The DNREC Division of Water issues licenses for Water Well Contractors, Pump Installer Contractors, Well Drillers and Pump Installers. Licenses are required for all persons who perform these tasks in Delaware.

The licensing program is managed under Delaware’s Regulations for Licensing Water Well Contractors, Pump Installer Contractors, Well Drillers, Well Drivers, and Pump Installers (7 DE Admin. Code 7302) and in coordination with the Delaware Water Well Licensing Board.

All water well licenses expire on December 31 of each year. License renewals must be submitted by Nov. 30 each year to avoid a potential lapse in license.

Water well licenses are applied for and managed using the Digital DNREC ePermitting system, which offers online applications for licenses and permits throughout the department.

Those unable to take advantage of the Digital DNREC ePermitting system can contact the Division of Water at 302-739-9116.

Applying for a License

Contractors

All new Contractor license applications are to be submitted through a Digital DNREC Enterprise Account and must include a copy of the company’s certificate of liability insurance, designating the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as the certificate holder.

Instructions: How to apply for a Water Well Contractor License

All Water Well Contractors and Pump Installer Contractors must carry and maintain the following minimum levels of contractor’s liability insurance coverage:

Individual

There are four types of individual licenses: General Well Driller, Geotechnical Well Driller, Dewatering Well Driller and Pump Installer.

All license applications are to be submitted through a Digital DNREC Personal Account. They must include two professional references (completed by licensed individuals) and be reviewed by the Delaware Water Well Licensing Board. The Board generally meets monthly. Applications must be received a minimum of 10 business days prior to the meeting date to be included in the monthly board meeting agenda.

Instructions: How to apply for a new Individual Water Supply License

These licenses must be renewed annually to remain in good standing.

Please note that all fees are non-refundable.

Employment Verification

All contractors must verify the employment of the individuals who are licensed through their company to activate the individuals’ licenses.

Instructions: How to verify employment

Examinations

Once the Delaware Water Well Licensing Board approves an individual’s application, that individual is notified via email that they have been approved by the board and are eligible to take the examination for that license type, once the examination fee is paid through Digital DNREC.

Applications expire one year after the board approval date.

Examinations are scheduled quarterly — in February, May, August and November. Exams will not be rescheduled once they have been assigned. Individuals are notified via email of examination details and examination grades.

There are separate examinations for each license type. The examinations are comprised of multiple-choice and true/false questions relating to general knowledge of the scope of work of each license type and to both the Regulations Governing the Construction and Use of Wells (7 DE Admin. Code 7301) and the Regulations for Licensing Water Well Contractors, Pump Installer Contractors, Well Drillers, Well Drivers, and Pump Installers (7 DE Admin. Code 7302).

Applicants must earn a score of 75% or higher to pass.

If the individual fails an examination, they will automatically be signed up for the next examination if they are eligible. If an individual does not attend a scheduled examination, the examination will not be rescheduled and they will receive a zero.

Once the individual passes the examination and the Digital DNREC application is closed by DNREC staff, the license will be automatically issued, and the individual will receive email notification with copies of the license card/certificate.

Renewing a License

All licenses expire on December 31 of each year. Licensees are encouraged to submit their completed continuing education hours a minimum of 60 days prior to the license expiration date, to streamline the renewal process and prevent potential delays or a lapse in license.

Submitted proof of continuing education must be approved by DNREC staff prior to the individual renewing the license.

Contractors

All Contractor renewal applications are to be submitted through the company’s Digital DNREC Enterprise Account and must include a copy of the company’s certificate of liability insurance, designating Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as the certificate holder.

Contractors must renew their contractor license prior to any employee renewing their individual/personal license. If a company is not listed in the employer listing, when an individual attempts to renew, this means the company has not yet renewed their contractors’ licenses and will need to renew that prior to the individual renewing.

Instructions: How to apply for renewal of a Contractor License

Individuals

All individuals who wish to renew their license must submit a completed renewal application and approved continuing education through their Digital DNREC Personal Account.

Instructions: How to renew a license

If a company is not listed in the employer listing, when an individual attempts to renew, this means the company has not yet renewed their contractors’ licenses and will need to renew that prior to the individual renewing.  

Please note that all fees are non-refundable.

Continuing Education

All individual license renewals require proof of approved continuing education. A list of approved courses can be found in the “Water Continuing Education” tab of your Digital DNREC personal account dashboard. Submitted proof of continuing education must be approved by DNREC staff prior to the individual renewing the license.

Continuing Education Training Requests

The Board also accepts requests for continuing education training/course approval. Instructions for submittal are on the top of the request form. Requests are reviewed monthly.

Related Topics:  commercial, government, licensing, permitting and regulation, pump installer, water, water allocation, water wells, well driller