Does Indiana require a state contractor license?

No. Indiana does NOT issue a statewide general contractor license. General contractors, home-improvement contractors, remodelers, and most electricians and HVAC technicians are regulated at the city or county level. The main construction trade that IS state-licensed is plumbing, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

How do I check if an Indiana contractor is licensed?

It depends on the trade. For plumbers, use the state license lookup at mylicense.in.gov. For general contractors, home-improvement contractors, electricians, and HVAC contractors, contact the city or county building/licensing department where the work will occur — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and Bloomington all maintain searchable registries. Always verify bond and insurance at the same time.

Is a plumber required to have a state license in Indiana?

Yes. Under Indiana Code 25-28.5, any person performing plumbing work for hire in Indiana must hold a state plumbing contractor or plumbing journeyman license issued by the Indiana Plumbing Commission via IPLA. Apprentices must also register. Verify any plumbing license at mylicense.in.gov before hiring.

Does Indiana license electrical or HVAC contractors at the state level?

No. Indiana does not issue any statewide electrical or HVAC contractor license — all electrical and HVAC licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Commercial boilers and pressure vessels are registered, inspected, and certificated by the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (under Indiana DHS), but the state does not license individual boiler operators.

What is Indiana's Home Improvement Contracts Act?

The Home Improvement Contracts Act (HICA), codified at Indiana Code 24-5-11, requires a written contract for any home-improvement project over $150. The contract must identify the parties, describe the work and materials, state the approximate start and completion dates and the total price, and be signed by both parties. Violating HICA can make the contract unenforceable and exposes the contractor to liability under the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (IC 24-5-0.5).

Do Indiana contractors need to be bonded?

There is no statewide contractor bond. Bond requirements are set by city or county ordinance. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and most other major Indiana cities require a local contractor bond (amounts commonly $5,000-$25,000 depending on jurisdiction and license class; Evansville-Vanderburgh County general contractor bonds sit at the higher end) plus general liability insurance before issuing a license or permit. Confirm the current amount with the local building department where the work will occur.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Indiana?

Because general contracting is not state-licensed, 'unlicensed' usually means unregistered with the city or county. Local jurisdictions can issue stop-work orders, refuse to issue permits, and impose fines. An unregistered contractor may also be unable to enforce the contract or file a mechanics lien in some circumstances. For state-regulated trades like plumbing, working without a license is a violation of IC 25-28.5 and can result in civil penalties and criminal charges.

How do I file a complaint against an Indiana contractor?

For state-licensed plumbing complaints, file with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at in.gov/pla/consumers/file-a-complaint/. For boiler or pressure-vessel equipment safety concerns, contact the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Indiana DHS). For general contractors, home-improvement contractors, electricians, and HVAC companies, file with the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer-protection-division/file-a-complaint/ and with the local building/licensing department. For monetary disputes, small claims or civil court is often the direct path.

Can I get a license to do general contracting anywhere in Indiana with one application?

No. Because general contracting is regulated city by city and county by county, a license issued by Indianapolis does not authorize work in Fort Wayne or Evansville. Most contractors working across jurisdictions have to register separately in each city or county where they do business, meet each jurisdiction's bond and insurance rules, and sometimes pass a local exam.

Where do I look up a plumber's license in Indiana?

Use the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency's eVerification portal at mylicense.in.gov. Search by name, license number, or business. The result will show the license type (contractor, journeyman, apprentice), status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions on file.

How to Verify a Contractor in Indiana — No State License Required

Indiana Contractor Licensing — Quick Facts

State License Required?: No — varies by city/county
Minimum Project Threshold: Home improvement contracts over $150 must be written (HICA, IC 24-5-11); GC licensing thresholds set by municipality

Online License Lookup: Search licenses online →

No statewide general contractor license — GC, home-improvement, electrical, and HVAC licensing is handled at the city/county level. The state DOES license plumbing contractors and journeymen through the Indiana Plumbing Commission under IPLA (IC 25-28.5) and commercial boiler/pressure-vessel operators through the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. Statewide Home Improvement Contracts Act (IC 24-5-11) requires written contracts with specific disclosures for any home-improvement project over $150. Verify state-licensed trades at mylicense.in.gov; verify GC registration with the local building department.

Search licenses on the official Indiana board site →

Indiana does not require a state-level general contractor license. However, this doesn't mean contractors can operate without any oversight. Many cities and counties in Indiana have their own licensing requirements, and specialty trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) typically require state licensing even when general contracting doesn't.

How to Verify a Contractor in Indiana

Since Indiana doesn't have statewide licensing, you'll need to:

Check local requirements. Contact your city or county building department to find out if contractors need a local license, permit, or registration to work in your area.
Verify specialty licenses. If your project involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialty trades, those contractors should hold state-issued specialty licenses. Check the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) for specialty license verification.
Ask for proof of insurance. Even without a licensing requirement, any reputable contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for certificates before signing a contract.
Check the Better Business Bureau. In states without licensing boards, the BBB and online reviews are your primary tools for vetting contractors.
Verify business registration. Check that the contractor is registered as a business with the Indiana Secretary of State.

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

In states like Indiana where there's no state licensing board to file complaints with, it's especially important to:

Get a detailed written contract before any work begins
Never pay more than 10-30% upfront
Verify the contractor pulls all required building permits
Get multiple bids and check references
Use a credit card for payments when possible (chargeback protection)

Should Indiana Require Contractor Licensing?

States without contractor licensing consistently have higher rates of consumer complaints about home improvement fraud. Licensed states provide consumers with surety bond protection, complaint investigation, and disciplinary enforcement that unlicensed states lack. If you're in Indiana, consider advocating for statewide contractor licensing through your state legislature.

Sources

Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.

Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — home — Umbrella agency for Indiana's professional and trade licensing boards, including plumbing. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Plumbing Commission (IPLA) — State regulator for plumbing contractors, journeymen, and apprentices under IC 25-28.5. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
IPLA eVerification — License Lookup — Official state lookup for all IPLA-issued professional and trade licenses, including plumbing. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Code Title 25, Article 28.5 — Plumbing Licensing Law — Statutory basis for Indiana's plumbing licensing program. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Code Title 24, Article 5, Chapter 11 — Home Improvement Contracts Act — Written-contract and disclosure requirements for home-improvement projects over $150. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Code Title 24, Article 5, Chapter 0.5 — Deceptive Consumer Sales Act — Statewide consumer-protection statute enforced by the Attorney General. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division — Primary complaint channel for unlicensed and deceptive contractor activity. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Indiana DHS) — Registers, inspects, and certificates commercial boilers and pressure vessels statewide. Indiana does not issue state-level boiler operator licenses. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Indianapolis — Apply for a Contractor License — Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) contractor licensing for Marion County. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
City of Fort Wayne — Permits and Bonds — Fort Wayne contractor registration, permits, and bond requirements for work inside city limits. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Allen County Building Department — Contractor Licensing — Contractor licensing for unincorporated Allen County (outside Fort Wayne city limits). (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Authority (EVCBA) — Joint city-county authority governing Evansville-Vanderburgh County contractor licensing, exams, and bonding. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
St. Joseph County Building Department (serves South Bend area) — St. Joseph County Building Department works alongside the City of South Bend Building Department (building@southbendin.gov) on contractor registration across 20+ categories. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Monroe County Building Department — Licensing and Registration — Monroe County contractor licensing, insurance, and registration covering Bloomington and surrounding county. (retrieved 2026-04-20)

Other States

Looking up a contractor in a different state? Visit our state-by-state contractor license lookup page to find the right verification tool for your state.

Ready to look up a contractor?

Search on Official Indiana Site →

How to check a contractor's license in Indiana.

How to Verify a Contractor in Indiana

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

Should Indiana Require Contractor Licensing?

Sources

Other States

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