Indiana contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

No state general contractor or home improvement license

General contractors, remodelers, roofers, painters and other home improvement contractors are not licensed by the state. Check the city or county where the work is done.

• Good to know: Contractor licensing for trades other than plumbing is a local option in Indiana.

Plumbing Contractor (state)

Businesses and individuals contracting for plumbing work.

• Good to know: Issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency; the Plumbing Commission reviews exam eligibility. A separate Journeyman Plumber license exists.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: Plumbing contractor and journeyman plumber licenses require passing an exam. No state exam for general contractors or remodelers.
• Experience: Plumbing contractor: pathways include completing an approved apprenticeship, work in the trade, or four years working in a plumbing business under a licensed contractor (or an out-of-state license). None at state level for general contractors.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: Plumbing contractor: $50 application fee, $100 renewal. Journeyman plumber: $30 application fee, $30 renewal. No state fees for general contractors or remodelers.
• Renewal: Plumbing licenses renew by December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Contracts and homeowner protections

Indiana law requires home improvement contracts exceeding $150 to be in writing (Office of the Indiana Attorney General). Under IC 24-5-11-10, the supplier must give the consumer a completed contract before the consumer signs. It must include the consumer's name and property address; the supplier's name, address and email; the name, phone and email of the person who handles consumer problems; the date submitted and any acceptance deadline; a reasonably detailed description of the work; approximate start and completion dates; any contingencies that would materially change the completion date; the contract price; whether a third party such as a subcontractor will furnish labor or materials; and signature lines for the supplier and each consumer. Indiana courts have held that a contract that violates the Act cannot be enforced against the consumer.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Plumbers and plumbing contractors are licensed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (Plumbing Commission). Electrical and HVAC contractor licensing is handled by local governments, not the state.

City and county rules

Because Indiana has no state general contractor license, many cities and counties license contractors locally, and requirements vary by community (for example, Indianapolis issues contractor licenses through its Department of Business and Neighborhood Services). The Attorney General advises checking with the city or county building department to confirm a contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. Local permits are also required in many areas.

Working without a license

Practicing as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber without a license is unlawful. A home improvement contract that does not follow the Home Improvement Contracts Act can be unenforceable against the consumer.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Full text of IC 24-5-11 (Home Improvement Contracts Act). The contract rules above come from an official Indiana Court of Appeals summary.
• Whether a Home Improvement Contracts Act violation is a deceptive act under the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, and its penalty amounts.
• Statutory consumer cancellation period for home improvement contracts and insurance-deductible rules for roofers.
• Home Improvement Fraud criminal penalties (IC 35-43-6).
• Indianapolis and other local license classes, insurance and bond amounts.

Sources

1. Indiana Business Guide - IN.gov
2. PLA: Plumbing Licensing Information - Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
3. Storm Chasers consumer guide (PDF) - Office of the Indiana Attorney General
4. Home Improvement Scams fact sheet (PDF) - Office of the Indiana Attorney General
5. Balash v. Mader (Ind. Ct. App. Oct. 8, 2024) case summary - Indiana Courts