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
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Licensing Jurisdiction & Regulatory Authority 1–15
Section 2 Indiana Residential Code (IRC) & Building Standards 16–30
Section 3 Site Work, Excavation, Soil Mechanics & Foundations 31–45
Section 4 Concrete Technology & Masonry Systems 46–55
Section 5 Advanced Framing & Structural Systems 56–70
Section 6 Roofing Systems & Exterior Envelope 71–80
Section 7 Interior Systems & Finish Trades 81–90
Section 8 Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Systems 91–100
,Section Topic Area Questions
Section 9 OSHA Safety Standards (29 CFR Part 1926) 101–110
Section 10 Advanced Estimating, Mathematics & Project Planning 111–125
Section 11 Contracts, Business Law & Mechanic's Liens 126–140
Section 12 Project Management, Quality Control & Contractor Duties 141–150
SECTION 1: LICENSING JURISDICTION & REGULATORY AUTHORITY
• Question 1. Indiana does NOT issue a statewide general contractor license. Which
statement accurately describes how residential construction contractors are regulated in
Indiana as of 2026?
A. All residential contractors must obtain a license from the Indiana Professional Licensing
Agency (IPLA) before performing any work
B. General contractors are licensed by the state through the Indiana Plumbing Commission
under IC 25-28.5
C. General construction, framing, drywall, roofing, and electrical work are licensed by each city
or county, while plumbers are licensed by the state
D. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security issues all contractor licenses through 675 IAC
•• C — Indiana has no statewide general contractor license. The Indiana Professional Licensing
Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the Indiana Plumbing Commission under IC 25-28.5.
General construction, framing, drywall, roofing, electrical, heating/cooling, and wrecking are
licensed by each city or county. General contractor licenses do not transfer between
jurisdictions.
• Question 2. A residential contractor plans to work in both Indianapolis (Marion County) and
Fort Wayne (Allen County). Which statement correctly describes the licensing requirements?
,A. A single license from either jurisdiction is valid throughout Indiana
B. The contractor must obtain separate licenses from each jurisdiction, as local licenses do not
transfer between jurisdictions
C. Only a state-issued plumbing license is required for work in both cities
D. No license is required in either city for residential work under $50,000
•• B — Indiana licenses general contractors locally, and the licenses do not transfer between
jurisdictions. Contractors working across multiple Indiana cities face significant local licensing
variation. Indianapolis requires local contractor registration with bond and insurance, while Fort
Wayne (Allen County) has one of the most formalized local licensing systems, requiring all
contractors and subcontractors to be licensed with exam, bond, and insurance.
• Question 3. Under Indiana Code IC 24-5-11 (the Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act),
a written contract is required for home improvement projects exceeding what threshold?
A. $50
B. $150
C. $500
D. $1,000
•• B — The Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act (IC 24-5-11) requires written contracts
with specific disclosures for any home-improvement project over $150. The contractor must
sign the contract before requesting any down payment.
• Question 4. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses which of the following
trades at the state level?
A. General contractors and roofers only
B. Plumbers only, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission
C. Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing contractors
D. All construction trades operating in Indiana
•• B — The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the Indiana
Plumbing Commission under Indiana Code 25-28.5. The state's Business Owner's Guide
confirms: "The only construction contractors licensed by the State of Indiana are plumbers".
Every other trade—electrical, HVAC, general contractor, roofing—is regulated only at the local
level.
, • Question 5. In Mishawaka, Indiana, what are the minimum requirements for a local
contractor license as of 2026?
A. No license required for residential work
B. Passing score of 70% on the exam, $5,000 bond, and general liability insurance
C. Only a $10,000 bond and workers' compensation
D. State-issued plumbing license only
•• B — South Bend and Mishawaka require a local contractor license with exam (70% passing
score), a $5,000 bond, and general liability insurance. Licenses expire on December 31 of each
year.
• Question 6. A plumbing contractor applicant in Indiana must provide evidence of how many
years of experience to qualify for the Plumbing Contractor license?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
•• C — The Plumbing Contractor tier requires a completed 4-year apprenticeship, a current
out-of-state plumbing license, or 4 years of supervised plumbing work, plus a passing exam.
State trade contractors must show four years of journeyman-level experience.
• Question 7. Which Indiana administrative code establishes the administrative requirements
for Indiana's building and maintenance codes?
A. 675 IAC 14 (Indiana Residential Code)
B. 675 IAC General Administrative Rules (GAR)
C. 675 IAC 17 (Indiana Electrical Code)
D. 675 IAC 28 (Fire Prevention Rules)
•• B — The 675 IAC General Administrative Rules (GAR) establish the administrative
requirements for Indiana's building and maintenance codes. The Indiana Fire Prevention and
Building Safety Commission sets the code; local building departments handle permit
applications.
Examination — Local Jurisdiction Practice Exam
2026 V2.0 | 150 Advanced Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Licensing Jurisdiction & Regulatory Authority 1–15
Section 2 Indiana Residential Code (IRC) & Building Standards 16–30
Section 3 Site Work, Excavation, Soil Mechanics & Foundations 31–45
Section 4 Concrete Technology & Masonry Systems 46–55
Section 5 Advanced Framing & Structural Systems 56–70
Section 6 Roofing Systems & Exterior Envelope 71–80
Section 7 Interior Systems & Finish Trades 81–90
Section 8 Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) Systems 91–100
,Section Topic Area Questions
Section 9 OSHA Safety Standards (29 CFR Part 1926) 101–110
Section 10 Advanced Estimating, Mathematics & Project Planning 111–125
Section 11 Contracts, Business Law & Mechanic's Liens 126–140
Section 12 Project Management, Quality Control & Contractor Duties 141–150
SECTION 1: LICENSING JURISDICTION & REGULATORY AUTHORITY
• Question 1. Indiana does NOT issue a statewide general contractor license. Which
statement accurately describes how residential construction contractors are regulated in
Indiana as of 2026?
A. All residential contractors must obtain a license from the Indiana Professional Licensing
Agency (IPLA) before performing any work
B. General contractors are licensed by the state through the Indiana Plumbing Commission
under IC 25-28.5
C. General construction, framing, drywall, roofing, and electrical work are licensed by each city
or county, while plumbers are licensed by the state
D. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security issues all contractor licenses through 675 IAC
•• C — Indiana has no statewide general contractor license. The Indiana Professional Licensing
Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the Indiana Plumbing Commission under IC 25-28.5.
General construction, framing, drywall, roofing, electrical, heating/cooling, and wrecking are
licensed by each city or county. General contractor licenses do not transfer between
jurisdictions.
• Question 2. A residential contractor plans to work in both Indianapolis (Marion County) and
Fort Wayne (Allen County). Which statement correctly describes the licensing requirements?
,A. A single license from either jurisdiction is valid throughout Indiana
B. The contractor must obtain separate licenses from each jurisdiction, as local licenses do not
transfer between jurisdictions
C. Only a state-issued plumbing license is required for work in both cities
D. No license is required in either city for residential work under $50,000
•• B — Indiana licenses general contractors locally, and the licenses do not transfer between
jurisdictions. Contractors working across multiple Indiana cities face significant local licensing
variation. Indianapolis requires local contractor registration with bond and insurance, while Fort
Wayne (Allen County) has one of the most formalized local licensing systems, requiring all
contractors and subcontractors to be licensed with exam, bond, and insurance.
• Question 3. Under Indiana Code IC 24-5-11 (the Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act),
a written contract is required for home improvement projects exceeding what threshold?
A. $50
B. $150
C. $500
D. $1,000
•• B — The Indiana Home Improvement Contract Act (IC 24-5-11) requires written contracts
with specific disclosures for any home-improvement project over $150. The contractor must
sign the contract before requesting any down payment.
• Question 4. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses which of the following
trades at the state level?
A. General contractors and roofers only
B. Plumbers only, through the Indiana Plumbing Commission
C. Electrical, HVAC, and plumbing contractors
D. All construction trades operating in Indiana
•• B — The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) licenses plumbers through the Indiana
Plumbing Commission under Indiana Code 25-28.5. The state's Business Owner's Guide
confirms: "The only construction contractors licensed by the State of Indiana are plumbers".
Every other trade—electrical, HVAC, general contractor, roofing—is regulated only at the local
level.
, • Question 5. In Mishawaka, Indiana, what are the minimum requirements for a local
contractor license as of 2026?
A. No license required for residential work
B. Passing score of 70% on the exam, $5,000 bond, and general liability insurance
C. Only a $10,000 bond and workers' compensation
D. State-issued plumbing license only
•• B — South Bend and Mishawaka require a local contractor license with exam (70% passing
score), a $5,000 bond, and general liability insurance. Licenses expire on December 31 of each
year.
• Question 6. A plumbing contractor applicant in Indiana must provide evidence of how many
years of experience to qualify for the Plumbing Contractor license?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
•• C — The Plumbing Contractor tier requires a completed 4-year apprenticeship, a current
out-of-state plumbing license, or 4 years of supervised plumbing work, plus a passing exam.
State trade contractors must show four years of journeyman-level experience.
• Question 7. Which Indiana administrative code establishes the administrative requirements
for Indiana's building and maintenance codes?
A. 675 IAC 14 (Indiana Residential Code)
B. 675 IAC General Administrative Rules (GAR)
C. 675 IAC 17 (Indiana Electrical Code)
D. 675 IAC 28 (Fire Prevention Rules)
•• B — The 675 IAC General Administrative Rules (GAR) establish the administrative
requirements for Indiana's building and maintenance codes. The Indiana Fire Prevention and
Building Safety Commission sets the code; local building departments handle permit
applications.
