Electrical Contractor License Cost IN
Indiana has no statewide electrical contractor license; costs are set locally. In Indianapolis/Marion County, plan for $247 business license, $377 new license holder ($247 renewals), a $10,000 bond, and specified liability insurance, plus exam and local filing fees. Other cities (e.g., Lafayette) publish their own fees and requirements.
The electrical contractor license cost in Indiana depends on the city or county; there is no statewide electrician license. In Indianapolis/Marion County, expect $247 for the business license (new/renewal), $377 for a new license holder ($247 to renew), a $10,000 surety bond, and specified liability insurance. Indiana Professional Licensing Agency; Indianapolis BNS License Requirements & Fees (PDF).
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-22
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Local jurisdictions (city/county). Example: Indianapolis Department of Business & Neighborhood Services (BNS) issues electrical contractor licenses for Marion County. State list of regulated professions (no statewide electrician); Indianapolis Accela portal. |
| Fees (Indianapolis benchmark) | Business license: $247 new (prorated by term) and $247 renewal. License holder: $377 new (prorated) and $247 renewal. Additional authorized agents beyond 5: $63 each. Sole proprietorships pay no business license fee (license holder fee still applies). BNS fee schedule, pp. 1–2. |
| Exam (license holder) | Indianapolis requires an exam-qualified license holder attached to the business; testing is administered via the Electrical Contractors Board’s approved provider (exam fee paid to provider). BNS instructions. |
| Experience | Set locally. Many jurisdictions require documented trade experience to sit for the exam. Example alternative benchmark: Lafayette offers residential/commercial classifications and requires either four years’ experience or passing the exam. City of Lafayette Electrical Licenses. |
| Minimum age | Not specified statewide; local ordinances/forms do not state a specific age but applicants must be legally capable of contracting and meeting insurance/bond criteria. Verify with your local licensing office. IPLA professions index; BNS forms. |
| Insurance | Indianapolis: General liability minimums of either $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage, or a combined $500,000 per occurrence; BNS must be named Additional Insured. Workers’ compensation per state law. BNS insurance requirements. |
| Bond | Indianapolis requires a $10,000 license or permit surety bond, expiring 12/31/2027 for the current term. BNS bond requirement. |
| License term & renewal | Indianapolis two‑year cycle ending 12/31/2027 (current term), with $247 renewal for the business and $247 for the license holder. Proration applies to mid‑term issuance. BNS fee schedule. |
| Forms | Company License Application and Craft License Holder Application (Electrical). Submission instructions and documentation checklist included. BNS application packet (PDF). |
How to get an electrical contractor license in Indiana (and what it costs)
- Confirm the correct jurisdiction. Indiana does not issue a statewide electrician license; apply where the work is located (e.g., Indianapolis/Marion County via BNS). Use your local government site or portals such as Indianapolis’ Accela. IPLA professions list; Indy Accela.
- Choose your business structure and register it. If not a sole proprietorship, register the entity and any DBA with the Indiana Secretary of State, then gather matching documentation for your license application. INBiz (Secretary of State).
- Meet bond and insurance minimums. For Indianapolis, obtain a $10,000 surety bond with the required obligee language and general liability coverage meeting BNS minimums; add BNS as Additional Insured. BNS insurance/bond specs.
- Designate an exam‑qualified license holder. Have a qualifying individual pass the approved exam and attach that person to the business license; submit the Craft License Holder Application with fees. BNS instructions.
- File the company application and pay fees. In Indianapolis, budget $247 for the business license (if applicable), $377 for a new license holder ($247 renewal), and $63 per additional authorized agent beyond five. BNS fee schedule.
- Renew on the set cycle. Track the two‑year term (Indy cycle ends 12/31/2027) and renew both the business license and the license holder on time to avoid lapses. BNS renewal fees.
Electrical contractor license cost in Indiana: local snapshots
Costs vary by city/county. Indianapolis/Marion County publishes exact fees and insurance/bond minimums in its application packet (see table above). As another benchmark, Lafayette lists classifications and a $100 annual renewal for certain electrical licenses. Always verify in the jurisdiction where you’ll pull permits. Indianapolis BNS; Lafayette Electrical Licenses.
Is there a statewide electrical license in Indiana?
No. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency’s professions index does not include an electrician or electrical contractor board; licensing is handled locally (e.g., Indianapolis BNS, Lafayette Engineering/Permits). Plan your budget around the local application, exam, bond, insurance, and renewal fees. IPLA professions index.
Plan adjacent trade costs when bidding
Many firms bundle HVAC and electrical scopes. If you also supervise mechanical work, review our breakdown of HVAC contractor license costs in Indiana and the step‑by‑step guide to getting an Indiana HVAC contractor license so you can align bond/insurance and renewal dates across trades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total first‑year cost in Indianapolis?
Common first‑year cash outlays include: $377 for a new license holder, $247 for a new business license (if not a sole prop), surety bond premiums for a $10,000 bond, and general liability coverage meeting BNS minimums. Exam and entity‑filing fees are additional. BNS fee/coverage requirements.
How often do I renew an Indianapolis electrical contractor license?
Indianapolis runs a two‑year license term; the current cycle ends December 31, 2027. Renew both the business license ($247) and the license holder license ($247) for the next term. BNS renewal details.
Do all Indiana cities require the same bond and insurance?
No. The $10,000 bond and specific liability minimums cited here apply to Indianapolis/Marion County. Other cities/counties set their own thresholds; always pull the local packet before bidding. Indianapolis BNS; Lafayette.
Is there a journeyman or master electrician license statewide?
No statewide credentials exist. Some jurisdictions recognize journeyman/master titles; others license only the electrical contractor entity with a qualifying individual who has passed the approved exam. Check your local ordinance. IPLA professions index.
Want a quick, jurisdiction‑specific estimate for your exact scope? License Navigator can map your electrical contractor license costs line‑by‑line and keep renewals on schedule—so you bid with confidence.
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Licensing Navigator researches business licensing requirements and organizes them into practical, state-by-state guidance. Our pages are research aids, not legal advice.