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How to get a well driller license in Virginia

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

Virginia regulates water well work through the Board for Contractors at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, which certifies water well system providers at trainee, journeyman and master levels.

Issuing authority: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Contractors (Tradesmen program). Official page: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen

License levels in Virginia

Virginia well driller licensing at a glance

RequirementsThe Board for Contractors regulates individual tradesmen who engage in the trade of water well construction. The certified water well system provider application offers two routes to each level, examination or grandfathering. For the trainee certification by examination an applicant must verify at least one year of practical experience in the trade under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider. For journeyman an applicant must verify at least three years of practical experience under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider plus 24 hours of formal vocational training in the trade. For master an applicant must verify at least six years of practical experience under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider plus 48 hours of formal vocational training. The grandfathering route applies to applicants who were actively and continuously engaged in water well construction activities immediately prior to July 1, 2007 and may qualify for an exemption from the examination under Section 54.1-1130.B of the Code of Virginia, using one, three or six years of that experience for trainee, journeyman and master respectively. The application fee is $130 and the examination is administered by PSI. DPOR also states that water well systems providers must complete pre-license education through approved vocational schools.
ReciprocityThe certification application allows an applicant who holds a current license, certification or registration issued by another state or United States territory to use it to qualify for the Virginia examination, on submission of an original certification of licensure or letter of good standing from that board. DPOR separately operates a Universal License Recognition pathway for qualified out-of-state applicants in a listed set of occupations.
RenewalLicenses and certifications operate on a two-year renewal cycle, and all continuing education must be completed during the two-year term of the license. Water Well Systems Providers must complete eight hours of continuing education per renewal cycle from Board-approved providers.
NotesVirginia regulates water well work through the Board for Contractors at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, which certifies water well system providers at trainee, journeyman and master levels.

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Common questions

Do you need a license to work as a well driller in Virginia?
Virginia regulates water well work through the Board for Contractors at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, which certifies water well system providers at trainee, journeyman and master levels.
What well driller license levels does Virginia have?
The levels are Certified Water Well System Provider, Trainee, Certified Water Well System Provider, Journeyman, Certified Water Well System Provider, Master.
How do you get licensed as a well driller in Virginia?
The Board for Contractors regulates individual tradesmen who engage in the trade of water well construction. The certified water well system provider application offers two routes to each level, examination or grandfathering. For the trainee certification by examination an applicant must verify at least one year of practical experience in the trade under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider. For journeyman an applicant must verify at least three years of practical experience under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider plus 24 hours of formal vocational training in the trade. For master an applicant must verify at least six years of practical experience under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider plus 48 hours of formal vocational training. The grandfathering route applies to applicants who were actively and continuously engaged in water well construction activities immediately prior to July 1, 2007 and may qualify for an exemption from the examination under Section 54.1-1130.B of the Code of Virginia, using one, three or six years of that experience for trainee, journeyman and master respectively. The application fee is $130 and the examination is administered by PSI. DPOR also states that water well systems providers must complete pre-license education through approved vocational schools.
Does Virginia have well driller license reciprocity?
The certification application allows an applicant who holds a current license, certification or registration issued by another state or United States territory to use it to qualify for the Virginia examination, on submission of an original certification of licensure or letter of good standing from that board. DPOR separately operates a Universal License Recognition pathway for qualified out-of-state applicants in a listed set of occupations.

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Sources: www.dpor.virginia.gov, www.dpor.virginia.gov, www.dpor.virginia.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.

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