Ind. Code ch. 25-28.5-1

Ind. Code ch. 25-28.5-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-1 Declaration of policy

Sec. 1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Indiana that, in order to safeguard the life, health, and public welfare of its citizens, the business of plumbing construction and improvements is a matter affecting the public interest, and any person engaging in the business as herein defined should be required to establish his competency and qualifications to be licensed as herein provided. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-2 Definitions

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter: (1) "Plumbing" means the practice of and the materials and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: (A) Sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, the venting system, and the public or private water supply systems, within or adjacent to any building or structure. (B) The practice and materials used in the installation, maintenance, extension, or alteration of the stormwater, liquid waste, or sewerage, and water supply systems of any premises to the private property line or to their connection with any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal. The term does not include the planning, designing, and installation of sanitation and water systems in vehicles commonly known as mobile homes, the drilling of wells, the installation of pumps, pressure tanks, and piping incidental to the drilling or repair of a well system, the sale or installation of water softening equipment and apparatuses and services of the same, or the business of manufacturing or selling plumbing fixtures; appliances, equipment, or hardware; the installation of automatic sprinklers, the overhead or underground water supplies or standpipes when connected to an automatic sprinkler system or to their related devices or appurtenances connecting thereto; nor does the term include the work referred to in section 32(i) of this chapter; nor does the term include the planning or design of water supply or sewage systems which would ordinarily be performed as "the practice of engineering", as defined in IC 25-31-1, or the "practice of architecture", as defined in IC 25-4-1. (2) "Plumbing contractor" means any person who, for compensation, undertakes to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others, construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, subtract from, or improve plumbing and who is responsible for substantially all the plumbing within the entire project, or one who fabricates units or plumbing substantially completed and ready for installation. (3) "Journeyman plumber" means a person who engages or offers to engage in, as an occupation or trade, the construction, installation, alteration, maintenance, repair, remodeling, or removal and replacement of plumbing under the supervision, direction, and responsibility of a licensed plumbing contractor. (4) "Maintenance man" means a person who is employed on a permanent basis to keep the premises of a business establishment in good repair. (5) "Contracting" means, except as exempted in this chapter, engaging in a business as a contractor. (6) "Person" means a natural person, except in the case of a plumbing contractor, in which case it may mean the partners or members of a partnership, limited partnership, or any form of unincorporated enterprise, owned by two (2) or more persons, and as applied to "corporation" in addition to the corporate entity means the officers or directors and employees thereof. (7) "Commission" means the Indiana plumbing commission created by this chapter. (8) "License" means a certificate issued by the commission established by this chapter which confers upon the holder the privilege to act as a plumbing contractor or a journeyman plumber as defined in this chapter. (9) "Farmstead" means a farm dwelling together with other buildings, structures, equipment, piping, and other plumbing materials and supplies, located upon a parcel of real estate used primarily for agricultural purposes located outside the corporate limits of a municipality and not connected to a public water supply. (10) "Licensing agency" means the Indiana professional licensing agency established under IC 25-1-5-3. (11) "Apprentice plumber" means an individual who: (A) is learning the plumbing trade; and (B) is under the direction and immediate supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or a licensed journeyman plumber. (12) "Registration" means the granting of a certificate by the commission that authorizes an individual to act as an apprentice plumber. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.202; P.L.132-1984, SEC.36; P.L.248-1985, SEC.1; P.L.1-2006, SEC.469.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-3 Indiana plumbing commission; creation; administration and enforcement of chapter

Sec. 3. The Indiana plumbing commission is hereby created. The commission shall have general charge of the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.166, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-4 Members; appointments; terms; political representation

Sec. 4. (a) The commission shall consist of five (5) members to be appointed by the governor. (b) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, each member appointed shall be a citizen and resident of this state and include the following: (1) Two (2) of the members shall be actively engaged in the plumbing contracting business for not less than five (5) years immediately prior to their appointment or shall have had ten (10) years experience in the plumbing contracting business. (2) Two (2) of the members shall be persons who for not less than five (5) years immediately prior to their appointment have been employed as journeymen plumbers. (3) One (1) member, appointed to represent the general public, may never have been associated with plumbing in any way other than as a consumer. (c) The term of all members of the commission appointed: (1) before July 1, 2019, shall be for three (3) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified; and (2) after June 30, 2019, shall be under IC 25-1-6.5. (d) At no time shall there be more than four (4) members of the same political party on the commission. (e) A member may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.203; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.68; P.L.8-1984, SEC.120; P.L.20-1991, SEC.6; P.L.2-1992, SEC.778; P.L.249-2019, SEC.117.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-5 Compensation of members of commission

Sec. 5. The members of the commission shall receive no salary, but are entitled to reimbursement for traveling and other expenses as provided in the state travel policies and procedures, established by the department of administration and approved by the state budget agency. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.166, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-6 Organization and records of commission

Sec. 6. The commission shall annually organize and select one (1) of the members as chairman and one (1) of the members to serve as secretary, both to serve for a term of one (1) year. The commission, through the licensing agency, shall keep a record of all its proceedings, transactions, communications, official acts, and records and shall perform said other duties as required by law. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.204; P.L.132-1984, SEC.37.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-7 Duties of commission

Sec. 7. The commission shall do the following: (1) Adopt a seal with the words "Indiana Plumbing Commission" and such other device as may be selected by which it shall authenticate the acts of the commission. Copies of all records and papers, when certified by the secretary and issued under the seal of the commission, shall be received in evidence in all cases equally and with like effect as the original commission records. (2) Prescribe the form of licenses and issue the same under its seal. All such licenses, while in force, shall be under the supervision and control of the commission. (3) Issue licenses as plumbing contractors and journeymen plumbers, to any person who qualifies and complies with the provisions of this chapter and pay required license fees. (4) Adopt rules in accordance with IC 4-22-2 which establish standards for the competent practice of plumbing. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.205; P.L.132-1984, SEC.38; P.L.2-2005, SEC.66.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-8 Powers of commission

Sec. 8. The commission may: (1) Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for its guidance and for the regulation of its business and procedure consistent with the provisions of this chapter and in the manner provided in IC 4-22-2. (2) Enter into such other contracts and authorize expenditures as its duties require, subject to the provisions of this chapter and IC 25-1-5. (3) Do all things necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.206; P.L.2-2005, SEC.67; P.L.29-2026, SEC.46.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-9 Meetings of commission; notice; quorum; record

Sec. 9. The secretary shall call all meetings of the commission as directed by the chairman or upon request in writing by two (2) members, and at such time and places, within the state of Indiana as the commission business may require. Sufficient notice shall be given to permit members to attend all meetings. A quorum of the board consists of a majority of the appointed members. Meetings of the commission may be held pursuant to written waiver of notice signed by all the members of the commission. A record shall be kept of all proceedings at meetings and of the vote taken on each act or transaction of the commission, and a majority vote of all members shall be required to bind the commission. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.207; P.L.249-2019, SEC.118.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-10 Office and supplies of commission; employees

Sec. 10. (a) The department of administration shall provide office space, furniture, and necessary supplies and the office files, records, and property of the commission. (b) The licensing agency shall provide the board with employees necessary to administer the provisions of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.208; P.L.132-1984, SEC.39.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-11 Unlawful acts

Sec. 11. It shall be unlawful for any person to act in the capacity of a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber within this state without first obtaining a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber from the commission. This chapter however does not apply to helpers, laborers, registered apprentices, and other employees of a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber, who do not in any manner hold themselves out to the public as being plumbers. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.209; P.L.248-1985, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-12 Licensing requirements; apprenticeship; nonresidents

Sec. 12. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a natural person over the age of eighteen (18) years who resides in Indiana and any corporation which satisfies the further requirements of this chapter may be licensed by the commission as a plumbing contractor. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a natural person over the age of eighteen (18) years may be licensed by the commission as journeyman plumber. (b) A person who desires to be licensed as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber is eligible for such a license upon the successful taking of the examination provided in section 15 of this chapter. (c) To qualify for a journeyman plumber examination under subsection (b), an applicant who is an Indiana resident must provide evidence that the applicant has completed at least four (4) years in an apprenticeship program approved by the commission or present to the commission a notarized statement providing evidence that the applicant has at least four (4) years of experience in the plumbing trade in employment as set forth in section 32(2), 32(6), or 32(7) of this chapter. To qualify for a plumbing contractor license examination under subsection (b), an applicant who is an Indiana resident must provide evidence that the applicant has completed at least four (4) years in an apprenticeship program approved by the commission or present to the commission a notarized statement providing evidence that the applicant has at least four (4) years of experience in the plumbing trade in employment as set forth in section 32(2), 32(6), or 32(7) of this chapter, or has worked in a plumbing business under the direction of a licensed plumbing contractor for at least four (4) years. (d) An applicant who is not an Indiana resident may qualify to take an examination under subsection (b) in the following manner: (1) If the applicant holds a license in a state that does not have a reciprocity agreement with Indiana, the applicant must present the license to the commission to be eligible to take the examination. (2) If the applicant resides in a state that does not have licensing requirements, the applicant before taking the examination must meet the appropriate requirements of subsection (b). (e) If the applicant holds a license in a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Indiana, the appropriate license shall be issued automatically. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1; Acts 1973, P.L.252, SEC.13. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.210; P.L.20-1991, SEC.7; P.L.194-2005, SEC.69.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-13 Application for license; corporations, partnerships, or associations; requisites

Sec. 13. (a) A person wishing to be licensed as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber must file with the commission a written application, on a form provided by the commission, that contains information the commission considers necessary to determine the qualifications of the applicant. (b) All members of a firm, a copartnership, or an association who engage in the activities defined in this chapter as those of a plumbing contractor must be individually licensed as a plumbing contractor. In the case of a limited partnership, only the general partner must be licensed under this chapter. (c) In the case of a corporation engaged in the business of a plumbing contractor, the corporation must be licensed as a plumbing contractor and must file with the commission an application as provided for in this chapter. A corporation may not be licensed as a plumbing contractor unless one (1) of the officers or employees of the corporation holds a valid license as a plumbing contractor issued by the commission. Where a license is issued to a corporation, at least one (1) officer or employee of the corporation must be: (1) licensed as a plumbing contractor; (2) designated in the application; and (3) named in the license. (d) An officer or employee of a corporation desiring to act as a plumbing contractor in connection with the business of the corporation must take out a separate plumbing contractor's license in the officer's or employee's own name. (e) An application must be signed by the applicant, or the applicant's duly authorized officer or officers. The applicant must make a statement that the applicant has not been convicted of: (1) an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-11; or (2) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently. (f) A business that provides plumbing services and is required to file a certificate of assumed business name under IC 23-0.5-3-4 must register the name, address, and telephone number of the business with the commission. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.211; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.69; P.L.241-1989, SEC.1; P.L.143-1990, SEC.4; P.L.214-1993, SEC.60; P.L.118-2017, SEC.120.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-14 Refusal to examine or license

Sec. 14. Upon the filing of an application, the commission may investigate the statements contained therein and, if it finds the statements to be untrue, may refuse to examine or license the applicant. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-15 Examinations

Sec. 15. (a) Except as otherwise provided, individual applicants for a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber must pass an examination. The contents of the examination must, for each license category, test the current level of skills required of persons to be licensed in that category. (b) Examinations may be conducted at times and locations the commission may prescribe. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.241-1989, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-16 Preparation and administration of examination

Sec. 16. The commission or the commission's designee shall prepare and administer examinations for each license category. The subject matter to be covered and the passing grade for licensing shall be established and made known to the applicants prior to the date of the examination. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.241-1989, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-17 Reexamination

Sec. 17. (a) An applicant who fails the applicant's first examination for a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber may be reexamined. (b) Reexamination of an applicant who fails the examination after two (2) attempts may be conditioned on the satisfactory completion of additional study or training as prescribed by the commission. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.241-1989, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-18 Repealed

Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.166, SEC.3. Repealed by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.296.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-18.1 Apprentice plumber; application for registration; certificate of registration; events requiring discontinuation of work

Sec. 18.1. (a) An individual age seventeen (17) years or older wanting to be registered by the commission as an apprentice plumber shall, on a form provided by the commission, make application for registration. The applicant shall also provide to the commission a statement signed by a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber who is the employer of the applicant that the prospective apprentice is the employer's employee and will work under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed contractor or journeyman plumber. (b) If the commission approves the application for registration, it shall issue a certificate of registration as an apprentice plumber to the applicant. (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), an individual may apply to be a registered apprentice plumber under this section and may work under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber for one (1) year, so long as the individual has applied for acceptance in a commission approved apprenticeship program. The requirements of this subsection are met even if the individual: (1) is awaiting a response from the apprenticeship program; or (2) has been placed on the apprenticeship program's waiting list; at the time that the individual is working under the supervision of the licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber. (d) A registered apprentice plumber under subsection (c) shall discontinue working under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman if any of the following events occurs: (1) The registered apprentice plumber is not accepted into an apprenticeship program. (2) The registered apprentice plumber is removed from the apprenticeship program's waiting list and does not begin the apprenticeship program. (3) The registered apprentice plumber does not begin the apprenticeship program and remains on the apprenticeship program's waiting list for a period longer than one (1) year. (4) The registered apprentice plumber withdraws the application submitted to the apprenticeship program. (e) A licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman supervising a registered apprentice plumber under subsection (c) must notify the commission of the occurrence of an event described under subsection (d). As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.127-2019, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-18.3 Expiration of license

Sec. 18.3. A plumbing contractor's license expires upon the death of the individual to whom it was issued. As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-18.5 Temporary plumbing contractor's license; issuance

Sec. 18.5. Notwithstanding section 12 of this chapter, the commission may issue a temporary plumbing contractor's license to an applicant who has an ownership interest in or is an officer of a contracting business if the plumbing contractor licensee operating the business has died or is physically or mentally unable to operate the business. The commission may issue the license for the period needed to dispose of the contracting business or to otherwise meet the emergency giving rise to the need for the license. However, a temporary contractor's license may not be issued for a period, including all renewals, exceeding two (2) years. As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-19 Reciprocity

Sec. 19. Upon the payment of the required fee, an applicant who is a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber licensed or registered in another state, territory, country, or province, shall without examination, be granted a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber by the Indiana Plumbing Commission: Provided, That (a) No such applicant shall be granted a license in a category he is not licensed in another state. (b) The individual applicant for a license as a plumbing contractor or a journeyman plumber shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age. (c) The requirements for the licensing or registration of plumbing contractors or journeyman plumbers in such other state, territory, country, or province, were, at the date of the applicant's last registration or licensing, substantially equal to the requirements in force in this state; and: Provided, That the same privilege of registration or licensing is accorded by said state, territory, country or province to licensees of the State of Indiana. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1; Acts 1973, P.L.252, SEC.14. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.212.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-20 Nonresident applicants; service of process

Sec. 20. (a) Nonresident applicants for a license to act as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber in Indiana shall file a written application with the commission on a form to be provided by the commission. The nonresident applicant shall also file a certified copy of his license, or certificate of registration as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber in the state wherein he resides. (b) In addition, every nonresident applicant to be licensed as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber shall file an irrevocable appointment of the secretary of the commission as his agent for service of process within this state. (1) All process served upon the secretary of the commission as agent for a nonresident plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber shall be served in duplicate. One (1) copy shall be filed in the office of the commission and one (1) copy shall be forwarded to the nonresident licensee or registrant by the secretary by certified mail, return receipt requested. (2) Service of process upon the secretary, as provided in this section shall be equivalent to personal service within the state upon the nonresident licensee or registrant. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.213.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-22 Expiration of license or certificate of registration; renewal; fees

Sec. 22. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), every license or certificate of registration issued under this chapter expires on a date established by the licensing agency under IC 25-1-5-4 and shall be renewed biennially thereafter upon payment of the required renewal fees. (b) Applications for renewal shall be filed with the commission in the form and manner provided by the commission. The application shall be accompanied by the required renewal fee. The commission, upon the receipt of the application for renewal and the required renewal fee, shall issue to the renewal applicant a license or certificate of registration in the category said applicant has previously held. Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), unless renewed, a license issued by the commission expires on the date specified by the licensing agency under IC 25-1-5-4. (c) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a license or certificate of registration lapses without any action by the commission if an application for renewal has not been filed and the required fee has not been paid by the established biennial renewal date. (d) If a license or certificate of registration has been expired for not more than three (3) years, the license or certificate of registration may be reinstated by the commission if the holder of the license or certificate of registration meets the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6(c). (e) If a license or certificate of registration has been expired for more than three (3) years, the license or certificate of registration may be reinstated by the commission if the holder of the license or certificate of registration meets the requirements for reinstatement under IC 25-1-8-6(d). Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.214; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.70; P.L.194-2005, SEC.70; P.L.105-2008, SEC.55; P.L.177-2015, SEC.66; P.L.29-2026, SEC.47.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-23 Fees

Sec. 23. The fees to be charged by and paid to the commission by licensees for all licenses and license renewals shall be established by the commission under IC 25-1-8. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1976, P.L.120, SEC.1; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.215; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.71; P.L.84-1998, SEC.26; P.L.194-2005, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-24 Disposition of fees; expenses of commission

Sec. 24. (a) All fees collected by the commission shall be deposited with the treasurer of state to be deposited by the treasurer in the state general fund. (b) All expenses of the commission shall be paid from the state general fund upon appropriation being made therefor in the manner provided by law for the making of such appropriations. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1976, P.L.119, SEC.22; P.L.194-2005, SEC.72.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-27 Investigations; motion of commission or complaint; approval

Sec. 27. Subject to IC 25-1-7, the commission may, upon its own motion and shall, upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth specifically the wrongful act or acts complained of, investigate any action or business transaction of any licensee in accordance with IC 25-1-11. Approval by a majority of all members of the commission shall be required for any action to be taken. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1977, P.L.172, SEC.44; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.216; P.L.214-1993, SEC.61.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-27.1 Repealed

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.217. Amended by P.L.240-1985, SEC.10; P.L.248-1985, SEC.6. Repealed by P.L.214-1993, SEC.91.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-28 Proceedings for suspension or revocation of license; review

Sec. 28. (a) Proceedings before the commission for the suspension or revocation of any license shall be conducted in the manner provided by IC 4-21.5-3. (b) Any person aggrieved by any action of the commission in suspending or revoking his license or certificate of registration may seek judicial review by following IC 4-21.5-5. (c) Any person aggrieved by the commission's action in failing to issue or renew a license or certificate of registration may seek judicial review by following IC 4-21.5-5. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.7-1987, SEC.126.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-29 Record of commission as evidence; conclusiveness of verdicts

Sec. 29. (a) The record of the commission (or a duly certified copy thereof), shall be admissible in any proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction in this or any other state in which the applicant, licensee or certificate of registration holder charged or under investigation is a party, and where the issues of an act involved in the proceedings are pertinent to the inquiry before the commission and the verdict of the jury or judgment of the court in any action at law or the decree of the court in any proceeding in equity shall be prima facie as the facts at issue in the proceedings and necessarily adjudicated therein. (b) The verdict of the court or jury in any criminal prosecution in a court of record of this or any other state in which the applicant, licensee, or certificate of registration holder charged shall have been the defendant shall be conclusive as to the facts charged and at issue in such prosecution. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-31 Violations

Sec. 31. (a) A person who acts or advertises as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber without first obtaining a license from the commission or who continues to act as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber after the person's license has been suspended, revoked, or otherwise restricted under IC 25-1-11 commits a Class A misdemeanor. (b) A person who fails to renew the person's license and continues to act as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber after the license has expired commits a Class B misdemeanor. (c) It is unlawful for a plumbing contractor to fail to include one (1) of the following names on written or printed advertising for plumbing services and on vehicles that are used to provide plumbing services: (1) The plumbing contractor's name. (2) The name of the business with which the plumbing contractor is associated. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2547; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.218; P.L.241-1989, SEC.5; P.L.214-1993, SEC.62.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-32 Exceptions to application of chapter

Sec. 32. This chapter does not apply to the following: (1) Contractors in work on bridges, roads, streets, highways, railroads, or utilities and services incidental to the work. (2) An authorized employee of the United States, the state, or a political subdivision of the state if the employee does not profess to be for hire and is acting within the scope of the employee's employment. (3) An officer appointed by a court when the officer is acting within the scope of the officer's office as defined by law or court order. When construction projects are not underway at the time of the appointment of the officer by the court, and the nature of the officer's appointment requires that plumbing must be done, the officer must employ or contract with a registered plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber. (4) Public utilities with respect to construction, maintenance, and development work performed by their own forces and incidental to their business. (5) The owner occupant of a dwelling of eight (8) or less residential units when the owner occupant is installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing system of the residential units. (6) Construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of a plumbing system, located on a site, the title of which is in the name of the United States of America, or to construction, alteration, improvement, or repair on a project where federal law supersedes this article. (7) An individual who is employed or acts as a maintenance person at the individual's place of employment. (8) Farmsteads, except for buildings built on the farmstead for the purpose of public or commercial use. (9) A sewer contractor, sewage disposal contractor, or an excavation contractor or utility contractor who generally engages in the business of installing, altering, or repairing sewers, private or public sewage disposal systems, and water distribution or drainage lines outside the foundation walls of a building. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.166, SEC.4; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.219; P.L.241-1989, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-33 Political subdivisions; power to regulate

Sec. 33. Nothing in this chapter shall limit the power of political subdivision to regulate the quality and character of work performed by plumbing contractors through the enforcement of building codes and inspections, but no political subdivision shall require any licensee under this chapter to submit to any other form of licensing: Provided, however, That any political subdivision of this state may require any person licensed as a plumbing contractor under the provisions of this chapter to register with some public official of said political subdivision in order that the plumbing inspection officials of such political subdivision may have the records necessary to inspect the work of persons licensed hereunder. Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any political subdivision from charging a reasonable fee for such registration. Failure to register as required by a political subdivision, upon certification of said failure to the commission, at the discretion of the commission may constitute a basis for suspension of any plumbing contractor's license issued under the provisions of this chapter. Repeated and intentional violation of any such registration requirements may at the discretion of the commission constitute a basis for the revocation of a plumbing contractor's license, said proceeding for suspension or revocation to be had under the provisions of section 26 of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-35 Display of license; register available for public inspection

Sec. 35. (a) A plumbing contractor licensee shall prominently display the licensee's license in the licensee's principal business office. In the case of a partnership or corporation, the license of at least one (1) partner, member, or officer of the corporation, or the corporate license, must be displayed. (b) The license number of a licensed plumbing contractor must be recognizably displayed in all forms of written or printed advertising for plumbing services and on all vehicles that are used to provide plumbing services. (c) A plumbing contractor, partnership, or corporation must maintain a register listing: (1) the name and license number of every plumbing contractor currently employed there; (2) the name and license number of every journeyman plumber currently employed there; and (3) the name and registration number of every apprentice plumber currently employed there. The register must be available for public inspection upon request. (d) A plumbing contractor, journeyman plumber, or apprentice plumber shall carry a facsimile of that person's license or certificate of registration on a job location where the person is engaged in plumbing contracting or the trade of plumbing. The plumbing contractor, journeyman plumber, or apprentice plumber shall display that person's license or certificate of registration upon the demand of a state inspector or local building or plumbing inspector in Indiana within that inspector's local jurisdiction or upon a customer's request. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.220; P.L.248-1985, SEC.7; P.L.241-1989, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-36 Actions to recover for services by unlicensed or unregistered plumbers barred

Sec. 36. No action or suit shall be instituted in any court of this state to recover compensation for plumbing contracting services, or for wages for work done which under the provisions of this chapter constitutes plumbing, by a person who is not licensed or registered under the provisions of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-37 Subpoena powers of commission; service and witness fees; enforcement

Sec. 37. The commission conducting a hearing in any particular case shall have power to subpoena and order production of books and papers. In any hearing, the process issued by the commission shall extend to all parts of the state and the process shall be served either in like manner as are served writs of subpoena in the circuit court or by any person designated by the commission for that purpose. The person serving the process shall receive such compensation as may be allowed by the commission not to exceed the fee prescribed by law for similar services in the circuit courts and the fees shall be paid in the same manner as provided in this chapter for fees of witnesses subpoenaed at the instance of the commission. All witnesses who shall be subpoenaed and who appear in any proceeding before the commission shall receive the same fees and mileage as allowed by law to witnesses in the circuit courts, which amount shall be paid by the party at whose instance the subpoena was issued or upon whose behalf the witness has been called. When any witness who has not been subpoenaed at the instance of any party to the proceeding shall be subpoenaed at the instance of the commission the fees and mileage of the witness shall be paid from the funds appropriated to the use of the commission in the same manner as other expenses of the commission are paid. Where in any proceeding before the commission, any witness shall fail or refuse to attend upon subpoena issued by the commission or any of their representatives, or appearing, shall refuse to testify or shall refuse to produce any books and papers the production of which is called for by the subpoena, the attendance of any witness and the giving of the testimony of the witness and the production of the books and papers required shall be enforced by any circuit court, superior court, or probate court of this state. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.84-2016, SEC.110.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-38 Rules and regulations

Sec. 38. The Indiana Plumbing Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt, fix and establish all rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.166, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 25-28.5-1-39 Loss of bid due to chapter violations; injunctive relief

Sec. 39. (a) As used in this section, "person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, or other legal entity. (b) If a person submits a written competitive bid for a project involving the: (1) alteration; (2) construction; (3) conversion; (4) improvement; (5) modernization; (6) rehabilitation; (7) remodeling; (8) renovation; (9) repair; or (10) replacement of plumbing; and that bid is not accepted because another person knowingly violated this chapter, a person described in subsection (c) may bring a civil action to enjoin the person who violated this chapter from performing any activity under the competitive bid. (c) The following persons may bring an action for injunctive relief under subsection (b): (1) The person who did not receive the bid. (2) An organization or association that represents plumbers. As added by P.L.20-1991, SEC.8.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026

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