Wells_Content Page_Licenses and registrations

Licenses and registrations

In brief

Note: If you have trouble opening, saving or submitting fillable PDF forms in your web browser, please see the DNR PDF guidance for help.

Licenses

Driller applicant training and experience requirements

  • Rig operator registration required:
    • Driller applicants must obtain rig operator registration and work under the supervision of a licensed driller before drilling experience accrues and is applicable towards NR 146.04 experience requirements.
    • See the “Registrations” tab on this page for information on how to apply for rig operator registration.
  • Training:
    • Training requirements for driller applicants per NR 146.04:
      • Water well driller
        • Grouting and filling and sealing of wells - 6 hours
        • Drilling fluids - 3 hours
        • Geology of Wisconsin - 3 hours
        • The well codes - 4 hours
        • Safety and first aid - 3 hours
        • Welding - 6 hours
      • Heat exchange driller
        • Grouting and filling and sealing of wells - 6 hours
        • Drilling fluids - 3 hours
        • Geology of Wisconsin - 3 hours
        • Safety and first aid - 3 hours
  • Available training:
    • The department continues to monitor training that is available for fulfillment of driller license applicant requirements. Refer back to this section periodically for updates on training availability.
    • Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells, Drilling Fluids, Well Filling and Sealing:
      • WYO-BEN Mud School: WYO-BEN offers annual Mud School training at its facility in Billings, MT. Openings are limited. Attendance fulfills training requirements for Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells, Drilling Fluids and Well Filling and Sealing.
      • Baroid Industrial Drilling Products offers mud school training at the Baroid IDP facility in Houston, TX. For more information visit Mud School and contact Wisconsin Baroid IDP Field Service Representative Andrew Bailey at 903-312-0959 or Andrew.Bailey@Halliburton.com. Attendance fulfills training requirements for Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells, Drilling Fluids and Well Filling and Sealing.
      • GEFCO Mud School: Attendance fulfills training requirements for Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells, Drilling Fluids and Well Filling and Sealing.
    • Drilling fluids:
      • NGWA Rotary Mud and Rotary Air Drilling Exams: In lieu of completing six hours of training in drilling fluids, an applicant may pass NGWA Exam C/D: Air rotary drilling and Exam E/F: Mud rotary drilling. Exams are proctored by third party administrator PSI.
    • Wisconsin well codes:
      • Four hours of Wisconsin Well Codes training is available through the department at no cost to Wisconsin water well driller license applicants. Training is provided virtually via ZOOM.
      • Register below (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge browser needed):
    • Geology of Wisconsin:
      • Three hours of Geology of Wisconsin training are available through the department at no cost to Wisconsin driller license applicants. Training is presented virtually via ZOOM.
      • Register for the sessions below. (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge browser needed):
    • Safety & First Aid
    • Welding
      • Successful completion of a welding performance qualification test conducted by a certified welding inspector is accepted in lieu of completing 6-hours of training.
        • Qualification test parameters are to be in accordance with American Welding Society manual AWS B2.1-1-201:2019 Standard Welding Procedure Specification, which is incorporated by reference for a fillet weld in the vertical (3F) and overhead (4F) positions and a butt joint, pipe-to-pipe weld in the 2G position.
      • Locate a certified welding inspector: Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Welder
      • A welding certification or prior training in welding may also fulfill the six-hour training requirement.

License exams

  • Preparation:
    • License exam study guides are available by email request.
    • Download pertinent code chapters and print for reference:
  • Apply for the exam:
  • Taking the exam:
    • A code reference packet is provided prior to the exam.
      • The packet contains code chapters pertinent to the exam being taken.
    • There are 100 multiple choice and true/false questions.
    • The study guide cannot be used as an exam open-book reference.
    • Exam results will be available within 2 to 4 weeks of exam completion.
    • A score of 75% or higher is needed to pass.

Registrations

Property transfer well inspections

  • Only licensed water well drillers and licensed pump installers are authorized.
  • Individuals employed by or supervised by a licensed individual are not authorized.
  • For more information, see Property Transfer Well Inspections.

Filling and sealing

  • Potable and nonpotable water supply wells: The following individuals are authorized:
    • Licensed pump installers or licensed water well drillers.
    • Employees of a licensed water well driller or licensed pump installer.
    • Employees of a registered water well drilling or pump installing business.
  • Heat exchange drillholes:
    • Only licensed heat exchange drillers are authorized.
    • Employees of a licensed heat exchange driller or of a registered heat exchange drilling business are not authorized.

Monitoring wells, geotechnical drilling and cathodic protection

  • Monitoring wells:
    • No license is required to construct or fill and seal monitoring wells in Wisconsin
    • Work must be completed in compliance NR 141 and any approvals issued by the department.
  • Environmental soil sampling: No license is required.
  • Geotechnical drilling and sampling: No license is required.
  • Drilling and installing electrical anodes for protection of pipelines:
  • Dewatering wells:
    • Not regulated under NR 146 private drinking water requirements.
    • Contact Joe Nadolski - Water Use section for questions on Wisconsin requirements.