IN · Reviewed 2026-10-07

Indiana licensing for homeowners

Board lookups, licence classes, contract rules, and the verification routine — sourced to state law and official registries.

State: Indiana
Boards listed: 3
Licence classes: 4

Verify with the board — last reviewed 2026-10-07

Licensing rules change and cities add requirements on top of state law. Use this page as orientation; the lookup links below are the authoritative check before you sign a contract.

Who must be licensed in Indiana

Indiana does not issue a statewide residential general contractor licence for every remodel. Instead, the Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and local cities and counties issue building permits under the Indiana Building Code. Home improvement contracts over $500 fall under the Home Improvement Contracts Act, which requires written agreements with mandatory disclosures. A corporate registration with the Secretary of State proves nothing about whether someone may wire your panel or pull a plumbing permit. Always verify trade licences on mylicense.in.gov and confirm permit rules with the city or county where the job site sits.

Licensing boards and lookups

State licensing authorities for Indiana
Authority	Scope	Lookup
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency — Electrical 317-234-3040	Electrical contractor and electrician licences.	Verify licence →
Indiana Plumbing Commission (via IPLA) 317-234-3040	Plumber and plumbing contractor credentials.	Verify licence →
Indiana HVAC / refrigeration licensing (via IPLA) 317-234-3040	HVAC and refrigeration contractors.	Verify licence →

Licence classes and what they authorize

Electrical contractor — Unlimited or residential electrical contractor
Electrical contracting within the licence classification under Indiana electrical code.
Plumber / plumbing contractor — Indiana plumbing licence
Water, waste, vent, and gas piping work under the Plumbing Commission rules.
HVAC contractor — HVAC / refrigeration contractor
Installation and service of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.
Local contractor registration — Municipal registration (varies)
Permit pulling in cities such as Indianapolis — not a substitute for IPLA trade licences.

Verify a licence in about two minutes

Open IPLA E-Verification at mylicense.in.gov — not a business entity search.
Search by licence number for electrical, plumbing, or HVAC credentials.
Confirm Active status and read the licence type (contractor vs individual).
Match the legal name on the licence to your contract and insurance COI.
For remodel contracts over $500, confirm a written Home Improvement Contract with required disclosures.
Contact the local building department (e.g., Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services) for permit and registration rules.

Contractor hiring checklist

Insurance and bond minimums

IPLA licensees must maintain insurance and bonding as required by board rules. Indianapolis and other cities may require additional liability limits before permits. Request certificates directly from the insurance company with you as certificate holder.

Who issues permits

Indiana follows a statewide building code enforced locally. Cities and counties issue permits and inspect work. IPLA licences who may perform regulated trades; the local official decides whether your permit packet is complete.

Homeowner permits — can you pull one, and should you

Many Indiana cities allow owner-occupiers to pull permits for their own home with an owner-builder affidavit. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work still requires licensed contractors. Owner permits do not eliminate lien exposure if subcontractors go unpaid.

Deposits, cancellation rights, and liens

Deposit rules: The Home Improvement Contracts Act requires written contracts over $500 with mandated terms. While Indiana does not mirror California’s 10% deposit cap, large upfront demands without milestones are a practical red flag.
Rescission / cooling-off: Door-to-door sales and certain home solicitation contracts may include cancellation rights when statutory notices are provided under Indiana consumer laws.
Mechanic's lien timeline: Indiana mechanic’s lien law (IC 32-28-3) requires preliminary notice in many residential cases and sets strict filing deadlines. Owners should collect waiver forms at each draw.

Where to file a complaint

File IPLA complaints for unlicensed or incompetent trade work. Home improvement contract violations may go to the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. Permit issues go to the local building official.

File a complaint with the state →

If you hire someone unlicensed

Unlicensed electrical or plumbing work can fail inspection, create fire and flood risk, and lead insurers to deny related claims. Homeowners may pay twice to have licensed trades expose and correct DIY or handyman work.

Which trades need a licence here

Trade licensing status in Indiana
Trade	Status	Notes
Electrician	State licence	IPLA licence required for contracting in that trade.
Plumber	State licence	IPLA licence required for contracting in that trade.
HVAC / refrigeration	State licence	IPLA licence required for contracting in that trade.
General contractor / remodeler	Local licence	No statewide residential GC licence — local permits and registration.
Roofer	Varies	May be a dedicated roofing licence, a general building classification, or local registration only.
Carpenter / handyman	No individual licence	No individual trade licence in most states; scope limits and contractor registration still apply to the business pulling permits.

Reciprocity

Indiana offers limited reciprocity for some electrical licences with comparable states — verify IPLA’s current list. Plumbing and HVAC generally require Indiana credentials for work in Indiana.

Cities and counties with an extra layer

Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend each run building departments with contractor registration, permit fees, and inspection schedules that differ from suburban unincorporated counties.

Trade hubs

Cost guides

Metro pages

Local directory — Indianapolis

For contractors — getting and renewing a licence

Apply through IPLA after meeting exam and experience requirements for your trade. Register locally where required before advertising or pulling permits. Renew on schedule and keep insurance filings current.

Trade-owner resources →

Common questions — Indiana

Does Indiana require a general contractor license for home remodeling?

Indiana does not license residential general contractors at state level for all work. Regulated trades require IPLA licences, and cities may require local registration for permit pulling.

Where do I verify an Indiana electrician license?

Use IPLA E-Verification at mylicense.in.gov and search by licence number. Confirm Active status and match the legal name to your contract.

Who licenses plumbers in Indiana?

The Indiana Plumbing Commission credentials plumbers and plumbing contractors through IPLA. Verify credentials on mylicense.in.gov before hiring for repipes, water heaters, or gas lines.

What is the Indiana Home Improvement Contracts Act?

It requires written contracts with specific disclosures for home improvement work over $500. Verbal agreements are risky and may not include mandatory consumer protections.

Can I pull my own building permit in Indianapolis?

Owner-occupiers may qualify for owner-builder permits in many jurisdictions with affidavits. Licensed trades must still perform regulated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.

Is there a contractor deposit limit in Indiana?

There is no statewide percentage cap identical to California’s rule. Use milestone payments and retainage until inspections pass.

How do mechanic's liens work for Indiana home remodels?

IC 32-28-3 requires notices and filings on strict timelines. Subcontractors who follow the statute can cloud your title even if you paid the general contractor.

Does Indiana license HVAC contractors at state level?

Yes. HVAC and refrigeration contractors are licensed through IPLA and searchable on mylicense.in.gov.

Do handymen need a license in Indiana?

Handymen are not a state licence category, but electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scope requires IPLA credentials regardless of what the worker calls themselves.

What insurance should an Indiana contractor show before I pay a deposit?

Request general liability and workers’ compensation certificates from the insurer. IPLA boards set minimums; cities may require higher limits for permits.

How do I complain about an unlicensed plumber in Indiana?

File with IPLA and your local building official. Consumer fraud complaints may go to the Attorney General when misrepresentation is involved.

Are roofing contractors licensed statewide in Indiana?

Roofing is not an IPLA trade licence like electrical work. Roofers still need local permits and may need municipal contractor registration depending on the city.

Sources

Content reviewed 2026-10-07. Statutes and board URLs were checked at publication; confirm current text on the official site before relying on it in a dispute.