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New Jersey Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NJ · License preparation

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Journeyman (Class B) Well Driller

Well-driller licence classification; Pump Installer uses a separate licence application.

Licensing authority: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection · Application information

Application by a holder of an equivalent out of state licence
Department discretion
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-16 permits NJDEP to license without examination. N.J.A.C. 7:9D-1.8(a)(4) and the Board page direct out-of-state applicants to pass the certification examinations; these remain leaves. The statutory permission is an applicant waiver condition, not an exam-free requirement tree.
Documentation
Complete signed application; experience documents; two professional references (one a well driller for in-state applicants except masters); notarized certification of accuracy; resolve suspension/revocation conditions and final orders or penalties; Board recommendation and licence fee.
Existing license
Duly licensed elsewhere under requirements deemed at least equivalent by NJDEP.
Experience
Three years under an ERG, Journeyman (Class B), Journeyman, Master or VCLG driller; construction or decommissioning of five Category 1, 2, or 3 wells in the preceding five years.
Field observation
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-10 permits oral or written examinations and field observation, or a combination. No separately identified currently offered field or oral examination is named in the implementing licensing requirements.
Regulatory score age
The applicable New Jersey regulatory examination must have been taken no more than two years before submitting the licence application. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain requirements.
Unregistered water systems capacity
Pass at least one of NGWA Water Systems Less than 100 GPM or NGWA Water Systems Greater than 100 GPM. Both currently offered alternatives are absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Unregistered water systems general
NGWA Water Systems General Exam is required by the Board table but is absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Licensure by examination with equivalent experience obtained outside New Jersey
Documentation
Complete signed application; experience documents; two professional references (one a well driller for in-state applicants except masters); notarized certification of accuracy; resolve suspension/revocation conditions and final orders or penalties; Board recommendation and licence fee.
Experience
Three years under an ERG, Journeyman (Class B), Journeyman, Master or VCLG driller; construction or decommissioning of five Category 1, 2, or 3 wells in the preceding five years.
Experience jurisdiction
Equivalent years of experience obtained outside New Jersey; pass the certifications required for the class under N.J.A.C. 7:9D-1.8(a)(4).
Field observation
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-10 permits oral or written examinations and field observation, or a combination. No separately identified currently offered field or oral examination is named in the implementing licensing requirements.
Regulatory score age
The applicable New Jersey regulatory examination must have been taken no more than two years before submitting the licence application. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain requirements.
Unregistered water systems capacity
Pass at least one of NGWA Water Systems Less than 100 GPM or NGWA Water Systems Greater than 100 GPM. Both currently offered alternatives are absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Unregistered water systems general
NGWA Water Systems General Exam is required by the Board table but is absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Licensure by examination with New Jersey experience
Documentation
Complete signed application; experience documents; two professional references (one a well driller for in-state applicants except masters); notarized certification of accuracy; resolve suspension/revocation conditions and final orders or penalties; Board recommendation and licence fee.
Experience
Three years under an ERG, Journeyman (Class B), Journeyman, Master or VCLG driller; construction or decommissioning of five Category 1, 2, or 3 wells in the preceding five years.
Experience jurisdiction
Qualifying experience in New Jersey under N.J.A.C. 7:9D-1.8(a)(3).
Field observation
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-10 permits oral or written examinations and field observation, or a combination. No separately identified currently offered field or oral examination is named in the implementing licensing requirements.
Regulatory score age
The applicable New Jersey regulatory examination must have been taken no more than two years before submitting the licence application. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain requirements.
Unregistered water systems capacity
Pass at least one of NGWA Water Systems Less than 100 GPM or NGWA Water Systems Greater than 100 GPM. Both currently offered alternatives are absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Unregistered water systems general
NGWA Water Systems General Exam is required by the Board table but is absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Late renewal or reinstatement within six months of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
If CEPs were not obtained before April 1, provide satisfactory completion evidence, pay the late CEP administration fee and renew by June 30 or meet the late-payment provisions. Late CEPs cannot count toward another cycle.
Expired license
Submit renewal and late fee within six months after expiration; satisfy other renewal requirements. No licensed activity after June 30 until completed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licence application following revocation
Documentation
Complete signed application; experience documents; two professional references (one a well driller for in-state applicants except masters); notarized certification of accuracy; resolve suspension/revocation conditions and final orders or penalties; Board recommendation and licence fee.
Experience
Three years under an ERG, Journeyman (Class B), Journeyman, Master or VCLG driller; construction or decommissioning of five Category 1, 2, or 3 wells in the preceding five years.
Field observation
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-10 permits oral or written examinations and field observation, or a combination. No separately identified currently offered field or oral examination is named in the implementing licensing requirements.
Regulatory score age
The applicable New Jersey regulatory examination must have been taken no more than two years before submitting the licence application. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain requirements.
Revocation
At least one year has elapsed after revocation and every condition of revocation has been satisfied; apply anew under 7:9D-1.8(a).
Unregistered water systems capacity
Pass at least one of NGWA Water Systems Less than 100 GPM or NGWA Water Systems Greater than 100 GPM. Both currently offered alternatives are absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Unregistered water systems general
NGWA Water Systems General Exam is required by the Board table but is absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Suspension
Suspension period ended, every suspension condition satisfied, and Board review and approval obtained.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Ordinary triennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
21 CEPs in the prior three-year period, obtained at least 90 days before expiration; first renewal exemption if licensed less than three years; good-standing waiver request for military service, illness, disability or other good cause.
Existing license
Current licence not revoked or suspended.
Fee deadline
Renewal fee due before June 30.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licence application after a licence has expired for more than six months
Documentation
Complete signed application; experience documents; two professional references (one a well driller for in-state applicants except masters); notarized certification of accuracy; resolve suspension/revocation conditions and final orders or penalties; Board recommendation and licence fee.
Experience
Three years under an ERG, Journeyman (Class B), Journeyman, Master or VCLG driller; construction or decommissioning of five Category 1, 2, or 3 wells in the preceding five years.
Expired license
Not renewed within six months after expiration; apply anew under 7:9D-1.8(a) and meet continuing education requirements for the expired licence.
Field observation
N.J.S.A. 58:4A-10 permits oral or written examinations and field observation, or a combination. No separately identified currently offered field or oral examination is named in the implementing licensing requirements.
Regulatory score age
The applicable New Jersey regulatory examination must have been taken no more than two years before submitting the licence application. Previously passed currently offered examinations remain requirements.
Unregistered water systems capacity
Pass at least one of NGWA Water Systems Less than 100 GPM or NGWA Water Systems Greater than 100 GPM. Both currently offered alternatives are absent from the supplied nationwide registry.
Unregistered water systems general
NGWA Water Systems General Exam is required by the Board table but is absent from the supplied nationwide registry.

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 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

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 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

NJ Regulations for Journeyman (Class B)

Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • Subsurface and Percolating Waters Act
  • Well Construction and Maintenance; Sealing of Abandoned Wells
  • Underground Facility Protection Act
  • Underground Facilities: One-Call Damage Prevention System
Examination sources