares for EPA 608, ASE, and welding certs. Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)23.
North Central Texas College (NCTC) – Bowie 1 year (Level I/II certificates); 2 years (AAS) Regional option close to Wichita Falls. Hands-on Welding Technology and workforce training. Smaller campus experience with access to NCTC resources. Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.
North Central Texas College (NCTC) – Gainesville 1 year (certificates); 2 years (AAS) HVAC/R, Welding, Precision Machining, and Industrial trades. Strong labs and industry-aligned curriculum with exam prep (e.g., EPA 608). Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)23.
Texas State Technical College (TSTC) – Breckenridge 1 year (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Welding Technology and Allied Health options. Statewide employer network and job placement services. Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.
Weatherford College – Wise County (Bridgeport) 1 year (certificates); 2 years (AAS) Welding, HVAC, Machining, and Electrical Technology in modern labs. Flexible scheduling and workforce partnerships. Institutionally accredited (SACSCOC)2.

Why these schools

  • They are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and qualify for federal aid if you’re eligible2.
  • Programs align with industry certifications like EPA 608 for HVAC and common welding procedures employers value34.
  • Graduates enter fields with steady demand in Texas, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and welders1.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Electricians build, install, and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and industry. Work is steady in growing regions of Texas, and experienced electricians can move into estimating, industrial controls, or contracting15.
  • Training paths include electrical technology coursework and registered apprenticeships. Median pay is strong, and overtime is common on construction projects1.

HVAC/R Technician

  • HVAC technicians install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Employers look for grads who can troubleshoot, read schematics, and handle refrigerants safely15.
  • EPA Section 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants. Many entry-level roles start with maintenance and move up to diagnostics and commissioning3.

Welder

  • Welders join and repair metal components for construction, manufacturing, energy, and repair shops. GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, and FCAW are common processes taught in school labs54.
  • Earning process-specific performance qualifications improves job options. Structural steel, pipe, and fabrication roles are common starting points1.

Plumber

  • Plumbers install water, gas, and drainage systems. Texas licensure is tiered, so you can advance with hours and exams while you work65.
  • Gas fitting and backflow credentials can increase your value to employers, especially on commercial jobs1.

These trades offer solid wages and career growth. National medians for electricians and plumbers were around the low 0Ks in 2023, with HVAC in the high 0Ks and welding near the high 0Ks, with higher earnings possible through overtime, certifications, and specialization1.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Electrician (TDLR)7

  • Register as an Apprentice with TDLR.
  • Accrue supervised experience:
    • Residential Wireman: 4,000 hours.
    • Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours.
    • Master Electrician: additional experience after journeyman.
  • Apply, pass the state exam for your license level, and maintain continuing education.

HVAC/R (A/C & Refrigeration) (TDLR)7

  • Register as an A/C and Refrigeration Technician with TDLR to work under a licensed contractor.
  • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants3.
  • To run your own business, qualify for a Contractor License (Class A or B) through experience or approved education plus the state exam.

Plumbing (TSBPE)6

  • Register as a Plumber’s Apprentice with TSBPE.
  • Tradesman Plumber-Limited: 4,000 hours + exam.
  • Journeyman Plumber: 8,000 hours + exam.
  • Master Plumber: meet additional experience and pass the master exam.
  • Backflow, medical gas, and other endorsements are available.

Welding

  • No state license. Employers often require performance qualifications tied to specific codes (e.g., structural steel or pipe). Many programs prepare you for industry-recognized credentials through AWS or NCCER4.

Cosmetology/Barbering (TDLR) – if you choose these programs at Vernon College7

  • Complete a state-approved program (typically 1,000 training hours for operator-level licenses).
  • Pass written and practical exams.
  • Renew with required continuing education.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid programs: Many schools in this region blend online theory with on-campus labs for HVAC, welding safety, blueprint reading, and electrical codes. This helps working adults balance schedules.
  • Short-term certificates: Stack Level I and Level II certificates toward an AAS degree as you work.
  • Exam prep: Look for built-in prep for EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, basic first aid/CPR, and entry-level electrical code coursework. These add value to your resume34.
  • Credit for experience: Some colleges evaluate prior learning or industry certifications to shorten your time to completion2.

If you need broader or fully online options, review the statewide listings on our Texas hub and compare delivery formats.

Next Steps

Start by visiting 2–3 school websites, confirming start dates and prerequisites, and asking about employer connections. Then apply early to lock in your seat for the next cohort.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Employment/Wages, 2023. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (institutional accreditation and program data). ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), industry-recognized training and credentials. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. O*NET OnLine, occupation tasks, knowledge, and skills for skilled trades. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  6. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), plumbing licenses and exams. ↩ ↩

  7. Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), Electrician and A/C & Refrigeration licensing. ↩ ↩ ↩

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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.