Indiana Asbestos Licensing: What Each License Means

February 28, 2026

Indiana issues three distinct asbestos license types through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Each license authorizes different work — and hiring a contractor with the wrong credential can create serious liability.

The Three Indiana Asbestos License Types

Asbestos Inspector

An Asbestos Inspector is licensed to:

• Conduct visual surveys of buildings for asbestos-containing materials
• Collect bulk samples from suspected materials
• Write inspection reports documenting ACM location, condition, and quantity

An Inspector license does not authorize removal or abatement work. Inspectors typically work independently of abatement contractors to maintain impartiality.

License number format: Begins with 19 (e.g., 19000123)

Asbestos Project Supervisor

An Asbestos Project Supervisor is licensed to:

• Oversee asbestos abatement projects on-site
• Manage and direct licensed abatement workers
• Ensure project compliance with IDEM, IOSHA, and EPA standards
• Complete project documentation and manifests

Indiana rules require a licensed Project Supervisor to be physically present on the abatement site at all times during active removal work. The Supervisor may work for an Asbestos Contractor firm.

Asbestos Contractor

An Asbestos Contractor is a company license that authorizes the firm to:

• Accept abatement project contracts
• Employ licensed Supervisors and trained workers
• Perform regulated asbestos removal in Indiana

This is the license you need to verify when hiring a company to remove asbestos. The firm’s license number should appear on their proposal and contract documents.

Who Issues These Licenses?

All three licenses are issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) under rules administered through coordination with:

• IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) — Enforces federal NESHAP asbestos standards, requires project notifications
• IOSHA (Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration) — Enforces worker safety and exposure standards during abatement

How to Verify a License

Use the IPLA license verification portal to confirm:

1. The license is Active (not Expired or Inactive)
2. The license type matches the work being performed
3. The name on the license matches the contractor you are hiring

Every contractor listed on Indiana Environmental Pros has their IPLA license number displayed. Search licensed asbestos contractors →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Hiring an Inspector to do abatement — Inspector licenses do not authorize removal
• Hiring a firm without a Contractor license — Individual Supervisor licenses don’t authorize the firm to contract for abatement
• Not checking license expiration — Licenses must be renewed periodically; always verify current status
• Skipping IDEM notification — Large projects require advance notification; your contractor should handle this