The Water Well Construction Committee protects the general health, safety, and welfare of Arkansans by regulating water well construction and pump installation. The committee advises the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission on matters related to water wells.
Committee Members
William Anderson, Natural Resources Commission Member
David Washington, Water Well Contractor
Mike McDermott, Water Well Contractor
Resources
Applications and Forms
- Contractor Licensing Application
- Driller Registration
- Pump Installer Registration
- Apprenticeship Registration
- Water Well Abandonment Form
FAQs
How can I legally drill wells or install pumps in Arkansas?
Any individual drilling a water well or installing a water well pump in Arkansas must possess both an Arkansas Water Well Contractor’s License and an Arkansas Certificate of Registration in Water Well Drilling or Pump Installation. An individual planning to both drill wells and install pumps must obtain both Certificates of Registration.
Individuals applying for Certificates of Registration must have experience. You can meet the experience requirement necessary for working as a certified Arkansas Water Well Driller or certified Arkansas Pump Installer by either of these means:
- Serving at least two years as an apprentice under an Arkansas registered driller or pump installer supervisor who is a full-time employee of an Arkansas licensed contractor.
- Holding or having held a license for two or more years in another state with a similar program to Arkansas’s program in the same area for which you are seeking registration. You must also be in good standing with that state.
At regular meetings, the commission reviews and approves individuals to sit for the certificate of registration test. Testing is conducted in Little Rock approximately three weeks after commission meetings. You will be issued your registration after you have successfully passed your test and paid your fees.
Arkansas-licensed geologists and engineers providing completed applications and fees are not required to take the test. Also, any individual whose previous registration has lapsed will not need to take the test so long as the registration has not expired for more than a year.
What happens if I let my certificate of registration expire?
If your driller or pump installer registration has lapsed for less than one year, you can renew it by sending in a registration fee of $125.00 and a $25.00 late fee for each registration. Provide a cover letter clearly stating that you are applying for renewal of an Arkansas driller or pump installer certificate of registration and provide your Arkansas registration number. You must pay a registration and late fee for each expired certificate you intend to renew.
If your registration has lapsed for more than one year, you can renew it by sending in an application, with a registration fee of $125.00 and a $25.00 late fee. You must pay a registration and late fee for each expired certificate you intend to renew. Provide a cover letter clearly stating that you are applying for renewal of an Arkansas driller or pump installer certificate of registration and provide your Arkansas registration number. Your application will be presented for approval at the next commission meeting date after all paperwork has been submitted. If approved at the commission meeting, you will be contacted with a date for testing. Testing is usually 3 weeks after a commission meeting.
Why should I hire a licensed contractor?
Failure to use safe methods can contaminate groundwater sources from gasoline, oil, road salts, chemicals, bacteria from septic-tank effluent, or barnyard waste. Regulating the water well construction industry safeguards aquifers and other drinking water sources by ensuring that water well constructors are familiar with safe construction methods.
Requiring an Arkansas Contractor License protects Arkansas consumers because the holder of such a license is responsible for maintaining a $20,000 bond. When the contractor obtains the bond, he promises his business will uphold rules and standards of well construction and pump installation. Customers of the contractor, who are injured by the failure of the contractor or his or her employees to comply with rules, can demand payment from the bond company in the event the customer suffers damage due to the failure to adhere to rules.
A contractor is also responsible for ensuring any person employed by him or her who drills wells or installs pumps holds a Certificate of Registration and attains continuing education.
Continuing Education
Every contractor must obtain 6 continuing education units (“CEUs”) per licensing year. Contractors will need to obtain two additional credits for each additional water well driller or pump installer employed by the contractor. Classes or seminars may be held in-state or out- of-state and must be related to water wells or pump systems technology, science or health, sound business practices, or compliance with rules and other government and industry requirements, including worker health and safety.
Generally, a CEU is equivalent to one hour of class time. You may only obtain 3 CEUs through online classes. The other three must be obtained in seminars or actual classrooms.