Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Indianapolis, 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. Indiana Plumbing Contractor License (registered with Indianapolis)

   Indiana does not issue a "Master Plumber" license. Plumbing contractors are licensed by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency as a Plumbing Contractor, which requires four years in an apprenticeship program, four years in the plumbing business, or a plumber's license from another state, plus passing the state exam (which may be attempted up to seven times in a two-year period). A plumbing contractor working in the Consolidated City of Indianapolis must additionally register that state license with the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services under Revised Code section 875-501 — the city's own contractor page confirms plumbing licensing is administered by the State of Indiana, not the city.

   Official government source

   State Plumbing Contractor license: $50 application and $100 renewal ($115 late after December 31, $300 after March 1, $150 reinstatement if expired three or more years). Journeyman Plumber is $30 and Plumbing Apprentice $10. Indianapolis BNS plumbing registration is $142 for a new or renewing business entity or individual.·IPLA publishes no processing time. The exam must be passed before the license issues, and the Indianapolis registration is completed after the application, insurance certificate, and bond are emailed to [email protected] and the fees are paid.

   State Plumbing Contractor license: $50 application and $100 renewal ($115 late after December 31, $300 after March 1, $150 reinstatement if expired three or more years). Journeyman Plumber is $30 and Plumbing Apprentice $10. Indianapolis BNS plumbing registration is $142 for a new or renewing business entity or individual.

   IPLA publishes no processing time. The exam must be passed before the license issues, and the Indianapolis registration is completed after the application, insurance certificate, and bond are emailed to [email protected] and the fees are paid.

2. Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services — Business License

   Indianapolis (Marion County) has no general business license and no product called a 'Commercial Zoning Certificate.' DBNS licenses only specific business types by ordinance (e.g., massage establishments $177, kennels/pet shops/stables $200, hotels, pawnbrokers). Most business types listed here do not require any Indianapolis business license — check DBNS's Business Licenses list for your specific type.

   Official government source

   N/A for most business types; specific licensed types have individual fees (e.g., $177–$200)·N/A

   N/A for most business types; specific licensed types have individual fees (e.g., $177–$200)

   N/A

3. Marion County / Indianapolis Plumbing Permit (per project)

   A plumbing permit must be pulled from the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services for each job, and inspections are required at completion. The permit must be held by a DBNS-licensed plumbing contractor.

   Official government source

   $89-$185 base depending on subtype (DBNS fee schedule eff. 1/5/2026: general service activity $89; initial connection $134; residential repair/remodel $153; commercial $182 for 0-10 fixtures; new residential $185), plus $23 per additional 500 sq ft or per additional 5 fixtures·Permit must be issued before work starts; inspection required on completion

   $89-$185 base depending on subtype (DBNS fee schedule eff. 1/5/2026: general service activity $89; initial connection $134; residential repair/remodel $153; commercial $182 for 0-10 fixtures; new residential $185), plus $23 per additional 500 sq ft or per additional 5 fixtures

   Permit must be issued before work starts; inspection required on completion

Official Sources

• Indiana Plumbing Commission — Master Plumber License
• Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services

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