The rules governing the testing and licensing of electrical contractors are not handled at the state level in Indiana. Instead, each county and municipality has their own rules, and each is responsible individually for contractor testing and licensing, which is much the same as the process for general contractors in Indiana. The rules are governed by the Indiana Licensing agency, and those interested in getting a journeyman’s electrician license, becoming an electrician trainee, or becoming a contractor themselves, should seek the information pertinent to them at their local City Controller’s Office.
Every municipality will have different requirements. This resource will cover requirements for the cities of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend.
Indiana Electrical License Reciprocity
Reciprocity agreements and requirements will vary by each individual jurisdiction. For many jurisdictions, reciprocity information is not easily available, and it’s best to ask for clarification at the local building department or licensing office.
Reciprocity in Indianapolis
There is not a limit on certain states for attaining a reciprocal license in Indianapolis, however they require not only proof of the existing license, but also an original document of the written exam for that license. The full details can be found on the Indianapolis government website.
Some of the specific requirements include:
- “The letter should state that it was a Prometric Inc. (formerly Thompson Prometric, Experior Assessments LLC/Block test)”
- A score of at least 75 percent.
- The license must be currently valid.
Indiana Electrical Journeyman License Requirements
Each county or municipality in Indiana handles electrical licensing slightly differently, although there are a few common requirements. An exam, exam fees, and a minimum amount of work experience as well as references are usually required.
Electrical Licenses in Indianapolis
There are two types of licenses in Indianapolis:
- Residential License: which allows an electrician to work on one family or two family residential buildings.
- Master License: which is unrestricted.
There are a set of minimum requirements for making an application, along with a series of document photocopies proving identity and qualifications:
- An application to take the exam.
- Six years of documented work experience. Up to two years may be substituted for appropriate college courses and apprenticeship programs.
- Three signed reference letters from customers for the individual applicant, not any company they work for.
- An interview must be conducted before permission to take the exam is granted.
- Applicants must pass with a score of 75 percent or greater on the exam.
Fees for becoming a licensed electrical contractor vary, ranging from $124 to $189 for new applicants.
Electrical Licenses in Fort Wayne
Electricians in Fort Wayne should abide by the guidelines set out of Allen County. The county describes three tiers of electrician: master, journeyman, and apprentice. The differences are mostly a matter of supervision. Any contractor performing work must be or employ a master electrician. Journeymen must be supervised by a master, and an apprentice must be supervised by either a journeyman or a master.
Master requirements include:
- Eight years of work history under the supervision of a master electrician, four of which must have been spent working with a journeyman license.
Journeyman requirements include:
- Four years of work plus 8,000 hours working as an apprentice registered with the county.
Contact the Allen county building department for more information about the application process.
Electrical Licenses in Evansville
Evansville describes electrical licenses as master, journeyman, and apprentice. The requirements for license applications don’t appear to be different between master and journeyman levels, however, Evansville requires that masters score a 75 percent on their exam, while all other levels score a 70 percent.
Requirements for applying to take the exam include:
- Three letters of recommendation, on letterhead and notarized, that prove a minimum of four years relevant experience.
- The licensing fees are $30 for journeyman and $300 for master. The exam may carry additional fees.
- A license to operate as a contractor may include additional fees, including all other fees associated with becoming a contractor in Indiana.
Electrical Licenses in South Bend
South Bend describes contractors as Class A and Class B electrical contractors.
- Class A is a equivalent to a master level electrician who operates as a contractor.
- Class B is limited to certain industrial projects.
Class A requirements include four years of relevant experience, as well as proof of such experience. Both classes may require exams. For a master level exam, a score of 70 percent is required.
Indiana Electrical Insurance Requirements
Indiana’s contractor license requirements vary by city/county/district. For example, the city of Evansville requires a master electrician license before obtaining electrical contractor license. As an electrical contractor in Evansville, you must provide proof of $1 million in general liability insurance, a $15,000 surety bond, and also maintain workers’ compensation insurance.
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Electrician Apprenticeship Requirements
In most jurisdictions in the state, apprentices are required to be part of, or have completed, an approved apprenticeship program, register with the local building department, and work under a journeyman or master electrician. In some jurisdictions, an exam is not required for apprentices to begin work.
In Indiana, apprenticeship programs can be found through various labor unions and other organizations, such as:
- Indiana State AFL-CIO: A federation of local unions that offer apprenticeships.
- IBEW Local 531: An electrician specific union through which apprenticeship information can be found.
- Central Indiana IEC: Offers apprenticeship programs that meet federal standards.
- Ivy Tech Community College: This college offers apprenticeship programs in partnership with professional organizations / the IBEW union that meet federal standards.
Contact: Teresa Hess
Executive Director of Apprenticeship
Ivy Tech Community College
50 West Fall Creek Pkwy., North Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46208-5752
Phone: (317) 916-7897 Fax: (317) 921-4348
- Indiana Government approved training programs: information about institutions and education institutions recognized by the state government.
Indiana Professional License Search
Use the Indiana state government website to search for and verify electrical licenses.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become an Electrical Contractor in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Indiana, click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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