Best Trade Schools in Salt Lake City, Utah (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Salt Lake City. This guide ranks accredited options, explains Utah licensing, and highlights trades with strong local demand so you can move fast into a good job12.

Top Trade Schools in Salt Lake City

All schools below are accredited and offer hands-on training suited to high-demand trades. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each school for exact clock hours or credits.

School Program Length Highlights
Salt Lake Community College (Westpointe & Taylorsville) Certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years Regionally accredited (NWCCU). Strong labs for Welding, HVAC, Electrical, Automotive, CNC/Machining. Apprenticeship-related instruction available. Day/evening options2.
Fortis College – Salt Lake City (West Valley City) Diplomas: ~9–12 months; Associate options vary ACCSC-accredited career school. HVAC/R, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting. EPA 608 prep for HVAC included in many tracks3.
Davis Technical College (Kaysville) Certificates: ~9–18 months COE-accredited. Welding, Electrical, HVAC, Composites, Machining. Open-entry/open-exit scheduling with competency-based progress4.
Ogden–Weber Technical College (Ogden) Certificates: ~9–20 months COE-accredited. Welding Fabrication, Industrial Automation, Electrical, Plumbing (apprenticeship classroom). Evening and flexible pacing4.
Mountainland Technical College (Lehi) Certificates: ~10–18 months COE-accredited. HVAC (apprenticeship-related instruction), Welding, Automation/Robotics, CDL. Strong industry partnerships4.
Tooele Technical College (Tooele) Certificates: ~9–12 months COE-accredited. Welding, Machining, Industrial Maintenance, CDL. Small cohorts and fast, skills-first training4.
Paul Mitchell The School – Salt Lake City Cosmetology/Barbering: ~10–12 months NACCAS-accredited institution. State board prep for Cosmetology/Barbering with strong client clinic experience2.
Ameritech College of Healthcare (Draper) Practical Nursing ~12 months; ASN ~20 months Institutionally accredited (ABHES). Focused healthcare training with simulation labs. ACEN-accredited nursing programs; selective admissions2.

Tip: If you plan to work in construction, manufacturing, or service trades, prioritize schools with lab hours, work-based learning, and apprenticeship ties.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • New construction, data centers, and grid upgrades keep demand steady in the Wasatch Front. Electricians have solid job growth and good pay, with opportunities to advance to master and contractor status1. Start with an apprenticeship, then test for journeyman. Explore the career path here: Electrician.

  • HVAC/R

    • Salt Lake City’s four-season climate and high growth rate drive steady HVAC demand. Technicians who earn EPA 608 and gain experience with heat pumps and commercial systems do well in the market5. Learn more: HVAC.

  • Welding

    • Fabrication, construction, and manufacturing shops across the metro need welders with proven process skills (GMAW, FCAW, GTAW). AWS-coded welds open higher-pay work in structural and pipe6. See the path: Welding.

  • Plumbing

    • Residential and commercial projects need licensed plumbers. Journeyman and master plumbers command strong wages and steady overtime opportunities7. Start here: Plumbing.

BLS data shows these careers offer reliable prospects in 2025, with electricians and HVAC techs seeing faster-than-average growth nationwide15.

Licensing Requirements in Utah

Most construction trades are regulated by the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)8. Here are the basics:

  • Electricians (DOPL)

    • Register as an Apprentice Electrician.
    • Complete a state-registered apprenticeship and required classroom hours.
    • Pass the Residential Journeyman or Journeyman Electrician exam.
    • Gain experience and pass the Master Electrician exam if you want to supervise and design.
    • To run an electrical business, obtain the proper contractor license (E200 General Electrical or E201 Residential Electrical) and pass the business/law exam8.

  • Plumbers (DOPL)

    • Register as an Apprentice Plumber.
    • Complete a state-registered apprenticeship and classroom instruction.
    • Pass the Residential Journeyman or Journeyman Plumber exam.
    • Pursue Master Plumber after required experience.
    • For contracting, apply for P200 (General Plumbing) or P201 (Residential Plumbing) contractor classification plus business/law8.

  • HVAC

    • Technicians typically work under a licensed S350 HVAC Contractor and must hold EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants9.
    • To operate your own HVAC business, qualify for the S350 HVAC Contractor license with DOPL and pass the required exams8.

  • Welding

    • No state license for general welding. Employers often require process certifications (e.g., AWS D1.1 structural). Trade schools and employers can help you test to the correct code6.

Keep records of hours, classroom instruction, and supervisor details. Utah requires continuing education for many license renewals; check DOPL before each renewal window8.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid training

    • SLCC and Utah’s technical colleges often blend online theory with in-person labs for trades like HVAC, electrical, machining, and welding. Hands-on lab time is required for skills sign-off24.

  • Apprenticeship classroom

    • Many apprenticeships use evening classes so you can work full-time while earning required classroom hours. Schools listed above host or align with registered apprenticeship programs24.

  • Certification prep

    • HVAC students can prepare online for EPA Section 608; the exam is offered via approved proctors9.
    • NCCER-aligned curricula are common across Utah for construction safety and core skills, easing credit transfer between training sites.

  • Healthcare and cosmetology

    • Programs may offer blended lectures, but expect in-person labs, clinics, and clinical rotations for licensure.

If you need maximum flexibility, ask about open-entry/open-exit pacing, evening labs, and credit for prior learning.

Next Steps

Salt Lake City has strong, accredited options with pathways to licensing and employment. Visit campuses, ask about lab hours and employer partnerships, and choose the program that matches your goal and schedule.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Electricians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) – Accredited School Directory (Fortis College). https://www.accsc.org/ ↩

  4. Council on Occupational Education (COE) – Accredited Institutions (Utah technical colleges). https://council.org/accredited-institutions/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/hvac-technicians.htm ↩ ↩

  6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm ↩ ↩

  7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm ↩

  8. Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) – Licensing for Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Contractors, and Contractors. https://dopl.utah.gov/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  9. U.S. EPA – Section 608 Refrigerant Management Requirements. https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩ ↩

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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.