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Washington Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

US-WA · License preparation

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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.

Resource Protection Well Operator's License

Full license for resource protection wells and geotechnical soil borings.

Licensing authority: Washington State Department of Ecology · Application information

Additional license for the other well category

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
A person applying for both well categories need meet the CEU requirements for one license.
Eligibility
Currently hold a valid full license for the other well category.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before any required on-site examination.
Experience
Prove 600 additional drilling hours in the requested category through reports showing operator-of-record status on at least 15 wells or other approved documentation.
Onsite condition
An on-site exam applies if qualifying field experience was gained outside Washington; Ecology may waive it.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Licensure through licensed experience outside Washington

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
Document 32 approved CEUs.
Eligibility
Never held a Washington operator license and holds a valid equivalent well operator license outside Washington.
Exam order
Pass the written examination before the on-site examination.
Experience records
Submit licensing proof and drilling logs, tax records, employment records or other Ecology-approved proof.
Licensed experience
Prove that the equivalent license has been held for at least three years; Ecology evaluates and approves the experience.
Onsite waiver
Ecology may waive the on-site examination.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Licensure by examination: new applicant

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
Document 32 CEUs.
Eligibility
New applicant who has never held a well operator license.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before an on-site exam.
Experience
Document 5,400 drilling hours under direct supervision of a licensed well operator; licensed trainee experience may count.
Onsite condition
On-site examination applies when qualifying field experience was gained outside Washington; Ecology may waive it.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Resource protection license for a holder licensed before July 1, 1993
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Pay the application fee set by rule.
Eligibility
Hold a Chapter 18.104 RCW license issued before July 1, 1993.
Experience
Submit the evidence Ecology requires of experience constructing resource protection wells.
Implementation exam demand
The broader additional-license rule, WAC 173-162-060(3), states "(c) Pass a written examination; and" and "(d) Pass an on-site examination if their field experience was gained in another state. The department may waive the on-site examination." The specific statutory pre-1993 paragraph sets fee and experience requirements without a new examination; the lower-ranked demands remain applicant conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal, including the statutory 30 day late filing period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, $75 per license, CEU proof and required recent color photograph.
Continuing education
Document 14 CEUs in the preceding 24-month term, with at least two about Washington drilling or licensing rules; holders of both categories need 14 total.
Eligibility
Existing full licensee; WAC 173-162-080(1) also recognizes licenses issued or renewed in the statutory-to-rule transition.
Enforcement
Ecology may refuse renewal for suspension, revocation, unmet orders or unpaid penalties, subject to applicable appeal exceptions.
Late filing
RCW 18.104.100(1) allows 30 days after the term ends for completed renewal filing. No licensed work is allowed; CEUs earned then apply only to the next renewal period. The rule calls this period expired rather than suspended.
Renewal period
Renew every two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New license after expiration, suspension, revocation, retirement or inactivity

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
WAC 173-162-060(2)(c)(ii) requires seven CEUs for each year or part-year of the former status. The April 2023 guide states a 32-CEU maximum for expired applicants; that implementing statement does not amend the rule.
Eligibility
Former Washington operator, other than a trainee, whose license was suspended, revoked, expired, retired or inactive.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before an on-site exam unless Ecology exercises its waiver authority.
Exam waivers
Ecology may waive the written exam, the on-site exam, or both.
Implementation statement
The April 2023 guide calls for a written exam and an on-site exam if the license expired over two years ago; the rule identifies both exams subject to discretionary waiver.
Order compliance
Meet suspension or revocation terms; a revoked licensee cannot apply for one year after the final revocation order.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Automatic reissuance after release of a support order suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agency release
Ecology receives the Department of Social and Health Services release stating compliance; reissuance is then automatic.
Continued qualification
The holder continued meeting all other reinstatement requirements during the suspension.
Eligibility
The existing license was suspended under the support-order certification specified in RCW 18.104.110(2).
License scope
The existing license type and practice limitations remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial full license after completing the training program

All of the following:

Application
Submit the full-license application, $75 fee, daily log, CEU proof and required recent color photograph.
Continuing education
Obtain 14 approved CEUs while in training, including the applicable Washington laws instruction.
Eligibility
Hold a valid applicable training license.
No additional examination
The April 2023 guide states: "No other examination will be given." This route retains the exams already required for its qualifying training license.
Prior exams
Obtaining the qualifying training license requires passing the currently offered written and on-site examinations; those prior passes remain examination leaves.
Trainee experience
Document at least 3,600 licensed trainee hours through the daily log reviewed and initialed by the sponsoring operator.
Written rule
RCW 18.104.095(3) expressly exempts a person who passed the written exam to obtain the resource-protection training license; this route still involves that prior pass of the currently offered examination.

Resource Protection Well Operator's Training License

Training license under a sponsoring licensed operator.

Licensing authority: Washington State Department of Ecology · Application information

One time extension of a training license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Pay the $75 extension fee.
Continuing education
WAC 173-162-075(2) requires seven CEUs for each year or part-year the license is held, subject to Ecology waiver. The April 2023 guide states 14 CEUs before the trainee’s renewal date for extension.
Duration
One extension only, at most 24 months.
Eligibility
Show good cause; Ecology evaluates each extension request individually.
Supervision
Continue trainee sponsor, communication and daily log requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial training license

All of the following:

Application
Complete the category-specific trainee application with $75 fee, CEU proof and required recent conforming color photograph.
Continuing education
Six approved CEUs, including applicable Washington laws instruction.
Daily log
Maintain a daily drilling log, in the trainee’s possession, reviewed and initialed daily by the responsible operator.
Duration
Two years; a training license is not ordinarily renewable.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before the on-site examination.
Experience
At least 600 drilling hours under direct on-site supervision of a Washington operator licensed for at least three years.
Sponsor
Identify a nontrainee licensed sponsor who assumes liability for the trainee’s well construction.
Supervision
During licensed training, the sponsor must be available by communication and able to reach the drill site within one hour.
Verification
Every supervising operator must provide the signed experience and liability statement; unverified experience does not qualify.
Automatic reissuance after release of a support order suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agency release
Ecology receives the Department of Social and Health Services release stating compliance; reissuance is then automatic.
Continued qualification
The holder continued meeting all other reinstatement requirements during the suspension.
Eligibility
The existing license was suspended under the support-order certification specified in RCW 18.104.110(2).
License scope
The existing license type and practice limitations remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Water Well Operator's License

Full license for water well construction and decommissioning.

Licensing authority: Washington State Department of Ecology · Application information

Additional license for the other well category

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
A person applying for both well categories need meet the CEU requirements for one license.
Eligibility
Currently hold a valid full license for the other well category.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before any required on-site examination.
Experience
Prove 600 additional drilling hours in the requested category through reports showing operator-of-record status on at least 15 wells or other approved documentation.
Onsite condition
An on-site exam applies if qualifying field experience was gained outside Washington; Ecology may waive it.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Licensure through licensed experience outside Washington

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
Document 32 approved CEUs.
Eligibility
Never held a Washington operator license and holds a valid equivalent well operator license outside Washington.
Exam order
Pass the written examination before the on-site examination.
Experience records
Submit licensing proof and drilling logs, tax records, employment records or other Ecology-approved proof.
Licensed experience
Prove that the equivalent license has been held for at least three years; Ecology evaluates and approves the experience.
Onsite waiver
Ecology may waive the on-site examination.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Licensure by examination: new applicant

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
Document 32 CEUs.
Eligibility
New applicant who has never held a well operator license.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before an on-site exam.
Experience
Document 5,400 drilling hours under direct supervision of a licensed well operator; licensed trainee experience may count.
Onsite condition
On-site examination applies when qualifying field experience was gained outside Washington; Ecology may waive it.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Biennial renewal, including the statutory 30 day late filing period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the renewal application, $75 per license, CEU proof and required recent color photograph.
Continuing education
Document 14 CEUs in the preceding 24-month term, with at least two about Washington drilling or licensing rules; holders of both categories need 14 total.
Eligibility
Existing full licensee; WAC 173-162-080(1) also recognizes licenses issued or renewed in the statutory-to-rule transition.
Enforcement
Ecology may refuse renewal for suspension, revocation, unmet orders or unpaid penalties, subject to applicable appeal exceptions.
Late filing
RCW 18.104.100(1) allows 30 days after the term ends for completed renewal filing. No licensed work is allowed; CEUs earned then apply only to the next renewal period. The rule calls this period expired rather than suspended.
Renewal period
Renew every two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New license after expiration, suspension, revocation, retirement or inactivity

All of the following:

Application
Submit the completed Ecology application and supporting proof; application fee is $75 for each license.
Application decision
For applications received on or after June 1, 2026, Ecology states a 20-day decision deadline after the complete application and required examinations; late decisions lead to an automatic fee refund.
Ceu timing
New-applicant CEUs may be credited for programs attended no more than five years before application.
Continuing education
WAC 173-162-060(2)(c)(ii) requires seven CEUs for each year or part-year of the former status. The April 2023 guide states a 32-CEU maximum for expired applicants; that implementing statement does not amend the rule.
Eligibility
Former Washington operator, other than a trainee, whose license was suspended, revoked, expired, retired or inactive.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before an on-site exam unless Ecology exercises its waiver authority.
Exam waivers
Ecology may waive the written exam, the on-site exam, or both.
Implementation statement
The April 2023 guide calls for a written exam and an on-site exam if the license expired over two years ago; the rule identifies both exams subject to discretionary waiver.
Order compliance
Meet suspension or revocation terms; a revoked licensee cannot apply for one year after the final revocation order.
Photograph
Provide a recent color photograph meeting the official application requirements; acceptance is at the Licensing Office’s discretion.
Washington laws instruction
Two CEUs must cover Washington Ecology laws and regulations, provided by Ecology or its designee.
Automatic reissuance after release of a support order suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agency release
Ecology receives the Department of Social and Health Services release stating compliance; reissuance is then automatic.
Continued qualification
The holder continued meeting all other reinstatement requirements during the suspension.
Eligibility
The existing license was suspended under the support-order certification specified in RCW 18.104.110(2).
License scope
The existing license type and practice limitations remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial full license after completing the training program

All of the following:

Application
Submit the full-license application, $75 fee, daily log, CEU proof and required recent color photograph.
Continuing education
Obtain 14 approved CEUs while in training, including the applicable Washington laws instruction.
Eligibility
Hold a valid applicable training license.
No additional examination
The April 2023 guide states: "No other examination will be given." This route retains the exams already required for its qualifying training license.
Prior exams
Obtaining the qualifying training license requires passing the currently offered written and on-site examinations; those prior passes remain examination leaves.
Trainee experience
Document at least 3,600 licensed trainee hours through the daily log reviewed and initialed by the sponsoring operator.
Written rule
RCW 18.104.070 requires a written-exam pass; the training-completion rule requires no further examination. The prior trainee-license pass carries this currently offered exam.

Water Well Construction Operator's Training License

Training license under a sponsoring licensed operator.

Licensing authority: Washington State Department of Ecology · Application information

One time extension of a training license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application fee
Pay the $75 extension fee.
Continuing education
WAC 173-162-075(2) requires seven CEUs for each year or part-year the license is held, subject to Ecology waiver. The April 2023 guide states 14 CEUs before the trainee’s renewal date for extension.
Duration
One extension only, at most 24 months.
Eligibility
Show good cause; Ecology evaluates each extension request individually.
Supervision
Continue trainee sponsor, communication and daily log requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial training license

All of the following:

Application
Complete the category-specific trainee application with $75 fee, CEU proof and required recent conforming color photograph.
Continuing education
Six approved CEUs, including applicable Washington laws instruction.
Daily log
Maintain a daily drilling log, in the trainee’s possession, reviewed and initialed daily by the responsible operator.
Duration
Two years; a training license is not ordinarily renewable.
Exam order
Pass the written exam before the on-site examination.
Experience
At least 600 drilling hours under direct on-site supervision of a Washington operator licensed for at least three years.
Sponsor
Identify a nontrainee licensed sponsor who assumes liability for the trainee’s well construction.
Supervision
During licensed training, the sponsor must be available by communication and able to reach the drill site within one hour.
Verification
Every supervising operator must provide the signed experience and liability statement; unverified experience does not qualify.
Automatic reissuance after release of a support order suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Agency release
Ecology receives the Department of Social and Health Services release stating compliance; reissuance is then automatic.
Continued qualification
The holder continued meeting all other reinstatement requirements during the suspension.
Eligibility
The existing license was suspended under the support-order certification specified in RCW 18.104.110(2).
License scope
The existing license type and practice limitations remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Well Operator On-site Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Washington State Department of Ecology
Format
On-site field demonstration by operating drilling equipment
Examination sources

Washington Well Operator Written Examination

Provider
Washington State Department of Ecology
Format
Written examination
Examination outline
  • Washington state groundwater laws as they relate to constructing and decommissioning wells
  • Sanitary standards for constructing wells
  • Types of well construction and decommissioning
  • Drilling techniques, tools and equipment
  • Geology (including soil and rock description) as it relates to well construction
  • Rules and regulations of the department relating to constructing a well, test pumping, and equipment maintenance
  • Preparation of intent forms, well reports, and requests for variances
  • Township and range location system as it relates to location of wells
  • Basic groundwater hydraulics as it relates to well construction and protection of the resource
  • Rules and regulations of the Washington state department of health relating to source approval and source protection of public drinking water systems
Examination sources