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Indiana · 13 statewide requirements covered

Business licences and permits in Indiana

Indiana files its entity report every two years rather than every year, charges $25 once for a retail merchant certificate and then renews it free, and licenses exactly one construction trade — plumbing.

What applies everywhere in Indiana

13 requirements are set by Indiana itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.

Requirements set by Indiana that apply in every jurisdiction in the state, with the issuing agency, the published fee and the date each was last checked against its source
Articles of IncorporationIndiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$75 one-time electronic filing; $100 on paperOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Articles of Organization (LLC)Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$75 one-time electronic filing; $100 on paperOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Automotive Repair Shop Licence (not required by Indiana)Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Beauty Culture Salon or Barber Shop LicenceIndiana Professional Licensing Agency, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners$40 application and renewal alikeTo every business2026-09-03
Business Entity ReportIndiana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$32 every two years online; $50 on paper — a nonprofit pays $22 online or $20 on paperOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Certified Food Protection ManagerIndiana Department of Health, Food Protection DivisionNo feeTo every business2026-09-03
Child Care Centre LicenceIndiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning$2 per licensed child capacity for a centre; a child care home pays no licence fee at allTo every business2026-09-03
General Business Licence (local, not state)Indiana Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
General Contractor, Electrical and HVAC Licences (local, not state)Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, State Board of Cosmetology and Barber ExaminersNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Plumbing Contractor LicenceIndiana Plumbing Commission, Professional Licensing Agency$100 biennial renewal; the initial licence is $50 in an odd year or $100 in an even one, plus a $50 applicationOnly in some cases2026-09-03
Registered Retail Merchant CertificateIndiana Department of Revenue$25 one-time, per place of business; renewal is freeTo every business2026-09-03
Retail Food Establishment PermitIndiana Department of Health, Food Protection Division$300–$1,690 a year, set by the local health department — there is no state feeTo every business2026-09-03
Veterinary Premises Registration (not required by Indiana)Indiana Board of Veterinary MedicineNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-03

Which Indiana city are you opening in?

We do not yet publish a Indiana city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.

Is there a single Indiana business licence?

No. Indiana has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.

The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.

Who issues permits in Indiana?

By industry

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.