UPHCA

What UPHCA does

UPHCA (Utah Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 2006 and headquartered in Bountiful, Utah. It is the largest and only independent subcontractor association representing the plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC industry in the State of Utah, with member contractors, HVAC technicians, specialty contractors, manufacturers, and industry representatives. The association provides a unified portfolio of services including state-approved continuing education (online via LecturePanda and in-person at the UPHCA Academy in Salt Lake City/West Valley City), an apprenticeship academy, business seminars, the UPHCA Pipeline podcast, a consumer-facing directory (UtahPlumbing.org), and the Qualified Seal of Approval program backed by a Code of Integrity pledge.

The organization's go-to-market combines direct membership sales, event-driven engagement (seminars, CE classes, annual events), and content-led marketing through its podcast and blog. Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual membership dues ($250-$1,500/year depending on company size and member type), pay-as-you-go CE course and seminar fees, apprenticeship tuition, and a sponsorship program with Gold, Silver, Platinum, Contractor, and Diamond tiers. Suppliers and manufacturers (Hajoca, Moen, Buckner, Viega, Mountainland Supply, Backflow Training Services, among others) participate as Diamond sponsors with visibility on the UtahPlumbing.org directory.

UPHCA maintains ongoing legislative representation through a long-term retainer with Capstone Strategies, which has protected industry interests at the Utah State Legislature and the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). CE hours completed by members are automatically reported to DOPL within 1-3 business days, reinforcing the association's role as the operational interface between contractors and state regulators. The organization also partners with six Utah technical colleges for classroom-based apprenticeship delivery and runs a licensing endorsement program to recruit licensed plumbers from 29 approved states into the Utah market.

Name

UPHCA

Legal name

Utah Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association

Website

https://uphca.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UPHCA is a Utah-based 501(c)(6) trade association serving plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC contractors through state-approved continuing education, legislative advocacy, apprenticeship programs, and tiered membership dues, with operations funded by membership fees, course revenue, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAOACAA

Plumbing (Residential & Commercial)

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

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Continuing education plumbing
• HVAC contractor membership
• Apprenticeship training programs
• Trade licensing advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to plumbing contractors, HVAC technicians, manufacturers, industry representatives, and non-affiliated members based on company size. Membership tiers range from $250/year for small contractors (1-4 employees) to $1,500/year for larger companies (20+ employees).
2. Continuing Education Courses: Revenue from CE classes offered both online and in-person. Classes cover plumbing codes, safety, HVAC topics, business skills, and license exam preparation. Course pricing varies (e.g., $10 member/$20 non-member for marketing seminars).
3. Apprenticeship Academy: Online apprenticeship program with industry-created curriculum for plumbing and HVAC trades, providing another revenue stream for training services.
4. Sponsorships: Sponsorship tiers including Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Contractor levels. Diamond Sponsors displayed on the UtahPlumbing.org finder site.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UPHCA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that provides continuing education classes (online and in-person) for plumbing and HVAC license renewal, a multi-tier membership program for contractors and industry affiliates, and an apprenticeship training academy. The association also advocates for the plumbing and HVAC industry through legislative lobbying and provides a consumer-facing directory (UtahPlumbing.org) of qualified member plumbers.

Product overview

UPHCA (Utah Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association) operates as a membership-based trade association offering a unified portfolio of services centered on continuing education, professional development, and industry advocacy. The core offerings include CE Classes (online and live) for license renewal, the UPHCA Pipeline podcast for industry news, Seminars for business skills training, and the Apprenticeship Academy for entry-level training. The association also operates a Find a Plumber directory service and provides membership programs with three tiers (Contractor, Affiliated, Non-Affiliated) offering access to the Qualified Seal of Approval, legislative representation, and networking opportunities. Additional services include safety resources, licensing endorsement support for out-of-state professionals, and SMS communications for member engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CE Classes (Continuing Education) State-approved continuing education courses for plumbing and HVAC license renewal, offered both online (via LecturePanda) and in-person at UPHCA Academy. Covers plumbing codes, safety, HVAC topics, business skills, and Journeyman exam preparation. Plumbing license requires 12 hours CE; specialty contractor license requires 6 hours CE (3 hours must be live).
• UPHCA Apprenticeship Academy Online apprenticeship program with industry-created curriculum for plumbing and HVAC trades. Self-paced, open-enrollment training for individuals entering the trades, complementing Utah System of Technical Colleges' classroom-based programs.
• Seminars (Business Skills Training) Educational seminars on business topics including QuickBooks training ($250 per course), marketing fundamentals ($10 member / $20 non-member), and business selling strategies. Delivered in-person at UPHCA Academy.
• UPHCA Membership Programs Three-tier membership structure: Contractor (plumbers, technicians, business owners at $250–$1,500/year based on company size), Affiliated (manufacturers, industry representatives, suppliers at $500–$1,500/year), and Non-Affiliated ($500/year). Includes CE classes, networking, legislative representation, and Qualified Seal of Approval.
• Find a Plumber Directory Service Online directory (utahplumbing.org) connecting consumers with UPHCA-qualified, licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers and HVAC technicians in Utah. Supports search by address, city, zip code, and service type.
• Licensing Endorsement Program Program allowing plumbers licensed in 29 approved states to apply for Utah plumbing licenses without additional testing, provided they have been licensed for 1+ year and their license is in good standing.
• UPHCA Pipeline Podcast Industry podcast featuring guests discussing matters that impact the plumbing and HVAC industry. Episodes include interviews with suppliers, training services, and industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• State plumbing license renewal: 12 hours of CE required by November 30, 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Capstone StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPHCA has retained Capstone Strategies as their full-time lobbyist firm for many years to assist in representing their interests in the legislative process and governmental regulations at the State Legislature and DOPL.
• LecturePandacoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline learning platform that powers UPHCA's transition to digital education. Students receive email instructions to activate or access their LecturePanda accounts for CE class delivery.
• Wasatch Safety GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides toolbox meeting safety resources that UPHCA makes available to member companies to support development of a safety culture within the association.
• Diamond Sponsors (X-3 Tradesman, Crusader Water Systems, Hajoca, Moen, Buckner, Viega, Mountainland Supply Company, Backflow Training Services)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond tier sponsors displayed on UtahPlumbing.org consumer finder site. Includes supply manufacturers and distributors who support the association and gain visibility to qualified contractors.
• Podcast Distribution Partners (Apple/iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Pandora)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple podcast platforms where UPHCA Pipeline podcast is distributed, reaching plumbing industry professionals across various audio platforms.
• Utah Technical Colleges (Davis Technical College, Ogden/Weber Technical College, Salt Lake Community College, Mountainland Technical College, Dixie Technical College, Bridgerland Technical College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Utah System of Technical Colleges for classroom-based apprenticeship programs and plumbing education, complementing UPHCA's online apprenticeship academy.
• Explore The Trades / Build Your FutureminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCareer exploration resources recommended by UPHCA for students considering plumbing and HVAC trades as career paths.
• Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPHCA works closely with DOPL on licensing rules, CE provider approval, and representing member interests in the regulatory process. UPHCA is a State Approved CE Provider for Specialty Contractors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ServiceTitan: Software platform serving plumbing, HVAC, and other trades contractors. Not a peer association but an enabling technology provider whose trade-focused offerings compete for the same contractor wallet share that UPHCA pursues through its consumer directory and training products.

Direct peers

• ACCA — Air Conditioning Contractors of America: National HVAC contractor trade association providing advocacy, training, certification, and CE for HVAC and mechanical contractors — directly comparable to UPHCA's HVAC/mechanical contractor segment.
• PHCC — Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association: National trade association for plumbing, heating, and cooling contractors. Most direct functional peer to UPHCA: offers advocacy, CE, apprenticeship resources, and member benefits for the same contractor base at national scale.
• UA — United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs: International union representing plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC service techs, and welders. Comparable trade-community function via apprenticeship training and licensing support overlapping UPHCA's plumber-and-HVAC workforce focus.
• ASPE — American Society of Plumbing Engineers: Professional society for plumbing engineers and designers with education, certification, and CE programs. Comparable to UPHCA's plumbing professional-development and CE offerings, though ASPE skews toward engineering/design rather than contracting.
• MCAA — Mechanical Contractors Association of America: National association for mechanical contractors covering HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration. Comparable to UPHCA's mechanical/HVAC practitioner base and shares the same advocacy + education + apprenticeship mission structure.

Regional players

• CPCA — California Plumbing Contractors Association: California's state-level plumbing contractor association. Same trade-association model as UPHCA (advocacy + CE + apprenticeship) but operating in a different state with larger contractor base and broader regulatory footprint.
• Illinois PHCC (IL PHCC): Illinois chapter of PHCC providing advocacy, CE, and apprenticeship resources to plumbing and HVAC contractors. Functional state-association peer to UPHCA outside its Utah footprint.
• Texas PHCC: Texas chapter of the national PHCC network serving plumbing-heating-cooling contractors in Texas. Closely comparable state-level trade association role to UPHCA, differing only in geography and state regulatory environment.

Emerging players

• Nexstar Network: Membership-based business development and training network for home-services contractors (plumbing, HVAC, electrical). Comparable to UPHCA in member-services model and CE-style training, but business-skills oriented and multi-state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@uphcautahplumbing531
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61550494890854
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uphca

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 UPHCA