Graduate Designation
Become a Graduate
The Michigan Heat Pump Collaborative would like to introduce you to our Graduate Designation, a tool designed to help recognize contractors who are providing high-quality heat pump installation services.
Get started on-demand now! Sign up or login today.
What are the benefits of being a Graduate?
We know you take pride in your business, and we want to recognize you for being a heat pump expert serving customers in Michigan. Here’s how it works:
- Receive access to the designation badge that sets you apart and helps you connect with customers. You can post it on your website, social media, and materials.
- Your company will be listed in our contractor search tool.
- You will have access to our library of educational resources you can share with your customers.
- Take your badge with you! Being a Graduate is something that marks you as a heat pump expert and you can take your experience and designation with you if you change companies or start work elsewhere in Michigan.
- Promotion on our sponsor utilities websites.
How do I become a Graduate?
It is easy to become a Graduate, the requirements are:
- Provide proof of completion of heat pump manufacturer training for the equipment brands you install
- Complete all required Michigan Heat Pump Collaborative trainings, either in-person or on-demand, and pass the associated knowledge checks with a score of 80% or greater. Review the specific designation requirements listed by equipment type below
- Review our Code of Ethics and Terms
- Complete the Graduate Designation Application.
Note – We now have two Graduate designation routes:
- The Individual Graduate designation is offered on an individual basis to the service provider who completes the steps outlined above. They will be listed in our search tool and their company will be noted. This designation will stay with you if you change companies.
- The Company Graduate designation is offered to a company with 75% of their staff trained in heat pump technologies. They also must have at least one install crew and two technicians be adept in heat pump technologies. The company will be listed in our search tool. This designation will stay with the company, as long as the requirements continue to be met.
Graduate Requirements
| Individual Air Source Heat Pump Graduate | Individual Heat Pump Water Heater Graduate | Individual Ground Source Heat Pump Graduate | Individual Air-to-Water Heat Pump Graduate | Company Air Source Heat Pump Graduate Designation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete required MIHPC trainings and pass associated quizzes | X | X | X | X | X - At least 75% of staff |
| Michigan Mechanical Contractor License | X | X | X | X | |
| EPA 608 License - for Installers only | X | X | X | X | |
| Michigan Plumbing License | X | ||||
| MGEA Member or IGSHPA Certificate | X | ||||
| Manufacturer Training Completed | X | X | X | X | X |
| One Install Crew and Two Technicians Heat Pump Adept | X - unless company is less than 5 staff | ||||
| Commissioning Sheet | X | X | X | X |
We also recognize these comparable trainings offered by the following organizing as sufficient to earn your Graduate Designation:
- NATE Training with specialty in heat pump technologies
- Energy Skilled
- HVAC Excellence with specialty in heat pump technologies
- HVAC U Gamechanger
If you have one of these certifications, feel free to reach out to us directly to inquire about a simplified Graduate Designation application at training@miheatpumps.com.
Read more about the specific requirements below in the Fine Print section.
Graduate Requirements - Fine Print
- For air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps - attend live or watch the three following space heating heat pump webinars available through the Collaborative and pass the associated quiz with a score of 80% or higher:
- Why Offer Heat Pumps?
- Introduction to Heat Pumps and Heating Applications
- ASHP Equipment Selection and Configuration for Successful Installation
- Air-to-water heat pumps require one additional training:
- Introduction to Cold-Climate Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
- For heat pump water heaters - attend live or watch one of the three following HPWH webinars available through the Collaborative and pass the associated quiz with a score of 80% or higher:
- A.O. Smith
- Bradford White
- Rheem
- Installers must have an EPA 608 license
- Attend basic applications and installation training from your preferred manufacturer.
- Equivalent of 4 to 8 hours of manufacturer training.
- Combined air conditioning and heat pump classes are acceptable.
- Trainings may have already been completed if they were completed no more than 2 years ago.
- At least 75% of your employees must have completed the required ASHP trainings. You will be required to list the trained employee members in your application.
- Why Offer Heat Pumps?
- Introduction to Heat Pumps and Heating Applications
- ASHP Equipment Selection and Configuration for Successful Installation
- You must have at least one full installation crew and at least two technicians adept in heat pump technology on your staff. If your company is fewer than 5 people, this requirement does not apply.
- You must include a heat pump option in your bids for every applicable job.
- Your company must be listed as licensed Michigan Mechanical Contractor.
- You can verify your status online here.
- Sales individuals do not need a license, but they must work for a licensed company.
Let's get started!
You can start earning your Graduate Designation today by registering for one of our upcoming trainings or taking one of our on-demand heat pump trainings. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us directly at training@miheatpumps.com.