If you’re frustrated with the current tech job market, you may be considering a career in skilled trades. According to Forbes, as of 2025, there’s a booming market for skilled tradespeople—with “over a million unfilled trade jobs and salaries on the rise.”1
To obtain a skilled trade job, you’ll need to enroll in a vocational or trade school. Trade schools can offer a direct, hands-on path to careers like HVAC technician, welder, truck driver, electrician, plumber, and medical assistant. These programs focus on teaching practical skills rather than general academics. Although the admissions process can be straightforward, most trade schools expect students to meet certain baseline qualifications to ensure they’re prepared for the physical, technical, and safety demands of the job.
Understanding trade school requirements can help you figure out how to choose a program that best fits your goals and determine whether you’re ready to enroll. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common entry requirements, personal and physical qualifications, and steps you can take to prepare for your chosen trade.
Key Takeaways
- Trade schools focus on practical, career-ready training, so entry requirements emphasize safety, readiness, and hands-on ability rather than traditional academics.
- Most programs expect a minimum age, basic math and reading skills, and either a high school diploma or GED.
- Requirements vary by trade, especially in fields like healthcare, trucking, and electrical work, which may involve medical exams, background checks, or additional certifications.
- Physical ability matters in many trades, and schools outline expectations to ensure students can safely participate in training and job-site coursework.
- Understanding program expectations can help you choose a trade that fits your strengths and long-term career goals.
Common Trade School Requirements
Common trade school admission requirements include age minimums, educational credentials, and basic competency checks, according to Indeed in 2025.2 While each program sets its own admissions policies, most trade schools share a core set of expectations. Here’s a quick overview of the requirements students most often encounter. Note that this is a general list and is not indicative of the exact requirements you might see before entering into your chosen trade.
- Minimum age (usually 17 or 18—21 for certain trucking jobs)
- High school diploma or GED diploma
- Basic math and reading competency
- Placement test or aptitude exam (depending on the program)
- Valid driver’s license if you’re heading into the transportation field
- Ability to meet physical demands (lifting, climbing, manual work)
- Background check requirements (especially for healthcare programs)
- Drug screening (common across skilled trades)
- Vaccinations and health clearances for medical training
These prerequisites help schools ensure you are ready for hands-on work in various working conditions and environments.
Age Requirements for Trade School
If you’re wondering why age requirements matter, you’ll see that many skilled trades involve heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and/or safety-sensitive working conditions. Schools and employers must comply with federal labor regulations—as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)—so meeting the minimum age ensures you’ll be able to participate fully in all aspects of training and apprenticeships.3
Although age requirements for trade school typically vary by state, you’ll most often see that they require students to be at least 17 or 18 years of age. This age minimum ensures that students can safely participate in required labs, workshops, and job-site training. According to U.S. News & World Report as of 2025, some states and school districts also offer Career and Technical Education programs—also known as CTE programs—that allow high school students, and sometimes middle school students, seeking postsecondary credentials to start training before they graduate (with parental consent).4
Educational Requirements
Educational requirements for trade school generally involve a high school diploma or GED. A high school diploma or GED diploma is the standard entry requirement for most trade school programs.2 It helps schools confirm that students have the foundational reading, writing, and math skills required to handle technical coursework and perform certain job duties.
Placement tests are common in trade work, according to Best Colleges as of 2025.5 These assessments measure math ability, reading comprehension, and sometimes mechanical reasoning.2 Placement tests are used by trade schools to place students in the right starting level—or to recommend support courses if needed.
Program-Specific Academic Prerequisites
Depending on the trade you pursue, you’ll be required to have specific knowledge and skills that pertain to that trade; this means prerequisites can vary widely by field. Electrical programs often look for students with strong math skills, especially algebra and geometry, as well as some familiarity with basic physics concepts—notes Buildforce in 2025.6 HVAC training benefits students who have basic math skills, excel at troubleshooting, and have working knowledge of mechanical systems, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2024.6
Healthcare programs, including medical assisting training, have more specific requirements for health and safety. All Allied Health Schools in 2025 mentions that medical assisting training programs will require you to complete intern/externships to earn clinical hours for graduation and licensing.8 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2025, if you’re planning on working in a hospital setting for these clinical hours, some states will require you to have immunizations for Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis, Varicella, and more.9 Additionally, according to the BLS in 2024, some employers may require a CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.10
Physical and Functional Requirements
By the nature of the work, skilled trades mostly involve physical labor, so students must be prepared for the demands of hands-on training. Take it from Austin, blue collar worker and creator of the YouTube channel Blue Collar EDU, which has over 35,000 subscribers. In this video from 2024, he comments on the physical demands of trade jobs.11
While exact requirements vary by program, many trade schools outline expectations such as:
- Ability to lift at least 25 pounds
- Comfortable working in confined spaces or at heights
- Capability to stand, bend, and move for long periods
- Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
- Adequate vision and hearing for safety
The BLS produces data through its Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS), which publishes “job-related information on physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements.”12 There are five strength levels associated with various types of professions: Sedentary, light, medium, heavy, and very heavy.12 The 2024 report showed medium to very heavy strength requirements for many skilled jobs, including healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, transportation and material moving occupations, and installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.12
Additionally, certain programs—such as electrical trade schools—may expect students to have basic color vision to correctly identify wiring. These requirements aren’t meant to exclude folks; they are designed to ensure safety. Trade schools must follow workplace safety rules. It’s imperative that students can demonstrate they can handle the physical tasks they’ll encounter on job sites.
Background Checks and Drug Testing
Background checks and drug screenings are relatively standard across many trade programs because of their safety-sensitive environments. Medical assisting and truck driving frequently require comprehensive background checks, physicals, and drug testing due to the nature of the work.
A background check may involve fingerprinting or a state and federal criminal history review. Students entering Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training for truck driving may also undergo checks related to federal motor carrier guidelines. Disqualifying offenses vary by state and by employer, so schools often help applicants understand what may affect job eligibility.
Skills and Traits That Help Students Succeed in Trade School
Success in trade school often depends on curiosity, problem-solving, and physical stamina. Meeting basic requirements is one part of the process—thriving in trade school is another. Students who succeed in hands-on training often share a few helpful traits:
- Curiosity and comfort with on-the-job tools
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Physical stamina
- Manual dexterity
- Willingness to follow safety procedures
- Ability to work both independently and with a team
- Clear communication skills, especially in customer-facing trades like HVAC or electrical
Although these aren’t strict requirements, they can help in your success in whatever trade you pursue.
How to Prepare for Trade School (Step-by-Step)
Early preparation for trade school includes researching programs, strengthening skills, and gathering required documentation. Preparing early can help you feel confident and ready when classes begin.
Here’s a baseline guide:
- Research the trade you’re interested in—confirm with yourself that it aligns with your natural strengths as well as your interests.
- Brush up on math, reading, or mechanical concepts, if needed.
- Build physical stamina according to the demands of your chosen field.
- Gather documents like a government ID, transcripts, and placement test scores.
- Apply early—some programs have limited seats or admission deadlines.
- Consider a pre-apprenticeship program to gain foundational skills and boost your readiness.
Taking these steps makes the transition into trade school smoother and helps set expectations for what lies ahead.
Next Steps
As you can see, trade school requirements vary depending on the program you choose. Most students will need to meet baseline expectations related to age, education, physical ability, and safety. Understanding the specific requirements you’ll need early can help you choose the right program and feel prepared to apply.
Before enrolling, you should verify your trade’s state licensing requirements and confirm that the school you’re looking at is an accredited trade school by the related governing body. When comparing programs, consider elements such as program length, learning format, finances, availability of hands-on labs, and career support services like job placement or apprenticeship partnerships. This is to ensure that you’re not just completing the program, but that you’re setting yourself up for a job soon after you graduate.
To get started, explore programs in your area, review their admission guidelines, and talk to an advisor about the requirements for your specific trade.
Requirements for Trade Schools FAQs
Can I enter trade school with no experience?
Yes. Most programs are designed for beginners and teach all required skills from the ground up.
Do all programs require background checks?
No. Healthcare and CDL training programs typically do require background checks, but other trade schools may not. Always check with your school.
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Is trade school easier to get into than college?
Trade schools generally have fewer academic barriers, but many programs still have placement tests or physical requirements.
Can I attend trade school without a GED?
Some programs allow it, but options may be limited. You may need to take a placement test or complete a basic education course first.
Sources:
1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2025/04/22/the-booming-job-market-for-skilled-tradespersons/
2 https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/trade-school-requirements
3 https://www.osha.gov/workers
5 https://www.bestcolleges.com/trades/trade-school-application-guide/
6 https://www.buildforce.com/resource/top-50-electrician-skills-to-look-for-in-candidates
8 https://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/medical-assisting/
10 http://bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-4
