Indiana plumbing license requirements and insurance
To work for yourself as a plumber in Indiana, you need the Plumbing Contractor license. Indiana has 6 plumbing license types, and which one you need depends on the work you take on. The state sets no minimum liability insurance, and workers' comp is required as soon as you have an employee. The state does not ask for a bond.
1Who needs a plumbing license in Indiana? What is this?
Plumbing Contractor: the license you need to run your own plumbing business, bid on jobs and take responsibility for the plumbing on a project
| License | Who needs it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | The license you need to run your own plumbing business, bid on jobs and take responsibility for the plumbing on a project | All plumbing work in Indiana. That means the pipes, fixtures and appliances for drainage, venting and water supply in or next to a building |
| Plumbing Contractor, corporation license | A plumbing business set up as a corporation. The company holds its own license on top of the person's | A corporation doing plumbing work must hold its own license, and must name in that license the officers or employees who hold a plumbing contractor license. Those named people answer to the commission for how the company license is used |
| Journeyman Plumber | Anyone who does plumbing work as a trade for a licensed plumbing contractor. You cannot run your own business with this alone | Installing, altering, repairing and replacing plumbing, under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor |
| Apprentice Plumber registration | Anyone learning the trade. You work under the direct supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber | Plumbing work while you are enrolled in an apprenticeship program the commission has approved |
| Temporary Plumbing Contractor license | A part owner or officer of a plumbing business whose licensed plumbing contractor has died, or can no longer run the business | It lets you keep the business going, or wind it up. It does not let you do plumbing work yourself unless you already hold a journeyman or contractor license. You may employ a journeyman to do the work |
| City registration, Indianapolis | A state licensed plumbing contractor who does plumbing work inside Indianapolis and Marion County | It is not a second license and there is no city exam. You register your business with the city so that you can pull plumbing permits |
2Who issues plumber licenses in Indiana? What is this?
Indiana Plumbing Commission, part of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) issues plumbing licenses in Indiana.
See how this compares in every state: How to check a contractor's license, state by state
| Name | Indiana Plumbing Commission, part of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) |
|---|---|
| Website | in.gov |
| Look up a license | mylicense.in.gov |
| The law | Indiana Code 25-28.5-1 |
| The rulebook | Indiana Administrative Code, title 860 (860 IAC) |
3How to become a plumber in Indiana What is this?
Indiana has 6 licenses that matter to a plumber: Plumbing Contractor, Plumbing Contractor, corporation license, Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber registration, Temporary Plumbing Contractor license, City registration, Indianapolis. Each is below, with what you need before you apply.
| License | Experience required | Training required | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | Four years in an approved apprenticeship program, four years in the plumbing business under a licensed plumbing contractor, or a current license from another state. You prove the work history with a signed employer affidavit | None beyond the apprenticeship or the four years of work | Yes, the commission's plumbing contractor exam. The commission must approve you before you can book it |
| Plumbing Contractor, corporation license | — | — | — |
| Journeyman Plumber | Four years in an approved apprenticeship program, four years in the plumbing business, or a current license from another state | — | Yes, a multiple choice exam set by the commission. The commission must approve you before you can book it |
| Apprentice Plumber registration | — | — | No commission exam. Your school gives you a practical test in your first four years, on copper pipe, cast iron and plastic pipe. You need 70 percent on each part and you get at least seven tries |
| Temporary Plumbing Contractor license | — | — | — |
| City registration, Indianapolis | — | — | — |
4How much does a plumbing license cost in Indiana? What is this?
The government fees on this page add up to about $150 in Indiana. Add insurance, tools, and a vehicle to get the real number.
| License | Application | First license | First registration | Renewal | Late renewal | Getting a lapsed license back | Exam fee | First registration fee (most the law allows) | Getting a lapsed license back, 3 years or more | Renewal, every two years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | $50 | $100 | — | — | $15 | $200 | $100 | — | $150 | $100 |
| Plumbing Contractor, corporation license | $50 | $100 | — | — | $15 | $200 | — | — | — | $100 |
| Journeyman Plumber | $30 | $30 | — | — | $15 | $100 | $75 | — | $60 | $30 |
| Apprentice Plumber registration | — | — | $10 | $10 | — | $20 | — | — | — | — |
| Temporary Plumbing Contractor license | $25 | — | — | $25 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| City registration, Indianapolis | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | $142 | — | — |
Added up
| Government fees, added up | $150 |
|---|
State fees for one person going straight to the plumbing contractor license in an even year. Does not include the $100 exam fee paid to Prov, apprentice registration, a company license, the Indianapolis registration, insurance premiums, tools, a vehicle, or permits
5How much plumbing insurance do you need in Indiana? What is this?
Indiana sets no minimum liability insurance for this license. Customers and general contractors usually ask for $1,000,000 anyway. Workers' comp is required as soon as you have an employee.
| Minimum liability insurance | None required by the state |
|---|---|
| Type of policy | None at state level. The agency's own list of what you send with a plumbing application has no insurance on it, and the commission's rulebook has no insurance rule |
| Who this applies to | Not applicable at state level. Cities can ask for their own. Most customers, builders and general contractors will ask to see a certificate whatever the law says |
| Who must be named on the certificate | Not applicable at state level |
| Workers' comp required? | Yes, as soon as you have an employee. Every employer must insure its workers' comp duty or get the board's approval to pay claims itself |
| Who can opt out |
|
| Workers' comp: what to know |
|
| Workers' comp: application fee | 20 |
| Workers' comp: if you skip it |
|
·9 official pages
- in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/plumbing-licensing-information/
- in.gov/pla/files/Article-1-General-Provisions.pdf
- in.gov/wcb/independent-contractors
- in.gov/dA/5e5d68c2f7/ICAEJul1.pdf
- forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=7134
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-5-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-6-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-2-14-5/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-4-13/
6Does Indiana check your credit for a plumber license? What is this?
Indiana does not check your credit for this license.
| Credit score you need | None. The agency's page lists everything you send with a plumbing application, and none of it is about money you have or owe |
|---|---|
| If your score is lower | Not needed |
| How we know | Indiana Code 25-28.5-1-12 lists what you need for a license, and money is not on the list. The commission's rulebook has no section on credit, net worth or a financial statement, and neither does the agency's own checklist |
7Does a plumber need a bond in Indiana? What is this?
Indiana does not require a state bond for this license. Some cities ask for one before they issue permits.
| Does the state require a bond? | No |
|---|---|
| Amount | Not listed yet |
| City rules |
|
The commission's rules once had three sections on plumbing contractor bonds. All three are marked repealed in the agency's own copy of the rulebook, and no bond rule is left for an ordinary license. The one exception is the temporary contractor license, which still needs a bond on the commission's form. Cities can ask for their own bond before you pull permits.
8Where must an Indiana plumber show the license number? What is this?
In Indiana: your plumbing contractor license number must be easy to see in every written or printed ad for plumbing work, and on every vehicle you use for plumbing work.
| The rule | Your plumbing contractor license number must be easy to see in every written or printed ad for plumbing work, and on every vehicle you use for plumbing work |
|---|---|
| On ads |
|
| On your vehicles | The number goes on each side of the vehicle where your name or business name appears. It does not have to appear anywhere else on the vehicle |
| On quotes, contracts, and invoices | No state rule found for quotes or invoices. You must carry a copy of your license on the job and show it to a customer or inspector who asks |
| City rules |
|
| If you forget |
|
·4 official pages
9Does a plumber charge sales tax on labor in Indiana? What is this?
In Indiana, not taxed, as long as you write the installation labor on the invoice as its own line. The state says separately stated installation charges are left out of the taxable amount. The rest of the rules are below.
See how this compares in every state: Can you charge sales tax on labor? The rule in 25 states
| What this tax is | Indiana sales tax, which the law calls the state gross retail tax, and its partner the use tax. For a contractor, the kind of contract decides who pays tax on the materials |
|---|---|
| When you quote one total price |
|
| When you bill time and materials | The state treats you as a store selling the materials. You buy them tax free with your own exemption certificate, then charge the customer sales tax on the material part of the bill and send it to the state |
| Labor | Not taxed, as long as you write the installation labor on the invoice as its own line. The state says separately stated installation charges are left out of the taxable amount |
| Homes versus businesses | No difference. The rule turns on the kind of contract, not the kind of building |
| New buildings versus repairs | No difference. Both are treated the same, because improving a building and repairing one both count as turning materials into part of the building |
| Tax-exempt customers |
|
| Do you register to collect tax? | Yes, if you use time and material contracts. You need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate, which you get by registering at inbiz.in.gov. You then file and pay through intime.dor.in.gov |
| Tax rate | 7 percent state |
10Getting paid: lien and notice deadlines for an Indiana plumber What is this?
If you are not paid in Indiana, a lien on the property is your backstop, but only if your notice goes out on time: for repairs or alterations on a home the owner lives in, give the owner written notice within 30 days of your first day of work or first delivery (first day on March 1 means notice by March 31). The notice says what you supplied and that you have lien rights.
- Day 0Your first day on the job
The clock starts here.
- Day 30Send your notice
For repairs or alterations on a home the owner lives in, give the owner written notice within 30 days of your first day of work or first delivery (first day on March 1 means notice by March 31). The notice says what you supplied and that you have lien rights
- Day 60File your lien
File a sworn statement that you intend to hold a lien with the county recorder. On a one or two family home or a townhouse you get 60 days after your last work (last day June 1 means file by July 31). On other property you get 90 days (last day June 1 means file by August 30)
Each day count is counted from the day the rule beside it names, which is not always the same day. Read the sentence under each one.
| Who has to send a notice | Anyone who supplies labor or materials on credit to a contractor or subcontractor, and not to the owner, on a one or two family home. If the owner who lives there hired you directly, this notice does not apply to you |
|---|---|
| Send your notice by | For repairs or alterations on a home the owner lives in, give the owner written notice within 30 days of your first day of work or first delivery (first day on March 1 means notice by March 31). The notice says what you supplied and that you have lien rights |
| New buildings | On a new one or two family home the notice is due within 60 days of your first work or delivery (first day on March 1 means notice by April 30). A copy is filed with the county recorder in the same 60 days |
| File your lien by |
|
| Copy to the owner | You file two copies. The recorder mails one to the owner within three business days and charges you $2 for it |
| File a lawsuit by | You must sue to collect within one year of the day the lien statement was recorded |
| Homes the owner lives in | A person who buys a new one or two family home to live in, in good faith, is protected. Your lien does not reach that home unless your notice was recorded before their deed |
| Who can file a lien | Contractors, subcontractors, mechanics, laborers and suppliers of materials or machinery |
11How do you renew a plumbing license in Indiana? What is this?
The Plumbing Contractor renews every two years. Your license runs out on 31 December of an odd year. No training hours are required.
| License | Renewal | Training hours each renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing Contractor | Every two years. Your license runs out on 31 December of an odd year | — |
| Plumbing Contractor, corporation license | Every two years. The license runs out on 31 December of an odd year | — |
| Journeyman Plumber | Every two years. Your license runs out on 31 December of an odd year | — |
| Apprentice Plumber registration | Every two years. The agency says apprentice licenses run out on 1 October of every even year, and that you must confirm you are still enrolled in your program | — |
| Temporary Plumbing Contractor license | Every six months, for up to two years in total | — |
| City registration, Indianapolis | Every two years. The period starts on 1 January of an even year and ends on 31 December of the following year | — |
Renewal fees are in what the license costs. The official page for each license is linked under how you get it.
12What catches people out in Indiana What is this?
The things people get wrong or do not expect about Indiana, in a few sentences.
- Plumbing is the odd one out in Indiana. The state licenses plumbers through the Indiana Plumbing Commission, but it has no state license for HVAC or electrical work.
- The first license is half price in an odd year. A plumbing contractor pays $100 in an even year and $50 in an odd year, because everyone renews together before 1 December of odd years.
- You can go straight for the contractor license. The law asks for four years of apprenticeship or four years under a licensed contractor, not a journeyman license first.
- Your license number goes on each side of your truck wherever your name appears, and in every printed ad. The rule says a person with normal eyesight must be able to read it.
- Indiana gives you no credit for a license you already hold elsewhere. The agency says there is no reciprocity, so an out-of-state plumber still applies, pays, meets the commission and sits the exam.
- Working in Indianapolis adds a step but not an exam. You register your state license with the city, for two years at a time, before you can pull plumbing permits.
13Where these numbers come from
The labels under each table are explained on how to read a page.
- in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/
- in.gov/pla/license/free-search-and-verify/
- in.gov/pla/files/Article-1-General-Provisions.pdf
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-11/
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/title-860
- in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/plumbing-licensing-information/
- provexam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Indiana_CIB-2026.06.24.pdf
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-12/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-2/
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/860-IAC-1-1-2.1
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-22/
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/860-IAC-1-3-1
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/860-IAC-2-1-5
- law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/860-IAC-2-1-6
- library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances
- in.gov/wcb/independent-contractors
- in.gov/dA/5e5d68c2f7/ICAEJul1.pdf
- forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=7134
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-5-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-6-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-2-14-5/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-3-4-13/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-35/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-28-5-1-31/
- in.gov/dor/files/sib60.pdf
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-6-taxation/in-code-sect-6-2-5-4-9/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-6-taxation/in-code-sect-6-2-5-3-2/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-6-taxation/in-code-sect-6-2-5-2-2/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-32-property/in-code-sect-32-28-3-1/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-32-property/in-code-sect-32-28-3-3/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-22-labor-and-safety/in-code-sect-22-12-1-5/
- codes.findlaw.com/in/title-32-property/in-code-sect-32-28-3-6/