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Licenses and registrations

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In-Person Paper Exams: 

The Operator Certification program will be hosting a few in-person exam sessions in 2023. Exams will be held in May in Plover and in June in Rhinelander and Rice Lake. Exam application forms and more information about the in-person paper exams can be found on the Operator Certification Exams Page under the DNR Applications tab.

In the state of Wisconsin, a license or registration is required to engage in the businesses of pump installing, water well drilling or heat exchange drilling and for filling and sealing of water well or heat exchange drill holes. Pump installer, water well driller and heat exchange driller licenses are issued through the Private Water Supply Section of the department's Drinking Water and Groundwater Program. Private Water Supply licensing and registration authority is established under s. 280.15, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR]. Licensing and registration laws are promulgated through ch. NR 146, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR]. These laws ensure that the proper experience, knowledge, training and credentials are held by individuals who carry out the important role of protecting Wisconsin's valuable groundwater resource while engaging in pump installing, water well drilling and heat exchange drilling professions. Licensing requirements are provided here with application, registration and renewal process details.

Application process

License and registration application processes are detailed in the sections below. Requirements vary by license and registration type. Refer to the appropriate section and review requirements before applying.

License exams

Ch. NR 146 Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR] requires pump installers, and drillers to pass an exam and obtain a Wisconsin state license in order to engage in the business of water well drilling, heat exchange drilling or pump installing. The license exam evaluates an individual’s knowledge of current regulations and industry practices. Exams are computer-based and administered by PSI, a third-party exam provider. See the exam process flowchart for an overview of steps required to apply and register for an exam. More detailed information is available at the DNR’s Operator Certification Exams webpage.

Open-code exam references and what you may bring to the exam

Private Water Supply exams are "open-code." Prior to the scheduled exam date, clean copies of chapters NR 146, NR 812 and NR 811 are mailed to registrants sealed in plastic wrap. The code reference packet must remain sealed in the wrap until the start of the exam. No other open-book references are allowed.

  • Just prior to the start of the exam, the proctor will give notice to open the code reference packet.
  • Use of a personal copy of the code is not allowed.
  • A hand-held calculator, a sheet of paper and a pencil will be provided.
  • An on-screen calculator will also be available.
  • Do not bring paper, pencils or calculators to the exam.
  • A current photo ID will be required.
  • The time allowed for completion is three hours.
  • A score of 75% or higher is needed to pass.
  • Results are available immediately upon completion.
  • You may bring a beverage to the exam.
Exam application and registration

Pump installers can download an exam application from the DNR’s Operator Certification Exams webpage. Drillers must send an exam application request by email to: DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov. Driller exam applications are only provided to individuals who have met all license application requirements and have been granted exam eligibility status by the department.

All exam applications are to be mailed to the DNR Operator Certification – EA/7 address provided on the form. Include an application fee of $25 for pump installer and $50 for driller applications.

PSI exam registration and scheduling follows the DNR’s exam application review and approval process. The applicant receives an email notification from “AMP Customer Service” with sender address: schedule@goamp.com. This email provides a link that directs the applicant through the registration and scheduling process. A $90 registration fee is paid directly to PSI. Do not send the $90 registration fee payment to Wisconsin DNR.

License term and renewal

All licenses and registrations expire on December 31st each calendar year and must be renewed regardless of when in the calendar year the license was issued. Online renewals must be processed on or before Jan. 1 each calendar year in order to avoid late fees and to continue the license or registration without lapse. Mailed renewal applications must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31 in order to avoid late fees and continue without lapse. A license that lapses due to nonrenewal and remains expired for one calendar year can no longer be renewed. A passing grade on the license exam will be required to reinstate the license.

Continuing education

Six credit hours of attendance at department-approved continuing education is required each calendar year in order to renew a license or registration for the upcoming year. Current calendar year continuing education status and three-year attendance history can be accessed at the Continuing Education Status Portal. Refer to the continuing education page for more information.

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

Pump installer license
  • Qualifications: The applicant must pass an exam to qualify for a pump installer license in Wisconsin. A score of 75% or higher is needed to pass. A study guide is available to assist applicants in preparing for the exam. The study guide includes a practice exam with a few examples of the type of questions one might expect to see on the exam.
  • Applying for the exam: When ready to take the exam, go to the “DNR Exam Applications” tab at the Operator Certification Exams page to download the pump installer exam application form. Submit the completed application with fee payment by mail to the DNR Operator Certification – EA/7 address provided on the form.
  • Preparing for the pump installer license exam: See "Exam options and open-code reference format" on this page for important exam format information. Multiple-choice and true/false exam questions are taken from the study guide chapter objectives. Study Guide Part 1 lists key knowledge objectives taken from Chs. NR 146, NR 812 and NR 811 Wis. Adm. Code. What is in these code references and why it is important is covered. Study Guide Part 1 and the code references cited here are the only materials needed to prepare for code related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 lists general knowledge objectives that a Wisconsin licensed pump installer is expected to know. These objectives are not code related and should be committed to memory for general knowledge related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 is the only reference needed to prepare for general knowledge related exam questions. The study guide cannot be used as an open-book reference during the exam. Exam results are made available immediately upon completion. A score report is provided following the exam that lists the overall test score and results by study guide chapter. Maximum attainable score and the score achieved on each chapter is provided. References needed for exam preparation can be downloaded using the links below:
  • How the license is issued: The pump installer license card and certificate are issued by mail within 10 days of passing the exam.
  • For more information on pump installer licensing:
    • Submit an email request to DNROPCERT@wisconsin.gov for information related to:
      • Exam format options, applying for the exam and exam administration
      • Changes to personal or business contact information
      • License renewal
      • License cards and certificates
      • Pump installer business registration
      • Changes to supervisory pump installer status
    • Submit an email request to DNRDGLICENSING@wisconsin.gov for information related to:
      • Approval of continuing education attendance for credit
      • Continuing education attendance and status
      • Code related pump installer licensing issues
Water well driller license
  • Qualifications: To be granted a Wisconsin water well driller license:
    1. Register: A rig operator must be registered and working under the supervision of a Wisconsin licensed water well driller for drilling experience to apply towards NR 146 requirements. See the rig operator registrations tab for information on how to apply.
    2. Submit license application form: 3300-014I.
    3. Submit experience voucher form: 3300-093.
    4. Attain license exam eligibility by completing NR 146.04(2) requirements. (See also Water Well Driller License Application Flow Chart)
    5. Email an exam application form request to: DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov.
    6. Pass the water well driller license exam with a score of 75% or higher.
  • Applying for the exam: Eligible water well driller license applicants can request the exam application form by email to DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov. Completed exam application forms are submitted with fee payment by mail to the DNR Operator Certification – EA/7 address provided on the form.
  • Preparing for the water well driller license exam: See "Exam options and open-code reference format" on this page for important exam format information. Multiple choice and true/false exam questions are taken from the study guide chapter objectives. Study Guide Part 1 lists key knowledge objectives taken from Chs. NR 146, NR 812 and NR 811 Wis. Adm. Code. What is in these code references and why it is important is covered. Study Guide Part 1 and the code references cited here are the only materials needed to prepare for code related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 lists general knowledge objectives that a Wisconsin licensed water well driller is expected to know. These objectives are not code related and should be committed to memory for general knowledge related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 is the only reference needed to prepare for general knowledge related exam questions. The study guide cannot be used as an open-book reference during the exam. Exam results are available immediately upon completion. A score report is provided following the exam that lists the overall test score and results by study guide chapter. Maximum attainable score and the score achieved on each chapter is provided. References needed for exam preparation can be downloaded using the links below:
  • How the license is issued: When an applicant passes the exam, a license card and certificate are sent to regional department field staff. The field staff representative will arrange to meet with the newly licensed individual to review and sign a list of compliance expectations and to issue the license.
  • Applicants who hold a water well driller license in another state may qualify for a license in Wisconsin. For more information on the out-of-state license application process, email your inquiries to the DNR at DNRDGLICENSING@wisconsin.gov
Required training for water well driller license applicants
  • NR 146.04(2)(h) requires rig operators who apply for a Wisconsin Water Well Driller License to complete the following training before license exam eligibility is granted:
    1. Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells — six hours
    2. Drilling Fluids — six hours
    3. Geology of Wisconsin — three hours
    4. The Well Codes — six hours
    5. Well Filling & Sealing — three hours
    6. Safety & First Aid — three hours
    7. Welding — six hours
  • Available training: The department continues to monitor available rig operator training for water well driller license applicants. Refer back to this section periodically for updates on training availability. The department may also provide email notifications to all registered rig operators on record as additional training becomes available.
    1. 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. The next offering is in September 2023. Training is limited to 10 attendees. For more information, visit the WYO-BEN website. 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 email Andrew.Bailey@Halliburton.com. Attendance fulfills training requirements for Cement or Bentonite Grouting of Wells, Drilling Fluids and Well Filling and Sealing.
    2. 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.
        • NGWA member cost: $75 per exam
        • Nonmember cost: $275 for both exams
        • Exam registration
    3. Wisconsin Well Codes:
      • Six hours of Wisconsin Well Codes training is available online at no cost to Wisconsin registered drilling rig operators. This training is available for attendance through three on-demand sessions.
      • Register for the sessions below (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge browser needed):
        • Session I: NR 146 & NR 812 Subchapter I (allow 2 hours for presentation and quiz) - register here
        • Session II: NR 812 Subchapter II (allow 2 hours for presentation and quiz) - register here
        • Session III: NR 812 Subchapter III – VIII/ NR 809 & NR 810/ NR 811/ NR 845/ NR 123/ NR 140/ NR 141 (allow 2 hours for presentation and quiz) - register here
    4. Geology of Wisconsin:
      • Three hours of Geology of Wisconsin training is available online at no cost to Wisconsin registered drilling rig operators. Training is presented on-demand:
        • Register for the sessions below. (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge browser needed):
          • Session I: Basic Geology presented by Carsyn Aymes – WGNHS Curator (allow 1.5 hours for presentation and quiz) - register here
          • Session II: Hydrogeology of Wisconsin presented by Kenneth Bradbury – WGNHS Director and State Geologist (allow 1 hour for presentation and quiz) - register here
          • Session III: Practical Applications presented by Pete Chase – WGNHS Hydrogeologist (allow 1 hour for presentation and qui) - register here
    5. Safety & First Aid:
  • For more information on how to get started with rig operator training requirements, email an information request to DNRDGLICENSING@wisconsin.gov or call (920) 946-1149.
Heat exchange driller license
  • Qualifications: To be granted a Wisconsin heat exchange driller license:
    1. Register: A rig operator must be registered and working under the supervision of a Wisconsin licensed heat exchange driller for drilling experience to apply towards NR 146 requirements. See the rig operator registrations tab for information on how to apply.
    2. Submit license application form 3300-300.
    3. Submit experience voucher for 3300-301.
    4. Attain license exam eligibility by completing NR 146.04(9a) requirements.
    5. Pass the heat exchange driller license exam with a score of 75% or higher.
  • Applying for the exam: Eligible heat exchange driller license applicants can request the exam application form by email to DNRDGLicensing@wisconsin.gov. Completed exam application forms are submitted with fee payment by mail to the DNR Operator Certification – EA/7 address provided on the form.
  • Preparing for the heat exchange driller license exam: See "Exam options and open code reference format" on this page for important exam format information. Multiple choice and true/false exam questions are taken from the study guide chapter objectives. Study Guide Part 1 lists key knowledge objectives taken from Chs. NR 146 and NR 812 Wis. Adm. Code. What is in these code references and why it is important is covered. Study Guide Part 1 and the code references cited here are the only materials needed to prepare for code related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 lists general knowledge objectives that a Wisconsin licensed heat exchange driller is expected to know. These objectives are not code related and should be committed to memory for general knowledge related exam questions. Study Guide Part 2 is the only reference needed to prepare for general knowledge related exam questions. The study guide cannot be used as an open-book reference during the exam. Exam results are available immediately upon completion. A score report is provided following the exam that lists the overall test score and results by study guide chapter. Maximum attainable score and the score achieved on each chapter is provided. References needed for exam preparation can be downloaded using the links below:
  • How the license is issued: When an applicant passes the exam, a license card and certificate are sent to regional department field staff. The field staff representative will arrange to meet with the newly licensed individual to review and sign a list of compliance expectations and to issue the license.
  • Heat exchange drilling (geothermal systems) resources: Refer to the Heat exchange drilling (geothermal systems) page for supplemental information on heat exchange drilling.
  • Questions related to the Wisconsin water well driller license application process can be directed by email to the DNR at DNRDGLICENSING@wisconsin.gov
  • Applicants who hold a water well driller license in another state may qualify for a license in Wisconsin. For more information on the out-of-state license application process, email your inquiries to the DNR at DNRDGLICENSING@wisconsin.gov.
Business registrations
Drilling rig operator registrations
Licenses to perform well filling and sealing
  • Requirement: To perform well filling and sealing, an individual must either hold a pump installer or water well driller license in Wisconsin or be employed by and working under the supervision of a Wisconsin license holder. To perform heat exchange drillhole filling and sealing, an individual must either hold a Wisconsin heat exchange driller license or be employed by and working under the supervision of a Wisconsin licensed heat exchange driller.
Licenses to perform property transfer well inspections
  • Requirement: To perform property transfer well inspections, an individual must either hold a pump installer or water well driller license in Wisconsin. It is not permissible to perform inspections under the supervision of a licensed individual. For more information, see Property Transfer Well Inspections.
Monitoring well construction or filling and sealing
  • No license is required to construct or fill and seal monitoring wells in Wisconsin. The work must be performed in accordance with NR 141, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR] and any approvals issued by DNR.