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 2026-07-09
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. $247 (City of Indianapolis)
- Renew on your city's schedule. 2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years).
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.
License types
- Electrical Contractor License — Business license to perform electrical work in Indianapolis–Marion County
- Craft License Holder (Electrical) — Individual electrical craft credential held by the contractor's designated qualifier
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | Not published in the DBNS application packet — confirm current qualification requirements with DBNS |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $247 (City of Indianapolis) |
| License fee | $377 for the 2-year term (City of Indianapolis) |
| Renewal fee | $247 per 2-year term (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 | None |
| Processing time | — |
Exams
No state trade exam is required — the No statewide license — City of Indianapolis Electrical Contractor License is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.
Local / municipal notes
Indiana has no statewide electrician license — these are Indianapolis (Marion County) requirements. The DBNS application packet does not publish exam requirements; the license is issued on documentation (application, insurance certificate, bond). Confirm with DBNS whether a qualifying craft exam applies to your classification. Other Indiana municipalities set their own electrician licensing rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Indiana electrician license cost?
Application: $247 (City of Indianapolis). License: $377 for the 2-year term (City of Indianapolis). Renewal: $247 per 2-year term (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?
Not published in the DBNS application packet — confirm current qualification requirements with DBNS
Is insurance required for electricians in Indiana?
Liability: $500,000 minimum per occurrence (City of Indianapolis) Workers' compensation: Required when the contractor has employees
How often must an Indiana electrician license be renewed?
2 years (expires December 31 of odd-numbered years).
Official sources
indy.gov/activity/contractor-licenses
indy.gov/agency/department-of-business-and-neighborhood-services
aca-prod.accela.com/INDY/GeneralProperty/PropertyLookUp.aspx?isLicensee=Y&TabName=HOME