Authority Network America: Standards Reference

The Authority Network America standards reference defines the qualification benchmarks, licensing thresholds, and structural criteria that govern membership and provider listing across the network's 8 verticals. These standards apply uniformly to trade-specific member sites operating under the network umbrella, from plumbing and HVAC to roofing, electrical, and pool services. Consistent application of these benchmarks is what distinguishes a verified network listing from an unvetted directory entry. The network quality benchmarks and provider listing standards pages detail the specific thresholds enforced at the point of listing.

Key idea

The core function of network standards is to establish a minimum floor of professional legitimacy — not to rank providers by performance, but to verify that listed entities hold active state-issued licenses, carry required liability coverage, and operate within the regulated scope of their trade. A provider who cannot satisfy licensing requirements in their jurisdiction does not meet the threshold for inclusion, regardless of volume or tenure. This framework is explained in full in the authority designation explained resource and operationalized through the contractor verification framework.

Trade-specific standards are enforced through the network's member sites. National Plumbing Authority covers licensing tiers, code compliance requirements, and jurisdictional variance across state plumbing boards — a critical reference for a trade regulated differently across all 50 states. National HVAC Authority addresses EPA Section 608 certification requirements, equipment efficiency standards, and regional installation codes that govern heating and cooling contractors. National Electrical Authority catalogs National Electrical Code (NEC) adoption status by state alongside master and journeyman license structures. For general construction and multi-trade operations, National Contractor Authority documents the bond, insurance, and registration requirements that apply to licensed general contractors at the state level. National Roof Authority covers roofing-specific licensing mandates, manufacturer certification programs, and storm-damage documentation standards. The member site scope comparison page maps how each vertical's standards diverge and where they share a common baseline.

Common terms

License reciprocity — an agreement between two or more states that allows a holder of a valid trade license in one jurisdiction to obtain a license in another without completing the full examination process. Reciprocity status varies by trade and by state pair.

Surety bond — a three-party financial instrument in which a bonding company guarantees a contractor's performance to a project owner, distinct from general liability insurance, which covers third-party bodily injury and property damage.

Jurisdictional variance — the condition in which the regulatory requirements for a single trade category differ materially across state or municipal boundaries, requiring providers to maintain multiple licenses or comply with locally adopted code editions rather than a single national standard.