Indiana Plumbing Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Plumbing is the one Indiana construction trade with full statewide licensing. The Indiana Plumbing Commission, administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA), issues both Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor licenses under Indiana Code 25-28.5. The path runs Apprentice → Journeyman Plumber (four years and 6,800 hours of approved apprenticeship plus the Journeyman examination) → Plumbing Contractor (Journeyman credential plus two additional years of journey-level experience plus the Contractor examination). Indiana adopts the Indiana Plumbing Code (675 IAC 16), based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Indiana amendments. Indiana maintains limited bilateral reciprocity with Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Regulatory Body Profile

Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under Indiana Code 25-28.5; 860 IAC 1 (Plumbing Commission rules); 675 IAC 16 (Indiana Plumbing Code). 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.

Official portal: https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing/
Address: 402 W. Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 234-3009

The Eligibility Audit

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No Indiana residency requirement.

Good moral character

The Indiana Plumbing Commission conducts a fitness review on every applicant. Felony convictions and prior license revocations are reviewed individually under IC 25-1-1.1.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the IPLA application; the Commission may request additional documentation.

Experience and Education Standards

The experience bar is four years and 6,800 hours of approved plumbing apprenticeship under a licensed Indiana Plumbing Contractor for the Journeyman Plumber credential; an additional two years of journey-level work to qualify for the Plumbing Contractor examination, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

IPLA Apprenticeship Verification Form signed by each licensed Plumbing Contractor supervisor
W-2 statements, pay stubs, or 1099 records covering the qualifying period
Approved plumbing apprenticeship program completion certificate (UA Local, IAPHCC, ABC, or other Bureau of Apprenticeship-registered program)

Education substitution

Bureau of Apprenticeship-registered plumbing apprenticeship programs satisfy the experience requirement in full when completed. Trade school coursework alone does not substitute.

The Exam Syllabus

PSI Services LLC (under contract to IPLA) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Indiana Journeyman Plumber Examination — Indiana Plumbing Code (UPC-based) and trade theory — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%
Indiana Plumbing Contractor Examination — Indiana Plumbing Code, trade theory, and business and law — 130 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $84 examination fee per part paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed examinations may be re-taken by paying a new $84 fee. Each application remains valid for one year from the IPLA approval date.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

Indiana Plumbing Contractors must carry $300,000 minimum general liability per IC 25-28.5-1-19. Most commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Indiana under IC 22-3 for any business with one or more employees.

Additional financial requirements

No state-level net worth standard. Some Indiana cities require an additional municipal plumbing contractor registration with local bond requirements.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$168
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every 2 years)	$100

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Indiana Plumbing Contractor (and Journeyman Plumber) runs on a 2 years renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $100. Indiana Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor licenses renew every two years on the IPLA cycle.

Continuing education: Indiana Plumbing Commission does not currently mandate continuing education for plumbers, though code update training is strongly recommended each cycle.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Indiana Plumber License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Indiana does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Ohio	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Ohio Plumbing Contractors in good standing for at least one year.
Illinois	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Illinois Licensed Plumbers in good standing.
Kentucky	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for active Kentucky Master Plumbers in good standing.

Indiana plumbing reciprocity is limited to bilateral agreements with Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky. Reciprocal applicants must still pass the Indiana business and law portion and provide proof of out-of-state licensure for at least one year.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Plumber license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Register as a Plumbing Apprentice with IPLA. Enroll in a Bureau of Apprenticeship-registered plumbing apprenticeship program under a licensed Indiana Plumbing Contractor.
Complete four years and 6,800 hours of apprenticeship. On-the-job training plus classroom instruction in the Indiana Plumbing Code (675 IAC 16, UPC-based).
Pass the Journeyman Plumber examination at 75%. PSI 100-question examination on the Indiana Plumbing Code and trade theory.
Receive the Journeyman Plumber credential. IPLA issues the Journeyman license after the exam is passed and all documentation is complete.
Work two additional years as a journeyman. Document journey-level experience under a licensed Plumbing Contractor.
Pass the Plumbing Contractor examination at 75%. PSI 130-question examination covering the Indiana Plumbing Code, trade theory, and business and law.
Receive the Plumbing Contractor license. IPLA issues the Contractor license after exam, fee, and $300,000 general liability proof are submitted. Renewal cycle is two years.

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Indiana Plumber application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Studying the wrong code

Indiana uses the Uniform Plumbing Code, not the International Plumbing Code. Candidates from IPC states often study the wrong reference and fail the exam.

Skipping the apprenticeship registration

Hours worked before registering as an apprentice with IPLA do not count toward the 6,800-hour requirement.

Direct-entry to Contractor

The Plumbing Contractor path requires the Journeyman credential as a prerequisite. Direct-entry is not allowed.

Missing the general liability minimum

Indiana requires $300,000 minimum GL for Plumbing Contractors under IC 25-28.5-1-19. Operating without it is grounds for license revocation.

Assuming reciprocity covers business and law

Reciprocal applicants from Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky still must pass the Indiana business and law portion of the contractor exam.

Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting to IPLA, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ IPLA Plumbing Apprentice registration
☐ 6,800 hours of documented apprenticeship under a licensed Plumbing Contractor
☐ PSI Journeyman Plumber exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ Two additional years of journey-level experience
☐ PSI Plumbing Contractor exam pass certificate at 75%+
☐ $300,000 general liability certificate
☐ Workers compensation certificate for any employees

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

Uniform Plumbing Code (Indiana-adopted edition) — IAPMO. Primary technical reference. Open-book at the PSI test center.
675 IAC 16 — Indiana Plumbing Code — State of Indiana. Indiana amendments to the UPC. Required reading.
Indiana Code Title 25 Article 28.5 — State of Indiana. Plumbing licensing law and rules.

Other Indiana Trade Licenses

For a different Indiana credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

Does Indiana require a state plumbing license?

Yes. Plumbing is the one Indiana construction trade with full statewide licensing. The Indiana Plumbing Commission, administered by IPLA, issues both Journeyman Plumber and Plumbing Contractor licenses under IC 25-28.5.

How many hours of apprenticeship does Indiana require?

Four years and 6,800 hours of approved apprenticeship under a licensed Indiana Plumbing Contractor to qualify for the Journeyman Plumber examination.

What is the difference between a Journeyman Plumber and a Plumbing Contractor in Indiana?

A Journeyman Plumber may perform plumbing work under the supervision of a Plumbing Contractor. A Plumbing Contractor may operate a plumbing business and supervise journeymen and apprentices.

What plumbing code does Indiana use?

Indiana adopts the Indiana Plumbing Code (675 IAC 16), based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Indiana amendments. Candidates from IPC states must study the UPC for the Indiana exam.

Does Indiana reciprocate plumbing licenses?

Yes, with limitations. Indiana maintains bilateral plumbing reciprocity with Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky for active plumbers in good standing for at least one year.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-22 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-20