A License or Registration is required to perform construction activity inside the City limits of Terre Haute. Registration is completed online through Cityworks. Applicants may access Cityworks anywhere with an internet connection. For applicants without internet access or need assistance the Engineering Department office (17 Harding Ave, Room 200) has a terminal that can access Cityworks. Please see the following for requirements:

General Contractor Registration

If you will be performing general construction (no electric, plumbing, or mechanical) you will need to register with the City of Terre Haute.  In order to register, we will need the following:

  • $10,000 bond on the City of Terre Haute's bond form.  The bond must be issued on our form; no other form will be accepted.  We must have the original bond (digital originals are accepted) submitted to our office through our online servicer Cityworks.  We will not accept faxes or photocopies. (Note:  If you will be working in the City Right of Way a $25,000 bond is required and additional insurance is required)
  • A Certificate of Insurance must be submitted to our office.  The City of Terre Haute must be listed as certificate holder.  The minimum insurance amounts for General Contractor not working in the Right of Way are:  coverage of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for combined bodily injury and property, coverage of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for any occurrence relative to which there is injury or death to one (1) or more persons, and One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) for any occurrence relative to which there is damage to property.  Also, Workmen's compensation insurance covering the personnel employed for death or injury arising out of operations being performed by or on behalf of the registered contractor. Applicants can turn in form WCE-1 to have a worker's compensation exemption. 

Electrical License

If you will be performing electrical work in the City limits of Terre Haute, you must be licensed with the City of Terre Haute.  There are two types of electrical contractors license, commercial and residential.  In order to purchase either license, we need the following:

  • The above requirements listed for General Contractor Registration must be met.
  • In order to obtain an electrical license from the City of Terre Haute, an individual working full time with the company must have passed the Experior Assessment test or equivalent.  We need a letter from the testing agency or the test sponsor that includes test scores, date exam was administred, and type of exam administered.  If you wish to purchase a residential contractors license (allows you to work on single family structure with less than 400 amp service only) you must pass the master, journeyman or residential exam.  If you wish to purchase a commercial electrical license, you must pass the master electrician exam.
  • For a commercial electrician's license, if the individual who passed the master exam is not the owner of the company, we need a letter signed by the master electrician listed on the license that states they are employed full time by the company and the are aware that they are responsible for the activities of the business and they are the designated supervisor.
  • Applicants renewing their license must submit test scores if the listed master electrician changes.  

Mechanical License

If you will be performing mechanical work in the City limits of Terre Haute, you must be licensed with the City of Terre Haute.  In order to obtain a mechanical license, you need the following:

  • The above requirements listed for General Contractor Registration must be met.
  • In order to obtain licensure as a heating and cooling contractor, the contractor must employ at least one (1) full-time employee who is certified for heating and cooling work by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), or equivalent.  The applicant for licensure shall present a copy of NATE or equivalent certification at the time of application.  Please contact our office for a list of acceptable equivalents.
  • Applicants renewing their license must submit test scores to show NATE or acceptable equivalents are active (unexpired).  

Plumbing License

If you will be performing plumbing work in the City limits of Terre Haute, you must be licensed with the City of Terre Haute.  In order to obtain a plumbing license, you need the following:

  • Licensure as a plumbing contractor within the City shall correspond with the licensure requirements of the Indiana Plumbing Commission.  The applicant for licensure shall present a copy of his/her state license at the time of application.
  • A Certificate of Insurance must be submitted to our office.  The City of Terre Haute must be listed as certificate holder.  The minimum insurance amounts are:  coverage of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for combined bodily injury and property, coverage of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) for any occurrence relative to which there is injury or death to one (1) or more persons, and One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) for any occurrence relative to which there is damage to property.  Also, Workmen's compensation insurance covering the personnel employed for death or injury arising out of operations being performed by or on behalf of the registered contractor. 
  • Applicants renewing their license must submit verification that their license is active, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency provides free verification.  

 License Fee:  

  • The license and registration fee is $350.00 for the original registration and $175.00 each year to renew. Our license and registrations run from January 1st through December 31st.  If you are purchasing a license or registration in the middle of the year, a pro-rated rate is available as follows.  If you pay the following pro-rated fee, the license would be valid for the remainder of the year purchased and the following year:    
  New License Renewal License
July $438.00 $263.00
August $423.00 $248.00
September   $408.00 $233.00
October $394.00 $219.00
November     $379.00 $204.00
December $365.00  $190.00

PLEASE NOTE**

If you will be performing work in any of the above listed areas in the City right of way (includes sidewalk, tree row, curb, street, alley), you must obtain a $25,000 bond instead of a $10,000 bond.  We will only accept the original (digital originals are accepted) bond or scanned original bond, no faxes or photocopies.  Also, additional insurance will be required.