How To Apply to Trade Schools

Career Quiz: Two minutes Can Change Everything!



This video provides a quick summary about applying to trade schools. By Doug Crawford.

Many people consider trade school programs to be simpler and more efficient than the lengthy courses at traditional colleges and universities. Along with offering focused classroom instruction and hands-on training that prepares you for the workforce faster, vocational schools let students complete their education in less time and for less money than they would at most four-year institutions.

Applying to a trade school is usually easier than applying to a private university or college. Once you find a trade school near you and decide whether a skilled trade, technology, criminal justice, business, construction, or other program is right for you, use this guide to learn about the process of enrolling in a trade school.

How to Choose the Right Trade School

1. Accreditation: Is the School Recognized and Regulated?

Before enrolling, verify the school’s accreditation status. Accreditation is essential—it shows the school meets basic educational standards and ensures eligibility for federal student aid.

Types of accreditation to look for:

Search the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to confirm your school is listed.

2. Job Placement Rates: Will You Find Work After Graduation?

Ask the school for job placement statistics for recent graduates. High-quality programs will be transparent about their outcomes and provide data verified by third-party auditors or state regulators.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), job placement rates are a key performance indicator for career-focused schools.

Ask:

  • What percentage of graduates are working in their field within 6–12 months?
  • Are placements full-time and career-aligned?

3. Program Duration and Schedule Flexibility

Trade school programs vary in length, from short-term certificates (6–9 months) to associate degrees (2 years). Choose one that balances your career goals with your current responsibilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many fast-growing trades—such as electrical work, practical nursing, and wind turbine technology—require only 12–24 months of training.

Ask about:

Before enrolling, verify the school’s accreditation status. Accreditation is essential—it shows the school meets basic educational standards and ensures eligibility for federal student aid.

  • Internship or hands-on components
  • Full-time vs. part-time options
  • Evening or weekend classes

4. Accreditation: Is the School Recognized and Regulated?

Types of accreditation to look for:

Search the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to confirm your school is listed.

5. Job Placement Rates: Will You Find Work After Graduation?

Ask the school for job placement statistics for recent graduates. High-quality programs will be transparent about their outcomes and provide data verified by third-party auditors or state regulators.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), job placement rates are a key performance indicator for career-focused schools.

Ask:

  • What percentage of graduates are working in their field within 6–12 months?
  • Are placements full-time and career-aligned?

6. Program Duration and Schedule Flexibility

Trade school programs vary in length, from short-term certificates (6–9 months) to associate degrees (2 years). Choose one that balances your career goals with your current responsibilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many fast-growing trades—such as electrical work, practical nursing, and wind turbine technology—require only 12–24 months of training.

Ask about:

  • Full-time vs. part-time options
  • Evening or weekend classes
  • Internship or hands-on components

7. Total Cost of Attendance and ROI

Get a full cost breakdown, not just tuition. Consider:

  • Books, supplies, tools
  • Certification exam fees
  • Uniforms or insurance
  • Commuting or housing if applicable

Compare the cost of attendance to expected starting salaries. Many trades offer high wages without the six-figure debt load common in traditional college paths. For example, electricians earn a median annual wage of $61,590, according to the BLS.

8. Financial Aid and Scholarships

Reputable trade schools participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs, which include:

  • Pell Grants (need-based)
  • Subsidized loans
  • Work-study programs

You can confirm eligibility at the Federal Student Aid site.

If a school doesn’t offer federal aid, be cautious—it may be unaccredited or unregulated.

9. Hands-On Learning and Facilities

In the trades, learning by doing is everything. Visit the school or attend a virtual tour and inspect:

  • Workshops and labs
  • Tools and machines used
  • Student projects

Programs that simulate real-world environments offer stronger preparation. For example, welding students should train on industry-standard MIG and TIG machines, not outdated tech.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) emphasizes that quality trade education is built on “modern equipment and employer-led curriculum design.”

10. Certification and Licensure Preparation

Does the program prepare you for the licenses and certifications required in your field?

Examples include:

  • HVAC technicians: EPA Section 608 Certification
  • Medical Assistants
    CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) — National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
    CMA (AAMA) (Certified Medical Assistant) — American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • Cybersecurity Techs
    CompTIA Security+ — CompTIA
    CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) — EC-Council
    Cisco Certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP) — Cisco Certifications Overview

Many employers will not hire candidates without these credentials—even if they completed a program.

11. Reviews, Complaints, and Reputation

Online reviews can be revealing. Search the school’s name on:

Look for consistent praise or red flags related to:

  • Hidden fees
  • Job placement promises
  • Refund policies
  • Instructor quality

A school with strong alumni and community reviews typically has better support systems and outcomes.

12. Industry Partnerships and Employer Pipeline

Top trade schools develop direct pipelines to local employers. Ask:

  • Does the school host job fairs or on-site interviews?
  • Are there internship or apprenticeship pathways?
  • What companies or unions hire graduates?

Partnerships increase your chances of landing a job quickly after graduation.

The National Skills Coalition emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships for workforce training and placement.

How to Apply to the School of Your Choice

1. Check Admission Requirements

Although trade school admission requirements vary by intuition and state, they tend to be much simpler to meet than the standards for getting into a traditional four-year college. Applicants must have either a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent before enrolling in most vocational schools.

Those who lack these credentials must pass a standardized state-administered exam to receive a GED.

Trade school admission requirements might differ depending on the program as well. Some institutions only accept students who maintained a 2.0 GPA or higher in high school.

A vocational school specializing in one field of study, such as a medical assistant or truck driver school, may also require candidates to have prior work experience or documentation like a driver’s license or first aid certification.

2. Age Requirements

In most cases, aspiring students must be at least 17 to apply to a trade school. However, this requirement varies across different states, institutions, and programs. For example, a cosmetology school may accept 17-year-old students, while a healthcare career college may only allow legal adults who are 18 or older to enroll.

Underage applicants may need to submit a letter of parental consent or a release letter from their high school along with their enrollment forms.

On the other hand, your high school might offer post-secondary classes for those pursuing certain occupations like automotive technology or culinary arts. Taking these courses can give you a leg up when applying to trade schools in the future.

3. Test Scores

Earning a high ACT or SAT score is often one of the most essential steps in getting into a prestigious four-year university.

When it comes to getting into a trade school, most institutions use placement exams and aptitude tests to determine whether a student would succeed in their chosen courses. Most trade schools use these tests to evaluate an applicant’s basic math and reading comprehension skills.

Placement tests are especially important for students who are hoping to pursue specialized, potentially dangerous career paths after completing their education. Your local trade union might work with trade schools to proctor aptitude tests in:

Applicants who already took the SAT or ACT and received good scores may be able to use them to substitute for a placement exam.

4. Documents

There are several documents you’ll need to submit in order to complete a trade school application. Along with a copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate, your ACT or SAT score report, and any letters of recommendation, admissions offices may ask for academic transcripts from high school or another post-secondary education.

5. Tuition Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition rates for vocational, trade, and technical schools are usually thousands of dollars lower than the cost of a college or university education. Even so, you’ll need to compare prices across different institutions to determine which ones you can afford.

Luckily, many trade schools offer multiple financial aid opportunities, including loans, scholarships, grants, and affordable monthly payment plans.

Academic advisors at certain trade schools may even be able to reduce the cost of your education by examining your transcripts, job history, or military service record. Depending on your skills and experience, you may be able to test out of certain classes while still earning credits toward your certificate or degree.

6. Applying to a Trade School Online

After researching different trade schools in your area, choosing an educational program, comparing program lengths and tuition costs and gathering the necessary documents and fees, you’ll be ready to submit a trade school application to your chosen institution.

Most community colleges and vocational schools have an online application process, which is faster and easier than filling out mail-in forms.

Go to your chosen trade school’s website to find out where you can apply. Be mindful of application deadlines and double-check to make sure that you have all the forms the school requires.

From there, you can follow the online instructions that show you where to input your information, upload your documents, and submit your trade school application.