Indiana Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Indiana has no state solar contractor license — and uniquely, no statewide electrician license either. Every electrical and contractor license is issued at the county or city level (Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, etc.), so a solar business must register with each jurisdiction it intends to work in. Plumbing is the one trade Indiana actually licenses statewide (under IC 25-28.5), so solar thermal hot water requires an Indiana state Plumbing license. NABCEP PV Installation Professional is voluntary statewide but expected by most utility incentive programs.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services — City of Indianapolis / Marion County (BNS), which issues and polices it under Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County, Chapter 875 (Contractors) and Chapter 871 (Electrical). 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.

Official portal: https://www.indy.gov/agency/department-of-business-and-neighborhood-services
Address: 1200 Madison Avenue, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: (317) 327-8700

Baseline Eligibility

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. Local residency requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Good moral character

Local jurisdictions conduct fitness reviews.

Background investigation

Local jurisdictions typically require criminal history disclosure.

Experience and Education Requirements

A minimum of four years of practical electrical experience under a licensed electrical contractor (Indianapolis requirement; varies by jurisdiction) must be documented and verified. Unless the board publishes a different lookback period, applicants should keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records that support the claimed experience.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Local jurisdiction experience verification forms
Certified payroll
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (recommended)

Education substitution

NABCEP certification satisfies most utility incentive program requirements.

The Licensing Examination

Local jurisdictions administer their own electrician exams (Indianapolis uses Block & Associates) administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

Indianapolis Class A Electrical Contractor Examination — NEC, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 75%

Examination fee: $130 Indianapolis exam fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Financial Security and Insurance

The applicant must secure and file a $5,000 surety bond before the BNS will release the license.

General liability

Indianapolis requires $300,000 commercial general liability minimum.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under IC 22-3 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$200
Examination	$130
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every 2 years)	$200

License Renewal

The Indiana — No State Solar or Electrician License (Local Electrical Contractor Required) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $200. Local Indiana licenses typically renew every two years.

Continuing education: Local CE requirements vary.

Downloadable Asset

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

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

Indiana grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Indiana has no statewide electrical license to reciprocate. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry credential of choice but does not substitute for state licensure.

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

The Licensing Roadmap

Document four years of electrical experience. Compile experience verification per local jurisdiction requirements.
Apply to the local jurisdiction (Indianapolis or other). File the local Electrical Contractor application.
Pass the local electrician exam. Indianapolis uses Block & Associates; other cities vary.
Post the local surety bond. Indianapolis requires $5,000.
File the certificate of insurance. $300K CGL minimum in Indianapolis.
Earn NABCEP certification (optional). Voluntary but expected by Duke Energy and most utilities.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each Indiana jurisdiction requires local permits.

Preparation Resources

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.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
Indianapolis Electrical Code — City of Indianapolis. Local amendments to the NEC.
Block & Associates Indianapolis Electrical Examination Bulletin — Block. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to BNS:

☐ Four years of documented electrical experience
☐ Local Electrical Contractor application per jurisdiction
☐ Local electrician exam pass
☐ Local surety bond per jurisdiction
☐ $300K commercial general liability insurance (Indianapolis minimum)
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ NABCEP certification (recommended)

Common Application Pitfalls

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

Assuming a state license exists

It does not. Every solar business in Indiana navigates local licensing.

Skipping local permits

NABCEP and local credentials do not exempt you from city/county permits.

Letting bond lapse

Local jurisdictions suspend licenses immediately upon bond cancellation.

Forgetting workers compensation

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Confusing solar thermal with PV

Solar hot water requires the state Plumbing license.

Other Indiana Trade Licenses

CLR maintains guides for additional Indiana trades; the published ones are listed here:

Answers to Common Questions

Does Indiana have a state solar license?

No. Indiana has neither a state solar license nor a statewide electrician license. Both are regulated locally.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Indiana.

Which cities require licensing?

Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and most home rule cities.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a state-issued Indiana Plumbing license under IC 25-28.5.

Does Indiana reciprocate?

No. Indiana has no statewide electrical license to reciprocate.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-25 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-23