City of Gary Will Accept Contractor Licenses from Outside Municipalities

September 30, 2024

Gary, IND. The City of Gary is excited to announce an amendment to section 105-431 of its Municipal Code concerning contractor licenses, which now permits contractors from outside municipalities to work within the city. This amendment was approved during the Gary Common Council meeting on September 17.

Previously, contractors were required to pass a written or oral examination administered by the City of Gary, even if they already held a license from another municipality.

Under the new amendment, if a contractor provides proof of a current license from a different municipality that requires a similar exam, the Building Commissioner will independently verify that the license is valid and in good standing.

Contractors who have successfully completed a written exam in their respective municipality will be granted a license to work in the City of Gary, pending verification of their exam results. Licensed contractors seeking a license in Gary without prior examination must pass the written or oral exam administered by the City of Gary.

The amendment aims to expand opportunities for high-quality contractors from neighboring municipalities to contribute to the Gary community. This change is expected to better serve the public interest and support new economic development in the city.

"The verification process for contractor licenses is essential in maintaining the integrity of our construction standards," said Building Commissioner Florzell Hawkins. "By ensuring that all licenses are valid and in good standing, we protect our community and uphold the highest quality and safety standards."

All contractors interested in reciprocity must still fulfill all other requirements on the procedure checklist before officially obtaining a license in Gary.

Interested parties may contact the Building Department at building@gary.gov or
(219) 881-1377 for further details.

Media Contact:
Erika Blackwell
Chief Communications Officer
em: eblackwell@gary.gov

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