General Regulations, Permits, and Licensing Administration
Who regulates what
In Indiana, the Indiana Plumbing Commission (administered through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency) issues plumber credentials, while the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) - city or county building department - issues permits and performs inspections. Keep the two roles separate in your mind: a state license does not replace a local permit, and a local permit does not cure unlicensed work.
The license ladder
Know the difference between apprentice (registered), journeyman, master plumber, and plumbing contractor. A journeyman may install under supervision; a master may supervise and take responsibility for the work; the contractor license is what authorizes a business to bid and contract for plumbing work. Classic exam traps: assuming an out-of-state or expired credential transfers automatically, assuming a homeowner exemption applies to a rental property, or assuming a handyman may install a water heater because it is "just a replacement."
Permits and inspections
The permit application normally requires the scope of work, contractor and license information, plans where the AHJ requires them, and fees. Plan on at least two inspections: rough-in (before concealment) and final (after fixtures are set and systems are tested). Work concealed before inspection, or work that changes after approval without a revised permit, is a frequent violation question.
Rule of thumb
Before you touch a fixture, answer three questions: Is a permit required? Is the licensee's scope correct? Which inspections will be called? If any answer is unclear, the correct exam answer is almost always "contact the AHJ."