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.

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.

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

Examinations

Once the Delaware Water Well Licensing Board approves an individual’s application, that individual is notified via email and is eligible to take the examination for that license type.

Applications expire one year after the board approval date.

Examinations are scheduled quarterly — in February, May, August and November. 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 grade is entered into their Digital DNREC application, the license will be automatically issued, and the individual will receive email notification with copies of the license card/certificate.

Renewing a License

All license renewals must be submitted by Nov. 30 each year to avoid a potential lapse in 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.

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.

Continuing Education

All individual licenses renewals require proof of approved continuing education. The Board maintains a list of approved courses available in person and online from several vendors. The list can be viewed through the individual’s Digital DNREC personal account by navigating to the “Water Continuing Education” tab and clicking “Add Course.”

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