💧 Well Driller License Requirements by State

Compare well driller license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 43 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level well driller license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $75–$75. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
StateLicense RequiredExperienceExam FeeMedian Salary
ALAlabama Required — $75 $45,622
AKAlaska Not Required — — $65,025
AZArizona Required — $75 $50,866
ARArkansas Required — $75 $44,049
CACalifornia Required — $75 $72,367
COColorado Required — $75 $56,635
CTConnecticut Required — $75 $60,305
DEDelaware Required — $75 $52,440
DCDistrict of Columbia Required — $75 $67,123
FLFlorida Required — $75 $50,342
GAGeorgia Required — $75 $48,769
HIHawaii Not Required — — $70,794
IDIdaho Required — $75 $49,293
ILIllinois Not Required — — $55,062
INIndiana Not Required — — $47,720
IAIowa Required — $75 $46,671
KSKansas Not Required — — $46,671
KYKentucky Required — $75 $46,671
LALouisiana Required — $75 $47,196
MEMaine Required — $75 $50,866
MDMaryland Required — $75 $57,159
MAMassachusetts Required — $75 $63,976
MIMichigan Required — $75 $49,293
MNMinnesota Required — $75 $54,537
MSMississippi Not Required — — $43,525
MOMissouri Not Required — — $47,196
MTMontana Required — $75 $50,342
NENebraska Required — $75 $47,196
NVNevada Required — $75 $53,488
NHNew Hampshire Required — $75 $54,537
NJNew Jersey Required — $75 $61,879
NMNew Mexico Required — $75 $47,720
NYNew York Required — $75 $68,172
NCNorth Carolina Required — $75 $48,244
NDNorth Dakota Required — $75 $49,818
OHOhio Required — $75 $48,244
OKOklahoma Required — $75 $45,622
OROregon Required — $75 $57,684
PAPennsylvania Not Required — — $51,391
RIRhode Island Required — $75 $54,013
SCSouth Carolina Required — $75 $47,720
SDSouth Dakota Required — $75 $46,147
TNTennessee Required — $75 $47,196
TXTexas Required — $75 $49,293
UTUtah Required — $75 $50,866
VTVermont Required — $75 $52,964
VAVirginia Required — $75 $53,488
WAWashington Required — $75 $61,879
WVWest Virginia Required — $75 $45,098
WIWisconsin Required — $75 $49,293
WYWyoming Required — $75 $49,818

Common questions about well driller licensing

Do all states require a well driller license?

No — 43 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level well driller license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a well driller license?

Application fees across the states range $75–$75. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a well driller license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.