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Minnesota Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Well Contractor Certified Representative Certification

Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Department of Health, Well Management Section · Application information

Initial individual certification by examination
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Four years
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Legacy drive point rule
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 4(A), retains a limited dug/drive-point category, but the controlling exhaustive current list in 103I.205, subdivision 4(c), contains four limited activities and omits it. Water-supply dug/drive-point contracting therefore uses the ordinary well-contractor license under 103I.205, subdivision 4(a); the lower-ranked legacy rule does not establish a separate current license.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Individual certification renewal within two years after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Six annual contact hours for well and environmental representatives, including two MDH-presented/sponsored hours; two MDH-presented/sponsored hours for limited and elevator representatives. Exempt for one year after the initial examination.
Expiration
The certification expired no more than two years ago. Resume represented work only after current certification and required continuing education are restored.
Renewal
Submit the representative renewal application and fee by January 31.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Individual certification by reciprocal credentials
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Application
Apply and pay the applicable Minnesota fees.
Discretion
Under 103I.505 the commissioner may certify without giving an examination. A waiver must be granted; it is not an automatic exemption. The general current examination rule and the identified examination remain applicable unless excused.
Other jurisdiction credential
Hold a license or certification whose requirements do not conflict with Minnesota law, meet an equivalent or higher standard, and grant equal reciprocal privileges.
Annual individual certification renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Six annual contact hours for well and environmental representatives, including two MDH-presented/sponsored hours; two MDH-presented/sponsored hours for limited and elevator representatives. Exempt for one year after the initial examination.
Renewal
Submit the representative renewal application and fee by January 31.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Individual requalification after more than two years expired
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Expiration
Certification has been expired for more than two years; renewals are unavailable and requalification follows parts 4725.0550-4725.1250.
Four years
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Legacy drive point rule
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 4(A), retains a limited dug/drive-point category, but the controlling exhaustive current list in 103I.205, subdivision 4(c), contains four limited activities and omits it. Water-supply dug/drive-point contracting therefore uses the ordinary well-contractor license under 103I.205, subdivision 4(a); the lower-ranked legacy rule does not establish a separate current license.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Individual certification reapplication after revocation
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Four years
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Legacy drive point rule
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 4(A), retains a limited dug/drive-point category, but the controlling exhaustive current list in 103I.205, subdivision 4(c), contains four limited activities and omits it. Water-supply dug/drive-point contracting therefore uses the ordinary well-contractor license under 103I.205, subdivision 4(a); the lower-ranked legacy rule does not establish a separate current license.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Waiting period
Reapply no earlier than one year after revocation, under parts 4725.0550-4725.1250.

Well Contractor's License

Company license; the designated individual certification is a separate credential. Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Department of Health, Well Management Section · Application information

Initial company license with certified individual
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bond
Submit a corporate surety bond: $25,000 for well contracting; $10,000 for environmental, elevator, sealing, dewatering and BGHE contracting; $2,000 for pump/pitless/screen contracting.
Certified representative
Employ/designate an individual holding the appropriate Minnesota certification; the certification qualification and examination are recorded under the separate individual credential.
Company application
Submit the company application and fee, business information and equipment registrations.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late company license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Individual certification
Keep the designated individual certification current with its applicable continuing education.
Late fees
Pay outstanding license fees and late fees; submit required information before resuming licensed work.
Renewal
Submit the annual company renewal application, fee, certified representative information and required bond by January 31; keep all required work reports and notifications complete.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Company license by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bond
Submit a corporate surety bond: $25,000 for well contracting; $10,000 for environmental, elevator, sealing, dewatering and BGHE contracting; $2,000 for pump/pitless/screen contracting.
Certified representative
Employ/designate an individual holding the appropriate Minnesota certification; the certification qualification and examination are recorded under the separate individual credential.
Company application
Submit the company application and fee, business information and equipment registrations.
Reciprocal credentials
The commissioner may issue a license under 103I.505 when the applicant holds equivalent nonconflicting credentials and equal reciprocal privileges are provided; apply and pay fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual company license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Individual certification
Keep the designated individual certification current with its applicable continuing education.
Renewal
Submit the annual company renewal application, fee, certified representative information and required bond by January 31; keep all required work reports and notifications complete.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Company reapplication after revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bond
Submit a corporate surety bond: $25,000 for well contracting; $10,000 for environmental, elevator, sealing, dewatering and BGHE contracting; $2,000 for pump/pitless/screen contracting.
Certified representative
Employ/designate an individual holding the appropriate Minnesota certification; the certification qualification and examination are recorded under the separate individual credential.
Company application
Submit the company application and fee, business information and equipment registrations.
Waiting period
Wait one year after revocation and reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1250. The appropriate individual certification must be held separately.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial ordinary well contractor license in the individual form
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Experience
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Individual form
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 7, describes the individual form of the ordinary well-contractor license. Current statute 103I.525 requires a $25,000 bond without the former individual exception; the statutory bond requirement controls over the lower-ranked rule exemption.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Late individual well contractor license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bond
The current statute requires the $25,000 bond; the conflicting older individual exemption in the rule does not control.
Renewal
Pay outstanding license fees and late fees, complete required continuing education and submit the required renewal information before resuming licensed work.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reciprocal individual well contractor license
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Experience
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Individual form
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 7, describes the individual form of the ordinary well-contractor license. Current statute 103I.525 requires a $25,000 bond without the former individual exception; the statutory bond requirement controls over the lower-ranked rule exemption.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Reciprocity
The commissioner may waive the examination under 103I.505 when reciprocal credential conditions are satisfied; waiver is discretionary.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Annual individual well contractor license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete six annual contact hours including two MDH-presented/sponsored hours, except for the one-year exemption after examination.
Renewal
Submit renewal application and fee by January 31, keep required records complete, and provide the controlling statutory bond.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Individual well contractor reapplication after revocation
Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination
Exam timing
Pass within one year of notice of eligibility. Wait at least two weeks to retest. After three failures, reapply no earlier than one year after the third failure. If not licensed or associated with a licensee within one year of passing, reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1025.
Experience
Four years of supervised personal experience; each year at least 1,000 hours in the specified well work and ten water-supply wells, or qualifying large-diameter wells with at least 700 feet cumulative depth. Pre-2006 experience uses five wells per year. Accredited well-construction education can substitute one year, or up to two years for an associate or technical degree.
Individual form
Rule 4725.0475, subpart 7, describes the individual form of the ordinary well-contractor license. Current statute 103I.525 requires a $25,000 bond without the former individual exception; the statutory bond requirement controls over the lower-ranked rule exemption.
Integrity
The representative must have honesty and integrity.
Outside experience
For experience gained outside Minnesota, demonstrate substantially similar geology and comparable licensing or certification requirements under part 4725.0650, subpart 9.
Qualification application
Submit the MDH qualification application and written experience documentation, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before examination.
Representation
A certified representative may represent only one licensee or registrant and must supervise compliant work and sign the required records.
Waiting period
Wait one year after revocation and reapply under parts 4725.0550-4725.1250.

Minnesota Well Contractor Written Examination

Provider
Minnesota Department of Health
Format
Written examination; the applicable rule also permits the commissioner to determine a combined format.
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • Licensing and Professional Practice
    • Licensure, examination, credential scope, and qualification
    • Professional responsibilities, renewal, equipment registration, and enforcement
  • Notifications, Permits, Records, and Samples
    • Construction and sealing notifications, permits, variances, and delegated programs
    • Construction and sealing records, geologic descriptions, and cutting samples
  • Siting and Aquifer Protection
    • Aquifer separation, prohibited injection, utility clearances, buildings, and access
    • Water-body, flood, contamination-source, and protective-depth requirements
  • Construction Materials and Sealing
    • Casing, screens, gravel packs, drilling fluids, and additives
    • Grouting, annular seals, casing treatment, and permanent sealing
  • Water Systems and Water Quality
    • Pumps, wellhead connections, pressure tanks, vents, and repair
    • Disinfection, water sampling, and public water-supply wells
  • Special Wells, Borings, and Geology
    • Dug, remedial, dewatering, monitoring, geothermal, elevator, and environmental work
    • Minnesota geology, aquifers, confining layers, recharge, and drawdown
Examination sources