Indiana plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Indiana plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (PLA), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,002 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Indiana?
| Who licenses them | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), Indiana Plumbing Commission |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumbing Contractor, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Apprentice, Plumbing Corporation, Temporary Plumbing Contractor |
| When a license is required | State license required to perform plumbing work; no dollar minimum found on the PLA licensing page |
Plumbing is the only construction trade Indiana licenses at the state level; journeyman and contractor licenses require passing a state exam. Some cities, such as Indianapolis, also require state-licensed plumbing contractors to register locally, and permits come from the local building department.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Indiana?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Indiana plumbing license lookup run by PLA.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact PLA.
What plumbing licenses does Indiana issue?
- Plumbing Contractor
- Journeyman Plumber
- Plumbing Apprentice
- Plumbing Corporation
- Temporary Plumbing Contractor
How do you get a plumbing license in Indiana?
Licenses are issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), Indiana Plumbing Commission. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official PLA source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Indiana city is the job in?
How many plumbers are there in Indiana?
The Census Bureau counted 2,002 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Indiana in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Marion County | 223 |
|---|---|
| Allen County | 136 |
| Lake County | 129 |
| Johnson County | 84 |
| Hamilton County | 78 |
| St. Joseph County | 75 |
| Porter County | 67 |
| Vanderburgh County | 60 |
What do Indiana homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Indiana was built in 1976, 30% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 59% of homes heat with utility gas and 31% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a plumber in Indiana?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Indiana licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.