Best Trade Schools in Seattle, Washington (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Seattle. This guide covers accredited programs, what they teach, how long they take, and how to get licensed in Washington. We also note demand for core trades in the Seattle metro123.

Top Trade Schools in Seattle

All schools below are accredited and serve the Seattle–Tacoma area. Program lengths are typical ranges. Check each school for exact schedules and start dates23.

School Program Length Highlights
Renton Technical College (Renton) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Hands-on labs for Welding, HVAC, Machining, Electrical Construction, Automotive. Strong employer ties and apprenticeship pathways2.
South Seattle College – Georgetown Campus (Seattle) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS 2 years; Apprenticeship timelines vary NWCCU accredited. Home to the Georgetown Apprenticeship & Education Center. Pathways in construction trades, manufacturing, and transportation. Built for working adults2.
Seattle Central College (Seattle) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Maritime Academy with USCG-approved training, Wood Technology Center (carpentry and boatbuilding), healthcare and IT tech programs2.
Shoreline Community College (Shoreline) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Automotive Service programs with manufacturer-aligned training and ASE-aligned curriculum. Modern diagnostic labs2.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology (Kirkland) Certificates 6–12 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Welding Technology, Auto Repair, Machining, and other applied programs. Small class sizes and industry advisory boards2.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance – Seattle (Tukwila) Diplomas 18–24 months ACCSC accredited. FAA Part 147 school preparing for A&P certification tests. Day and evening schedules, aviation employer pipelines3.
Green River College (Auburn) Diplomas 18–24 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Aviation Maintenance Technology (Part 147), plus applied programs in advanced manufacturing and transportation2.
Bates Technical College (Tacoma) Certificates 9–12 months; AAS 2 years NWCCU accredited. Electrical, HVAC, Welding, Machining, Diesel/Automotive. Multiple start dates and strong shop facilities2.

Tip: Visit, tour the labs, and ask about placement stats, industry credentials built into the program, and evening or weekend options.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician: Seattle’s build-out of housing, data centers, and transit keeps electricians busy. The Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro pays well compared with national averages, and demand is steady across commercial and residential work1. Programs at RTC, Bates, and apprenticeship partners help you log supervised hours toward a license.

  • HVAC: Heating, cooling, and refrigeration techs serve commercial towers, hospitals, maritime facilities, and homes. Many roles involve controls and refrigerants, so training plus the right credentials gives you an edge1.

  • Welding: From shipyards and structural steel to advanced manufacturing, welders with multi-process skills and structural qualifications find steady work around Puget Sound1. Look for programs that prep you for industry tests in multiple positions.

  • Plumbing: High growth in residential and mixed-use projects drives need for licensed plumbers. Union and open-shop apprenticeships are active in the region, with strong wage progression as you move from trainee to journeyman1.

Explore job details and paths:

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Electrical (L&I):

  • Get an Electrical Trainee card from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Work under a licensed electrician4.
  • Complete required hours:
    • 01 General Journey Level: typically 8,000 hours with specific commercial/industrial hour minimums.
    • 02 Residential: typically 4,000 hours focused on residential work.
  • Complete required classroom education. Many programs embed this.
  • Pass the state exam for your category. Maintain continuing education to renew4.
  • If you plan to run a business, register as an electrical contractor with L&I and meet bond/insurance rules4.

Plumbing (L&I):

  • Register as a Plumbing Trainee with L&I and log supervised hours:
    • Journeyman Plumber (PL01): typically 8,000 hours.
    • Residential Specialty (PL02): typically 6,000 hours.
  • Pass the state exam for your classification.
  • Certain work may require backflow assembly tester certification through the Washington State Department of Health. Contractor registration is required if you open a business4.

HVAC:

  • No single statewide HVAC license for technicians. Many jobs require:
    • EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants5.
    • L&I electrical specialty license (often 06A/06B) if you install or service HVAC electrical components. This requires documented hours and passing the specialty exam4.
  • HVAC/R contractors must register with L&I and carry the required bond and insurance4.

Aviation Maintenance:

  • Complete an FAA-approved Part 147 program or equivalent experience and pass the FAA A&P exams. Schools like AIM Seattle and Green River College prepare you for testing.

Welding:

  • Washington does not issue a general welder license. Many structural jobs in the region require employer-verified tests or widely recognized certifications. Programs often prepare you for structural and process-specific qualifications.

Always confirm current rules with L&I before you apply or test. Requirements can change4.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Hybrid community college programs: Many Seattle-area colleges deliver theory online and labs on campus. This is common in welding theory, electrical code, and HVAC fundamentals.
  • Evening and weekend schedules: Look for evening cohorts at RTC, Bates, and AIM Seattle. These help you train while working.
  • Apprenticeships: Paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction. L&I registers apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing, HVAC controls, and more. You earn as you learn and build hours toward your license4.
  • Short industry credentials: EPA 608, OSHA-10/30, and manufacturer certifications are often scheduled in flexible formats and stack onto your program5.

Next Steps

Visit programs, confirm accreditation, and ask how the training aligns with Washington licensing. If you already picked a trade, read the trade page above and map out your exams and required hours before enrolling.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA Metro. https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator — accreditation and program data. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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

  4. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical, Plumbing, and Contractor Registration. https://www.lni.wa.gov ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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