Best Trade Schools in Kent, Washington (2025 Guide)

Updated October 9, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Kent and the South King County area. This guide lists accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Washington licensing steps1.

Top Trade Schools in Kent

Verify current offerings, accreditation, and schedules23.

School Program Length Highlights
Renton Technical College (Renton) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Automotive, and manufacturing programs with employer-aligned labs2.
Green River College (Auburn) Certificates 9–18 months; AAS ~2 years NWCCU accredited. Advanced manufacturing and aviation-related programs; hands-on labs2.
IBEW Local 46 – Electrical JATC (King County) 3–5 years Registered apprenticeship for Inside Wireman/Residential; paid OJT + classroom instruction.
UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 32 – JATC (South King County) ~5 years Registered apprenticeship in plumbing/pipefitting/HVACR with paid training.

Licensing in Washington

  • Electrical: Trainee card → OJT hours (01/02) → L&I exam; contractors register with L&I with bond/insurance4.
  • Plumbing: Trainee registration → OJT hours (PL01/PL02) → L&I exam; contractor registration for business owners4.
  • HVAC/R: EPA 608 required for refrigerants5. Electrical specialties (06A/06B) often needed for controls; contractors register with L&I4.
  • Welding: No general state license; employers/jurisdictions require performance tests.

Next Steps

  • Compare WA programs: /trade-school/washington/
  • Explore trades and credentials: /trades/
  • National guides: /trade-school/

Visit labs, confirm accreditation, and map 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.