Indiana Contractor Licensing

Trade-by-trade licensing requirements for Indiana, sourced directly from the state regulatory board and verified by the CLR Editorial Review Desk. We currently publish 14 published trade guides, with direct links to each underlying board, statute, or candidate bulletin.

Published guides: 14
Exam-backed: 11
Bond-backed: 8
Local / municipal: 13
Avg initial fee: $173

How licensing works in Indiana

Indiana is not a one-size-fits-all licensing market. Across the 14 guides currently live on this state hub, 11 require a formal trade examination and 8 require a surety bond before the credential can issue. 13 of the published entries rely on city, county, or municipal registration rather than a single statewide credential, so contractors need to confirm the local building department or business-license office before bidding work.

The point of this state page is to give you a fast read on the regulatory model before you dive into a specific trade. Start with the trades grid below if you already know your specialty. If you are comparing jurisdictions, use the cost calculator for first-year cost and the reciprocity matrix for license portability.

Main boards and agencies

Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services — City of Indianapolis / Marion County

BNS issues municipal contractor, electrical, and HVAC licenses for Indianapolis and Marion County. Indiana has no state license for these trades, so BNS is the dominant licensing authority for Central Indiana.
Open agency site
Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency

The Indiana Plumbing Commission, administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA), licenses Plumbing Contractors and Journeyman Plumbers statewide, approves apprenticeship programs, and conducts disciplinary proceedings under IC 25-28.5.
Open agency site
Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Indiana Department of Homeland Security) — for pool construction standards; Indiana Professional Licensing Agency / Plumbing Commission — for the plumbing trade license

Indiana does not license swimming pool contractors at the state level; no state general, residential, or pool-specialty contractor license exists. The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission promulgates the Indiana Swimming Pool Code (675 IAC 20) governing pool construction standards but does not license builders. Contractor registration and qualification for pool building are handled by local county and municipal building departments through the permit process. The only state-issued construction trade license that applies to pool work is the plumbing contractor license issued by the IPLA/Plumbing Commission; electrical work is licensed locally.
Open agency site
Home Inspectors Licensing Board (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)

The Home Inspectors Licensing Board, administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), sets standards and issues home inspector licenses statewide.
Open agency site

Licensed trades

Compare Indiana against other states

Every trade above also has a national comparison hub showing how Indiana's exam, bond, fee, and experience requirements stack up against the other 50 jurisdictions.

Best starting points in Indiana

Budget

Estimate first-year cost

Compare filing fees, bond premiums, insurance assumptions, and renewal cost before you apply.

Mobility

Check reciprocity pathways

See whether this state accepts NASCLA or uses bilateral reciprocity for the trade you hold now.

Research

Search related guides

Jump directly to linked state and trade pages if you are comparing multiple jurisdictions side by side.