Best Trade Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Virginia Beach. This list focuses on accredited options with hands-on training, quick entry into skilled jobs, and clear steps to get licensed in Virginia. You will also find in-demand trades, local licensing rules, and flexible learning options.

Top Trade Schools in Virginia Beach

The schools below serve students in Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region. Program lengths are typical ranges; check each campus for current schedules and start dates12.

School Program Length Highlights
Tidewater Community College (Virginia Beach + regional campuses) Career studies certificates: 6–12 months; AAS: ~2 years SACSCOC-accredited. Hands-on labs. Programs across the region include welding, HVAC, maritime trades, electrical technology, automotive, and mechatronics. Strong employer ties at local shipyards and ports1.
Centura College (Virginia Beach) Diplomas/Certificates: 9–15 months; Associate: ~18–24 months ACCSC-accredited. Trades-focused options such as HVAC, electrical, and building maintenance. Small cohorts and exam prep aligned with Virginia DPOR tradesman licensing2.
ECPI University (Virginia Beach) Accelerated AAS: ~1.5 years; BS: ~2.5 years SACSCOC-accredited. Mechatronics, electronics engineering tech, IT/cyber, and health sciences. Year-round terms. Strong career services and employer partnerships1.
Tidewater Tech (Norfolk, ~15 minutes from Virginia Beach) Diplomas: 9–12 months ACCSC-accredited. HVAC, combination welding, building and construction trades, and automotive service. Day/evening schedules and monthly starts2.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (Norfolk) Aviation maintenance technician: ~20–24 months ACCSC-accredited. FAA-approved Part 147 training for aircraft maintenance roles. Extensive hands-on lab time and certifications prep2.
Fortis College (Norfolk) Diplomas: 9–15 months; Associate: ~18–24 months Institutionally accredited (ABHES). HVAC-R, medical assisting, dental assisting. Blended learning options and career placement support1.

Tip: Community college programs may be offered at specific campuses in the TCC system. Many Virginia Beach students commute to nearby Portsmouth, Norfolk, or Chesapeake for specialized labs.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Skilled trades continue to grow in Hampton Roads due to shipbuilding, military bases, hospitals, and steady residential development. National outlooks show strong replacement needs and solid job openings for core trades3.

  • Electrician Electricians wire homes, businesses, and shipyard facilities. Many roles require conduit bending, blueprint reading, and NEC knowledge. Entry-level roles start with an apprenticeship, then move to the journeyman license. See the career path: Electrician. National employment is projected to grow, with consistent demand for installers and maintenance techs3.

  • HVAC/R Technician HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems in homes, hospitals, and data centers. EPA 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants. Virginia also licenses HVAC tradespeople at the journeyman and master levels. Explore the path: HVAC. Employers value strong troubleshooting and customer service skills. Growth is steady with busy seasons in summer and winter34.

  • Welder Welding is central to ship repair, construction, and manufacturing in the region. Training focuses on SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and reading weld symbols. Certifications through NCCER or employer-required performance tests help you stand out. Learn more: Welding. Demand remains stable due to ongoing repair, retrofit, and infrastructure projects35.

  • Plumber Plumbers install and repair piping systems in residential and commercial buildings. Apprenticeship leads to a journeyman license, then master. Backflow prevention and gas fitting add-on credentials can increase earning potential. Career overview: Plumbing. Employment is expected to remain solid as buildings age and codes tighten3.

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Most construction trades are licensed by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) through the Board for Contractors. Here are the basics6:

  • Electrician, HVAC, and Plumber (Tradesman Licenses)

    • Levels: Journeyman and Master (and some specialties such as gas fitter).
    • Eligibility:
    • Complete a registered apprenticeship (typically 4 years) or
    • Use an approved combination of education and experience (for example, a 2-year technical degree plus 2 years of experience).
    • Exam: Pass the PSI tradesman exam for your trade and level.
    • Renewal: Periodic renewal with continuing education in code updates.
    • Path: Apprentice → Journeyman exam and license → Master exam and license.

  • HVAC Additional Requirement

    • EPA 608 Technician Certification is required for anyone who buys or handles regulated refrigerants4.

  • Welding

    • Virginia does not have a state “welder” license for general employment.
    • Employers commonly require performance qualifications to specific codes (for example, structural steel D1.1) or recognized credentials such as NCCER Welding. Some shipyard roles require employer or federal-standard tests5.

  • Contractor Licenses (for business owners)

    • If you plan to bid jobs or run your own company, you may need a Virginia contractor license (Class A, B, or C) from the Board for Contractors, along with the designated employee exam and business entity registration6.

Pro tip: Many students start in a pre-apprentice or school-based program, then register with a state-approved apprenticeship sponsor to log hours while earning. Your school’s career services can help you connect with local employers.

Online & Flexible Options

If you need to work while training, look for these flexible formats:

  • Hybrid labs: Some programs deliver theory online and schedule hands-on labs on evenings or weekends.
  • Accelerated blocks: Year-round scheduling and short terms to finish faster (common at ECPI, Centura, and Tidewater Tech).
  • Apprenticeships: Earn wages while you learn. Classroom instruction is typically one or two evenings per week.
  • Certification prep: Many campuses offer focused prep for EPA 608, NCCER modules, or PSI tradesman exams.
  • Community college pathways: TCC offers short-term workforce credentials and longer AAS degrees. You can stack a certificate into an associate degree later.

Before enrolling, verify:

  • Institutional accreditation (SACSCOC, ACCSC, or ABHES).
  • Programmatic or credential alignment (e.g., FAA Part 147 for aviation maintenance, EPA 608 for HVAC).
  • DPOR exam pass rates and local employer placement.
  • Lab access, tool requirements, and schedule options.

Next Steps

If you are ready to start, contact 2–3 schools, ask about upcoming start dates, lab schedules, and exam pass rates. Visit a campus lab if you can. Then choose the program that matches your schedule and the license or certification you want.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) Directory. https://www.accsc.org/Directory/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (Electricians, HVAC/R, Plumbers, Welders). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  5. NCCER, Credentials and Certifications. https://www.nccer.org/credentials/ ↩ ↩

  6. Virginia DPOR, Board for Contractors — Tradesman Licensure and Contractor Licensing. https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors/Tradesman ↩ ↩

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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.