PHCC San Diego Chapter

What PHCC San Diego Chapter does

PHCC San Diego Chapter is the San Diego County affiliate of the national Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, a regional non-profit trade association serving licensed plumbing and HVAC contractors in Southern California. The chapter has operated continuously since 1892 under the national PHCC brand established in 1883, providing advocacy, networking, continuing-education, and member-benefit services to its contractor and affiliate base. It is headquartered at 9920 Scripps Lake Drive, Suite #102, San Diego, CA, with a small administrative staff supplemented by part-time instructors.

The chapter's core product offering is the PHCC Academy, a 501(c)(3) trade school established in 2013 that delivers a federally registered four-year plumbing apprenticeship (registered with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship and aligned to NCCER curriculum), an HVAC training track launched in 2018, and shorter certification courses in Backflow Prevention, Lead Safety/RRP, and HVAC Level 1 and Level 2. Course caps are small (12-22 students), and pricing is differentiated for member versus non-member students (e.g., HVAC Level 1 at $1,280 members / $1,530 non-members; Backflow Prevention at $1,340 members). Membership is structured in tiers, with contractor dues ranging from $1,445 to $2,768 per year and affiliate vendor dues from $700 to $1,200 per year.

Revenue is generated through three primary mechanics: recurring membership dues, Academy tuition for apprentices and continuing-education students, and event-based sponsorship from the annual Golf Classic and Fishing Excursion. The chapter is also scheduled to host the 125th Annual PHCC WEST Convention in 2026, a national member and vendor event that complements its local revenue base. Distribution is direct to San Diego County contractors and vendor partners, with no resellers or external sales channels disclosed.

Name

PHCC San Diego Chapter

Legal name

PHCC Association of San Diego, Inc.

Website

https://phccsd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PHCC San Diego Chapter is a non-profit trade association serving plumbing and HVAC contractors in San Diego County, providing advocacy, networking, and the federally registered PHCC Academy apprenticeship and certification training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association and Apprenticeship Training Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAOACAA

Plumbing (Residential & Commercial)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Plumbing, HVAC & Refrigeration Trades

SECONDARYEDAAALAH

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDADACAF

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Accreditation Bodies (Institutional & Programmatic)

Keywords

• Trade association membership
• Plumbing apprenticeship training
• HVAC certification programs
• Skilled trades workforce
• Contractor networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual and monthly membership dues from contractor and affiliate members. Contractor membership ranges from $1,445.53 (first year) to $2,768/year (renewal). Affiliate membership ranges from $700-$1,200/year depending on category. Recurring revenue model with quarterly payment options available.
2. Academy Training Programs: Tuition fees for apprenticeship and certification programs including plumbing apprenticeship (4-year), HVAC certification (7 months), pre-apprenticeship, backflow certification, and lead safety courses. Earn-as-you-learn model where apprentices must be employed by licensed contractors.
3. Events and Sponsorships: Event registration fees for Golf Classic ($199-$1,015), Fishing Excursion ($275-$285), and other member events. Sponsorship packages ranging from $525 to $3,000 for event visibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PHCC San Diego Chapter is a nonprofit trade association and federally accredited trade school serving plumbing and HVAC contractors in San Diego County. It sells annual Contractor and Affiliate memberships (with tiered dues) and operates PHCC Academy, delivering a four-year Journeyman Plumbing Apprenticeship program (DOL-accredited), HVAC Service Tech and Level 2 certification programs, and add-on courses including Backflow Prevention Tester and EPA Lead Safety/RRP. Revenue is generated through membership dues, Academy tuition, and event registration and sponsorship fees.

Product overview

PHCC San Diego Chapter offers a unified platform combining professional association membership services with its PHCC Academy, a federally accredited trade school. The core offering includes a 4-year Journeyman Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and HVAC Service Tech Certificate Program, supported by certification courses (Backflow Prevention Tester, Lead Safety/RRP), and a Pre-Apprenticeship Program. These programs are complemented by contractor and affiliate membership tiers that provide networking, legislative support, discounts, and access to a national contractor directory with over 3,500 professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PHCC Academy of San Diego A federally accredited trade school operating as a 501(c)(3) subsidiary of PHCC San Diego, offering earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship and certification programs in plumbing and HVAC. Students become federally registered apprentices and train for careers in the skilled trades.
• Journeyman Plumbing Apprenticeship Program A four-year federally accredited apprenticeship program delivering 156 hours of classroom instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training annually (totaling 624 classroom hours plus 8,000 OJT hours), leading to the PHCC Journeyman Card upon completion. Designed for adults 18+ employed by licensed plumbing contractors, with classes held one evening per week at the Scripps Ranch, San Diego academy.
• HVAC Service Tech Certificate Program (HVAC Level 1) A 13-week entry-level HVAC certification program preparing students for residential and light commercial maintenance, troubleshooting, and EPA 608 refrigerant handling exam preparation. Course starts September 17, 2026 with Thursday evening classes. Member price $1,280; non-member $2,000.
• HVAC Level 2: Advanced Service & Repair

Quantifiable outcome

• Students complete 156 hours classroom instruction + 2,000 hours on-the-job training per year in 4-year apprenticeship (totaling 624 hours classroom + 8,000 hours OJT)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mercedes-Benz of EscondidocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Eagle Sponsor for Golf Classic 2026. Also referred to as Escondido Benz in social media posts.
• Swinerton BuilderscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Eagle Sponsor for Golf Classic 2026. Commercial construction company in San Diego.
• John Stevenson PlumbingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Eagle Sponsor for Golf Classic 2026. Local plumbing contractor with active PHCC membership.
• Halo Water SystemsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Fairway Food Sponsor for Golf Classic 2026. Water filtration/systems provider.
• Carlton Oaks Golf CourseminorOthers · 1 January 2026Venue partner for Golf Classic 2026. Dye-designed course in Santee, San Diego. 9200 Inwood Dr, Santee, CA 92071.
• H&M LandingminorOthers · 1 January 2026Venue partner for Fishing Excursion 2026. Deep-sea fishing departure point in Point Loma, San Diego.
• Signature SalescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSarah Hooper from Signature Sales serves on PHCC SD board of directors, leads trainings for members and apprentices, keeps chapter informed on regulation changes, and connects Academy with potential equipment and supply donations. Signature Sales team regularly shows up for PHCC SD events and member offerings.
• Mercedes-Benz of San DiegominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive savings for PHCC SD members on select new Sprinter Cargo Vans: up to $11,000 off 2025 inventory, up to $6,000 off 2026 inventory, up to $8,000 off manager's special inventory.
• FieldLogixminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate member providing GPS fleet tracking, wireless dash cameras, routing and dispatching services to PHCC members. Fleets reduce accident risk by 87%, fuel cost by 13.2%, labor costs by $5,485/employee/year, complete 25% more work orders.
• AutoNationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate member providing fleet services with dedicated Account Manager. Services include: Hourly Labor Rate $149, Synthetic Oil Change $109, Tire Rotation $50, Tire Install $30, Additional Quarts $10. Minimum 2 oil changes or $200 services per visit.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)coreTechnology or IntegrationCurriculum provider for PHCC Academy apprenticeship programs. NCCER Plumbing Curriculum used for all four years of apprenticeship training.
• IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials)coreTechnology or IntegrationIAPMO 2026 Code Updates covered in apprenticeship curriculum and PHCC WEST convention sessions. 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code used as course material.
• U.S. Department of Labor Office of ApprenticeshipcoreOthersFederal accreditation body for PHCC Academy's Journeyman Plumbing Apprenticeship Program. Makes students federally registered apprentices.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials): Standards body whose 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code is adopted as PHCC Academy course material and whose code updates are featured at PHCC WEST Convention sessions. Ecosystem enabler setting the technical curriculum backbone for PHCC SD's apprentices.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): PHCC Academy's curriculum partner that supplies the standardized Plumbing Curriculum used across all four years of apprenticeship. A key enabler/ecosystem participant — not a direct competitor — but its credentials and assessments underpin PHCC SD's training delivery.

Direct peers

• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC): National trade association for independent electrical contractors with a parallel apprenticeship/training model. Directly comparable to PHCC SD in mission (workforce development, DOL-aligned apprenticeship, member advocacy) but focused on the electrical trade.
• PHCC of California: The California state-level PHCC chapter that awards the Contractor of the Year and Affiliate of the Year recognitions to PHCC San Diego members. Operates the same chapter-network model and sets state-level legislative/regulatory advocacy that PHCC SD participates in.
• PHCC National Association: The national umbrella association of which PHCC San Diego is a chartered chapter. Operates the same membership, advocacy, and apprenticeship framework across 35,000+ members in North America; most directly comparable on mission, member programs, and DOL-accredited apprenticeship standards.

Broad incumbents

• Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA): National trade association for mechanical contractors (heating, piping, refrigeration, plumbing). Comparable in advocacy, training, and member-service structure but represents union and open-shop mechanical contractors at a national scale, rather than a single local chapter.
• SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association): National trade association serving sheet metal and HVAC contractors with apprenticeship training and collective bargaining. Highly comparable on the HVAC side of PHCC SD's scope, with overlapping apprenticeship and certification frameworks.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National trade association representing merit-shop contractors across multiple trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, etc.). Comparable in offering apprenticeship training, member services, and legislative advocacy, but broader in trade scope than PHCC SD's plumbing/HVAC specialization.

Regional players

• UA Local 230 (United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs): San Diego-area union for plumbers and pipefitters running a competing apprenticeship pathway. Same regional labor pool, same DOL apprenticeship framework, and same journeyman-level credentialing objective — primary competitive alternative for plumbing apprenticeships in San Diego.
• San Diego Community College Continuing Education – Trade Programs: Regional public alternative for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical pre-apprenticeship training at subsidized tuition. Directly competes for the same aspiring-tradesperson segment in San Diego, often at lower price points and with broader scheduling flexibility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Phccsd
• Instagraminstagram.com/phccsandiego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phcc-san-diego-chapter

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PHCC San Diego Chapter