A buried provision in Indiana's HB1003 lets qualified design professionals self-certify building plans, potentially cutting weeks from project timelines starting in 2027.
Most Indiana health services owners don't realize that a provision tucked into HB1003 could reshape how quickly their construction projects move from design approval to construction start. The change takes effect July 1, 2027, and it fundamentally alters the state plan review process for a specific category of work.
Under the new Section 417 of IC 22-15-3.5, Indiana-registered design professionals can now self-certify that Class 1 construction plans comply with all applicable building codes. When they do, the state releases those plans for construction the next business day—without conducting a traditional state plan review.
This is a significant departure from the standard process, where state reviewers examine plans before approval, a step that typically takes weeks or months depending on workload and plan complexity.
Not every design professional can use this pathway. To self-certify, the professional must meet all of these requirements:
The insurance requirement is particularly important—it's not optional, and it's a meaningful threshold that ensures accountability.
For health services operators, the practical impact is time and money. Eliminating weeks or months of state review delay reduces carrying costs on construction loans, accelerates occupancy, and lets facilities respond faster to capacity needs or regulatory changes. For smaller health services organizations planning Class 1 projects, this can be the difference between a project that stays on budget and one that doesn't.
The trade-off is clear: the state is shifting review responsibility from its staff to the design professional, who now bears the liability if plans don't actually comply with code. That's why the insurance requirement exists—it protects both the professional and the public.
Class 1 construction refers to a specific category under Indiana building code definitions. If you're unsure whether your planned project qualifies, your design professional or architect can confirm during initial planning conversations.
This provision becomes effective July 1, 2027. Health services owners planning projects for 2027 or later should discuss this option with their design teams early. If your architect or engineer meets the qualifications, self-certification could be a real advantage. If they don't yet meet the 5-year or 5-project thresholds, you'll want to know that now.
The full text appears in HB1003, Section 417, IC 22-15-3.5 (new chapter), pages 228-229.
Indiana health services organizations seeking a detailed, sector-specific summary of this provision are welcome to request a free reference guide.