Moving to Indiana as a master plumber: every state's rule
Indiana has reciprocity agreements with 0 states. Everyone else follows its standard out-of-state path: endorsement.
Indiana master plumber · “Plumbing Contractor”
Statewide license
Issued by Indiana Plumbing Commission (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)
Indiana has no 'master plumber' license. The top individual credential is the Plumbing Contractor license issued by the Indiana Plumbing Commission (PLA) under IC 25-28.5-1, which is held by a person who has qualified by experience and passed the Indiana plumbing contractor examination administered by PROV; this file maps it to the master level because it is the credential that authorizes a plumber to contract for and supervise plumbing work. The license is held by the individual: every member of a firm or partnership who contracts for plumbing work must hold one personally, and a corporation doing plumbing contracting must hold its own corporate license naming at least one officer or employee who is a licensed Plumbing Contractor (IC 25-28.5-1-13). The Commission also issues a Temporary Plumbing Contractor license when a contractor running a business dies or becomes unable to operate it (IC 25-28.5-1-18.5). Applications and renewals are processed in MyLicense One, and initial license issuance fees depend on whether the license is issued in an odd or even year. The reciprocity section of the statute (IC 25-28.5-1-19) applies to out-of-state master or contractor licensees in the same way as to journeymen.
Every origin state
| State | Mechanism | Note | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Alaska | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Arizona | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Arkansas | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| California | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Colorado | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Connecticut | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Delaware | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| District of Columbia | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Florida | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Georgia | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Hawaii | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Idaho | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Illinois | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Iowa | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Kansas | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Kentucky | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Louisiana | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Maine | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Maryland | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Massachusetts | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Michigan | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Minnesota | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Mississippi | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Missouri | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Montana | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Nebraska | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Nevada | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| New Hampshire | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| New Jersey | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| New Mexico | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| New York | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| North Carolina | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| North Dakota | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Ohio | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Oklahoma | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Oregon | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Pennsylvania | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Rhode Island | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| South Carolina | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| South Dakota | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Tennessee | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| Texas | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Utah | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Vermont | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Virginia | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Washington | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
| West Virginia | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Wisconsin | Endorsement | 2026-09-23 | |
| Wyoming | No credit | no state license to transfer | 2026-09-23 |
Getting licensed in Indiana from scratch
No license yet, or nothing that transfers? This is how Indiana issues a master plumber license to a first-time applicant.
Plumbing Contractor license by examination
Indiana has no master plumber license; the Plumbing Contractor license is the top credential, and you do not need to hold an Indiana Journeyman Plumber license first. An applicant at least 18 years old qualifies for the Plumbing Contractor exam by completing the same four-year Commission-approved apprenticeship as a journeyman, or by working four years in a plumbing business under the direction of a licensed plumbing contractor. After the Commission approves the application, you take the 90-question, three-hour Plumbing Contractor exam with Prov, which is based on the Indiana edition of the 2006 International Plumbing Code and includes 14 questions on Indiana business. The license is issued to you personally; a corporation that does plumbing contracting must also hold its own license naming a licensed Plumbing Contractor as its responsible officer or employee.
The exam covers Indiana business, general requirements, fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, vents, developed length and isometric analysis, and storm water systems; business and law are part of this one exam rather than a separate test. Approved references are the 2006 International Plumbing Code (Indiana edition, or the 2006 IPC or its Code and Commentary), the 2012 Indiana amendments at 675 IAC 16-1.4, the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (14th edition), and the Commission's compilation of the Indiana plumbing law and rules or Prov's Indiana Plumbing Supplement. Neither the Commission's rules nor Prov's bulletin publishes a passing percentage. You have one year from approval to take the exam the first time and up to seven attempts within two years, paying the fee for each attempt. The Commission's application does not call for a bond or insurance for this license; cities may require a licensed contractor to register and obtain permits but may not require another license (IC 25-28.5-1-33). An applicant who holds a current plumbing license from another state follows the out-of-state route described above.
- Trade exam
- Required
- Law / code exam
- Not required
- Exam given by
- Prov
- Exam format
- Open book
- Renewal
- Every 2 years
Who can apply
- Complete a registered apprenticeship (4 years): Completion of a four-year plumbing apprenticeship program approved by the Indiana Plumbing Commission.The program must be approved by the Indiana Plumbing Commission and accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship office or a similar certifying organization (860 IAC 2-1-1). It is not complete until you pass the school's practical exam, scoring at least 70% on each of the copper, cast iron and plastic pipe assembly projects; the program sponsor certifies completion on the Commission's Certificate of Completion form. Apprenticeship credit for earlier education, training or experience granted by the Department of Labor and approved by the Commission may cover up to 75% of the hours.
- Complete at least 576 hours of classroom or related instruction.Classroom instruction within the approved apprenticeship program (860 IAC 1-1-9).
- You must document at least 6,400 hours of qualifying work experience.On-the-job training within the apprenticeship, over at least four years; no more than 40 hours count in any calendar week (860 IAC 1-1-9).
- Be at least 18 years old.
Other ways to qualify
Each of these replaces the requirements above. You only need one.
Four years in a plumbing business under a licensed plumbing contractor
An applicant without an apprenticeship may qualify by working at least four years in a plumbing business under the direction of one or more licensed plumbing contractors. Complete Section 4, Experience in a Plumbing Business, of the application and submit a notarized affidavit from each licensed employer giving your duties and dates of employment, plus a letter on company letterhead; if an employer affidavit cannot be obtained, submit a notarized affidavit explaining why.
- You must document at least 4 years of qualifying work experience.
- Be at least 18 years old.
Four years of experience in the plumbing trade
Indiana law also admits an Indiana resident to the exam on a notarized statement of four years of experience in the plumbing trade. The rule defines that experience narrowly: plumbing work done as an employee of the federal, state or local government acting within that job, on federal property or a project governed by federal law, or as a full-time maintenance person repairing existing systems at your own workplace. Four years means at least 6,400 hours over at least four years, with no more than 40 hours counted in any week, and each employer signs a notarized affidavit.
- You must document at least 6,400 hours of qualifying work experience.Over at least four years, no more than 40 hours in any week (860 IAC 1-1-9).
- Be at least 18 years old.
Steps to get licensed
- 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($50). Plumbing Contractor application fee, paid by card in MyLicense One; nonrefundable.
- 2License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($100). Initial license issuance fee when the license is issued in an even-numbered year; $50 when it is issued in an odd-numbered year. The fee follows the year the license is issued, not the year you apply..
- 3Other. Proof of qualification uploaded with the application: the Certificate of Completion for Plumbing Apprenticeship signed by the program sponsor, or notarized employer affidavits of experience.
- 4Other. Answer the application's background questions; for any "yes" answer, attach a full statement (violation, location, date, cause number and disposition) and copies of the court documents. By statute you must state that you have no conviction that would be grounds for discipline or a felony bearing directly on your ability to practice (IC 25-28.5-1-13)..
- 5Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Indiana Plumbing Contractor exam (Prov): 90 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, including 14 on Indiana business, approved references allowed.
- 6Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($100). Prov examination fee, paid to Prov for each attempt; nonrefundable.
- 7Business license. Obtain a business license ($50) (if applicable). Corporate plumbing contractor license if you will contract through a corporation: $50 application fee plus an initial fee of $100 in an even-numbered year or $50 in an odd-numbered year, naming at least one officer or employee who holds a Plumbing Contractor license. Every partner who contracts for plumbing work must be licensed individually, and a business that files an assumed business name must register its name, address and phone number with the Commission..
Published fees on this path total $250, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.
Keeping it active
Every 2 years and a $100 renewal fee.
All Plumbing Contractor licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year, whatever the issue date, and a contractor license ends on the holder's death. A renewal received after December 31 but before March 1 costs $15 more; after March 1 of the even year the late fee is $200. A corporate license also renews for $100 and must confirm its responsible licensed Plumbing Contractor.
Exam preparation
Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.
- Trade exam
- Exam fee · $100
Business registration
If you plan to contract in your own name, budget for a business license or entity registration on top of the trade license.
- Business license · $50 · if applicable
Sources for this section
- 860 IAC 1 - Indiana Plumbing Commission, General Provisions (fees, admission to examination, examinations) · 860 IAC 1-1-2.1, 1-1-7, 1-1-8, 1-1-9, 1-1-10, 1-1-11, 1-3-1, 1-3-1.1, 1-3-2, 1-5-7 · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- 860 IAC 2 - Indiana Plumbing Commission, Apprentice Plumber (registration, program approval, practical examination) · 860 IAC 2-1-1, 2-1-2, 2-1-6, 2-1-7, 2-1-7.1 · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Admin Rule · verified September 23, 2026
- Indiana Code Title 25, Article 28.5 (Plumbers), Chapter 1 - Regulation of Plumbers; Creation of Commission; Licensing · IC 25-28.5-1-12, -13, -15, -16, -17, -18.1, -18.3, -18.5, -19, -20, -22, -23, -32, -33 · Indiana General Assembly · Statute · verified September 23, 2026
- Certificate for Completion for Plumbing Apprenticeship (part of State Form 56009) · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Form · verified September 23, 2026
- Section 4 - Experience in a Plumbing Business, and Employer Affidavit of Experience in Plumbing Trade (part of State Form 27522) · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Form · verified September 23, 2026
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Plumbing Home (Indiana Plumbing Commission) · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Plumbing Licensing Information (application instructions, renewal, fee schedule) · Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Agency Page · verified September 23, 2026
- Prov - Indiana Plumbing Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin (IPC_CIB 2026.06.24) · Prov, Inc. (for the Indiana Plumbing Commission) · Form · verified September 23, 2026