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Massachusetts Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

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Massachusetts Certified Well Driller

General well-driller certification for the business and supervision of drilling, altering and decommissioning wells.

Licensing authority: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Drinking Water Program · Application information

Annual recertification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
310 CMR 46.03(4) requires annual application at least 30 days before expiration; MassDEP’s certification page says completed form and renewal fees must be received by calendar-year end, with registrations running January through December.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial certification by examination
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Application
First-time Massachusetts applicants must contact the MassDEP Drinking Water Program Director and submit the certification application online through eDEP.
Competency affidavit
310 CMR 46.02(2)(c): a sworn affidavit from the Massachusetts certified well driller who supervised the applicant must attest to competency to assume a certified well driller’s duties. The current affidavit must be completed by that driller, notarized, scanned and attached to the eDEP application.
Department examination alternative
310 CMR 46.02(2)(b) also allows a written general examination prepared and administered by the Department. The obtained materials do not resolve that alternative slot to a currently offered identifiable Department examination/version; it remains an applicant condition rather than an invented examination record.
Experience
310 CMR 46.02(2)(a): at least 36 months actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under the immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller before application.
Fee
The certificate is issued after payment of the applicable fee under 310 CMR 46.03(1)(a).
Late recertification within the two year grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Late window
The eDEP guide states a two-year grace period to pay outstanding fees and submit recertification; late renewal under 46.03(4) is distinguished from a discretionary 46.02(3)(b) reinstatement application.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Certification based on NGWA Certified Well Driller status
Existing ngwa certification
Must hold NGWA Certified Well Driller certification under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(c). The currently offered registered examinations needed for that certification are retained even when passed before applying.
Massachusetts experience
Beyond NGWA certification requirements, at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Ngwa certification score window
The NGWA CWD qualification requires passing General Drilling and at least one specialized drilling examination within one 12-month period, with scores of 70 percent or better.
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Certification by reciprocity with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Existing certificate
Certified in another state with comparable certification requirements and well-drilling conditions, certified there for at least three years and in good standing; this is an applicant qualification, not an examination of another state in the requirement tree.
Noncomparable requirements
If certification requirements are not comparable, the Department shall require at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Reciprocity questionnaire
Complete Section A of the MassDEP Well Driller Reciprocity Questionnaire and send it to the licensing agency for Sections B and C; the agency verifies licensing status, experience and examinations. The questionnaire expressly invokes 310 CMR 46.02(3).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Reinstatement within two years with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Arrears
Submit payment of fees in arrears as determined by the Department.
Previous massachusetts certificate
Previously certified in Massachusetts within two years of receipt of the application for reinstatement under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(b).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.

Massachusetts Certified Monitoring Well Driller

Special certification limited to drilling monitoring wells.

Licensing authority: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Drinking Water Program · Application information

Annual recertification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
310 CMR 46.03(4) requires annual application at least 30 days before expiration; MassDEP’s certification page says completed form and renewal fees must be received by calendar-year end, with registrations running January through December.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late recertification within the two year grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Late window
The eDEP guide states a two-year grace period to pay outstanding fees and submit recertification; late renewal under 46.03(4) is distinguished from a discretionary 46.02(3)(b) reinstatement application.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Monitoring only certification based on NGWA Certified Well Driller status
Existing ngwa certification
310 CMR 46.02(4)(a): NGWA Certified Well Driller certification, including passing the specialty examination on monitoring-well construction. General Drilling and Exam M: Augering and Monitoring are currently offered registered examinations and remain leaves even if passed before the application.
Limited scope
The special certificate is for drilling monitoring wells only.
Ngwa certification score window
NGWA requires the two qualifying CWD examinations within one 12-month period, with scores of 70 percent or better.
Certification by reciprocity with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Existing certificate
Certified in another state with comparable certification requirements and well-drilling conditions, certified there for at least three years and in good standing; this is an applicant qualification, not an examination of another state in the requirement tree.
Noncomparable requirements
If certification requirements are not comparable, the Department shall require at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Reciprocity questionnaire
Complete Section A of the MassDEP Well Driller Reciprocity Questionnaire and send it to the licensing agency for Sections B and C; the agency verifies licensing status, experience and examinations. The questionnaire expressly invokes 310 CMR 46.02(3).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Reinstatement within two years with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Arrears
Submit payment of fees in arrears as determined by the Department.
Previous massachusetts certificate
Previously certified in Massachusetts within two years of receipt of the application for reinstatement under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(b).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.

Monitoring + CLGT Well Driller Certificate

The certificate category named in the MassDEP reciprocity questionnaire; the researched issuance route is reciprocity under 310 CMR 46.02(3).

Licensing authority: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Drinking Water Program · Application information

Annual recertification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
310 CMR 46.03(4) requires annual application at least 30 days before expiration; MassDEP’s certification page says completed form and renewal fees must be received by calendar-year end, with registrations running January through December.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late recertification within the two year grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing certificate
Existing Massachusetts certified well driller seeking recertification of the same certificate category.
Fee
The renewal guide states $100 for a current certificate and a further $100 late fee if submitted after December 31.
Late window
The eDEP guide states a two-year grace period to pay outstanding fees and submit recertification; late renewal under 46.03(4) is distinguished from a discretionary 46.02(3)(b) reinstatement application.
Renewal application
Provide current driller address, business name, numbers of wells drilled under supervision and signature; use eDEP and certify tax compliance.
Tax compliance
Certify under penalties of perjury compliance with Commonwealth tax laws as stated in the eDEP guide, page 41.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Certification by reciprocity with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Existing certificate
Certified in another state with comparable certification requirements and well-drilling conditions, certified there for at least three years and in good standing; this is an applicant qualification, not an examination of another state in the requirement tree.
Noncomparable requirements
If certification requirements are not comparable, the Department shall require at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Reciprocity questionnaire
Complete Section A of the MassDEP Well Driller Reciprocity Questionnaire and send it to the licensing agency for Sections B and C; the agency verifies licensing status, experience and examinations. The questionnaire expressly invokes 310 CMR 46.02(3).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Reinstatement within two years with discretionary waiver
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Arrears
Submit payment of fees in arrears as determined by the Department.
Previous massachusetts certificate
Previously certified in Massachusetts within two years of receipt of the application for reinstatement under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(b).
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.

Temporary Certification

Temporary well-driller certification for administrative purposes, valid for up to 90 days and based on qualifications in 310 CMR 46.02(2), (3), or (4).

Licensing authority: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Drinking Water Program · Application information

Temporary certification based on ordinary examination qualifications
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Application
First-time Massachusetts applicants must contact the MassDEP Drinking Water Program Director and submit the certification application online through eDEP.
Competency affidavit
310 CMR 46.02(2)(c): a sworn affidavit from the Massachusetts certified well driller who supervised the applicant must attest to competency to assume a certified well driller’s duties. The current affidavit must be completed by that driller, notarized, scanned and attached to the eDEP application.
Department examination alternative
310 CMR 46.02(2)(b) also allows a written general examination prepared and administered by the Department. The obtained materials do not resolve that alternative slot to a currently offered identifiable Department examination/version; it remains an applicant condition rather than an invented examination record.
Experience
310 CMR 46.02(2)(a): at least 36 months actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under the immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller before application.
Fee
The certificate is issued after payment of the applicable fee under 310 CMR 46.03(1)(a).
Temporary purpose
Department may issue the certificate for administrative purposes only after the referenced qualifications are met.
Temporary validity
Valid for up to 90 days; the fee is the same as annual certification.
Temporary monitoring only certification based on NGWA Certified Well Driller qualifications
Existing ngwa certification
310 CMR 46.02(4)(a): NGWA Certified Well Driller certification, including passing the specialty examination on monitoring-well construction. General Drilling and Exam M: Augering and Monitoring are currently offered registered examinations and remain leaves even if passed before the application.
Limited scope
The special certificate is for drilling monitoring wells only.
Ngwa certification score window
NGWA requires the two qualifying CWD examinations within one 12-month period, with scores of 70 percent or better.
Temporary purpose
Department may issue the certificate for administrative purposes only after the referenced qualifications are met.
Temporary validity
Valid for up to 90 days; the fee is the same as annual certification.
Temporary certification based on NGWA Certified Well Driller qualifications
Existing ngwa certification
Must hold NGWA Certified Well Driller certification under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(c). The currently offered registered examinations needed for that certification are retained even when passed before applying.
Massachusetts experience
Beyond NGWA certification requirements, at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Ngwa certification score window
The NGWA CWD qualification requires passing General Drilling and at least one specialized drilling examination within one 12-month period, with scores of 70 percent or better.
Temporary purpose
Department may issue the certificate for administrative purposes only after the referenced qualifications are met.
Temporary validity
Valid for up to 90 days; the fee is the same as annual certification.
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Temporary certification based on reciprocity qualifications
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Existing certificate
Certified in another state with comparable certification requirements and well-drilling conditions, certified there for at least three years and in good standing; this is an applicant qualification, not an examination of another state in the requirement tree.
Noncomparable requirements
If certification requirements are not comparable, the Department shall require at least one additional year actively drilling productive wells in Massachusetts under immediate field supervision of a Massachusetts certified well driller.
Reciprocity questionnaire
Complete Section A of the MassDEP Well Driller Reciprocity Questionnaire and send it to the licensing agency for Sections B and C; the agency verifies licensing status, experience and examinations. The questionnaire expressly invokes 310 CMR 46.02(3).
Temporary purpose
Department may issue the certificate for administrative purposes only after the referenced qualifications are met.
Temporary validity
Valid for up to 90 days; the fee is the same as annual certification.
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.
Temporary certification based on reinstatement qualifications
NGWA General Drilling Exam
Arrears
Submit payment of fees in arrears as determined by the Department.
Previous massachusetts certificate
Previously certified in Massachusetts within two years of receipt of the application for reinstatement under 310 CMR 46.02(3)(b).
Temporary purpose
Department may issue the certificate for administrative purposes only after the referenced qualifications are met.
Temporary validity
Valid for up to 90 days; the fee is the same as annual certification.
Waiver discretion
310 CMR 46.02(3): the Department may waive certain requirements of 310 CMR 46.02(2) on satisfactory evidence. A waiver is discretionary, not automatic; the registered General Drilling Exam remains a leaf of the route that involves this waivable requirement.

Exam C/D: Air Rotary Drilling

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Mobilize for the Site (6 of 50 items)
  • Construct Water Well (34 of 50 items)
  • Develop Wells (7 of 50 items)
  • Decommission Wells (2 of 50 items)
  • Demobilize the Site (1 of 50 items)
Examination sources

Exam M: Augering and Monitoring

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
75 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Mobilize for the Site (18 of 75 items)
  • Construct Water Well (43 of 75 items)
  • Rehabilitate Wells (3 of 75 items)
  • Develop Wells (8 of 75 items)
  • Demobilize the Site (3 of 75 items)
Examination sources

Exam A/B: Cable Tool Drilling

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Mobilize for the Site (3 of 50 items)
  • Construct Water Well (30 of 50 items)
  • Rehabilitate Wells (4 of 50 items)
  • Develop Wells (7 of 50 items)
  • Decommission Wells (3 of 50 items)
  • Demobilize the Site (3 of 50 items)
Examination sources

NGWA General Drilling Exam

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Mobilize for the Site (10 of 50 items)
  • Construct Water Well (16 of 50 items)
  • Rehabilitate Wells (5 of 50 items)
  • Develop Wells (11 of 50 items)
  • Decommission Wells (3 of 50 items)
  • Demobilize the Site (5 of 50 items)
Examination sources

Exam H: Jetting and Driving Wells

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Jetting and Driving Wells (50 of 50 items)
Examination sources

Exam E/F: Mud Rotary Drilling

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Mobilize for the Site (9 of 50 items)
  • Construct Water Well (18 of 50 items)
  • Prepare/Manage Drilling Fluids (17 of 50 items)
  • Develop Wells (5 of 50 items)
  • Demobilize the Site (1 of 50 items)
Examination sources

Exam G: Reverse Circulation Drilling

Provider
National Ground Water Association (NGWA); administered by PSI Services at PSI test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed-book examination taken at a PSI test center; pass/fail status on screen at completion, with a diagnostic score report by section for candidates who do not pass
Exam questions
50 questions
Time limit
1 hour
Passing score
70% (minimum passing score)
Exam fee
$75 per exam
Examination outline
  • Reverse Circulation Drilling (50 of 50 items)
Examination sources