Certificate in Painting.

The painting curriculum covers key skills needed for residential and commercial painting work during construction. Learners are introduced to a wide range of topics, from safety and basic surface preparation through the application of specialized coatings and finishes.

Painting Course Descriptions

Expand each course below for a description and assigned time commitment per topic.

  • Time on Topic: .5 day / 4 hours 

    This course introduces students to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) materials. NCCER is a leader in construction education and training materials and students will be provided their access code and spend time learning how to navigate the website to access the learning materials.

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) course teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in the construction and general industry. The course focuses on recognizing and avoiding common workplace hazards. Also covered are worker rights and employer’s responsibilities.

  • Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of safety in the painting industry.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamental tools used in the painting industry.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the various types of paint brushes and the use for each type of brush.   This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the various types of paint rollers and the use for each type of roller.   This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 5 days / 40 hours

    In this course students will learn the basics of using sprayers including safe and proper operation of the equipment to include airless and conventional sprayers, surface preparation, paint mixing, and achieving a high-quality finish. Various types of paint brushes and the use for each type of brush.   This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 1 days / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to build and the use of scaffolding with a focus on safety in the painting industry.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the proper use of ladders with a focus on safety in the painting industry.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: .5 days / 4 hours

    In this course students will learn the various careers in the painting industry to include business and creative aspects of painters.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of identifying surface and substrate materials that painters experience in the painting industry.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the proper methods of protecting adjacent surfaces to primary areas that you are painting.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the proper methods to prepare various surfaces to be ready to be painted. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the proper methods for the use of sealants and various fillers.  This will include but limited to caulking, spackling, etc.    This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the various types of paints and coatings and the best use of each item. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of brushing and rolling various types of paints and coatings. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to remedy various painting failures. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to plan for a job and complete the job on schedule. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to use various chemicals for cleaning and stripping.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of abrasive blasting to include techniques like wet and dry blasting. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to patch and finish drywall. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the various types of stains. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of the various types of clear finishes. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to provide finishes to various wood types. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to apply a second coating to various surfaces. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the higher level of skills when using a conventional and airless spray painter with a focus on high quality finishes. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to use various colors and tinting in painting. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to use various decorative or faux finishes. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 4.5 days / 36 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to install wallpaper. This includes wall preparation, tool usage, and adhesive selection.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to apply various graphics in a variety of settings. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the fundamentals of how to apply various textures in a variety of settings. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of how to use special devices in applying various paints and other coatings. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of how to use special or unique materials. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 1 day / 8 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of how to identify various errors or failures in painting projects and then to troubleshoot how to provide corrective actions to resolve the issue.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of how to look at projects with a critical eye so that various projects meet or exceed customer satisfaction. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of applying coatings with a focus on surface preparation and using the right coatings for various substrates. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 2 days / 16 hours

    In this course students will learn the advanced skill of preparing unique or unusual surfaces to be ready to receive paint or other coatings. The focus is on unique settings, corners, and around unique objects. This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations. 

  • Time on Topic: 3 days / 24 hours

    In this course students will learn how to read building plans and to estimate the cost for a job to include identifying the various cost factors of labor costs, material costs, equipment costs, overhead costs and contingency costs.  This is an essential skill needed for a painter and a high level of proficiency is expected of students. This course is designed to be a “hands-on” experience, and students will be able to apply best practices to real-world work situations.

  • Time on Topic: 10 days / 80 hours

    In this course students will be on the job site to apply the knowledge, and skills learned while in their program to the world of work. This is a learning experience, and students will not be used as replacement or regular employees.  Students may or may not be paid for their internship. Internships will be coordinated and monitored by the program coordinator/lead instructor to ensure that the expected learning outcomes are achieved.  

Total Days / Total Hours

80 days / 640 hours


At the successful completion of the Program, a Certificate will be awarded by the Virginia Construction Trades Academy.

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