Indiana Contractor License Courses, Classes & Exam Prep

Do you want to be a contractor in Indiana? You have come to the right place to learn everything you need to know about contracting licenses in The Hoosier State. 
We will go through how to obtain a license in several different cities in Indiana, answer some frequently asked questions, and make sure you know how Contractor Training can help you get to where you want to be as a contractor.

Indiana is one of the few states that do not regulate general contractors directly with any statewide requirements. The only contracting work that does require a state license is plumbing. 

However, there always are regulations on the local level. You must check the rules of the county you are operating in before beginning your work as a contractor.

It is important to note that the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor license is not applicable in Indiana. Even if you have this license, you will still be required to obtain the licenses that pertain to the county in which you will be working.

If you have a license from a state other than Indiana, it may be possible to receive reciprocity when you transfer your business to Indiana. However, the local municipality and county regulations control this.
As a whole, Indiana does not require continued education for contractors, but there may be different requirements depending on local regulations.

The Benefits of Having a Contractor's License in Indiana

Having a contracting license will guarantee that you are in line with all laws and will not face any legal repercussions for operating.

Build Trust

A license lets people know that you are qualified and capable of doing a fantastic job. Licenses let the government, your customers, and even yourself know that you are ready to be a contractor.

Licenses also ensure that you are ready to complete work at a high level. Clients will also be more likely to trust you to take on their projects if you can prove that you are licensed. 

We will be with you through every step of the process and make sure that you know how to acquire the right contracting license for the work you desire to do. 
We currently offer a license application fulfillment service that will ensure that you have all the proper paperwork turned in to all the right places. 
We will even work with you if your application is denied and ensure that your second time submitting goes smoothly. Think of the Contractor Training Center as your mentor in your journey to become an incredible contractor in Indiana.

Contact Us

Where you plan to work in Indiana will affect how you need to obtain your required license. 

As long as you do not plan on becoming a plumber, you must check the county or city regulations where you plan to work.

Since the rules around contracting are so decentralized in Indiana, we're going to share the processes for several different cities below to give you an idea of the requirements you must meet throughout the state.
 

Step 1: Register The Business Name With The Relevant Department

The specific governmental department you will be working with varies from city to city:

• When working within the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, you must hold a license from the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. 
• In Evansville, you will need to get your license from the County Building Commission. 
• If you would like to operate a contracting business in Fort Wayne, you must obtain a license from the Building Department.

Step 2: Decide What Type Of License Your Business Needs

• The Building Department of Fort Wayne offers two different options for contracting licenses: General Contractors License and General Contractors Superintendent Registration
• There are also two different options for contracting licenses in Evansville: Building General Contractor and Residential General Contractor. 
   

Types Of Licenses:

General Contractor License

• If you plan to engage in contracting work on a basic level in Fort Wayne, then this license will likely be sufficient.

General Contractor Superintendent Registration  

• If you want to make crucial decisions and supervise large-scale construction projects in Fort Wayne, you will need to obtain this registration.

Building General Contractor

• This license will allow you to work on commercial, industrial, and multi-residential properties in Evansville.

Residential General Contractor

• If you obtain this license, you will be able to work on single-family homes and small agricultural structures as long as they are under two stories tall in Evansville.

Step 3: Fill Out The License Application And Send It To The Right Department

Step 4: Provide Proof

To get your Indianapolis contracting license approved, you will need to provide proof of several different things, including:

• Surety Bond
• Worker's Compensation Insurance
• General Liability Insurance
• An agent with the ability to obtain project permits
• DBA (Doing Business As) registration
   

Step 5: Pay The Necessary Fees

Be prepared to pay several hundred dollars as you file your application. The exact amount will depend on what license you are getting and where you are getting it. 

Step 6: Take The Exam

After the County Building Commission accepts your application, you must get ready for the exam. 

Contact Ivy Tech to register for your test and pay the required fee. Whether you are taking the commercial or residential exam, you will need to prepare yourself to answer knowledge-based questions about the general contracting trade. 

Each exam is an open book and contains 100 items. You must get 70% of the questions correct to earn a passing score and get your license.
 

Exam Times And Date

Often, the government will partner with third-party testing agencies through which you must schedule your exam. 

For example, in Indianapolis, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services works with Prometric Testing. 

If you have any questions about dates and times for your exam, contact us today. We can help you find details for the exam that you need to take.
 

Attend The Mandatory Orientation Class Within 60 Days Of Being Granted Your License

This step may not be required in every part of the state, but you do not want to forget to complete it if necessary.