INDIANA RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTOR LICENSE
EXAMINATION — LOCAL JURISDICTION PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 V2.0 150 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK (Questions 1–25)
• Indiana's Mixed Licensing System — State vs. Local Authority
• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Sprinkler
• Local Jurisdiction Requirements — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville
• Contractor Registration & Renewal Cycles (Annual, Biennial, Triennial)
• Bonding Requirements ($5,000–$30,000) & Insurance Certificates
• E-Verify & Public Works Compliance (IC 22-5-1.7-11)
• The Indiana FAIRNESS Act (Effective July 1, 2026)
PART II: CONTRACT LAW & BUSINESS OPERATIONS (Questions 26–45)
• Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act (IC 24-5-11) — Detailed Requirements
• Three-Day Right of Cancellation & Written Notice Requirements
• Change Orders — Writing & Signature Requirements (Enforceability)
• Mechanic's Liens (IC § 32-28-3) — 60-Day Residential / 90-Day Commercial Filing
Deadlines
• Lien Foreclosure — One-Year Statute of Limitations
• Pre-Lien Notice Requirements & Subcontractor Personal Liability Notice
• Deceptive Consumer Sales Act Implications
,PART III: BUILDING CODES & STANDARDS — 2026 UPDATES (Questions 46–70)
• 2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4) — Readopted Effective January 1, 2026
• 2026 Indiana Electrical Code (675 IAC 17) — Incorporating 2023 NEC
• HEA 1001-2026 — AFCI Prohibition Effective July 1, 2026
• 2026 Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13) — Effective 2026
• 2025 IECC Changes — R-Value No Longer Sole Determinant of Compliance
• Floodplain & Sump/Discharge Requirements (675 IAC 16)
• Local Zoning & Housing Development Reforms (HB 1001 — Effective July 1, 2026)
PART IV: SITE WORK & FOUNDATIONS (Questions 71–85)
• Soil Classification & Bearing Capacity Analysis
• Expansive Clay Conditions — Central Indiana Challenges
• Frost Depth Protection & Footing Insulation
• Foundation Types — Slab, Basement, Crawlspace, Pier
• Waterproofing & Drainage Systems — Sump Pump Redundancy
• Concrete Mix Design, Reinforcement, & Curing
PART V: STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS & FRAMING (Questions 86–100)
• Platform Framing vs. Balloon Framing
• Load Paths — Roof → Walls → Floor → Foundation
• Engineered Wood Products — Trusses, I-Joists, LVL
• Stair Construction — 11-Inch Minimum Tread Depth (Indiana Amendment)
• Guard Height (36 Inches) & Baluster Spacing (4-Inch Sphere Rule)
• Tornado Safe Rooms — ICC 500 Requirements
PART VI: EXTERIOR SYSTEMS & ROOFING (Questions 101–115)
• Roofing Materials — Asphalt Shingles (4:12 Minimum Slope)
• Flashing — Roof Penetrations, Valleys, Wall Intersections
• Weather-Resistive Barriers & Drainage Planes
, • Ice & Water Shield — Northern Indiana Lake-Effect Snow Zones
• Window Installation — Flashing & WRB Integration
• Vapor Retarders — Climate Zone Considerations
PART VII: INTERIOR SYSTEMS & MECHANICALS (Questions 116–130)
• Electrical Systems — GFCI Requirements, AFCI Prohibition (HEA 1001-2026)
• Plumbing Systems — Venting, Traps, Cleanouts, Expansion Tanks
• HVAC Systems — Forced-Air, Load Calculations, Ductwork
• Insulation — IECC 2025 Compliance, R-Value Requirements
• Drywall — Fire-Resistance Ratings & Installation
PART VIII: SAFETY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT & EXAM PREP (Questions 131–150)
• OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 — Trench Safety (5-Foot Rule), Confined Space Protocols
• Fall Protection — Guardrails, Safety Nets, Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• Project Scheduling — Critical Path Method, Resource Allocation
• Quality Control — Inspections, Punch Lists, Certificate of Occupancy
• Permit Application & Approval Process — Local Variations
• Exam-Day Logistics — Authorization to Test, ID Requirements, Reference Materials
PART I: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
• Q1. A general contractor based in Indianapolis is preparing to bid on a residential project in
Fort Wayne. The contractor holds a valid Indianapolis General Contractor License (Class B) and a
state-issued Plumbing Contractor license through IPLA. Which statement accurately describes
the contractor's licensing status for the Fort Wayne project?
A. The Indianapolis General Contractor License is valid statewide, so no additional action is
required.
B. The state-issued Plumbing Contractor license authorizes the contractor to perform all general
construction work anywhere in Indiana.
•• C. The Indianapolis General Contractor License does not transfer to Fort Wayne; the
, contractor must verify and comply with Fort Wayne's local licensing or registration
requirements, though the state plumbing license is valid statewide.
D. No license is required because the project is residential and under $150,000.
Rationale: Indiana has no statewide general contractor license. General contractor licenses are
issued by local jurisdictions and do not transfer between municipalities. The state-issued
Plumbing Contractor license through IPLA is valid statewide, but it does not authorize general
construction work. Contractors must identify each city or county where they will pull permits
and comply with each jurisdiction's requirements.
• Q2. Under Indiana law, which of the following trades is regulated at the state level through the
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA)?
A. General residential contractors
B. Roofing contractors
C. HVAC contractors performing non-plumbing work
•• D. Plumbing contractors
Rationale: The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the
Indiana Plumbing Commission under Indiana Code 25-28.5. Electrical contractors and
electricians are also licensed by IPLA. General contractors, roofing contractors, and HVAC
contractors (unless performing plumbing work) are licensed locally, not at the state level.
• Q3. A contractor is performing work in Goshen, Indiana. According to Ordinance 5258, what
requirement applies to electrical contractors working within the city?
A. No license is required for electrical work in Goshen.
B. A state-issued electrical license is sufficient without local registration.
•• C. Electrical contractors must obtain the appropriate license and register with the Goshen
Building Department before performing work, with renewal required every three years.
D. Only a general contractor license is required; electrical work can be performed without
separate authorization.
Rationale: Goshen Ordinance 5258 requires a person acting in the capacity of an electrical
contractor to obtain the appropriate license and register with the Goshen Building Department
before performing work within the City of Goshen. The ordinance establishes requirements for
obtaining a license and registration, requires renewal every three years, and establishes
enforcement tools.
EXAMINATION — LOCAL JURISDICTION PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 V2.0 150 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK (Questions 1–25)
• Indiana's Mixed Licensing System — State vs. Local Authority
• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) — Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Sprinkler
• Local Jurisdiction Requirements — Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville
• Contractor Registration & Renewal Cycles (Annual, Biennial, Triennial)
• Bonding Requirements ($5,000–$30,000) & Insurance Certificates
• E-Verify & Public Works Compliance (IC 22-5-1.7-11)
• The Indiana FAIRNESS Act (Effective July 1, 2026)
PART II: CONTRACT LAW & BUSINESS OPERATIONS (Questions 26–45)
• Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act (IC 24-5-11) — Detailed Requirements
• Three-Day Right of Cancellation & Written Notice Requirements
• Change Orders — Writing & Signature Requirements (Enforceability)
• Mechanic's Liens (IC § 32-28-3) — 60-Day Residential / 90-Day Commercial Filing
Deadlines
• Lien Foreclosure — One-Year Statute of Limitations
• Pre-Lien Notice Requirements & Subcontractor Personal Liability Notice
• Deceptive Consumer Sales Act Implications
,PART III: BUILDING CODES & STANDARDS — 2026 UPDATES (Questions 46–70)
• 2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4) — Readopted Effective January 1, 2026
• 2026 Indiana Electrical Code (675 IAC 17) — Incorporating 2023 NEC
• HEA 1001-2026 — AFCI Prohibition Effective July 1, 2026
• 2026 Indiana Building Code (675 IAC 13) — Effective 2026
• 2025 IECC Changes — R-Value No Longer Sole Determinant of Compliance
• Floodplain & Sump/Discharge Requirements (675 IAC 16)
• Local Zoning & Housing Development Reforms (HB 1001 — Effective July 1, 2026)
PART IV: SITE WORK & FOUNDATIONS (Questions 71–85)
• Soil Classification & Bearing Capacity Analysis
• Expansive Clay Conditions — Central Indiana Challenges
• Frost Depth Protection & Footing Insulation
• Foundation Types — Slab, Basement, Crawlspace, Pier
• Waterproofing & Drainage Systems — Sump Pump Redundancy
• Concrete Mix Design, Reinforcement, & Curing
PART V: STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS & FRAMING (Questions 86–100)
• Platform Framing vs. Balloon Framing
• Load Paths — Roof → Walls → Floor → Foundation
• Engineered Wood Products — Trusses, I-Joists, LVL
• Stair Construction — 11-Inch Minimum Tread Depth (Indiana Amendment)
• Guard Height (36 Inches) & Baluster Spacing (4-Inch Sphere Rule)
• Tornado Safe Rooms — ICC 500 Requirements
PART VI: EXTERIOR SYSTEMS & ROOFING (Questions 101–115)
• Roofing Materials — Asphalt Shingles (4:12 Minimum Slope)
• Flashing — Roof Penetrations, Valleys, Wall Intersections
• Weather-Resistive Barriers & Drainage Planes
, • Ice & Water Shield — Northern Indiana Lake-Effect Snow Zones
• Window Installation — Flashing & WRB Integration
• Vapor Retarders — Climate Zone Considerations
PART VII: INTERIOR SYSTEMS & MECHANICALS (Questions 116–130)
• Electrical Systems — GFCI Requirements, AFCI Prohibition (HEA 1001-2026)
• Plumbing Systems — Venting, Traps, Cleanouts, Expansion Tanks
• HVAC Systems — Forced-Air, Load Calculations, Ductwork
• Insulation — IECC 2025 Compliance, R-Value Requirements
• Drywall — Fire-Resistance Ratings & Installation
PART VIII: SAFETY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT & EXAM PREP (Questions 131–150)
• OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 — Trench Safety (5-Foot Rule), Confined Space Protocols
• Fall Protection — Guardrails, Safety Nets, Personal Fall Arrest Systems
• Project Scheduling — Critical Path Method, Resource Allocation
• Quality Control — Inspections, Punch Lists, Certificate of Occupancy
• Permit Application & Approval Process — Local Variations
• Exam-Day Logistics — Authorization to Test, ID Requirements, Reference Materials
PART I: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
• Q1. A general contractor based in Indianapolis is preparing to bid on a residential project in
Fort Wayne. The contractor holds a valid Indianapolis General Contractor License (Class B) and a
state-issued Plumbing Contractor license through IPLA. Which statement accurately describes
the contractor's licensing status for the Fort Wayne project?
A. The Indianapolis General Contractor License is valid statewide, so no additional action is
required.
B. The state-issued Plumbing Contractor license authorizes the contractor to perform all general
construction work anywhere in Indiana.
•• C. The Indianapolis General Contractor License does not transfer to Fort Wayne; the
, contractor must verify and comply with Fort Wayne's local licensing or registration
requirements, though the state plumbing license is valid statewide.
D. No license is required because the project is residential and under $150,000.
Rationale: Indiana has no statewide general contractor license. General contractor licenses are
issued by local jurisdictions and do not transfer between municipalities. The state-issued
Plumbing Contractor license through IPLA is valid statewide, but it does not authorize general
construction work. Contractors must identify each city or county where they will pull permits
and comply with each jurisdiction's requirements.
• Q2. Under Indiana law, which of the following trades is regulated at the state level through the
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA)?
A. General residential contractors
B. Roofing contractors
C. HVAC contractors performing non-plumbing work
•• D. Plumbing contractors
Rationale: The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the
Indiana Plumbing Commission under Indiana Code 25-28.5. Electrical contractors and
electricians are also licensed by IPLA. General contractors, roofing contractors, and HVAC
contractors (unless performing plumbing work) are licensed locally, not at the state level.
• Q3. A contractor is performing work in Goshen, Indiana. According to Ordinance 5258, what
requirement applies to electrical contractors working within the city?
A. No license is required for electrical work in Goshen.
B. A state-issued electrical license is sufficient without local registration.
•• C. Electrical contractors must obtain the appropriate license and register with the Goshen
Building Department before performing work, with renewal required every three years.
D. Only a general contractor license is required; electrical work can be performed without
separate authorization.
Rationale: Goshen Ordinance 5258 requires a person acting in the capacity of an electrical
contractor to obtain the appropriate license and register with the Goshen Building Department
before performing work within the City of Goshen. The ordinance establishes requirements for
obtaining a license and registration, requires renewal every three years, and establishes
enforcement tools.
