Authority Network America: Provider Framework

The Authority Network America provider framework defines how licensed trade and home-service professionals are classified, evaluated, and referenced across a coordinated network of sector-specific authority sites. This page describes the structure of that network, the criteria that distinguish qualified providers from unlicensed operators, and the mechanisms that route service seekers to appropriate resources. Understanding the framework requires examining both the organizational architecture and the regulatory standards that govern each covered vertical.

Definition and scope

The provider framework is a structured reference system spanning 8 member sites, each dedicated to a distinct home-services or trade vertical operating under US licensing and regulatory requirements. The network does not function as a contractor marketplace or lead-generation platform. Instead, it operates as a reference infrastructure — cataloging professional categories, licensing thresholds, and qualification benchmarks that apply to providers operating in licensed trades across all 50 states.

Scope is defined by vertical coverage and licensing relevance. A provider qualifies for inclusion within the framework when the trade or service category carries a mandatory state-issued license, a bonding or insurance requirement enforced by a regulatory body, or a certification standard recognized by a national trade association. Providers operating in unlicensed or self-regulated categories fall outside the framework's primary scope, though the Network Membership Criteria page details edge cases where voluntary certification elevates an otherwise unregulated category into reference eligibility.

The Standards Reference establishes the baseline qualification indicators applied consistently across all member verticals, ensuring that a "qualified provider" carries comparable meaning whether the context is electrical work in Texas or pool construction in Florida.

How it works

The framework operates through three coordinated layers:

1. Vertical authority sites — Each member site covers a single trade vertical with dedicated licensing databases, regulatory body references, and provider classification standards specific to that sector.
2. Cross-network referral protocol — When a service need spans multiple verticals (for example, a renovation requiring both electrical and HVAC work), the Cross-Network Referral Protocol defines how authority sites route researchers to the correct adjacent resource without loss of licensing context.
3. Compliance and quality benchmarks — The Network Quality Benchmarks page establishes measurable thresholds — license currency, insurance minimums, and complaint record standards — that providers must meet to maintain active reference status within any member vertical.

The National Contractor Authority functions as the broadest vertical node, covering general contracting licensure, bonding requirements, and the contractor classification systems used by state licensing boards. It serves as the primary entry point for service seekers whose project scope spans multiple trade disciplines.

For electrical work specifically, the National Electrical Authority references National Electrical Code (NEC) adoption status by state, master and journeyman license tiers, and inspection requirements — distinctions that carry material consequences for project legality and insurance coverage.

Plumbing and HVAC represent the two most heavily regulated residential trade categories in terms of interstate licensing variation. The National Plumbing Authority addresses this complexity by mapping state-level master plumber and plumbing contractor license requirements, while the National HVAC Authority covers EPA Section 608 certification requirements alongside state-specific HVAC contractor licensing — two distinct compliance layers that providers in that vertical must satisfy simultaneously.

Common scenarios

Three operational scenarios illustrate how the provider framework is engaged in practice:

Scenario 1 — Single-vertical service need. A property owner requires roof replacement. The National Roof Authority provides the relevant licensing classification for roofing contractors in the applicable state, the bonding minimums typical to that jurisdiction, and the distinction between a licensed roofing contractor and a general contractor permitted to perform roofing under a broader license. This distinction affects warranty enforceability and insurance claim outcomes.

Scenario 2 — Multi-vertical project. A residential pool installation requiring electrical bonding, plumbing connections, and pool contractor licensing engages 3 member verticals simultaneously. The National Pool Authority covers pool-specific contractor licensing and barrier compliance requirements, while cross-network referrals direct researchers to the electrical and plumbing authorities for the ancillary trade requirements.

Scenario 3 — Provider verification before engagement. An insurance adjuster or property manager needs to verify that a contractor holds a current license in the relevant trade category. The Provider Listing Standards page defines what documentation constitutes adequate verification across each vertical, and the Contractor Verification Framework outlines the sequential steps for confirming license currency, insurance certificates, and complaint history through official state board databases.

Decision boundaries

The framework draws explicit boundaries between reference scope and service categories it does not cover.

Licensed vs. unlicensed trades. The framework prioritizes verticals where state law requires a license before a provider may legally perform or contract for work. Landscaping, general handyman work, and painting — categories that carry no universal licensing requirement across US jurisdictions — fall outside the core framework. The Home Services Vertical Summary and Trades Vertical Summary pages map the full boundary between covered and excluded categories.

Authority designation vs. directory listing. The Authority Designation Explained page clarifies that reference status within the framework does not constitute endorsement of any individual provider. The framework references licensing standards and professional categories; it does not adjudicate individual provider quality beyond measurable compliance indicators.

National standards vs. state variation. Where a national standard exists — NEC adoption, EPA 608 certification, or International Plumbing Code (IPC) adoption — the framework references it as a baseline. Where state law diverges materially from national standards, the relevant vertical authority site documents the state-specific requirement. The Network Geographic Coverage page indexes known state-level divergences across all 8 verticals, giving researchers a single reference point for jurisdiction-specific compliance questions.

The Member Site Scope Comparison provides a structured side-by-side breakdown of what each vertical covers, its licensing body references, and its geographic applicability — the primary tool for determining which member site governs a specific service category and jurisdiction.