Best Trade Schools in Bellevue, Washington (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Bellevue and the Eastside. This guide lists accredited options, apprenticeships, and Washington licensing steps1.

Top Trade Schools in Bellevue

Verify current offerings, accreditation, and schedules23.

School Program Length Highlights
Lake Washington Institute of Technology (Kirkland) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Welding, Auto Repair, Machining, and applied programs with small class sizes2.
Bellevue College (Bellevue) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Technical programs and workforce training aligned to regional employers2.
Renton Technical College (Renton) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Electrical, HVAC, Welding, and manufacturing programs with employer-aligned labs2.
IBEW Local 46 – Electrical JATC (King County) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman/Residential. Paid OJT + classroom instruction with strong contractor network.

Licensing in Washington

  • Electrical: Trainee card → OJT hours → L&I exam; contractor registration required to run a business4.
  • Plumbing: Trainee registration → OJT hours → L&I exam; contractor registration for business owners4.
  • HVAC/R: EPA 608 required5. Electrical specialties (e.g., 06A/06B) are often needed for controls work; register contractors with L&I4.
  • Welding: No general state license; employers/jurisdictions set performance tests.

Next Steps

  • Compare Washington programs: /trade-school/washington/
  • Explore careers and credentials: /trades/
  • National school hub: /trade-school/

Visit labs, confirm accreditation, and map your training to L&I licensing and apprenticeships.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue Metro. bls.gov/oes ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator. nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Directory. accsc.org ↩

  4. Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I). lni.wa.gov ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification. 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.