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How to get a well driller license in Rhode Island

Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Rhode Island's official board.

Rhode Island licenses well-drilling contractors and pump installers through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board in the State Building Office rather than through the Department of Environmental Management.

Issuing authority: Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, State Building Office. Official page: https://crb.ri.gov/licenses/water-filtration-well-drilling-and-pump-installer-license

License levels in Rhode Island

Rhode Island well driller licensing at a glance

RequirementsThe Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, a unit within the State Building Office, licenses well drilling contractors and pump installers. A well-drilling contractor is defined as a licensed contractor who engages in well drilling, including the installation, alteration, removal or repair of water-supply systems, and a pump installer installs and prepares pumps, controls and associated equipment used to extract and deliver water. Applicants must submit proof of completing the PSI examination, a certificate of general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 naming the board as certificate holder, a certificate of workers compensation insurance naming the board as certificate holder if they have employees, a valid government-issued photo identification, and, for LLCs, corporations and other incorporated entities, registration with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Out-of-state applicants must obtain a registered agent in Rhode Island with a physical street address. The initial licensing fee is $200 for a two-year period. The licensed well contractor must also provide the owner, the building official and the Department of Health with a Well Completion Report within ten days after completion of a new, reconstructed, replacement or decommissioned well.
ReciprocityThe Department of Environmental Management's well driller regulation contains no reciprocity, endorsement or out-of-state provision, and neither the licensing rule administered by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (440-RICR-10-00-6) nor that Board's own programme page for the water filtration, well drilling and pump installer licence mentions reciprocity or an out-of-state pathway.
RenewalLicenses run for a two-year period, and as a condition of renewal well-drillers, pump installers, water filtration contractors and water filtration installers must complete ten hours of Board approved continuing education courses during each two-year license period.
NotesRhode Island licenses well-drilling contractors and pump installers through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board in the State Building Office rather than through the Department of Environmental Management.

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Common questions

Do you need a license to work as a well driller in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island licenses well-drilling contractors and pump installers through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board in the State Building Office rather than through the Department of Environmental Management.
What well driller license levels does Rhode Island have?
The levels are Well-drilling Contractor, Pump Installer, Residential Water Filtration/Treatment System Contractor, Residential Water Filtration/Treatment System Installer.
How do you get licensed as a well driller in Rhode Island?
The Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board, a unit within the State Building Office, licenses well drilling contractors and pump installers. A well-drilling contractor is defined as a licensed contractor who engages in well drilling, including the installation, alteration, removal or repair of water-supply systems, and a pump installer installs and prepares pumps, controls and associated equipment used to extract and deliver water. Applicants must submit proof of completing the PSI examination, a certificate of general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 naming the board as certificate holder, a certificate of workers compensation insurance naming the board as certificate holder if they have employees, a valid government-issued photo identification, and, for LLCs, corporations and other incorporated entities, registration with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Out-of-state applicants must obtain a registered agent in Rhode Island with a physical street address. The initial licensing fee is $200 for a two-year period. The licensed well contractor must also provide the owner, the building official and the Department of Health with a Well Completion Report within ten days after completion of a new, reconstructed, replacement or decommissioned well.
Does Rhode Island have well driller license reciprocity?
The Department of Environmental Management's well driller regulation contains no reciprocity, endorsement or out-of-state provision, and neither the licensing rule administered by the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (440-RICR-10-00-6) nor that Board's own programme page for the water filtration, well drilling and pump installer licence mentions reciprocity or an out-of-state pathway.

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Sources: crb.ri.gov, crb.ri.gov, rules.sos.ri.gov, dem.ri.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

This snapshot is frozen.

RI's register has not been re-collected in 38 days, so this page will not change tonight and the figure above stands as of August 10, 2026. Every other market ATI tracks refreshes nightly: track one and see which contractors just got licensed, added a trade, or dropped off, and pull the full record on any of them. Free trial, cancel anytime.