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Those who want to enter the electrical trade in Indiana need to check with the local rules and regulations to obtain a license.
The standards, however, are rather consistent across the state for this stable and in-demand occupation.
Article Table of Contents
Apprenticeship
All electricians start as apprentices, positions they generally hold for 4 years, during which they also attend 150 hours of classroom education, per year.
Enrolling in a technical college, unionized or non-unionized apprenticeship program, are all viable ways in which the training can be completed.
Technical Colleges
Technical colleges can award certificates of competency or associates’ degree in electrical technology.
Some schools might offer help for their students to find internships, though there are situations when the students have to find entry-level positions on their own.
While students of a technical college still have to complete a traditional apprenticeship, its period might be shorter due to the time spent in school.
This route can open the doors for more career options and better pay as well.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Tech | 7225 Winton Dr Indianapolis, IN 46268 |
| Vincennes University | 1002 N First St, Vincennes, IN 47591 |
Traditional Apprenticeships
Those who want to enroll in an unionized apprenticeship will need to contact their local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) offices.
This route is recommended to those who work for companies serving more states, or for those considering moving out of state at some point.
To be accepted in a JATC program, candidates need to:
- Be 18 years of age
- Be high school graduates or have GED
- Hold a valid driver’s license
- Pass a general aptitude test
- Live in the jurisdiction of the JATC
- Join the union
Non-Union Apprenticeships
Non-union programs are very similar to those offered by unions, including the general enrollment requirements.
The main differences are:
- Membership is not mandatory
- Being able to work with “merit shops”
Journeyman or Residential Electrician
Becoming a licensed journeyman or residential electrician is mandatory for those who want a career.
Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, the residential electrician license is the first certification for this trade.
The license allows its holders to work on 1 or 2-family homes while being employed by a master electrician.
The Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement issues licensed to those passing the exam.
To take the exam, candidates need:
- An exam application
- Notarized letter from an employer documenting 6 years of experience
- 3 reference letters signed by the customer
- Driver’s license copy
- Copies of any current licenses, certificates or diplomas
Candidates can use up to 2 years of education in the field and 4 years of work to meet the experience requirement.
Those accepted will be tested on:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
These exams last between 3 and 4 hours, have 80-100 questions and are open book.
Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, the Allen County Building Department issues licenses to journeymen, who can work on both commercial and residential buildings, while supervised by a master electrician.
In Fort Wayne, the apprenticeship lasts for 8,000 hours.
To get licensed, candidates need to pass the exam once their applications get accepted.
The test covers:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The passing score is 70% and candidates have 3 or 4 hours to answer 80-100 questions while consulting their books.
South Bend
In South Bend, to become licensed, individuals need to send the application to the South Bend Building Department.
Requirements:
- 4 years of experience, outside of the apprenticeship period
- A resume
- Letters of recommendation
The application form has more details related to the exam.
Evansville
In Evansville, the Vanderburgh County Building Commission issues journeyman electrician licenses.
These professionals need to work under master electrician license holders.
The application for the license must contain:
- Notarized reference letters
- Proof of 4 years of work experience
- The application form
Those accepted can take the open book exam with 80 multiple choice questions, lasting for 3 hours.
The passing score is 70% and the topics cover:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Wiring and Protection
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment for General Use
- Special Occupancies
- Special Equipment
- Special Conditions
- Communication Systems
Master Electrician Certificate
Master electricians can perform work on residential properties, with the right permit.
Indianapolis
The requirements to become a master electrician are:
- File the application
- Driver’s license copy
- 6 years of experience, proved with a notarized letter from an employer
- 3 reference letters signed by the customers
- Copies of any current licenses, certificates, and diplomas
- Passing the exam
Candidates will be tested on:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
The exam lasts between 3 and 4 hours, has between 80 and 100 questions with more choices, and is open book.
Fort Wayne
To become a master electrician in Fort Wayne, you need:
- 8 years of total experience as an electrician
- 4 years of experience as a journeyman
- Fill out the application
- Score at least 70% on the exam
In general, the test is 3 to 4 hours long, you can consult the manual and it covers:
- Services and Service Equipment
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment and Devices
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Conditions
- General Knowledge
South Bend
In South Bend master electrician licenses are not offered.
Evansville
To become a master electrician in Evansville, you need:
- An application
- To prove 4 years of work experience – notarized reference letters
- Score at least 75% on the exam
- To have liability insurance – see the next section
Candidates can consult their books during the 4 hours long exam with 100 questions that cover:
- General Electrical Knowledge
- Wiring and Protection
- Wiring Methods and Materials
- Equipment for General Use
- Special Occupancies, Equipment, Conditions
- Communication Systems
Electrical Contractor
In Indiana, those who want to sell their electrical services to the public need an independent contractor certification.
With this license, one can:
- Hire other electricians
- Run a business
Indianapolis
The minimum requirements for being an electrical contractor in Indianapolis are:
- Be a master electrician
- Have general liability insurance:
- $500,000 for bodily injury
- $100,000 for property damage
- Have worker’s compensation insurance
- $10,000 – surety bond, or bond continuation certificate
Fort Wayne
The Allen County Building Department has more information related to the license you need to operate as an electrical contractor in this jurisdiction.
There are no mentions related to insurance if it’s needed or not, nor how much it should be.
South Bend
To become an electrical contractor in South Bend, individuals need:
- 4 years of experience, excluding the apprenticeship period
- To file an application
- A resume
- Letters of recommendation
- To pass the exam
- $5,000 surety bond, for 1 year
More details about the exam are in the application document.
Evansville
To become an electrical contractor in Evansville, candidates need:
- A master electrician license
- $1 million general liability insurance
- Worker’s compensation insurance
- $15,000 surety bond
Statewide
Electrical companies must be registered with the Secretary of State and more information can be found on the institution’s website.
Salary
A degree and more experience will generally mean a higher salary than the average.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $47,434 |
| Fort Wayne | $45,300 |
| Evansville | $45,895 |
| South Bend | $45,391 |
| Carmel | $47,375 |
| Fishers | $44,867 |
| Bloomington | $44,728 |
| Hammond | $48,363 |
| Gary | $48,363 |
| Lafayette | $47,142 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 220 | $68,780 | $33.07 | $94,370 | $45,270 |
| Columbus, IN | 260 | $70,370 | $33.83 | $80,730 | $53,440 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 670 | $46,560 | $22.38 | $81,010 | $20,800 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 850 | $68,900 | $33.13 | $92,030 | $38,230 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 1,270 | $65,000 | $31.25 | $82,160 | $40,800 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 4,980 | $68,200 | $32.79 | $92,370 | $40,320 |
| Kokomo, IN | 430 | $80,110 | $38.52 | $84,120 | $69,600 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 570 | $66,290 | $31.87 | $82,610 | $37,790 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 160 | $66,100 | $31.78 | $88,670 | $44,300 |
| Muncie, IN | 130 | $64,460 | $30.99 | $82,150 | $38,590 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 580 | $71,230 | $34.25 | $94,650 | $40,160 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 320 | $69,620 | $33.47 | $93,990 | $44,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Renewing the License
In Indianapolis, the journeyman and master electrician licenses need to be renewed every two years.
In Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville, the journeyman license has to be renewed every year.
In these areas, there are no requirements to continue your education at the time of license renewal, however, the union members might have to follow other regulations.
The master electrician license in Indianapolis has to be renewed every 2 years, with the same requirements as for the journeyman license.
The requirements to renew the master electrician license in Fort Wayne and Evansville are the same as for the journeyman license.
The electrical contractor license in South Bend needs to be renewed every year, with the same requirements as for the journeyman license.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Electrician
Electrician Schools by City
Electrician Schools by State