SC Association of Licensed Trades (SCALT)

South Carolina Association of Licensed Trades seeks to elevate the levels of competence, professionalism and success of businesses and their employees that operate within the licensed trades industry in South Carolina to the benefit of the consumer. What began as South Carolina Heat Pump Association in 1989 was created by the major utilities in the state at the time, which wanted to educate consumers on value of heat pumps as the preferred choice of “HVAC engine” for homes in South Carolina. The founding group of leaders included utility representatives and equipment distributors. The focus of membership was the HVAC contractor who had a direct rapport with the end-user, everyone’s customer. Soon the leadership saw the need to add a contractor’s perspective to its planning and strategy sessions. An at-large position was created for a contractor to join the board of directors. Over the years, the association has morphed with the changing times and changing industry. Transitions included another name change before becoming the SC Association of Heating and AC Contractors and developing a leadership model that includes contractors from the association’s local chapters. Among other reasons, it was changed to represent an organization of people and not equipment. Since early 2000’s the association focused its legislative efforts on the licensing law for HVAC Contractors. This law went into effect July 1, 2003, and its passage began a new phase for the association. The association has since been focused on raising the level of professionalism for licensed HVAC Contractors. This emphasis makes the association's next transition an easy one to make. In 2019, the association opened its membership to all licensed trades (individuals within a business that have taken and passed a skilled trade licensing exam in the state of South Carolina) and changed its name to the South Carolina Association of Licensed Trades.