Indiana does not require licenses for general contractors at the state level. However, you’ll need to check local regulations. Some municipalities require contractors to hold an Indiana general contractor license before they can get to work.
To get started as a general contractor in Indiana, jump ahead to learn:
Indiana general contractors do not need to get a professional license from the state. However, the catch is in the local details. Depending on your work location, you might need to get a license from the local municipal government.
While not all parts of Indiana demand general contractors to be licensed, some do. Especially if your projects span multiple cities or counties, it’s crucial to verify the specific licensing requirements of each municipality.
When exploring general contractor licenses, Indiana cities and counties can set their own requirements. The following section covers instructions for applying for a contractor license in the state’s three largest cities: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Evansville.
To work as a general contractor in the Consolidated City of Indianapolis/Marion County, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services must issue you a license.
Note that this does not include the cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Speedway and Southport.
To complete the application process, you must:
To work as a general contractor in Allen County, including the city of Fort Wayne, you must have a license from the Allen County Building Department.
For each building permit application, you may also need to register as a superintendent.
You must submit a completed application along with a $90 license fee to obtain this license. If you plan to be licensed as a general contractor superintendent on individual permits, you must pay an additional $25 fee.
You must have a license from the Vanderburgh County Building Commission to work as a general contractor in Evansville or anywhere else in Vanderburgh County.
Depending on the type of contractor work you plan to do, you may apply as a residential building contractor or a commercial building contractor.
To apply for a license, you must:
For Indiana general contractors, licenses vary depending on your local area. Here are some examples of the requirements in some of the state’s major cities.
Your application in Indianapolis must include the following documentation:
You must attend an orientation course within 60 days after receiving your license if you are a first-time general contractor applicant in Indianapolis.
To become a general contractor, you must pass a written licensing examination. You may appeal to the vendor administering the contractor exam if you do not receive a passing score.
Your application to become an Evansville general contractor must include:
Once the application is processed, you must pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher.
In order to comply with local licensing requirements and to protect your business, you may need general contractor insurance. Many local governments require proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and the minimum coverage requirements can vary by area.
General contractors can choose from a variety of Indiana business insurance coverages, including:
General liability insurance can help cover common work-related accidents that occur on construction sites, like client injuries or damage to someone’s property.
In Indiana, you must have workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. This insurance can help cover lost wages and medical expenses if workers get hurt on the job.
Tools and equipment insurance is designed to help protect your contractor gear. It helps to pay for repairs and replacements if theft or damage occurs.
If you drive for work, commercial auto insurance can help cover accident-related costs like property damage and medical expenses.
Indiana commercial property insurance can help cover damage and vandalism affecting property that you own or rent for your contracting business.
Indiana contractors license renewal periods and fees vary by location in the state. Here’s what you can expect in the following Indiana cities:
Contractor licenses expire every two years on December 31 of even-numbered years. You must pay a renewal fee of $247.
Contractor licenses expire annually. You’ll pay a $90 renewal fee as a general contractor and a $25 renewal fee for general contractor superintendents.
New commercial and residential general contractor licenses expire after one year, at which point you may renew it for a one-year or two-year period.
Renewal fees for commercial contractors are $210 for one year, or you can pay $400 for a two-year license. As a residential building contractors, the renewal cost is $150 for one year or $285 for two years.
With NEXT, it’s easy to find the right general contractor insurance to help protect your business and get your Indiana general contractor license. We offer self-employed general contractor insurance for sole proprietors and general contractor business insurance coverage at affordable rates.
We’ll ask a few questions about your business and give you a quote. You can select your coverage options and purchase your policy — all in about 10 minutes. Your certificate of insurance will be available immediately, and you can access your policy 24/7 via web or mobile app.
If you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are available to help.
Ashley Henshaw was a contributing writer at NEXT. She specializes in small business topics, covering everything from insurance and branding to web hosting and cryptocurrency.
Her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, AOL City's Best, Citysearch, USA Today, The San Francisco Chronicle and Livestrong.
