Save the Date – 2026 Conference
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST) Conference will take place September 28–29, 2026, in San Antonio. Join education leaders, administrators, and industry partners from across the state to connect, collaborate, and explore the future of career education. Stay tuned for registration details, speaker announcements, and hotel information coming soon!
2025 CCST Conference
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Fort Worth for the 2025 Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST) Conference! This year’s event brought together education leaders, administrators, and industry partners from across the state to share insights, best practices, and inspiration for advancing career education in Texas. Thank you to our sponsors.
Latest ED Report
CCST Members – our Executive Director report is out! Check your email for our August 2025 report with updates on the Texas Legislative Session, regulatory updates, including new TDLR rules on massage therapy and highlights of the College of Healthcare Professions’ activity at the Capitol.
Women Choosing Trades
“GMA” looks at the growing trend of more young women becoming electricians, mechanics, truck drivers and farmers. Cost and fulfillment are some reasons cited for choosing a different path.
Favorable BDR Ruling
5th Circuit Ruled Against Department’s “Almost Certainly Unlawful” Borrower Defense Rule – held that CCST is likely to prevail on the merits of the case in District Court.
Gen Z – Toolbelt Generation
More young workers are going into trades as disenchantment with the college track continues, and rising pay and new technologies shine up plumbing and electrical jobs.
WHY CCST?
For more than 40 years, the Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST) has been advancing the interests of private sector colleges and universities in our state. With more than 600 licensed career schools and colleges providing practical education to more than 160,000 students in Texas, our sector plays an important role in the state’s economic growth and prosperity. CCST helps provide a consistent and unified voice on the critical legislative and regulatory issues that impact our sector, as well as a forum for networking and promoting the great things happening on campuses in our state and around the country!
Promotes Your Interests
- Exclusive resources to help train your personnel and gain CE hours
- Leadership in regulatory and legislative matters
- Opportunities for campus visits by key state and federal stakeholders
Advances Our Sector
- Respected and influential legislative and regulatory advocate
- Consistent and unified voice on the key issues facing career campuses and students
- Sector accountability and excellence
Builds Relationships
- Information and networking through our annual conference, training and other events
- Online membership directory for member schools
- Opportunities for campuses to collaborate to advance our sector
Legislative Priorities
- Level the playing field in Texas higher education
- Enhance public understanding of career college successes
- Protect educational options to succeed in the most appropriate environment