> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cslid.nascla.memorang.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Indiana

> Contractor licensing thresholds, regulator routing, requirements, reciprocity, and license types for Indiana's narrow-licensing construction regulation model.

Indiana requires state licensure only for plumbing. Highway contractors must prequalify with INDOT, and public works contractors and subcontractors over \$150,000 must certify through the Public Works Certification Board. All other construction trades are unregulated at the state level.

<Warning>
  Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.
</Warning>

## At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in Indiana is to recognize that state-level licensing is narrow. These signals cover the three regulated gates.

| Signal                                 | Value                                                |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| General contractor license             | Not required at state level                          |
| Plumbing license                       | State licensure required (exam + 4 years experience) |
| Highway prequalification               | INDOT, 5% bid bond + performance bond                |
| Public works certification trigger     | Contracts over **\$150,000**                         |
| Highway subcontractor prequalification | Over **\$300,000**                                   |
| Plumbing exam minimum score            | 70%                                                  |
| License cycle                          | Biennial, expires December 31 of odd years           |
| Reciprocity model                      | None                                                 |

## Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Contractors" icon="hard-hat">
    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="Does Indiana have a general contractor license at the state level?">
        No. Indiana does not require a general contractor license at the state level. State regulation covers only three lanes: plumbing licensure, highway prequalification (INDOT), and public works certification for contracts over **\$150,000**. All other construction trades are unregulated by the state. See [Construction work regulated](#construction-work-regulated).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="How do I get a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber license in Indiana?">
        Apply through the Indiana Plumbing Commission. You must pass a written exam with a 70% minimum score (available six days per week) and document four years of verifiable experience. All members of a plumbing firm must be individually licensed, and a corporation must have at least one officer or employee with a valid license. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What is the prequalification requirement for highway work in Indiana?">
        INDOT prequalification requires a 5% bid bond and a performance bond at least equal to the bid amount. Financial statements are required, and bid limits are set by financial capacity with an experience reduction factor. Applications take about 30 days to process, and new applications must be received 21 days before a letting. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Where do I go to get licensed in Indiana?">
        Indiana has 3 separate agencies: INDOT for highway prequalification, the Indiana Plumbing Commission for plumbing licensure, and the Public Works Certification Board for public works contracts over **\$150,000**. There is no central licensing office. See [Who regulates construction](#who-regulates-construction).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="How much does it cost to get a plumbing license?">
        Fees use a biennial cycle tied to odd/even years. Journeyman Plumber exam fee is **\$30** with issuance at **\$15** (odd year) or **\$30** (even year) and **\$30** biennial renewal. Plumbing Contractor exam fee is **\$50** with issuance at **\$50** (odd year) or **\$100** (even year) and **\$100** biennial renewal. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Can I use my out-of-state plumbing license in Indiana?">
        No. Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. If you hold an out-of-state plumbing credential, you must still pass the Indiana written exam and meet the four-year experience requirement. See [Reciprocal agreements](#reciprocal-agreements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Are subcontractors required to prequalify for highway work?">
        Subcontractors exceeding **\$300,000** on INDOT highway work must also prequalify with INDOT. The same financial statement and experience requirements apply as for prime contractors. See [Construction work regulated](#construction-work-regulated).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What is the public works certification threshold?">
        Contractors and subcontractors on public works contracts over **\$150,000** must certify through the Public Works Certification Board. This is separate from INDOT highway prequalification — do not conflate the two paths. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Does Indiana require licensing for residential construction?">
        Not at the state level. Indiana does not license residential contractors or builders through any state agency. Check local municipality requirements for any residential construction permits or licenses. See [Construction work regulated](#construction-work-regulated).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What is the Indiana consumer recovery fund for plumbing?">
        Indiana maintains a consumer recovery fund for plumbing claims: **\$20,000** per judgment and **\$50,000** lifetime aggregate per plumber. This fund provides protection for consumers against licensed plumbers who fail to meet their obligations. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Regulators" icon="shield-check">
    <AccordionGroup>
      <Accordion title="How does Indiana's licensing model compare to states with comprehensive contractor boards?">
        Indiana is one of the narrowest licensing states in the country. Only plumbing has a standalone state license. Highway work uses INDOT prequalification, and public works use a separate certification board. All other trades — electrical, HVAC, general contracting — are unregulated at the state level. See [Construction work regulated](#construction-work-regulated).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="How does Indiana's $150,000 public works threshold compare to other states?">
        The **\$150,000** threshold for public works certification is a moderate gate. Some states trigger public works requirements at lower amounts, while others have no specific certification requirement. Indiana's **\$300,000** subcontractor threshold for highway prequalification is a separate, higher gate. See [Licensing thresholds](/docs/compare/licensing-thresholds).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What is regulated at the state vs. local level in Indiana?">
        The state regulates only plumbing licensure, highway prequalification, and public works certification. All other construction trades — electrical, HVAC, general contracting, residential building — are left to local municipalities. This makes Indiana one of the most locally-dependent states for contractor regulation.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What agency oversees plumbing licensing?">
        The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency houses the Plumbing Commission, which handles all plumbing licensure. This is separate from INDOT (highway prequalification) and the Department of Administration's Public Works Division (public works certification). See [Who regulates construction](#who-regulates-construction).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What are the fees across Indiana's regulated lanes?">
        INDOT highway prequalification has no specified fees. Plumbing exam fees range from **\$30** (Journeyman) to **\$50** (Contractor), with biennial renewals of **\$30** and **\$100** respectively. Apprentice registration is **\$10**. See [Requirements](#requirements) for complete fee tables.
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What license classifications does Indiana use?">
        Indiana offers five plumbing credentials: Plumbing Contractor, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Contractor Corporation, Apprentice Plumber Registration, and Temporary Plumbing Contractor. Highway and public works prequalification/certification are separate categories. See [Types of licenses](#types-of-licenses).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="Does Indiana have any reciprocity agreements?">
        No. Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state for any regulated trade. Out-of-state credentials are not automatically recognized. See [Reciprocal agreements](#reciprocal-agreements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What exam requirements exist for plumbing?">
        The Indiana Plumbing Commission requires a written exam with a 70% minimum score. The exam is available six days per week. Applicants must also document four years of verifiable experience. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="What are the renewal cycles in Indiana?">
        Plumbing licenses follow a biennial cycle, expiring December 31 of odd years. Fees differ between odd-year and even-year applications, which makes fee comparison non-trivial across states. See [Requirements](#requirements).
      </Accordion>

      <Accordion title="How does Indiana compare to other Midwest states in regulatory scope?">
        Indiana's narrow scope — plumbing only plus prequalification — places it among the lightest-touch states in the Midwest. Many neighboring states (Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota) regulate multiple trades at the state level. See the [Midwest region guide](/docs/jurisdictions/regions/midwest).
      </Accordion>
    </AccordionGroup>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Is licensure triggered?" icon="search" href="#construction-work-regulated">
    Most construction is not state-regulated. Check whether your project falls into a regulated lane.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Find the right regulator" icon="building" href="#who-regulates-construction">
    Use the regulator directory to route your question to INDOT, the Plumbing Commission, or the Public Works Division.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Application and renewal details" icon="clipboard-list" href="#requirements">
    Prequalification inputs, plumbing exam and fee schedules, and biennial renewal cycles.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reciprocity direction" icon="arrow-left-right" href="#reciprocal-agreements">
    Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Special considerations

Different roles need different things from an Indiana page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Contractors" icon="hard-hat">
    <Tip>
      Start by asking whether your work lane is even regulated at the state level. In Indiana, only plumbing, highway, and public works are.
    </Tip>

    * Indiana has no general contractor license at the state level.
    * Plumbing requires a state license through the Indiana Plumbing Commission — written exam (70% minimum) plus four years of verifiable experience.
    * Highway work requires INDOT prequalification with a 5% bid bond and a performance bond.
    * Public works contracts and subcontracts over **\$150,000** require certification through the Public Works Certification Board.
    * Subcontractors exceeding **\$300,000** on highway work must also prequalify with INDOT.
    * All members of a plumbing firm must be individually licensed; corporations need at least one licensed officer or employee.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Regulators" icon="shield-check">
    <Info>
      Indiana is best understood as a narrow-licensing state: only plumbing has a standalone state license. Highway and public works use prequalification, not traditional licensing.
    </Info>

    * The state operates 3 regulatory agencies across 3 distinct lanes.
    * No reciprocity agreements exist with any other state.
    * The Public Works Certification Board is separate from INDOT — do not conflate the two prequalification paths.
    * For cross-state comparison, the narrow scope of state licensing is the defining structural characteristic.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Indiana as "ready" for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Classify the project lane" icon="tag">
    Determine whether the work is highway construction, public works, plumbing, or general construction. Only the first three are regulated at the state level.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the right threshold test" icon="receipt">
    Highway subcontractors trigger at `$300,000`. Public works certification triggers at `$150,000`. Plumbing requires licensure regardless of contract value.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Route to the correct regulator" icon="building">
    INDOT handles highway prequalification, the Public Works Division handles state building certification, and the Plumbing Commission handles plumbing licensure. General construction has no state regulator.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the requirement set" icon="clipboard-check">
    For highway work, confirm bid bond and financial statement requirements. For plumbing, confirm exam eligibility, experience, and biennial fee cycle. For public works, confirm the application review timeline.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  If you can identify lane, threshold, regulator, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for an Indiana readiness check.
</Check>

## Navigation

Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

* [New state evaluation](/docs/workflows/new-state-evaluation) if you are screening Indiana for the first time.
* [Multi-state bid readiness](/docs/workflows/multi-state-bid-readiness) if you need to compare Indiana with nearby jurisdictions.
* [Licensing thresholds](/docs/compare/licensing-thresholds) or [prequalification patterns](/docs/compare/prequalification) for cross-state context.

## Construction work regulated

Indiana regulates a narrow set of construction lanes at the state level. Most trades do not require a state license. Look for the lane that matches your project.

| Work lane                               | What triggers regulation                                |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Highway construction (prime contractor) | INDOT prequalification required                         |
| Highway construction (subcontractor)    | Prequalification required over **\$300,000**            |
| Public works                            | Certification required for contracts over **\$150,000** |
| Plumbing                                | State license required (journeyman or contractor)       |
| General construction                    | Not regulated at state level                            |

<Note>
  All members of a plumbing firm, co-partnership, or association must be individually licensed. A corporation must have at least one officer or employee with a valid plumbing license.
</Note>

## Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Highway project (prime contractor)" icon="road">
    Prequalify with INDOT by submitting financial statements and experience information. A 5% bid bond and a performance bond at least equal to the bid amount are required. Most applications are processed within 30 days. New applications must be received 21 days before a letting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Highway project (subcontractor over $300K)" icon="road">
    Subcontractors exceeding **\$300,000** on INDOT highway work must also prequalify. The same financial statement and experience requirements apply.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="State or municipal public works" icon="building">
    Contractors and subcontractors on public works contracts over **\$150,000** must certify through the Public Works Certification Board. Submit an application for review through the Department of Administration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plumbing work" icon="tool">
    Apply for a Journeyman Plumber or Plumbing Contractor license through the Indiana Plumbing Commission. A written exam is required (70% minimum, available six days per week), along with four years of verifiable experience.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="General construction" icon="building">
    No state license is needed. Check the municipality where work will be performed for local requirements.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Who regulates construction

Indiana splits its limited construction regulation across 3 agencies. Each handles a distinct lane. Use this directory to find the one that applies to your work.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Highway prequalification — Indiana Department of Transportation" icon="road">
    100 North Senate Avenue, IGCN 725, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2219

    **Phone:** (317) 232-5094

    **Website:** [in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/contractorsconstruction/contractors-prequalification/](http://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/contractorsconstruction/contractors-prequalification/)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plumbing licensure — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (Plumbing Commission)" icon="tool">
    402 West Washington Street, Room W072, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    **Phone:** (317) 234-8800 | **Fax:** (317) 233-4236

    **Website:** [in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/](http://www.in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Public works certification — Indiana Department of Administration, Public Works Division" icon="building">
    402 West Washington Street, Room W467, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    **Phone:** (317) 232-3001 | **Fax:** (317) 233-4613

    **Website:** [in.gov/idoa/state-property-and-facilities/public-works/](http://www.in.gov/idoa/state-property-and-facilities/public-works/)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Requirements

Each regulated lane in Indiana has its own inputs, thresholds, and fee structures. Expand the category that applies to your situation.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Highway Prequalification" icon="road" defaultOpen={true}>
    | Requirement                 | Detail                                         |
    | --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
    | Bid bond                    | 5% of bid amount                               |
    | Performance bond            | At least equal to the bid amount               |
    | Financial statements        | Required; bid limits set by financial capacity |
    | Experience reduction factor | Applied to bid limits based on experience      |
    | Processing time             | Approximately 30 days                          |
    | New application deadline    | 21 days before a letting                       |
    | Fees                        | None specified                                 |
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Public Works Certification" icon="building">
    | Requirement | Detail                                                         |
    | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | Trigger     | Contracts and subcontracts over **\$150,000**                  |
    | Application | Submit for review through the Public Works Certification Board |
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plumbing (Journeyman and Contractor)" icon="tool">
    | Requirement             | Detail                                                                 |
    | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | Exam                    | Written exam required, 70% minimum score                               |
    | Exam availability       | Six days per week                                                      |
    | Experience              | Four years of verifiable experience                                    |
    | Firm licensing          | All members of a firm must be individually licensed                    |
    | Corporation requirement | At least one officer or employee must hold a valid license             |
    | License cycle           | Biennial, expires December 31 of odd years                             |
    | Recovery fund           | **\$20,000** per judgment, **\$50,000** aggregate lifetime per plumber |

    | Category                        | Exam fee | Issuance (odd year) | Issuance (even year) | Renewal (biennial) |
    | ------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------ |
    | Journeyman Plumber              | **\$30** | **\$15**            | **\$30**             | **\$30**           |
    | Plumbing Contractor             | **\$50** | **\$50**            | **\$100**            | **\$100**          |
    | Plumbing Contractor Corporation | N/A      | **\$50**            | **\$50**             | **\$100**          |
    | Apprentice Plumber Registration | N/A      | **\$10**            | **\$10**             | **\$10**           |
    | Temporary Plumbing Contractor   | N/A      | **\$25**            | **\$25**             | N/A                |
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Reciprocal agreements

Indiana does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state. Out-of-state credentials are not automatically recognized.

<Info>
  If you hold an out-of-state plumbing credential, you must still pass the Indiana written exam and meet the experience requirement.
</Info>

## Types of licenses

Indiana offers a narrow set of state-level credentials. Only plumbing is licensed at the state level.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Plumbing" icon="tool">
    * Plumbing Contractor
    * Journeyman Plumber
    * Plumbing Contractor Corporation
    * Apprentice Plumber Registration
    * Temporary Plumbing Contractor
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Prequalification" icon="road">
    * INDOT Highway Prequalification
    * Public Works Certification
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## See also

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Midwest region guide" icon="map" href="/docs/jurisdictions/regions/midwest">
    Browse all Midwest jurisdictions for comparison.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contractors guide" icon="hard-hat" href="/docs/personas/contractor">
    Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regulators guide" icon="shield-check" href="/docs/personas/regulatory-staff">
    Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>