Renovation permits and contractor licences in Indiana

Trades that need a licence in Indiana

• Plumbing

  A plumber working in Indiana holds a state licence from the Plumbing Commission, so ask for the licence number and check it with the commission rather than with the building code agency. The commission publishes the statutes and administrative rules it works from on its own page if you need to look up a requirement.

  Sources:Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Plumbing⁠(opens in a new tab)

• General contracting and renovation

  The Professional Licensing Agency's list of professions has no general contractor, remodeler or home improvement licence, so for general renovation work there is no state licence to check. Ask your city or county building department what it requires instead, and ask the contractor for references and proof of insurance.

  Sources:Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Professions⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  There is no electrical contractor licence on the state agency's list of professions either. Electrical licensing in Indiana is local: Evansville, for example, runs contractor licensing through its Building Commission. Ask your building department which licence or registration it requires before anyone opens a panel.

  Sources:Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Professions⁠(opens in a new tab)Evansville Building Commission⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  The code that applies to a new house is the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, which adopts the 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings and has been in effect since December 2019. Ask your builder which edition the plans were drawn to, since the commission's rules tables show several older Indiana residential codes that have since been repealed.

  Sources:Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  If your project is a Class 1 structure, the plans must be filed with the state and released before construction, and filing is electronic. Since July 2026 some plans can be released without a review, including a remodel, renovation or repair of a structure that is not changing use and is located in Indianapolis, but they still have to be submitted and may still be selected for review.

  Sources:Indiana Department of Homeland Security – Building Plan Review⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Indiana

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   For plumbing work, ask for the state plumbing licence and check it with the Plumbing Commission.

   Official lookup: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Plumbing⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   For general or electrical work there is no state licence, so ask your city or county which licence or registration it requires.

   Official lookup: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Professions⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   Ask your local building department which permits your project needs before work starts.

   Official lookup: Evansville Building Commission⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Check which edition of the Indiana Residential Code applies to your project.

   Official lookup: Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   If the work is on a Class 1 structure, confirm who is filing for the state construction design release.

   Official lookup: Indiana Department of Homeland Security – Building Plan Review⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)