Plumber license requirements in Indiana.
Indiana licenses plumbing at the state level through the Plumbing Commission, administered by the Professional Licensing Agency. The ladder runs apprentice to journeyman to plumbing contractor, and the contractor tier adds insurance and bonding on top of the exam.
What Indiana requires.
Plumbing Apprentice
Registered while completing the apprenticeship — 576 hours of classroom instruction plus 6,400 hours of on-the-job training.
Journeyman Plumber
Requires four years in an apprenticeship program (or licensure as a plumber in another state) plus the journeyman exam.
Plumbing Contractor
Requires journeyman credentials plus two additional years of journey-level experience and the contractor exam, along with liability insurance and a bond.
Getting the Plumbing Apprentice
- Journeyman: complete at least four years in an apprenticeship — 576 hours of classroom instruction and 6,400 hours of on-the-job training — or hold a plumbing license in another state
- Journeyman: pass the exam administered by the Indiana Plumbing Commission (application fee $25)
- Contractor: hold journeyman credentials, add two years of journey-level experience, and pass the contractor exam covering sewage and drainage systems for residential and commercial work
- Contractor: carry liability insurance and be bonded
The official board
Indiana Plumbing Commission — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Indiana plumbing licensing FAQ.
Do you need a license to do plumbing work in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana licenses plumbers through the Plumbing Commission at the Professional Licensing Agency, which issues apprentice, journeyman, and plumbing contractor credentials.
How long is a plumbing apprenticeship in Indiana?
Four years, structured as 576 hours of classroom instruction plus 6,400 hours of on-the-job training. Completing it — or holding a plumbing license in another state — qualifies you to sit the journeyman exam.
How do you become a plumbing contractor in Indiana?
Hold journeyman credentials, add two more years of journey-level experience, and pass the contractor exam, which focuses on sewage and drainage systems for residential and commercial properties. Contractors also have to carry liability insurance and be bonded.
Who issues plumbing licenses in Indiana?
The Indiana Plumbing Commission, administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. It handles apprentice registration, journeyman licensure, and plumbing contractor licensing statewide.
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