Well Driller or Installer License

Introduction

This page is intended to provide well driller and installer license holders, and prospective license holders with the information they need to apply for a new license, renew an existing license, and to maintain compliance with continuing education requirements.

Who Needs One?

Any individual who conducts, manages, or supervises the digging, drilling, redrilling, or performs maintenance of a well or anyone who installs, or repairs well pumps, filters, treatment devices, or geothermal closed loops must obtain a license from the TDEC, Division of Water Resources.

Tennessee licensed general contractors, licensed electricians, and licensed plumbers ARE NOT permitted to install or perform maintenance on water wells, water well pumps, or water well treatment systems unless they are also licensed by the TDEC, Division of Water Resources as described on this page.

Licenses expire on July 31 each year and must be renewed. See the License Renewal section below. Licenses are issued to individuals, not companies, and are not transferable.
 

What Information Must I Provide?

Applicants for a new license must submit the following items with the proper fees to begin the licensure application process:

• A completed “Application for Well Driller or Installer License” form which requires the applicant’s name, birth date, social security number, education information; firm name, address, and telephone number; type of applicant; type of license applied for; number of employees; list of other professional licenses; counties where business will be conducted; types of rigs operated to obtain experience; list of employees to be supervised; and employment history.
• A list of ten (10) wells the applicant has constructed or worked on during a minimum of the last two years prior to the date of making the application for a license. The dates provided on this list must span a 2-year period for the application to be considered complete.
  • Copies of occupational licenses or certificates covering two years and indicating that the applicant has been engaged in the occupation for which a license is being sought.
  • An applicant must have a minimum of two years of experience working in the occupation for the license applied for. Required proof of this experience will be submitted with the application in one of the following ways as prescribed in the application:

What Fees Are Required?

The applicant must submit the fee for each license type desired.

• Water Well Driller License Application Fee - $100.00
• Monitor Well Driller License Application Fee - $100.00
• Geothermal Well Driller License Application Fee - $100.00
• Pump Installer License Application Fee - $50.00
• Water Treatment Installer License Application Fee - $50.00
   

How Will My Application Be Processed?

The application should be submitted to Water.Well@tn.gov. When the application is received, Division personnel will reach out to you by email to make arrangements for the application payment.

Once the application and application fee is received, a detailed review of the application is conducted and applicants are notified in writing (via email) if applications are incomplete. Once the application is deemed complete, applicants are notified in writing of the date, time, and location of required written examinations. Applicants must score seventy (70) percent correct or above on the general exam and seventy (70) percent on any specialty portion of the exam. Applicants who successfully pass the written examinations will be scheduled for an interview with the Board of Groundwater Management (The Board).

The Board will interview the applicant to determine the quality and quantity of the applicant’s experience. Upon completion of the interview, the Board will make a recommendation to the Commissioner for licensing of the applicant.
 

What Are My Rights and Responsibilities After Becoming Licensed?

The applicant has the right to proceed with activities approved in the license. They must notify the Department of any changes to application information. The applicant is responsible for following all applicable state statutes and regulations. Applicants have the right to appeal a license that has been denied, suspended, or revoked.
 

What Are the Division’s Rights and Responsibilities After the Applicant Becomes Licensed?

The Division has the right to revoke, suspend, or deny the issuance or renewal of a license to any applicant who violates the state statutes or departmental regulations. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the state statutes, rules, or regulations may be subject to civil penalties.
 

Whom Do I Contact for Applications, Assistance, and Other Information?

Applicants may obtain an application by downloading them from this page. Any additional questions will be answered by sending an email to Water.Well@TN.gov.
 

Annual License Renewal

All Driller and Installer licenses will expire if not renewed by July 31, each year. License holders are responsible for submitting the renewal documents and paying the license renewal fees. License holders will receive a reminder postcard on or about May 15th, 2025 that will direct them to this web page. The Division will begin accepting renewals after the postcards are mailed to the license holders. License renewal submissions will not be accepted before May 15th, 2025.

License Renewal Instructions for July 31, 2025 Renewal Deadline:

Step 1: Download and complete the Renewal Application (required for all licensees) & the Affidavit of Supervision (as needed).

Step 2: E-mail the following items to Water.Well@TN.gov with “Renewal Application” and your license number in the subject line.

a. Completed License Renewal Application.

b. Any Affidavits of Supervision for certified operators. An existing operator certificate will expire if a new Affidavit of Supervision is not received. The notary’s seal on the Affidavit of Supervision must be legible. It is recommended that the notary use an inked stamp.

c. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) certificates covering a minimum of five (5) hours credit. First-year license holders are not required to submit CEUs for their first, partial year.

Notes: Please attach ALL necessary documents for the renewal in PDF format to a single e-mail. Alternatively, if you prefer to mail the renewal documents, please contact the water well program at 615-532-0192 for mailing instructions. Please allow an additional three weeks for processing mailed renewal applications to ensure that your license does not expire.

Step 3: Pay the renewal fee invoice.
You will receive a renewal fee invoice in the mail from the TDEC Division of Fiscal Services. Once you have received your invoice, you may choose one of the following options for payment.

Option 1 - Make payment online: You will need information provided on the mailed invoice in order to pay online. Once you have received your invoice, pay your invoice through the online portal at the following web address:
TDEC Community - Pay TDEC Invoice 
                                 -Please forward the payment confirmation email to Sandy.Rittenhouse@tn.gov. This will ensure the payment is received in the Well Program.

Option 2 – You may mail your payment to the Division of Fiscal Services following the instructions provided with the invoice.

If you have any questions about fee payment, please reach out to Gregory Daivs at Gregory.Davis@tn.gov or by phone at (615) 532-0324.

Once the Division of Water Resources has confirmed that all of the above steps are complete, the Division will send your new license card, operator cards (if appropriate), and vehicle decals to the address noted on your renewal application form via US Postal Service.

 

Applicants and license holders may refer to the following publications for further information:

• TDEC Rule 0400-45-9: Well Licensing Regulations and Well Construction Standards
• TDEC Rule 0400-45-10: Rules of the Board of Groundwater Management
• Tennessee Code Section 69-10-Wells
• Licensed Tennessee Well Drillers and Installers List