General contractor · Local (city/county) licenses
How general contractor licensing works in Indiana
State law and licensing-board sources · Last reviewed October 11, 2026
Journeyman level Licensed by cities or counties, not the state What's a journeyman?
Indiana has no state general contractor license. Any licensing is local, and since 2013 state law has barred cities and counties from adopting new licensing requirements for people who build or remodel homes (older local rules still stand). Indianapolis requires anyone doing construction, land alteration, sewer, driveway or excavation work in the city to be a listed (licensed) general contractor, with insurance, a $10,000 bond and an orientation class, but no exam. [1][2][3][4]
New to the trade?
Starting from zero in Indiana
No state license is needed to start in construction in Indiana. Your first step is to get hired by a builder or contractor, or to apply to a carpentry or construction apprenticeship such as the IKORCC Training carpenters' apprenticeship (Central Midwest Carpenters) or ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) of Indiana/Kentucky's. Running your own contracting business comes later, and the rules depend on the city or county where you work. [1][2][5][6]
High school diploma or GED
There's no state contractor license, so no state rule applies. The IKORCC Training carpenters' apprenticeship (Indiana | Kentucky Carpenters Apprenticeship) requires a high school diploma or GED (with GED scores) and high school transcripts. ABC of Indiana/Kentucky doesn't publish its entry requirements on its site. [1][5][6]
Experience
None needed to apply to the carpenters' apprenticeship Some applicants may qualify for credit. [5]
ID and driver's license
The carpenters' apprenticeship asks for a driver's license or state-issued photo ID, plus a resume if you have one. [5]
Tools
Carpenter apprentices need a fair amount of tools, bought gradually as they learn new skills. [5]
Application windows
ABC of Indiana/Kentucky classes begin in late August. [6]
Pay while you learn
Indiana's Department of Workforce Development says registered apprenticeships must include at least one wage increase, and starting wages should be at or above Indiana's minimum wage. [8]
Still in high school?
Indiana's Next Level Programs of Study include Construction Trades - Carpentry (Principles of Construction Trades, General Carpentry, Framing and Finishing or Masonry, and a capstone), aligned with NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Carpentry Level 1 and 2 and listing the carpenters' (IKORCC) Level 1 apprenticeship and ABC apprenticeship as aligned credentials Its courses are marked eligible for dual credit. The Career Scholarship Account gives students in grades 10-12 up to $5,000 a year for apprenticeships and other work-based learning; the 2026-27 application ran March 1 to October 1, 2026. The Indiana Treasurer of State's CSA page features ABC's Construction Prep Academy, a two-year high school program. [9][10][11][12][13]
Where to apply in IndianaHow to get an apprenticeshipHelper jobs
Indiana contractor license at a glance
- State license
- None General contractor is not among the professions the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency licenses [1]
- Local licensing of home builders
- Since March 1, 2013, cities and counties may not adopt new licensing requirements for builders of new homes or remodelers Older rules aren't voided [2]
- Indianapolis requirements
- $10,000 bond, general liability insurance ($500,000 per occurrence), workers' comp, orientation class within 60 days [4]
- Indianapolis fees
- New license prorated ($124 if applied for in 2026) $247 renewal every two years [4]
On this page
- At a glance
- Starting from zero
- The license pathway
- Who licenses general contractors in Indiana
- How to get your first job or apprenticeship here
- Indianapolis general contractor license
- If you're licensed in another state
- Steps to get licensed
- Where to get the hours
- Licensed in another state?
- Questions people ask
The license pathway in Indiana
-
1
-
2
General contractor (Indianapolis)
- Prorated new license fee ($124 if applied for in 2026)
- Every two years; $247
The business license for construction, land alteration, sewer, driveway or excavation work in the Consolidated City of Indianapolis. You need business registration, insurance, a $10,000 bond and workers' comp coverage or an exemption, and new licensees attend an orientation class within 60 days. [3][4]
Who licenses general contractors in Indiana
The State of Indiana doesn't license general contractors: the trade isn't among the professions the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency licenses. (Plumbing contractors are licensed by the state.)
State law (IC 36-1-22) says that after February 28, 2013, a political subdivision may not adopt a rule requiring a builder (someone who constructs new homes) or remodeler (someone who alters or repairs existing homes) to be licensed, certified, permitted, registered or listed in order to build or remodel a residential dwelling. Rules adopted before March 1, 2013 aren't voided, and local governments can still license specific trades, such as electricians and plumbers, and issue building permits. So requirements differ by city and county: check with the building department where you'll work. [1][2]
How to get your first job or apprenticeship here
Most contractors start by learning a trade. The IKORCC Training carpenters' apprenticeship requires a high school diploma or GED (with your GED scores), high school transcripts, and a driver's license or state photo ID; no experience is needed. The structured program is four years, with one week of classroom time each quarter.
ABC of Indiana/Kentucky runs Department of Labor-registered apprenticeships in carpentry and other construction trades, with classes one evening a week plus online study, and apprentices can earn a tuition-free Vincennes University associate degree. [5][6]
Indianapolis general contractor license
Section 875-101 of Indianapolis's code requires persons, partnerships or corporations doing any construction, land alteration, sewer, driveway or excavation work in the Consolidated City to be a listed contractor. The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) issues the license; it doesn't cover the excluded cities of Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway and Southport. Electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and wrecking work need their own city licenses, and plumbing contractors need a state license registered with the city.
The application packet asks for:
- Proof of business registration (Indiana Secretary of State, or a county DBA filing).
- A certificate of general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence, naming the City-County as additional insured.
- Workers' compensation coverage, or an exemption if you have no employees.
- A $10,000 license or permit bond.
General contractor licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years and renew every two years for $247. The packet's prorated new-license fee is $124 for applications in 2026. New sole proprietors who are veterans or active duty (or whose spouse is), or who meet income or public assistance tests, may qualify for a 50% or 100% reduction of the initial fee. Every new license holder attends an orientation class within 60 days. [3][4]
If you're licensed in another state
With no state general contractor license in Indiana, there's no state reciprocity. Local requirements apply where you work; in Indianapolis, the general contractor license is based on registration, insurance and a bond rather than an exam. [1][4]
Steps to get licensed in Indiana
Learn the trade
Get hired by a builder or contractor, or join a carpentry or construction apprenticeship such as the IKORCC Training carpenters' program or ABC of Indiana/Kentucky's. [5][6]
Check the rules where you'll work
There's no state license, so ask the city or county building department. State law limits new local licensing of home builders and remodelers, but other local rules and trade licenses can apply. [1][2]
Register your business
Register an LLC (limited liability company) or corporation with the Indiana Secretary of State, or record your DBA (doing business as) with the county if needed. Indianapolis requires proof of this registration. [4]
In Indianapolis, apply for the general contractor license
Email the application, insurance certificate and $10,000 bond to the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, pay the fee, and attend the orientation class within 60 days. Renew every two years. [3][4]
Where to get the hours
Programs that train general contractors in or for Indiana, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.
-
Union
IKORCC Training: Indiana | Kentucky Carpenters Apprenticeship (Central Midwest Carpenters)
Four-year union carpentry apprenticeship with one week of classroom time every quarter plus jobsite work. [5]
-
Open shop
ABC of Indiana/Kentucky apprenticeship
Merit-shop apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor in trades including carpenter, cement mason, bricklayer and construction craft laborer. Most trades take four years. [6]
-
Other
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Finder
Search registered construction apprenticeships anywhere in Indiana. [7]
Licensed in another state?
We didn't find a reciprocity agreement published by the licensing office for this license. Ask the office how it treats an out-of-state license or experience before you apply.
Questions people ask
Does Indiana require a general contractor license?
Not at the state level. Some cities and counties license contractors; Indianapolis requires a general contractor license for construction work in the city. Since 2013, state law has barred new local licensing requirements for home builders and remodelers. [1][2][3]
Is there an exam for the Indianapolis general contractor license?
The application packet lists no exam: you submit business registration, insurance, a $10,000 bond and workers' comp proof, pay the fee and attend an orientation class within 60 days. [4]
Sources (13)
- Professions, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Indiana Code 36-1-22 (Local licensing of builders or remodelers), Indiana General Assembly. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Contractor Licenses, City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- General Contractor License Application Packet, City of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- FAQs, IKORCC Training (Central Midwest Carpenters). Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Craft Training & Apprenticeship, Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Apprenticeship Finder, U.S. Department of Labor. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Registered Apprenticeship Basics, Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Career Pathways / Programs of Study, Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- 2026-2027 Next Level Programs of Study Review Document (July 2026), Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Career Scholarship Account, Indiana Department of Education. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Indiana Career Scholarship Account, Indiana Treasurer of State. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- ABC Construction PREP Academy, Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky. Accessed October 11, 2026.