You passed the exam, or you’re about to, and now the Building Commission wants paperwork: proof of insurance, a bond, and something about workers’ comp. This guide lays out the Evansville contractor license requirements for that paperwork by license type, with the code section behind each number.
Key Takeaways
- One license covers the whole county. The joint Building Commission issues a single license good anywhere in Vanderburgh County.
- Liability minimums come in three tiers. Each license requires proof of general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, $500,000, or $300,000.
- The city and county codes list different bond amounts. The city code requires a $25,000 surety bond, a guarantee backed by a surety company. The county code’s text still reads $15,000, so confirm with the License Clerk.
- Workers’ comp takes proof or an affidavit. Applicants file proof of coverage or an affidavit (a sworn statement) that Indiana law does not require them to carry it.
- No work starts until the paperwork is filed. Work on a provisional license can begin only after bond and insurance documentation has been provided.
- The license follows the person. If the license holder leaves, the firm’s right to work under that license stops until it employs a properly licensed person.
What Insurance and Bond Does an Evansville Contractor License Require?
An Evansville contractor license requires three filings with the Building Commission. They are proof of general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, $500,000, or $300,000 depending on the license, a $25,000 surety bond, and proof of workers’ compensation coverage or an affidavit. The table shows each requirement and the license fee by license type.
Figures come from Evansville Municipal Code 5.70.070 and 5.70.080 and match Vanderburgh County Code Chapter 15.36 unless a note says otherwise.
Evansville and Vanderburgh County contractor license: insurance, bond, and fees by license type
| License type | General liability minimum | Surety bond | Workers’ comp | New license fee | Renewal (1 year / 2 year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Contractor (commercial, industrial, multifamily) | $1,000,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $360 | $210 / $400 |
| Unlimited Roofing Contractor | $1,000,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $360 | $210 / $400 |
| Master trades (electrician, HVAC, steam fitter, refrigeration) | $1,000,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $300 | $125 / $225 |
| Residential Contractor (one and two family) | $500,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $210 | $150 / $285 |
| Limited Roofing Contractor (residential steep roofs) | $500,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $210 | $150 / $285 |
| Sign Erector, Class B (non-electric signs) | $500,000 | $25,000 (confirm with the License Clerk) | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $175 | $100 / not listed |
| Subcontractor licenses named in the code (for example concrete, masonry, drywall, wood framing, siding and guttering, excavating, residential remodeling) | $300,000 | $25,000 | Proof of coverage or affidavit | $180 | $90 / $170 |
Three notes on the table:
- Bond: $25,000 is the figure in the Evansville Municipal Code and the one the Building Commission publishes. The county code’s text still reads $15,000. Confirm with the License Clerk before buying the bond.
- Fees: Fees are annual amounts from the code’s fee schedule. The 2 year subcontractor figure comes from the schedule’s general Subcontractor License line. Two license types are priced differently from the other subcontractor licenses: Special Subcontractor is a $300 one-time fee, and Manufactured Home Repairman is $175 new and $100 to renew.
- Minimums: Minimums are what the license requires. A contract with a general contractor or property owner can require more.
Wrecking, building mover, fire sprinkler, and fire alarm licenses are not shown. Ask the License Clerk about those.
Torian Insurance is an independent insurance agency in Evansville, and certificate work for business clients is part of the agency’s day-to-day. If a contract asks for more than the license does, our guide to additional insured vs. certificate holder explains the terms. Roofers can find coverage detail in our guide to roofing contractor insurance in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Who Needs a Contractor License in Evansville and Vanderburgh County?
Anyone practicing a building trade in Evansville or elsewhere in Vanderburgh County needs a license or certificate from the joint Building Commission first. The code names the trades, including building construction, remodeling, roofing, electrical, HVAC, sign erection, and the subcontractor specialties. Licensing is handled locally, and one license covers the city and the county.
Three groups are treated differently:
- State-licensed plumbers: They need no local license but must register with the Building Commission. Registration costs $60 for a contractor.
- Homeowners: An owner or immediate family member may pull a permit to work on a one or two family home. The owner has to live there, or plan to for at least two years. Footing, foundation, framing, or roofing that the owner subs out must go to licensed contractors.
- Farm buildings in the county: The county code exempts a person or business building a non-residential farm structure in an agriculturally zoned area.
For what the state expects beyond local licensing, see our guide to Indiana small business insurance requirements.
What Does the Evansville Contractor License Bond Cover?
The Evansville contractor license bond is a $25,000 surety bond, made payable to the City of Evansville, that each master or contractor license applicant delivers to the Building Commission before the license is granted. It protects the city and property owners. It does not protect you, and it is not liability insurance.
Who the License Bond Pays
Under Evansville Municipal Code 5.70.070, the bond works like this:
- The city comes first. The bond indemnifies the City of Evansville against claims arising out of your work in the licensed trade.
- Property owners come second. Remaining proceeds go to the owner or party in interest in the property where you worked. The code treats it as a performance bond.
- The Building Commission keeps a fee. A minimum $500 administration fee comes out of the proceeds of a claim.
How a License Bond Differs From General Liability Insurance
A surety bond is a three-party guarantee: you are the principal, the city is the obligee, and the surety backs your promise. If the surety pays a claim, you owe that money back. General liability insurance works the other way, responding to covered claims for bodily injury or property damage your work causes to others. Torian Insurance, an independent agency in Evansville, explains how surety bonds work on its insurance bonds page.
Do You Need Workers’ Comp to Get an Evansville Contractor License?
You need either proof of workers’ compensation coverage or an affidavit. Under Evansville Municipal Code 5.70.070, each applicant provides proof of coverage or an affidavit stating that Indiana law does not require them to carry it. The status is printed on your license card, and a new card is issued at no charge if it changes.
Which document you file depends on your situation:
- If you carry workers’ comp: File proof of coverage. If you need a policy, start with workers’ compensation insurance.
- If Indiana law does not require you to carry it: File the affidavit, and ask the License Clerk what it needs to include.
- If you are an independent contractor: The Indiana Department of Revenue issues a Worker’s Compensation Exemption Clearance Certificate for a $20 non-refundable application fee. Ask the License Clerk whether that state document bears on your local filing.
When Do the Bond and Insurance Have to Be in Place?
Before you start any work. After you pass the exam and the background check, the Building Commission issues a provisional license. A contractor may begin work under it only after bond and insurance documentation has been provided. It pays to line up your policy and bond while you are still testing.
The path runs in four steps:
- Apply. Submit the application with three notarized letters of recommendation and proof of four years or 6,200 hours of work experience.
- Test. Once your application is approved, you schedule the exam through Ivy Tech.
- File your paperwork. After you pass, the Building Commission issues the provisional license once you pay the fee and provide proof of insurance and the bond. Fees are paid by check or cash.
- Get final approval. The Licensing and Disciplinary Board reviews exam scores on the fourth Thursday of the month.
The code asks for proof of general liability insurance without saying how the document should be made out, so ask the License Clerk before your agent issues it. Our guide to what a certificate of insurance is explains the certificate of insurance (COI), the one-page summary used as proof of coverage.
Paperwork goes to the Building Commission at the Civic Center Complex, Room 310, 1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Evansville. The License Clerk’s number is (812) 436-7880.
How Do You Keep an Evansville Contractor License in Good Standing?
Keeping an Evansville contractor license means renewing on time, completing continuing education, keeping the business registered, and keeping a license holder in the business. The last two carry the heavier consequences: an unregistered business faces fines, and a firm that loses its license holder has to stop work until it employs another.
Three requirements are routine:
- Renew on time. A late fee applies to any license applied for after January 31 of the year the license is effective.
- Complete continuing education. Each master or contractor must attend a continuing education program to renew each year. The trade boards set the hours.
- Register the business. A business must hold a certificate of registration, and an owner, officer, or full-time employee (35 or more hours a week on average) must hold the license.
If the License Holder Leaves or the Business Is Not Registered
The code covers three situations:
- If the license holder leaves: The firm’s right to work under that license stops until it employs a properly licensed person.
- If the license holder dies: Permits may continue for up to one year, provided bonds, insurance, and fees stay in force.
- If the business is not registered: The fine is $500 to $2,500 per violation, with each day a separate violation. The same range applies to using another person’s license to get around the rules.
How Torian Insurance Helps
Torian Insurance is an independent insurance agency, not a carrier, so we shop multiple carriers to fit coverage to the license you hold and the contracts you sign. As Evansville’s largest locally owned independent insurance agency, we’ve served this community since 1923.
For a license applicant, that starts with a general liability limit that meets your license tier, built into a contractor insurance program alongside workers’ compensation and commercial auto. Our commercial team handles certificate of insurance requests for business clients, so your proof of insurance can be ready when your provisional license is. We can also talk through the license bond with you before you file.
Frequently Asked Questions About Evansville Contractor License Requirements
How much general liability insurance do I need for an Evansville contractor license?
It depends on the license. The default minimum is $1,000,000. Residential Contractor, Limited Roofing Contractor, and Sign Erector Class B licenses require $500,000, and the subcontractor licenses the code lists by name require $300,000.
Is a surety bond the same thing as liability insurance?
No. The license bond is a guarantee to the city and to property owners, and you repay the surety if it pays a claim. Liability insurance responds to covered claims on your behalf. The license requires both.
Does one license cover both the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County?
Yes. Instead of separate city and county licenses, the joint Building Commission issues a single license to practice your trade anywhere in Vanderburgh County. The county code contains the same provision.
Line Up Your License Paperwork Before You Bid
The Evansville contractor license requirements are easier to meet when your insurance is set up for the license you are applying for. Confirm the current rules with the Building Commission, then get your coverage and paperwork in order. Contact Torian Insurance to talk with a local agent about your coverage.
