Indiana Contractor License Requirements & Application Help
Indiana does not issue a statewide general contractor license — instead, cities and counties set their own rules (Indianapolis, Evansville, Allen County, and dozens more all differ). The one exception is plumbing, licensed statewide by the Indiana Plumbing Commission under the Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). Every contracting business must also register with the Indiana Secretary of State.
Contractor Licensing Inc. helps you navigate both state plumbing licensing and local city/county rules so you can stay compliant and get approved faster.
Indiana's City & County Licensing Systems
Indianapolis (BNS)
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services licenses General, Electrical, Heating & Cooling (HVACR), Wrecking, and Plumbing contractors — but not the excluded cities of Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway, and Southport, which each issue their own separate licenses.
Allen County (Fort Wayne)
The Allen County Building Department requires all applicants to pass a written examination before a license is issued, in addition to standard application and insurance requirements.
Lake County
Licensing runs through the Planning Commission for general, electrical, plumbing (registration only), and HVAC contractors: a $300 fee plus $500,000 liability insurance (or a $1,000,000 umbrella policy).
Evansville / Vanderburgh County
The Evansville Building Commission licenses all contractors in Vanderburgh County across multiple license categories.
Muncie / Delaware County
A license and surety bond are required for heating and cooling, demolition, and mechanical trades. Delaware County separately requires annual contractor/subcontractor registration with the Building Commissioner.
Every Other City/County
Dozens of additional Indiana cities and counties — West Lafayette, South Bend, Terre Haute, Tippecanoe County, and more — each run their own licensing or registration process. Always confirm directly with the jurisdiction where you'll be working.
Indiana Plumbing License (PLA)
Plumbing is the only construction trade Indiana licenses statewide, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission under the Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). Three tiers:
- Apprentice Plumber — registered, working under a licensed journeyman or contractor
- Journeyman Plumber — exam required
- Plumbing Contractor — exam required, can operate a plumbing business
Experience: 4 years of documented plumbing trade experience is required — Indiana only counts 40 hours per week toward this total, even if you worked more. Application fee: $50. Renewal: apprentice licenses expire October 1 of even years ($10 renewal); journeyman and contractor licenses expire December 31 of odd years ($30 and $100 renewal, respectively).
Indiana Contractor License Reciprocity
General Contracting — No Formal Reciprocity
Since Indiana doesn't license general contractors at the state level, there's no statewide reciprocity to offer. Some cities may informally consider prior experience or out-of-state credentials, but any waiver is entirely at that jurisdiction's discretion — confirm directly with the local building department.
Plumbing — No Reciprocity, But Experience Transfers
The Indiana Plumbing Commission does not offer reciprocity for journeyman or contractor plumbers from any state. However, an active out-of-state plumbing license can be submitted as proof of the 4-year experience requirement — you'll still need to file a full Indiana application and pass the Indiana exam.
Indiana Contractor License FAQ
Does Indiana issue a statewide general contractor license?
No — cities and counties each set their own rules. Plumbing is the one trade licensed statewide, through the PLA's Plumbing Commission.
Who licenses contractors in Indianapolis?
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) — General, Electrical, HVACR, Wrecking, and Plumbing — excluding Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway, and Southport, which license separately.
How do I get an Indiana plumbing license?
4 years of documented experience (capped at 40 hrs/week counted), pass the state exam, pay a $50 application fee, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission.
Does Indiana have reciprocity with other states?
No — not for plumbing, and not formally for any locally-licensed trade. Out-of-state plumbing experience can count toward the 4-year requirement, but the Indiana exam is still required.
What does Allen County require?
A written exam for all applicants, on top of standard application and insurance requirements — administered by the Allen County Building Department in Fort Wayne.
What does Lake County require?
A $300 fee plus $500,000 liability insurance (or $1,000,000 umbrella policy), through the Lake County Planning Commission.
Does Indiana require a statewide contractor bond?
No universal statewide bond — since licensing is local, bond amounts are set city by city and county by county, typically $1,000 to $30,000 depending on jurisdiction and trade.
Indiana Local Contractor Bonds
Since GC licensing is local, so are the bonds. Here are Indianapolis's core categories, followed by every other Indiana city/county bond in our database.
| Indianapolis Bond | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor (renews even years) | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Electrical Contractor (renews odd years) | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Heating & Cooling Contractor (renews odd years) | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Wrecking Contractor Type A (renews odd years) | $30,000 | Apply Now |
| Curb, Sidewalk & Driveway Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Excavating Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
View all 88 Indiana local & county bonds
| Jurisdiction | Trade | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | Sewer and Septic Tank Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Carmel Utilities | Plumbing Contractor | $2,500 | Apply Now |
| City of Beech Grove | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Beech Grove | General Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Beech Grove | HVAC Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Beech Grove | Plumbing Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Carmel | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Elkhart | Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Evansville | Vanderburgh County, IN - Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Fishers | Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Griffith | Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Huntingburg | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Curb, Sidewalk & Driveway Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Electrical Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Excavating Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | General Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Heating & Cooling Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Wrecking Contractor Type A | $30,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Wrecking Contractor Type B | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Indianapolis | Wrecking Contractor Type C | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Jasper | Gas Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Kokomo | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of La Porte | Contractor License | $15,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lafayette | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lafayette | Electrical Contractor | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lafayette | Plumbing Contractor | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lafayette | Utility Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lebanon | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Mishawaka | Contractor License (Building Department) | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Mishawaka | Contractor License (Engineering Department) | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Muncie | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Muncie | Fire Suppression/Alarm Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Muncie | HVAC Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Nappanee | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Plymouth | Electrical Contractor Permit | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Portage | General Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Richmond | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Rochester | Electrical Contractor | $500 | Apply Now |
| City of Shelbyville | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend and St. Joseph County | Building Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend and St. Joseph County | Demolition Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend and St. Joseph County | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend and St. Joseph County | HVAC Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend and St. Joseph County | Sign Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of South Bend | Sidewalk Contractor | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Tell City | Contractor License | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Terre Haute | Excavation Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Terre Haute | Excavation Contractor | $25,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Carpentry or Structural Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Concrete Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Excavating Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Fire Suppression Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | General Contractor | $25,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Heating & Air Conditioning Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Masonry, Stone Masonry, Brickwork Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Plumbing Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Pool Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of West Lafayette | Sign Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Delaware-Muncie Metro Plan Commission | Commercial Contractor | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Delaware-Muncie Metro Plan Commission | Residential Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Hancock County | Concrete Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Hendricks County | Contractor License | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Johnson County | Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| La Porte County | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Lake County | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Marshall County | Contractor License | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Newton County | Contractor's License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Perry County Health Department | Plumbing Contractor | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Porter County | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Pulaski County | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Putnam County | Contractor Listing | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Shelby County | Building Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Starke County et al | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Switzerland County Board of Health | Contractor License | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Tippecanoe County | General Contractor License | $15,000 | Apply Now |
| Tippecanoe County | Sub Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Burns Harbor | Contractor License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Chesterton | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Dyer | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Griffin | Electrical Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| Town of Long Beach | Contractor's License | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Munster | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of New Carlisle | Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Porter | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Town of Walkerton | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Wayne County | Excavation Contractor | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| Whitley County Regional Water and Sewer District | Sewer Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
Ready to Get Licensed in Indiana?
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