Indiana Electrical Contractor License
Indiana does not issue a statewide electrical contractor license. You must license where the work is performed—e.g., Indianapolis (BNS), Allen County, Elkhart, or Monroe County—meeting that jurisdiction’s exam, bond/insurance, and fee requirements. The citations above link directly to each official source.
To get a electrical contractor license in Indiana, you license locally (there is no statewide electrical license). Choose your city/county, pass the required exam, file your bond and insurance, and apply with the local licensing office before pulling permits. Examples below cover Indianapolis, Allen County, Elkhart, and Monroe County.
Requirements last verified: 2026-10-30
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | No statewide electrical license; Indiana confirms only plumbers are state‑licensed. Electrical contractors are licensed by local governments. Examples: Indianapolis Department of Business & Neighborhood Services (BNS); Allen County Building Department; City of Elkhart Permit Center; Monroe County Building Department. Indiana Business Owner’s Guide (State); Indianapolis BNS—Contractor Licenses; Allen County Rules & Regulations; Elkhart—License Applications & Fees; Monroe County fee schedule. |
| Fees (examples with exact figures) | Elkhart: $100 new, $100 renewal; reciprocity $100. Elkhart fee schedule. Monroe County: $200 Commercial/Industrial or Residential Electrical Contractor license. Monroe County fees. Indianapolis: license issued by BNS; fees published by the City; $10,000 license bond is mandatory per code. Indy Code § 875-109; BNS contractor page. |
| Experience | Allen County “Electrical Supervisor” (qualifies the contracting business): 4 years and 7,000 hours as a journeyman. Allen County Rules § B.1.b. Other cities determine experience via their boards (see your local office). |
| Exam | Indianapolis: International Code Council (ICC) exam; board interview and orientation required. Indianapolis Electrical License Application Packet. Elkhart: ICC G-16 Master Electrician exam or in‑state reciprocity. Elkhart—Exam & Reciprocity. Allen County: outside testing agencies as directed by the Building Department. Allen County Rules. |
| Minimum age | Not specified uniformly in state law; local ordinances and boards set eligibility. Verify with your licensing jurisdiction. Examples above do not state a fixed age minimum. State guidance; local pages cited. |
| Insurance and bond | Indianapolis requires a $10,000 surety bond for contractor listings by ordinance; general liability insurance and workers’ compensation (or waiver, if eligible) are required at licensing. Indy Code § 875-109 (Bond); Indy Electrical Packet (insurance & WC). Other cities set their own bond/insurance—see their permit centers. |
| Renewal | Local cycle. Elkhart renews annually ($100). Elkhart—Renewal. Indianapolis renewals are handled by BNS per license class and current fee schedule. BNS contractor page. |
How to get an electrical contractor license in Indiana
- Decide where you’ll work. Indiana licenses electricians locally. Make a list of your target jurisdictions (e.g., Indianapolis/Marion County, Allen County/Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Monroe County). Confirm whether a license or registration is required before bidding or pulling permits. State guidance: local licensing.
- Confirm the local pathway. Check the city/county page for exact forms, fees, and board schedules. Example pages: Indianapolis BNS; Allen County Rules; Elkhart Permit Center.
- Meet experience requirements. Where required, document your hours/years. Allen County requires 4 years and 7,000 hours for the Electrical Supervisor license that qualifies a contracting entity. Allen County Rules § B.1.b.
- Pass the required exam. Indianapolis uses the ICC exam with a Board of Electrical Examiners interview/orientation; Elkhart accepts the ICC G‑16 Master Electrician exam. Indy Electrical Packet; Elkhart Exam Guide.
- Arrange bond and insurance. File the required surety bond (Indianapolis: $10,000 by ordinance) and provide general liability insurance and workers’ compensation or waiver, as your jurisdiction requires. Indy Code § 875-109; Indy Electrical Packet.
- Submit your application. Turn in the license packet, fees, and supporting documents to the local office by posted deadlines. Indianapolis requires packet submission 10 business days before the board meeting. Board packet timeline.
- Pull permits under the license. After approval and issuance, use your local contractor account to apply for electrical permits and schedule inspections. Local utilities also list inspection authorities by area. AES Indiana—Inspection Authorities.
- Renew on time. Most cities renew annually; mark your calendar for your jurisdiction’s renewal window and keep your bond/insurance continuous. Elkhart—Annual renewal; BNS—Licensing.
Indiana electrical contractor license: statewide rules vs. local rules
Indiana does not issue a statewide electrician or electrical contractor license; the State’s official business guide says only plumbers are state‑licensed. That’s why requirements, fees, and permits live at the city/county level. Indiana Business Owner’s Guide.
Indianapolis electrical contractor license requirements
In the Consolidated City of Indianapolis, contractors are licensed by the Department of Business & Neighborhood Services (BNS). You’ll interview before the Board of Electrical Examiners, take the ICC exam, complete orientation, then file proof of a $10,000 surety bond, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation coverage prior to issuance. BNS—Contractor Licenses; Electrical License Application Packet; Indy Code § 875‑109.
Need help budgeting your startup? See our analysis of electrical contractor licensing costs in Indiana, and compare multi‑trade planning in our HVAC contractor license cost guide for Indiana.
Allen County (Fort Wayne) electrical licensing
Allen County issues an Electrical Supervisor license (treated like Master) that can qualify a business for an Electrical Contractor Business Registration. The Supervisor applicant must document 4 years and 7,000 hours as a journeyman; exams are administered by outside testing agencies designated by the County. Allen County Rules § B.1.
Elkhart electrical contractor license
Elkhart licenses electrical contractors via exam or in‑state reciprocity. Fees are fixed at $100 (new), $100 (renewal), and $100 (reciprocity), and Elkhart accepts the ICC G‑16 Master Electrician exam. Elkhart—Electrical License & Fees.
Monroe County (Bloomington area) electrical licensing
Monroe County’s Board of Commissioners sets electrical contractor license fees by resolution; current published fees list $200 per Commercial/Industrial or Residential Electrical Contractor license. Check the Building Department for application packets and renewal timing. Monroe County fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a single, statewide Indiana electrical contractor license?
No. The State confirms only plumbers are state‑licensed; electrical contractor licensing is done by local governments (cities/counties). Always check the jurisdiction where the work is located. Indiana Business Owner’s Guide.
What exam does Indianapolis require for an electrical contractor license?
Indianapolis uses the International Code Council (ICC) exam, with a Board of Electrical Examiners interview and orientation. After passing, you must file your bond, insurance, and workers’ compensation before issuance. Indianapolis Electrical License Packet.
How many hours of experience do I need?
It varies by jurisdiction. Example: Allen County requires 4 years and 7,000 hours for its Electrical Supervisor license (which qualifies a contracting business). Other cities set their own criteria or rely on exam/board review. Allen County Rules § B.1.b.
What bond and insurance are required in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis requires a $10,000 contractor surety bond by ordinance, plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation (or waiver, if eligible) per the licensing packet. Indy Code § 875‑109; Electrical License Packet.
How often do I renew?
Renewals are local. Many jurisdictions renew annually (e.g., Elkhart lists a $100 annual renewal). Always follow your local office’s cycle and keep bond/insurance continuous. Elkhart—Renewal.
Want a shortcut? License Navigator can map your cities, confirm the exact forms, fees, bonds, and exams, and keep your renewals on track—so you can focus on winning jobs.
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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.