Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Evansville, IN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Indiana Department of Revenue — Registered Retail Merchant Certificate

   Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property at retail in Indiana. Indiana charges a flat 7% state sales tax with no additional local sales tax. Register online via INBiz.

   Official government source

   $25 one-time registration fee·Immediate (online via INBiz)

   $25 one-time registration fee

   Immediate (online via INBiz)

1. Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission — Master Electrician License

   Indiana does not license electrical contractors at the state level — the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission adopts codes rather than issuing contractor licenses. In Evansville and Vanderburgh County, electrical contractors must hold a Master Electrician license issued locally by the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission (812-436-7880). The application requires three letters of recommendation proving at least four years of experience — electrical letters must be on letterhead and notarized — a written exam scheduled and paid for through Ivy Tech, and proof of insurance, surety bond, and worker's compensation coverage. Electrical Master exams must be passed with a score of 75% or higher.

   Official government source

   Master Electrician is issued as a Tradesman Master License: $300 new, $125 annual renewal, or $225 for a two-year renewal. A Tradesman Journeyman License is $35 new and $25 renewal; apprentice registration is $25 per year. A contractor already licensed by the state registers with the Building Commission for $60. Ivy Tech charges the exam fee separately.·Governed by the exam and board cycle rather than a fixed window: the application and letters are submitted together, the board approves you to sit the exam, Ivy Tech schedules the test (812-429-9852) and you receive your score immediately, the Building Commission then issues a provisional license once the fee, insurance, and bond are in place, and the Licensing and Disciplinary Board gives final approval on the fourth Thursday of the month.

   Master Electrician is issued as a Tradesman Master License: $300 new, $125 annual renewal, or $225 for a two-year renewal. A Tradesman Journeyman License is $35 new and $25 renewal; apprentice registration is $25 per year. A contractor already licensed by the state registers with the Building Commission for $60. Ivy Tech charges the exam fee separately.

   Governed by the exam and board cycle rather than a fixed window: the application and letters are submitted together, the board approves you to sit the exam, Ivy Tech schedules the test (812-429-9852) and you receive your score immediately, the Building Commission then issues a provisional license once the fee, insurance, and bond are in place, and the Licensing and Disciplinary Board gives final approval on the fourth Thursday of the month.

2. No General Business License in Evansville

   Evansville does not require a general/universal business license for most business types. The City Controller's office issues licenses only for specific activities (e.g., street vending, hotels, pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers) — none apply to a typical service business. Verify zoning compliance and, if applicable, a Certificate of Occupancy with the Area Plan Commission / Building Commission before opening.

   Official government source

   Not applicable (no general license fee)·Not applicable

   Not applicable (no general license fee)

   Not applicable

3. Evansville–Vanderburgh County Building Commission — Electrical Permit

   An electrical permit must be obtained from the Evansville–Vanderburgh County Building Commission (Civic Center Complex, Room 310) before any electrical work begins in Evansville or Vanderburgh County. Permits may be pulled only by a contractor licensed under Evansville Municipal Code Title 5, Chapter 5.70, carrying the required surety bond, liability insurance and worker's compensation. Apply through the Building Commission's online permitting portal. A final inspection is required on completion.

   Official government source

   Per EMC 15.05.470(B): service under 400 amps $30; over 400 amps $30 plus $12.50 per additional 100 amps; per circuit $1.50 (under 100 amps) or $4.00 (over 100 amps); repair/remodel with no new circuits $30 residential or $50 commercial; temporary service $30; gas/electric activation $30·1–5 business days

   Per EMC 15.05.470(B): service under 400 amps $30; over 400 amps $30 plus $12.50 per additional 100 amps; per circuit $1.50 (under 100 amps) or $4.00 (over 100 amps); repair/remodel with no new circuits $30 residential or $50 commercial; temporary service $30; gas/electric activation $30

   1–5 business days

Official Sources

• Indiana Electrical Inspections and Licensing — Electrical Contractor License
• City of Evansville Department of Metropolitan Development

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