Indiana Contractor License Requirements by County

Does Indiana Require a Contractor License?

Indiana does not have a statewide general contractor license. Unlike states like California or Florida, there’s no state-level test or license required to perform general construction work in Indiana.

However, individual cities and counties set their own requirements. These range from no requirements at all to detailed licensing with exams, bonds, insurance minimums, and continuing education. The rules change dramatically depending on where your project is located.

Jurisdictions WITH Contractor Licensing Requirements

City of Evansville / Vanderburgh County — Most Comprehensive

Evansville has one of the strictest contractor licensing programs in Indiana:

$25,000 surety bond required
$1,000,000 general liability insurance required
3 hours/year continuing education required
License Clerk: 812-436-7880

Penalties for using unlicensed contractors:

1st offense: $500 fine
2nd offense: $1,000 fine
3rd offense: $2,500 fine

Both the contractor AND the homeowner can face penalties.

City of Hammond — Detailed Fee Structure

Hammond requires contractors to be licensed and registered:

Initial license fee: $200
Annual renewal: $100
Insurance required: $100,000/$300,000 liability
Surety bond: $5,000

City of East Chicago — Written Exam Required

East Chicago is one of the few Indiana jurisdictions that requires a written exam for all specialty contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.). General contractors must also register.

City of Terre Haute — Bond and Registration

$10,000 surety bond required
Initial registration: $350
Annual renewal: $175

Fort Wayne / Allen County — Registration Required

All contractors must be registered with the Allen County Building Department before pulling permits:

Contact ACBD Licensing: 260-449-7342
Email: ACBDLicensing@allencounty.us

Indianapolis / Marion County — Registration Required

Contractors must be registered with the Department of Business & Neighborhood Services to pull permits in Marion County.

City of Gary — Multiple License Categories

Gary maintains separate license categories:

General Contractor
Electrical Contractor
Mechanical Contractor
Roofing Contractor
Demolition Contractor
Drywall Contractor
Fire Protection Contractor

Each category has its own requirements and fees.

Jurisdictions WITHOUT Contractor Licensing

City of Goshen — Most Relaxed

Goshen explicitly states that NO general contractor license or bond is required. This makes it one of the most contractor-friendly jurisdictions in Indiana. Specialty trades (plumbing, electrical) still need applicable state licenses.

South Bend / St. Joseph County

South Bend does not require general contractor licensing. Specialty contractors must hold state licenses where applicable.

Bloomington / Monroe County

No general contractor license required. Monroe County does manage a Licensing & Registration Board for electricians and plumbers specifically.

Most Rural Counties

The majority of Indiana’s rural counties have no contractor licensing requirements. Contractors can pull permits without registration or bonding. This includes counties like:

Carroll County
Blackford County
Sullivan County
Many others

Specialty Trade Licenses

Even in jurisdictions without general contractor licensing, specialty trades often require credentials:

Plumbing

Indiana requires plumbers to hold a state license for most jurisdictions. The City of Elkhart specifically requires plumbing contractors to carry a state license. Bartholomew County requires a Master Electrician license but includes plumbing in the general building permit.

Electrical

Many jurisdictions require electricians to hold state certification or local licenses:

Bartholomew County requires Master Electrician licensing
Monroe County manages a local Licensing & Registration Board for electricians
Evansville includes electrical work under the Building Commission licensing program

HVAC

HVAC contractors are less commonly licensed at the local level in Indiana. Many jurisdictions simply require them to pull the appropriate trade permit.

Radon Mitigation

Indiana is one of the few states with mandatory statewide radon licensing. Anyone performing radon testing or mitigation for compensation must hold an active license from IPLA — this is a state law requirement under 410 IAC 5.1, not a local rule.

There are four IPLA radon license types: Radon Mitigator, Primary Radon Tester, Secondary Radon Tester, and Radon Laboratory Tester. Unlike general contractors, radon professionals are licensed at the state level regardless of what county they work in.

You can verify any Indiana radon contractor’s license at IN Radon Pros or directly through the IPLA verification portal.

What Homeowners Should Know

Verify Before You Hire

In jurisdictions with licensing requirements:

Ask the contractor for their license number
Call the local building department to verify
Request a copy of their insurance certificate
Check that the bond is current

Homeowner Permits

In most Indiana jurisdictions, homeowners can pull permits for work on their own primary residence — even in areas that require contractor licensing. You’re acting as your own contractor. However:

You must do the work yourself (or under your direct supervision)
The property must be owner-occupied
You’re still responsible for meeting building code
Inspections are still required

Red Flags

Be wary of contractors who:

Won’t pull permits or ask you to pull them (shifting liability to you)
Can’t provide proof of insurance or bonding
Offer cash-only deals with no written contract
Pressure you to skip inspections

Find Your Local Requirements

Contractor licensing rules vary across Indiana’s 92 counties. Find the specific requirements and contact information for your jurisdiction on our county and city directory.