Indiana is a great place to be a general contractor. Projects are on the rise, especially with recent investments from the state government.1
The barriers to entry in this profession are also lower in Indiana, which does not require licenses for general contractors at the state level. However, you’ll still need to check with your municipality, as some require contractors to hold a local license before they can begin work.
Our guide to Indiana general contractor license and insurance requirements will help you get started as a contractor in this great Midwestern state. Learn more about how to get your general contractor license in Indiana, including:
- Do you need a license to be a general contractor?
- How to get a general contractor license in Indiana
- Indiana general contractor license requirements
- General contractor license renewal requirements
- What kind of insurance does a general contractor need in Indiana?
- What is the certificate of insurance requirement in Indiana?
Do you need a license to be a general contractor?
Indiana general contractors do not need to get a professional license from the state. Depending on which area you plan to work in, you may need to obtain a license from a local municipal government instead.
Not all parts of the state require general contractors to be licensed, but some do. If you plan to work in more than one city or county, it’s important to check with each municipality to find out what their requirements are.
How to get a general contractor license in Indiana
When it comes to general contractor licenses, Indiana cities and counties are permitted to set their own requirements. The following section covers instructions for applying for a contractor license in the state’s three largest cities.
How to get an Indianapolis, Indiana general contractor license
To work as a general contractor in the Consolidated City of Indianapolis/Marion County, you must have a license issued by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.2
Note that this does not include the cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Speedway and Southport.
To complete the application process, you must:
- Fill out and submit the application
- Provide the required documents
- Pay a $247 license fee (or a prorated amount based on the date of your application)
How to get a Fort Wayne, Indiana general contractor license
To work as a general contractor in Allen County, including the city of Fort Wayne, you must have a license from the Allen County Building Department.3
In addition, you may be required to register as the superintendent for each building permit you apply for.
You must submit a completed application along with a $90 license fee to obtain this license. In addition, you must pay a $25 fee to be licensed as a general contractor superintendent if you plan to register as one on individual permits.
How to get an Evansville, Indiana general contractor license
You must have a license from the Vanderburgh County Building Commission to work in Evansville or anywhere else in Vanderburgh County.4
Depending on the type of contractor work you plan to do, you may apply as a residential building contractor or a commercial building contractor.
To apply for a license, you must:
- Fill out and submit the application
- Provide the required documents
- Pay the license fee ($360 for commercial contractors, $210 for residential contractors)
Indiana general contractor license requirements
The requirements for Indiana general contractors licenses vary depending on which local area you’ll be working in. The following are examples of the requirements in some of the state’s major cities.
Indianapolis, Indiana general contractor license requirements
You must submit the following documentation with your application:
- Proof of business registration
- Certificate of insurance for general liability
- Certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation (or complete the waiver box on the application)
- Surety bond in the amount of $10,000
In addition, first-time general contractor applicants in the city of Indianapolis must attend an orientation class within 60 days of their license being issued.
Fort Wayne, Indiana general contractor license requirements
You must pass a written licensing exam in order to receive your general contractor license. You may appeal to the vendor administering the contractor exam if you do not receive a passing score.
Evansville, Indiana general contractor license requirements
You must provide the following documentation with your application:
- Three letters of recommendation from reputable business professionals
- Completed and notarized criminal record history form
- Certificate of insurance for general liability
- Certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation (or an affidavit of exemption)
- Surety bond in the amount of $25,000
Once the application is processed, you must pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher.
General contractor license renewal requirements
Indiana contractors license renewal periods and fees vary by location in the state. Here’s what you can expect in the following Indiana cities:
Indianapolis
Contractor licenses expire every two years on December 31 of even-numbered years. You must pay a renewal fee of $247.
Fort Wayne
Contractor licenses expire annually, with a $90 renewal fee for general contractors and a $25 renewal fee for general contractor superintendents.
Evansville
New commercial and residential general contractor licenses expire after one year, at which point you may renew it for a one-year or two-year period.
The renewal fee for commercial building contractors is $210 for one year or $400 for two years. The renewal fee for residential building contractors is $150 for one year or $285 for two years.
What kind of insurance does a general contractor need in Indiana?
You may need general contractor insurance to comply with licensing requirements set at the local level and to help protect your business. Some of the types of Indiana business insurance available for general contractors include:
General Liability insurance
General liability insurance can help cover common work-related accidents that occur on construction sites, like client injuries or damage to someone’s property.
Workers’ Compensation insurance
In Indiana, you must have workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. This insurance can help cover lost wages and medical expenses if workers get hurt on the job.
Tools and Equipment insurance
Tools and equipment insurance is designed to help protect your contractor gear. It may help cover repairs and replacements if theft or damage occurs.
Commercial Auto insurance
If you drive for work, commercial auto insurance can help cover accident-related costs like property damage and medical expenses.
Commercial Property insurance
Indiana commercial property insurance can help cover damage and vandalism affecting property that you own or rent for your contracting business.
What is the certificate of insurance requirement in Indiana?
Many local governments require proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage in order to obtain an Indiana contractor license. There may be minimum coverage requirements in place, so be sure to check with your municipality to find out exactly what needs to be listed on each insurance certificate for licensed contractors.
How NEXT Insurance supports Indiana general contractors
At NEXT, it’s easy to find the right general contractor insurance to help protect your business and get your general contractor license in Indiana. We offer self-employed general contractor insurance for sole proprietors and general contractor business insurance coverage at affordable rates.
Our online services make it simple to apply for coverage and get a certificate of insurance in just minutes from any computer or mobile device.
NEXT only sells small business insurance, and we specialize in coverage for construction professionals. We’ve helped thousands of contractors like you get affordable insurance packages customized to meet their unique needs.
Get an instant quote online today.
Want to work as a general contractor in another U.S. state? Learn what states require general contractor licenses in our summary of general contractor license requirements.
Sources
2 Indianapolis General Contractor License Requirements
