14.1 Indiana Plumbing Commission (IC 25-28.5) & Licensing Standards
Key Takeaways
- The Indiana Plumbing Commission is created by IC 25-28.5-1-3 and administratively supported by the Professional Licensing Agency; IC 25-28.5-1-4 sets it at six governor-appointed members serving three-year terms: two from the plumbing contracting business, two journeymen plumbers, the state health commissioner or a staff designee, and one public member.
- IC 25-28.5-1-12 requires a journeyman applicant to be at least 18 and to show either four years in a commission-approved apprenticeship program or a notarized statement evidencing four years of experience in the plumbing trade.
- IC 25-28.5-1-2(3) defines a journeyman plumber as a person who works under the supervision, direction and responsibility of a licensed plumbing contractor, which is why a journeyman cannot contract with the public or pull permits.
- Neither Prov nor the Indiana Plumbing Commission publishes a numeric passing score; IC 25-28.5-1-16 requires only that the subject matter and passing grade be made known to applicants before the examination date.
- Indiana journeyman plumber and plumbing contractor licenses expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year under the biennial renewal required by IC 25-28.5-1-22, with a $30 journeyman renewal fee and a $100 contractor renewal fee.
14.1 Indiana Plumbing Commission (IC 25-28.5) & Licensing Standards
Core Principle: The practice of plumbing in the State of Indiana is governed by statute to protect public health, safety, and sanitation. Under Indiana Code Title 25, Article 28.5 (IC 25-28.5) and Title 860 of the Indiana Administrative Code (860 IAC), the state establishes strict qualifications, testing standards, and supervisory hierarchies that every tradesperson must satisfy before performing plumbing installations.
Statutory Governance: IC 25-28.5 & 860 IAC
The regulation of the plumbing profession in Indiana is grounded in statutory law enacted by the Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code Title 25, Article 28.5 constitutes the primary legislative act governing plumbers. It defines the legal scope of the trade, creates the regulatory commission, sets examination prerequisites, outlines consumer protections, and establishes penalties for unlicensed practice.
To implement the broad statutory directives of IC 25-28.5, the regulatory commission promulgates detailed administrative rules codified under Title 860 of the Indiana Administrative Code (860 IAC). These administrative rules govern:
- Specific application procedures and the fee schedule at 860 IAC 1-1-2.1.
- Standards for approved apprenticeship programs (860 IAC 1-1-9 and 860 IAC 2-1-7.1).
- Examination registration and retake rules (860 IAC 1-3).
- Code of professional conduct, disciplinary hearings, and license reinstatement criteria.
A point of accuracy on bonds and insurance. IC 25-28.5-1 imposes no statewide surety bond amount and no minimum general liability insurance figure for a plumbing contractor license. IC 25-28.5-1-13 lists what an application must contain — the form, corporate and partnership licensing rules, the applicant's statement regarding disciplinary grounds and felonies, and assumed-business-name registration — and says nothing about bonding. Bond and insurance requirements that plumbers encounter in Indiana come from local ordinances governing contractor registration and permit issuance, and they vary by city and county. Verify the current PLA application checklist and the local ordinance rather than quoting a statewide figure.
Together, IC 25-28.5 and 860 IAC create a comprehensive legal framework ensuring that every individual who installs, alters, or repairs potable water systems, drainage piping, and venting systems possesses verified technical competence.
Organization & Authority of the Indiana Plumbing Commission
The administrative body charged with enforcing plumbing statutes in Indiana is the Indiana Plumbing Commission. The Commission is administratively housed within and supported by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), located in the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
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| INDIANA PLUMBING COMMISSION REGULATORY STRUCTURE |
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| Parent Agency | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) |
| Governing Statute | Indiana Code Title 25, Article 28.5 (IC 25-28.5) |
| Administrative Code| Indiana Administrative Code Title 860 (860 IAC) |
| Commission Members| 6 members appointed by the Governor (IC 25-28.5-1-4)|
| Composition | 2 actively engaged in the plumbing contracting |
| | business (5+ yrs, or 10 yrs experience) |
| | 2 employed as journeymen plumbers (5+ yrs) |
| | 1 state health commissioner or professional staff |
| | 1 public member, never associated with plumbing |
| | other than as a consumer |
| Term Length | 3 years, and until successors are appointed |
| Political Balance | No more than 4 members of the same political faith |
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Powers and Duties of the Commission
IC 25-28.5-1-7 (Duties) requires the commission to: adopt a seal; prescribe the form of licenses and issue them under its seal; issue licenses as plumbing contractors and journeymen plumbers to any person who qualifies, complies with the chapter, and pays the required fees; and adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 establishing standards for the competent practice of plumbing. IC 25-28.5-1-8 (Powers) lets the commission adopt rules for its own procedure, enter contracts and authorize expenditures, and do all things necessary to carry the chapter into effect.
On examinations: IC 25-28.5-1-15 requires individual applicants for either license category to pass an examination testing the current level of skills required. IC 25-28.5-1-16 requires the commission or its designee to prepare and administer examinations and to make the subject matter and the passing grade known to applicants before the examination date — which the Prov Candidate Information Bulletin does by publishing the subject areas and question counts. Neither the statute nor the CIB publishes a numeric cut score.
In practical terms the commission:
- Rulemaking: Drafting, modifying, and adopting administrative rules under 860 IAC to carry out the legislative intent of IC 25-28.5.
- Application Evaluation: Reviewing candidate qualifications, verifying apprenticeship completion or practical trade hours, and approving or denying applications for licensure.
- Examination Oversight: Setting examination standards, contracting with approved third-party testing services (such as Prov, Inc.), and determining passing criteria.
- Disciplinary Proceedings: Investigating formal consumer complaints, conducting administrative evidentiary hearings, and issuing disciplinary orders against licensed individuals or unlicensed practitioners.
- Apprenticeship Program Approval: Reviewing and certifying plumbing apprenticeship programs operated by union joint apprenticeship committees, trade associations, and vocational institutions to ensure compliance with state and federal curriculum standards.
License Tiers & Qualification Standards
Indiana law establishes three distinct occupational credentials: Apprentice Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, and Plumbing Contractor. Each tier represents a defined progression of technical skill, responsibility, and legal autonomy.
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| INDIANA PLUMBING LICENSING PROGRESSION TIERS |
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| Tier 1: APPRENTICE PLUMBER |
| - Registration with Indiana PLA |
| - Enrolled in approved 4-year apprenticeship program |
| - Must work under direct, immediate, on-site supervision |
| - Cannot perform independent layout, pulling permits, or contracting |
| |
| Tier 2: JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER |
| - Age 18+; 4 yrs approved apprenticeship OR 4 yrs trade experience |
| - Pass Prov Journeyman exam (90 questions, 3 hours, PASS/FAIL) |
| - Authorized to install/repair plumbing as an employee of contractor |
| - CANNOT contract with the public or pull municipal permits |
| |
| Tier 3: PLUMBING CONTRACTOR (MASTER PLUMBER) |
| - Minimum 4 years experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber |
| - Pass Prov Contractor trade and business/law examinations |
| - Maintain minimum $5,000 surety bond and liability insurance |
| - Authorized to contract with the public, advertise, and pull permits |
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1. Apprentice Plumber
Under IC 25-28.5-1-18.1, an apprentice plumber is an individual in training who is learning the trade. Requirements and restrictions include:
- Registration: Must register with the Commission through the PLA prior to performing plumbing work.
- Apprenticeship Enrollment: Must be actively enrolled in an approved four-year plumbing apprenticeship program certified by the Commission and recognized by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) of the United States Department of Labor.
- Direct Supervision: An apprentice plumber may act only under the direct, immediate, personal, and on-site supervision of a licensed Journeyman Plumber or a licensed Plumbing Contractor. An apprentice cannot be left unattended on a jobsite to rough-in, install, or repair plumbing systems.
2. Journeyman Plumber
A Journeyman Plumber credential confirms that an individual possesses the practical craft skills and theoretical knowledge required to install plumbing installations without moment-by-moment oversight. To qualify for the Journeyman Plumber examination under IC 25-28.5-1-12, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Provide evidence of having completed at least four (4) years in an apprenticeship program approved by the Commission, OR present a notarized statement evidencing at least four (4) years of experience in the plumbing trade in employment as set forth in IC 25-28.5-1-32(2), 32(6) or 32(7). The statute specifies years, not an hour count; do not answer with an 8,000-hour figure.
- Pass the Indiana Journeyman Plumber examination administered by Prov, Inc. — 90 open-book questions in 3 hours. IC 25-28.5-1-16 requires the Commission or its designee to make the subject matter and the passing grade known to applicants before the examination date, which the Prov Candidate Information Bulletin does by publishing the nine subject areas and their question counts. Neither Prov nor the Commission publishes a numeric cut score, and Prov reports only PASS or FAIL to successful candidates.
3. Plumbing Contractor (Master Plumber)
A Plumbing Contractor license represents the pinnacle of trade licensure in Indiana. Unlike a journeyman license, which is purely a craft qualification, the contractor license is a business and supervisory credential. Requirements under IC 25-28.5-1-12 include:
- Documenting at least four (4) continuous years of practical experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber immediately preceding the date of application (or alternative equivalent experience approved by the Commission).
- Passing the Indiana Plumbing Contractor examination administered by Prov. Note the structure: it is a single 90-question, 3-hour open-book exam, not a separate trade exam plus a separate law exam. Its blueprint differs sharply from the Journeyman blueprint — Indiana Business jumps from 6 to 14 questions, Developed Length/Isometric Analysis rises from 8 to 10, Vents falls from 17 to 13, Sanitary Drainage from 15 to 13, Water Supply from 14 to 12, Water Heaters from 7 to 5, and Storm Water from 6 to 4. The Contractor exam also adds the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management to its reference list; the Journeyman exam does not.
- The exam fee differs too: $100.00 for the Contractor exam versus $75.00 for the Journeyman exam, and the PLA initial application fee is $50.00 for a plumbing contractor versus $30.00 for a journeyman.
On bonding and insurance: IC 25-28.5-1 sets no statewide surety bond amount and no minimum general liability insurance figure. IC 25-28.5-1-13 lists what the application must contain and is silent on bonding. Bond and insurance obligations that plumbing contractors actually encounter come from local contractor-registration and permit ordinances, and the amounts vary by city and county. Verify the current PLA application checklist and the local ordinance rather than quoting a statewide number.
Scope of Practice: Journeyman vs. Contractor Boundaries
A critical area of testing on the Indiana examination centers on the strict legal boundary separating the authority of a Journeyman Plumber from that of a Plumbing Contractor.
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| SCOPE OF AUTHORITY: JOURNEYMAN VS. CONTRACTOR |
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| Action / Professional Activity | Journeyman | Contractor |
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| Install, alter, or repair DWV | YES (as employee| YES |
| and water piping systems | of contractor) | |
| Supervise registered apprentices | YES (on-site) | YES |
| Contract directly with property | NO (Prohibited) | YES |
| owners or general contractors | | |
| Submit written bids or estimates | NO (Prohibited) | YES |
| Advertise plumbing services to | NO (Prohibited) | YES |
| the general public | | |
| Pull local municipal building/ | NO (Prohibited) | YES |
| plumbing permits | | |
| Operate an independent plumbing | NO (Prohibited) | YES |
| contracting business | | |
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The Legal Restriction on Journeymen
Under IC 25-28.5-1-12, a Journeyman Plumber is legally authorized to practice plumbing only in the employment of, or under the direction of, a licensed Plumbing Contractor.
A journeyman cannot advertise services in newspapers, online directories, or vehicle signage; cannot execute plumbing contracts with residential or commercial customers; cannot collect direct payments from the public for plumbing installations; and cannot apply for or pull plumbing permits from municipal or county building departments. Performing any of these actions without an active Plumbing Contractor license constitutes unlicensed contracting practice, a serious statutory violation under IC 25-28.5-1-31 that can result in civil fines, license suspension, and potential criminal misdemeanor charges.
License Renewal Cycles, Delinquency & Reinstatement
Indiana plumbing credentials are not perpetual; they require regular administrative maintenance to remain active and lawful.
Biennial Renewal Schedule
Under 860 IAC 1-1-2.1 and PLA statutory regulations, all Indiana plumbing licenses (Contractor, Journeyman, and Apprentice) operate on a two-year (biennial) renewal cycle expiring in even-numbered calendar years:
- Expiration Date: Every license expires on December 31 of each even-numbered year (e.g., December 31, 2024; December 31, 2026; December 31, 2028).
- Renewal Notice & Filing: The PLA issues electronic renewal notices prior to expiration. Licensees must submit their renewal applications and required statutory fees to the PLA before the midnight deadline on December 31.
- Continuing Education: Where mandated by legislative statute or Commission rule for specific licensing classifications, verified hours of approved continuing education must be completed during the preceding two-year cycle prior to renewal.
Inactive License Status
A licensed Journeyman Plumber or Plumbing Contractor who is not actively engaging in the trade may elect to place their credential on inactive status. While on inactive status:
- The licensee pays a reduced renewal fee to maintain the credential.
- The licensee is exempt from carrying active surety bonds and general liability insurance policies.
- The licensee is strictly prohibited from engaging in the practice of plumbing while inactive.
- To return to active status, the licensee must file an activation petition with the Commission, pay the required activation fee, and provide proof of current liability insurance and surety bonding (for contractors).
Delinquency, Expiration & Reinstatement Protocol
If a licensee fails to submit the renewal application by the December 31 deadline, the license immediately transitions to expired status:
- Expired 0 to 3 Years: The license may be reinstated without re-examination. The applicant must submit a completed reinstatement application, pay all back renewal fees, and pay a statutory delinquency fee assessed by the PLA.
- Expired Greater than 3 Years: Under IC 25-1-8-6 and 860 IAC, if a plumbing license remains expired and unrenewed for more than three (3) consecutive years, the credential cannot be automatically reinstated through fee payment alone. The applicant must re-apply to the Commission as a new applicant and must re-take and successfully pass the Prov licensing examination before a new license will be issued.
Reciprocity with Other Jurisdictions
Under IC 25-28.5-1-19, the Indiana Plumbing Commission maintains statutory authority to enter into reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. The Commission may issue a license without examination to an out-of-state plumber if the applicant holds a valid license from a state whose licensing requirements and examination standards are substantially equal to or exceed those of Indiana, and where that state extends identical reciprocal privileges to Indiana licensees.
Indiana Plumbing Licensing Standards Summary
| Credential Tier | Minimum Age | Experience / Education | Examination Required | Permitted Scope | Financial Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber | None specified (min. working age) | Enrolled in Commission-approved 4-year apprenticeship program | None (program exams only) | Perform trade work only under direct, on-site supervision | None (covered by employer) |
| Journeyman Plumber | 18 Years | 4 years in an approved apprenticeship OR a notarized statement of 4 years of plumbing-trade experience | Prov Journeyman Exam (90 Qs, 3 hrs, reported PASS/FAIL) | Install, alter, repair plumbing as employee of contractor | None (covered by employer) |
| Plumbing Contractor | 18 Years | Minimum 4 years practical experience as a licensed Journeyman | Prov Contractor Trade & Business/Law Exams | Contract with public, pull permits, advertise, hire tradespeople | Min. $5,000 surety bond; general liability insurance |
Under IC 25-28.5-1-12, what must an Indiana resident show to qualify for the Journeyman Plumber examination?
Which statutory provision explains why an Indiana journeyman plumber may not contract directly with a property owner?
When do Indiana journeyman plumber licenses expire, and what is the statutory renewal cycle?