Does Indiana Require a Contractor License Bond? State Rules and Indianapolis Bonds

What the state licenses instead: plumbing contractors

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) publishes the state's plumbing licensing information. A plumbing contractor license expires December 31 of each odd-numbered year, and the renewal fee is $100. Where a local ordinance requires it, plumbing contractors must obtain permits to do plumbing work. The PLA has the final word on what a state license needs, and the City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) has the final word on Indianapolis licenses, so confirm the current rules with them.

Indianapolis fees, insurance and filing

General contractor licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years and renew every two years. Electrical, HVAC and wrecking licenses and plumbing registrations expire December 31 of odd-numbered years and renew every two years. For the 2027–2028 general contractor term, the new-license fee is prorated by application date: $247 (01/01/2027–06/30/2027), $185 (07/01/2027–12/31/2027) or $124 (01/01/2028–12/31/2028); renewal is $247, and each authorized agent beyond five costs $63. For the 2026–2027 term, electrical, HVAC and wrecking licenses carry a license-holder fee of $377, $283 or $189 and a business fee of $247, $185 or $124 by application date, with a $247 business renewal and a $247 license-holder renewal. For the 2026–2027 term, plumbing registration carries holder and business fees of $142, $107 or $71 by application date, with $142 renewals. For electrical, HVAC, wrecking and plumbing, business license fees are not assessed for sole proprietorships; only the license-holder fees apply.

Electrical, HVAC and wrecking contractors have no state license; applicants must pass an exam and be cleared by the licensing board before applying. General, electrical, HVAC and wrecking applicants must file a certificate of insurance — policy declarations are not accepted — showing at least $500,000 per occurrence for death or bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage, or $500,000 per occurrence combined, plus workers' compensation for workers you employ in Indianapolis. The plumbing packet has no insurance checklist; its acknowledgment asks you to keep proof of general liability, workers' compensation if applicable, and surety bond coverage before working in the city. You submit your application, insurance certificate and bond together to BNS, and the same applications are used for new and renewing licenses.

Steps

1. Check the state license. Decide whether your trade is state-licensed — plumbing is, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission; electrical, HVAC and wrecking have no state license.
2. Check the city. If you work in the Consolidated City of Indianapolis, BNS licenses general, electrical, HVAC, wrecking and plumbing contractors.
3. Match the bond to your license type. General and electrical need a $10,000 bond, HVAC $5,000, and wrecking $30,000, $20,000 or $10,000 by Type A, B or C.
4. Set up the bond form correctly. Name the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and/or an Unknown Third Party as obligee, type-write it, show an expiration date of 12/31/2028 or later for general and 12/31/2027 or later for the others, and confirm your surety is authorized in Indiana.
5. Add insurance. For general, electrical, HVAC and wrecking licenses, file a certificate of insurance at the required limits and carry workers' compensation for workers you employ in Indianapolis; the plumbing packet has no insurance checklist.
6. File everything together. Submit your application, insurance certificate and bond to BNS.
7. Check other cities. If you work outside Indianapolis — for example in Southport — confirm the local bond and license rules with that office.

Sources

• City of Indianapolis (BNS), Contractor Licenses
• City of Indianapolis, General Contractor packet
• City of Indianapolis, Electrical Contractor packet
• City of Indianapolis, HVAC Contractor packet
• City of Indianapolis, Wrecking Contractor packet
• City of Indianapolis, Plumbing Contractor packet
• Indiana PLA, 860 IAC Article 1 (General Provisions)
• Indiana PLA, Plumbing Licensing Information
• City of Southport, General Contractor Application
• State of Indiana, Contractor's Bond for Construction (form DAPW 15)

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