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New York Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

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Water Well Contractor Certificate of Registration

Annual business registration for water well drilling activities as defined in ECL § 15-1502, including work opening the well casing. Exam-qualified individuals supervise the registered activities on site; DEC issues individual wallet cards through the contractor registration. The registration covers the service activities selected on the application.

Licensing authority: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water · Application information

Initial registration for drilling
Accepted drilling proof
DEC accepts NGWA results for both required drilling exams or an NGWA certification card indicating Certified Well Driller (CWD) or Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). The NGWA membership/expiration date need not be current. These are alternative ways to prove the certification, rather than additional state credentials.
Applicant scope
The registrant is the business conducting water well drilling activities for compensation or as part of property development and sale. ECL § 15-1502(5) excludes a public corporation, political subdivision, government agency, department or bureau of the state or municipality from its water well driller definition.
Application
Submit the complete signed annual registration form and $10 annual fee; identify at least one exam-certified individual. A sole proprietor or business owner must be certified and list themself. The individual responsible for supervision need not be the applicant where the business is not a sole proprietor.
Approved equivalents
ECL § 15-1525(5)(a) also permits an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner. The obtained DEC registration materials do not identify an additional equivalent examination; this unnamed approval option is an applicant condition.
Geothermal scope
DEC applies registration and exam-qualified supervision to open-loop or standing-column geothermal wells of any depth. Its program page explicitly exempts closed-loop geothermal wells from this registration, exams and reporting. This exemption is a practice-scope condition, not a separate contractor credential.
Initial issuance
Use the New Application selection. Prior NGWA certification cards and examination results are accepted proof under the same initial registration route.
Onsite supervision
Every applicable water well activity must be supervised on site by an individual certified for that activity; select an additional drilling exam appropriate to the drilling work. Registered businesses are responsible for ensuring the required supervision.
Other services
The application permits other water well services supervised by an on-site Certified Well Driller or Certified Pump Installer. This drilling-qualified route can support those services through the Certified Well Driller; pump installation or servicing within the well also requires the pump qualifications.
Passing score
The responsible individual must have passed the appropriate examinations with a score of at least 70 percent and provide evidence on an enforcement officer's demand.
Registration period
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Registration is annual, effective for up to one year in the April 1–March 31 cycle; this annual certificate period does not expire an examination version.
Reporting
File a preliminary notice before drilling and provide the completion report to DEC and the owner within 30 days of completing construction. Outstanding completion reports delay renewal.
Service scope
This route is for drilling and other services supervised under the drilling certification; it does not assert pump qualification for installation or repair requiring opening of the well casing.
Initial registration for drilling and pump installation/service
Accepted drilling proof
DEC accepts NGWA results for both required drilling exams or an NGWA certification card indicating Certified Well Driller (CWD) or Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). The NGWA membership/expiration date need not be current. These are alternative ways to prove the certification, rather than additional state credentials.
Accepted pump proof
DEC accepts the responsible individual's NGWA pump exam results. For individuals engaged solely in non-drilling activities, DEC also accepts an NGWA Certified Pump Installer (CPI) card; its membership/expiration date need not be current.
Applicant scope
The registrant is the business conducting water well drilling activities for compensation or as part of property development and sale. ECL § 15-1502(5) excludes a public corporation, political subdivision, government agency, department or bureau of the state or municipality from its water well driller definition.
Application
Submit the complete signed annual registration form and $10 annual fee; identify at least one exam-certified individual. A sole proprietor or business owner must be certified and list themself. The individual responsible for supervision need not be the applicant where the business is not a sole proprietor.
Approved equivalents
ECL § 15-1525(5)(a) also permits an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner. The obtained DEC registration materials do not identify an additional equivalent examination; this unnamed approval option is an applicant condition.
Geothermal scope
DEC applies registration and exam-qualified supervision to open-loop or standing-column geothermal wells of any depth. Its program page explicitly exempts closed-loop geothermal wells from this registration, exams and reporting. This exemption is a practice-scope condition, not a separate contractor credential.
Initial issuance
Use the New Application selection. Prior NGWA certification cards and examination results are accepted proof under the same initial registration route.
Onsite supervision
Every applicable water well activity must be supervised on site by an individual certified for that activity; select an additional drilling exam appropriate to the drilling work. Registered businesses are responsible for ensuring the required supervision.
Other services
The application permits other water well services supervised by an on-site Certified Well Driller or Certified Pump Installer. This drilling-qualified route can support those services through the Certified Well Driller; pump installation or servicing within the well also requires the pump qualifications.
Passing score
The responsible individual must have passed the appropriate examinations with a score of at least 70 percent and provide evidence on an enforcement officer's demand.
Pump examinations not registered
DEC's November 2024 Water Well Contractor Exam Requirements requires Water Systems General Exam and one of Exam K: Water systems less than 100 gpm or Exam L: Water systems more than 100 gpm for pump installation and service. These currently offered nationwide NGWA examinations are absent from every supplied shared and known nationwide examination version. They remain conditions pending nationwide registration.
Pump onsite supervision
A pump-certified individual must supervise installation or servicing within a well on site. An individual engaged in both drilling and pump installation or service must be certified for both.
Registration period
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Registration is annual, effective for up to one year in the April 1–March 31 cycle; this annual certificate period does not expire an examination version.
Reporting
File a preliminary notice before drilling and provide the completion report to DEC and the owner within 30 days of completing construction. Outstanding completion reports delay renewal.
Statutory pump alternatives
ECL § 15-1525(5)(b) permits a certification examination developed by NGWA or the Water Systems Council, or an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner, with at least 70 percent. The Water Systems Council slot and approved-equivalent slot are not resolved by the obtained DEC materials to a named examination; they are applicant conditions.
Annual renewal for drilling
Accepted drilling proof
DEC accepts NGWA results for both required drilling exams or an NGWA certification card indicating Certified Well Driller (CWD) or Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). The NGWA membership/expiration date need not be current. These are alternative ways to prove the certification, rather than additional state credentials.
Applicant scope
The registrant is the business conducting water well drilling activities for compensation or as part of property development and sale. ECL § 15-1502(5) excludes a public corporation, political subdivision, government agency, department or bureau of the state or municipality from its water well driller definition.
Application
Submit the complete signed annual registration form and $10 annual fee; identify at least one exam-certified individual. A sole proprietor or business owner must be certified and list themself. The individual responsible for supervision need not be the applicant where the business is not a sole proprietor.
Approved equivalents
ECL § 15-1525(5)(a) also permits an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner. The obtained DEC registration materials do not identify an additional equivalent examination; this unnamed approval option is an applicant condition.
Geothermal scope
DEC applies registration and exam-qualified supervision to open-loop or standing-column geothermal wells of any depth. Its program page explicitly exempts closed-loop geothermal wells from this registration, exams and reporting. This exemption is a practice-scope condition, not a separate contractor credential.
Onsite supervision
Every applicable water well activity must be supervised on site by an individual certified for that activity; select an additional drilling exam appropriate to the drilling work. Registered businesses are responsible for ensuring the required supervision.
Other services
The application permits other water well services supervised by an on-site Certified Well Driller or Certified Pump Installer. This drilling-qualified route can support those services through the Certified Well Driller; pump installation or servicing within the well also requires the pump qualifications.
Passing score
The responsible individual must have passed the appropriate examinations with a score of at least 70 percent and provide evidence on an enforcement officer's demand.
Registration period
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Registration is annual, effective for up to one year in the April 1–March 31 cycle; this annual certificate period does not expire an examination version.
Renewal
Renew an existing contractor registration using the Renewal selection and NYRD registration number. Maintain an identified certified individual and submit outstanding Water Well Completion Reports; the current exams already passed remain involved as qualification evidence.
Reporting
File a preliminary notice before drilling and provide the completion report to DEC and the owner within 30 days of completing construction. Outstanding completion reports delay renewal.
Service scope
This route is for drilling and other services supervised under the drilling certification; it does not assert pump qualification for installation or repair requiring opening of the well casing.
Annual renewal for drilling and pump installation/service
Accepted drilling proof
DEC accepts NGWA results for both required drilling exams or an NGWA certification card indicating Certified Well Driller (CWD) or Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). The NGWA membership/expiration date need not be current. These are alternative ways to prove the certification, rather than additional state credentials.
Accepted pump proof
DEC accepts the responsible individual's NGWA pump exam results. For individuals engaged solely in non-drilling activities, DEC also accepts an NGWA Certified Pump Installer (CPI) card; its membership/expiration date need not be current.
Applicant scope
The registrant is the business conducting water well drilling activities for compensation or as part of property development and sale. ECL § 15-1502(5) excludes a public corporation, political subdivision, government agency, department or bureau of the state or municipality from its water well driller definition.
Application
Submit the complete signed annual registration form and $10 annual fee; identify at least one exam-certified individual. A sole proprietor or business owner must be certified and list themself. The individual responsible for supervision need not be the applicant where the business is not a sole proprietor.
Approved equivalents
ECL § 15-1525(5)(a) also permits an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner. The obtained DEC registration materials do not identify an additional equivalent examination; this unnamed approval option is an applicant condition.
Geothermal scope
DEC applies registration and exam-qualified supervision to open-loop or standing-column geothermal wells of any depth. Its program page explicitly exempts closed-loop geothermal wells from this registration, exams and reporting. This exemption is a practice-scope condition, not a separate contractor credential.
Onsite supervision
Every applicable water well activity must be supervised on site by an individual certified for that activity; select an additional drilling exam appropriate to the drilling work. Registered businesses are responsible for ensuring the required supervision.
Other services
The application permits other water well services supervised by an on-site Certified Well Driller or Certified Pump Installer. This drilling-qualified route can support those services through the Certified Well Driller; pump installation or servicing within the well also requires the pump qualifications.
Passing score
The responsible individual must have passed the appropriate examinations with a score of at least 70 percent and provide evidence on an enforcement officer's demand.
Pump examinations not registered
DEC's November 2024 Water Well Contractor Exam Requirements requires Water Systems General Exam and one of Exam K: Water systems less than 100 gpm or Exam L: Water systems more than 100 gpm for pump installation and service. These currently offered nationwide NGWA examinations are absent from every supplied shared and known nationwide examination version. They remain conditions pending nationwide registration.
Pump onsite supervision
A pump-certified individual must supervise installation or servicing within a well on site. An individual engaged in both drilling and pump installation or service must be certified for both.
Registration period
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Registration is annual, effective for up to one year in the April 1–March 31 cycle; this annual certificate period does not expire an examination version.
Renewal
Renew an existing contractor registration using the Renewal selection and NYRD registration number. Maintain an identified certified individual and submit outstanding Water Well Completion Reports; the current exams already passed remain involved as qualification evidence.
Reporting
File a preliminary notice before drilling and provide the completion report to DEC and the owner within 30 days of completing construction. Outstanding completion reports delay renewal.
Statutory pump alternatives
ECL § 15-1525(5)(b) permits a certification examination developed by NGWA or the Water Systems Council, or an equivalent examination offered or approved by the commissioner, with at least 70 percent. The Water Systems Council slot and approved-equivalent slot are not resolved by the obtained DEC materials to a named examination; they are applicant conditions.

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