Indiana Electrician License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide license — City of Indianapolis Electrical Contractor License · Issued by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS).

⚡ ElectricianIN ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

In Indiana, electricians must hold the No statewide license — City of Indianapolis Electrical Contractor License, issued by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS), and a $10,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed electrician in Indiana

Indiana licenses electricians at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.

Start with your city, not the state. Indiana has no statewide electrician license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
Carry the insurance your city requires. $500,000 minimum per occurrence (City of Indianapolis)
Post any local bond. $10,000 surety bond (City of Indianapolis)
Register and pay the local fees. Prorated by filing date within the 2-year term (City of Indianapolis): new business license $247 filed Jan–Jun of the even year, $185 Jul–Dec of the even year, $124 in the odd year
Renew on your city's schedule. 2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years).

For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →

Indiana electrician license lookup

To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Indiana — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official aca-prod.accela.com database →

License types

Electrical Contractor License — Business license to perform electrical work in Indianapolis–Marion County; each business needs at least one electrical license holder who has passed the required exam.
Craft license holder: Master or Residential — Master is unrestricted; Residential allows work on one- and two-family structures only.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Board of Electrical Examiners (City of Indianapolis): six years of documented experience, shown by a signed, notarized employer letter with dates and duties, or three reference letters from supply houses or contractors plus W-2s or check stubs. The Board may credit up to two years for related college courses or an apprenticeship.
Application fee	Prorated by filing date within the 2-year term (City of Indianapolis): new business license $247 filed Jan–Jun of the even year, $185 Jul–Dec of the even year, $124 in the odd year
License fee	New license holder fee, prorated the same way: $377, $283 or $189 (City of Indianapolis)
Renewal fee	$247 business + $247 per license holder, every 2 years (City of Indianapolis)
Renewal period	2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years)
Continuing education	None required
Bond required	$10,000 surety bond (City of Indianapolis)
Liability insurance	$500,000 minimum per occurrence (City of Indianapolis)
Property damage	$100,000 minimum (City of Indianapolis)
Workers' comp	Required when the contractor has employees
Background check	—
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	City of Indianapolis: an applicant with passing Prometric exam scores (75% minimum) and a valid license from a jurisdiction that reciprocates with Indianapolis may apply as a reciprocal applicant; the sponsoring city or state mails a verification letter directly to the Board of Electrical Examiners. · compare all states
Processing time	The Board of Electrical Examiners reviews applications at its monthly meeting (submit at least 10 business days before). If approved, the applicant sits the ICC exam and then returns to the Board for orientation before the license is issued.

What an Indiana electrician license costs

Fees are set per city; the figures on this page are one city's example.

Exams

ICC electrical exam (Master or Residential), taken after Board of Electrical Examiners approval	Provider: ICC (Prometric) · Passing: 75% · Fee: Paid to the exam provider

Renewing an Indiana electrician license

Because Indiana licenses electricians locally, renewal runs through the same city office that issued the credential. The figures below are the City of Indianapolis Electrical Contractor License rules; other Indiana municipalities set their own.

Renewal period	2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years)
Renewal fee	$247 business + $247 per license holder, every 2 years (City of Indianapolis)
Continuing education	None required
Where to renew	Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS)

Local / municipal notes

Indiana has no statewide electrician license — these are Indianapolis (Marion County) requirements. The Board of Electrical Examiners reviews experience before approving an applicant for the ICC exam (75% to pass); after passing, the business submits its surety bond, liability insurance and workers' compensation proof with the license application. Other Indiana municipalities set their own electrician licensing rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Indiana electrician license cost?

Application: Prorated by filing date within the 2-year term (City of Indianapolis): new business license $247 filed Jan–Jun of the even year, $185 Jul–Dec of the even year, $124 in the odd year. License: New license holder fee, prorated the same way: $377, $283 or $189 (City of Indianapolis). Renewal: $247 business + $247 per license holder, every 2 years (City of Indianapolis).

How do I look up a electrician license in Indiana?

Search the official license database at aca-prod.accela.com. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do electricians in Indiana need a surety bond?

$10,000 surety bond (City of Indianapolis)

What experience is required for an Indiana electrician license?

Board of Electrical Examiners (City of Indianapolis): six years of documented experience, shown by a signed, notarized employer letter with dates and duties, or three reference letters from supply houses or contractors plus W-2s or check stubs. The Board may credit up to two years for related college courses or an apprenticeship.

Is insurance required for electricians in Indiana?

Liability: $500,000 minimum per occurrence (City of Indianapolis). Property damage: $100,000 minimum (City of Indianapolis). Workers' compensation: Required when the contractor has employees.

How long does it take to get an Indiana electrician license?

Processing time: The Board of Electrical Examiners reviews applications at its monthly meeting (submit at least 10 business days before). If approved, the applicant sits the ICC exam and then returns to the Board for orientation before the license is issued.

How often must an Indiana electrician license be renewed?

2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years). Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) before applying. This is not legal advice.