NR 146.03(4)(a)(a) Business registration expiration. All business registrations expire each year on December 31 and are not transferable. NR 146.03(4)(b)(b) License and rig operator registration expiration. Except as specified under s. NR 146.04 (1) (d), pump installer licenses, driller licenses, and rig operator registrations expire each year on December 31 and are not transferrable. NR 146.03 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; CR 13-096: am. (title), (1), cr. (2m), am. (3), CR 13-099: am. (title), (1), r. and recr. (2), am. (3), cr. (4) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; s. 35.17 correction in (1) and (3) Register September 2014 No. 705; 2015 Wis. Act 197 s. 35 Register April 2016 No. 724; CR 25-014: r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (a) (intro.), 2., 4., (b) 3. to 5., (c) 1. to 3., 6., (d) (intro.), 2. to 4., 7., (2m) (a) (intro.), 2., (b) (intro.), 3., r. and recr. (4) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26. NR 146.04NR 146.04 Initial applications for licenses or registrations. NR 146.04(1)(a)(a) All new license and registration applications shall be submitted on forms specified by the department for this purpose. An applicant for a water well drilling rig operator registration shall be at least 18 years old. An applicant for a water well driller license shall be at least 20 years old. An applicant for a heat exchange drilling rig operator registration shall be at least 18 years old. An applicant for a heat exchange driller license shall be at least 20 years old. NR 146.04 NoteNote: Pursuant to 29CFR 570.58 and Hazardous Occupations Order #7, persons under the age of eighteen are not lawfully permitted to operate a power-driven hoisting apparatus.
NR 146.04 NoteNote: Specified application forms will require on-line submittal after development of necessary information technology and training during continuing education.
NR 146.04(1)(b)(b) All information on an application shall be complete, true and accurate. The department may request an applicant to provide proof of any information submitted on the application. NR 146.04(1)(c)(c) The department shall conduct review of completed applications within 65 business days. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant. NR 146.04(1)(d)(d) The license or registration shall be effective on the date the license or registration is issued by the department and expires on December 31 of each year, except that licenses and rig operator registrations issued after October 31 and before December 31 shall expire on the December 31 occurring after the license or rig operator registration has been in effect for one year. A licensee or rig operator shall inform the department no later than 15 business days after any changes to the information on the application submitted to the department, including any change in status or ability of the supervisory water well driller, supervisory heat exchange driller, or supervisory pump installer to perform their supervisory responsibilities. NR 146.04(1)(e)(e) A veteran may request a waiver for exemption from first-time license application fees or rig operator registration application fees in accordance with the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44, Stats. NR 146.04(2)(2) Water well driller license. To be eligible for a water well driller license, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(2)(a)(a) Have 2 years of potable water well drilling experience within the last 5 years, under the supervision of a licensed water well driller who provided direct supervision during the construction of the applicant’s first 10 wells listed on the application and at least general supervision on the remaining water wells drilled during the experience period. The name and address of the supervisory water well driller, the dates of apprenticeship, and a description of the activities conducted shall be provided to the department. NR 146.04(2)(b)(b) Have operated the drilling rig performing all the water well drilling activities during the drilling of at least 30 potable wells; or for large-diameter, potable community water supply wells, performed at least 1500 hours of well drilling activities as defined in s. NR 146.02 (10), in 2 years, a minimum of 10 wells or 750 hours each year. The water well drilling experience shall extend throughout the two- or three-year experience period. To fulfill this requirement, all wells drilled by the applicant during the experience period, including those not on the experience voucher, shall be constructed in accordance with all laws and rules and with any plans specifications, variances, and approvals approved by the department, including water samples and report submittal. NR 146.04(2)(cm)(cm) For a period of three months, have provided the department with at least 24-hour notice before starting any water well drilling activities. NR 146.04(2)(d)(d) Submit a completed application. The water well driller license application shall include the name, address and signature of the supervisory water well driller, the dates during which a water well drilling rig operator registration was held, a description of the water well drilling activities performed, the names of well owners, their addresses and phone numbers, the legal descriptions of the locations of the wells, the dates the wells were constructed, the types and hours of activities for which the supervisory water well driller was present, and a recent photo of the applicant operating a well drilling rig during the construction of a water well in which his or her face can be seen clearly. NR 146.04(2)(dm)(dm) If the applicant holds a current heat exchange driller license, the applicant is not required to submit an additional fee to become a licensed water well driller. NR 146.04(2)(e)(e) Have no record of any unlicensed water well drilling activities during the last five years. NR 146.04(2)(f)(f) Have no unresolved violations, judgments, court or administrative orders or settlements from previous water well drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing or property transfer well inspection activities in Wisconsin and have no violations that were repeated following notice from the department, and have no outstanding well construction reports, water samples or well filling and sealing reports from the past five years. NR 146.04(2)(g)(g) Have held a water well drilling rig operator registration during the two- to three-year experience period and attended the department sponsored or department sanctioned continuing education for well drillers during the two- to three-year experience period. NR 146.04(2)(h)(h) Except as provided under pars. (j) and (km), have completed online, classroom, or hands-on coursework approved or sponsored by the department in each of the following subject areas for the specified number of hours: NR 146.04(2)(i)(i) After meeting the requirements under pars. (a) to (h) and receiving a notice of eligibility from the department, submit a license examination application and fee of $50. If the applicant holds a current heat exchange driller license, the applicant is not required to submit an additional application fee to become a licensed water well driller. NR 146.04(2)(im)(im) Demonstrate competency to engage in the business of water well drilling by passing an examination administered under s. NR 146.045. NR 146.04 NoteNote: Exam topics may include scope of department rules, water well construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and locational requirements as well as sampling and reporting requirements. The department will solicit exam topics and questions from licensed water well drillers.
NR 146.04(2)(j)(j) In lieu of completing the coursework under par. (h) 2., an applicant may pass the NGWA exams on Rotary Mud and Rotary Air Drilling. NR 146.04(2)(km)(km) In lieu of completing the coursework under par. (h) 7., provide verification of welding certification within the past 5 years or pass a butt joint, pipe-to-pipe weld performance qualification test in the 2G position administered by a certified welding inspector (CWI) to AWS B2.1-1-201:2019 Standard Welding Procedure Specification, which is incorporated by reference for this chapter. NR 146.04 NoteNote: Copies of AWS B2.1-1-201:2019 Standard Welding Procedure Specification are on file with the legislative reference bureau and available from the American Welding Society’s website at www.aws.org. NR 146.04(2)(L)(L) Meet with a department staff member to review and sign a list of compliance expectations. The applicant will receive the license at the conclusion of the meeting. NR 146.04(2m)(2m) Void applications; water well driller. If the applicant fails to take and pass the examination under sub. (2) (i) within 2 years of receiving a notice of eligibility from the department, the application becomes void. NR 146.04(3)(3) Pump installer license. To be eligible for a pump installer license an individual applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(3)(a)(a) Have no unresolved violations, judgments, court or administrative orders or settlements from previous water well drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing or property transfer well inspection activities in Wisconsin, have no violations that were repeated following notice from the department and have no outstanding water samples or well filling and sealing reports from the past five years. NR 146.04(3)(b)(b) Submit a license examination application and fee of $25 to the department. NR 146.04(3)(c)(c) After meeting the requirements under pars. (a) and (b) and receiving a notice of eligibility from the department, demonstrate competency to engage in the business of pump installing by passing an examination administered under s. NR 146.045. NR 146.04 NoteNote: Exam topics may include scope of department rules, well location and pump installation requirements and sampling and reporting requirements. The department will solicit exam topics and questions from licensed pump installers.
NR 146.04(3)(d)(d) Submit a license application fee of $25 to the department. NR 146.04(3)(e)(e) If requested by the department, meet with a department staff member to review and sign a list of compliance expectations. The applicant will receive the license at the conclusion of the meeting. NR 146.04(3m)(3m) Void applications; pump installer. If a pump installer applicant fails to pass an examination under sub. (3) (c) within one year of submitting an examination application, the application shall become void. NR 146.04(4)(a)(a) All persons engaging in the business of water well drilling in Wisconsin shall obtain a business registration for each place of business or retail outlet. NR 146.04(4)(b)(b) To be eligible for a business registration to engage in the business of water well drilling, the business applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(4)(b)2.2. The licensed water well driller under subd. 1. is available to provide adequate general and direct supervision of water well drilling activities and has signed a certificate of supervision for the water well drilling business registration as part of the application. NR 146.04(4)(b)3.3. The licensed water well driller and any registered business for which the driller is or was the supervisory water well driller shall have a pattern of practice that complies with water well drilling, well filling and sealing, and property transfer well inspection laws and rules. NR 146.04(4)(b)4.4. The licensed water well driller and any registered business for which the water well driller is or was the supervisory water well driller may not have any of the following: NR 146.04(4)(b)4.a.a. Unresolved violations, judgments, or court or administrative orders or settlements from previous water well drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspection activities. NR 146.04(4)(b)4.c.c. Outstanding well construction reports, water samples, or well filling and sealing reports from the past 5 years. NR 146.04(4)(b)5.5. The licensed water well driller has previous water well drilling experience with the drilling method, grouting method, and type of machine that will be used by the business registration applicant. NR 146.04(4)(c)(c) A completed business registration application for each place of business or retail outlet, signed by both the designated supervisory water well driller and the owner of the business, shall be submitted by the applicant to the department with the $50 application fee. NR 146.04(4)(d)(d) If requested by the department, the business owner shall meet with a department staff member to review and sign a list of compliance expectations. The business owner will receive the registration at the conclusion of the meeting. NR 146.04(4)(e)(e) If the applicant holds a current heat exchange drilling business registration, the applicant is not required to submit an additional fee to become a registered water well drilling business. NR 146.04(4m)(4m) Supervisory water well driller responsibilities. The supervisory water well driller is responsible for ensuring that potable well drilling and water well filling and sealing work performed by the business and the business’s employees, contractors, and subcontractors is conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and rules and with any plans, specifications, variances, and approvals approved by the department. The supervisory water well driller may be held legally and financially responsible for any corrections needed to noncomplying potable well drilling work or noncomplying water well filling and sealing work. The registered water well drilling business may also be held responsible for such corrections. The supervisory water well driller shall have specific knowledge of work to be performed in advance of the potable well drilling and water well filling and sealing activities of all persons under their supervision. NR 146.04(5)(a)(a) All persons engaging in the business of pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspections in Wisconsin shall obtain a business registration for each place of business or retail outlet. NR 146.04(5)(b)(b) To be eligible for a business registration to engage in the business of pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspections, the business applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(5)(b)2.2. The licensed pump installer under par. (a) is available to provide adequate general and direct supervision of pump installing activities and has signed a certificate of supervision for the pump installing business registration as part of the application. NR 146.04(5)(b)3.3. The licensed pump installer and any registered business for which the pump installer is or was the supervisory pump installer shall have a pattern of practice that complies with pump installing, well filling and sealing, and property transfer well inspection laws and rules. NR 146.04(5)(b)4.4. The licensed pump installer and any registered business for which the pump installer is or was the supervisory pump installer may not have any of the following: NR 146.04(5)(b)4.a.a. Unresolved violations, judgments, or court or administrative orders or settlements from previous water well drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspection activities. NR 146.04(5)(b)4.c.c. Outstanding water samples or water well filling and sealing reports from the past 5 years. NR 146.04(5)(c)(c) A completed business registration application, signed by the supervisory pump installer and the owner of the business, shall be submitted by the business owner to the department with a $25 application fee for each place of business or retail outlet. NR 146.04(5)(d)(d) If requested by the department, the business owner shall meet with a department staff member to review and sign a list of compliance expectations. The business owner will receive the business registration at the conclusion of the meeting. NR 146.04(6)(6) Supervisory pump installer responsibilities. The supervisory pump installer is responsible for ensuring that potable pump installing and water well filling and sealing work performed by the business and by the business’s employees, contractors, and subcontractors is conducted in compliance with all applicable laws and rules and with any plans, specifications, variances, or approvals approved by the department. The supervisory pump installer may be held legally and financially responsible for any corrections needed to noncomplying potable pump installations and noncomplying water well filling and sealing work. The registered pump installing business may also be held responsible for such corrections. The supervisory pump installer shall have specific knowledge of work to be performed in advance of the potable pump installing activities and water well filling and sealing work of all persons under their supervision. NR 146.04(8)(8) Water well drilling rig operator registration. NR 146.04(8)(a)(a) To be eligible to become a registered water well drilling rig operator, the applicant shall have no unresolved violations, judgments, court or administrative orders, or settlements from previous water well drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing or property transfer well inspection activities in Wisconsin, shall have no outstanding well construction reports, water samples or well filling and sealing reports from the past five years and shall not have engaged in the business of well drilling without a license within the past two years. NR 146.04(8)(b)(b) An individual who seeks registration as a water well drilling rig operator shall apply to the department on a form specified by the department. The application shall be signed by the supervisory water well driller. The applicant shall include an application fee of $25. If the individual has a current heat exchange drilling rig operator registration in effect, the applicant does not need to submit an additional fee to become a registered water well drilling rig operator. NR 146.04(8)(bg)(bg) A water well drilling rig operator registration is not valid unless the rig operator is employed by a licensed water well driller or a drilling business registered for the type of drilling designation held by the rig operator. NR 146.04(8)(br)(br) A water well drilling rig operator registration expires if the individual becomes a licensed water well driller. NR 146.04(8)(c)(c) In order to retain registration as a water well drilling rig operator, an individual shall comply with the requirements for continuing education under s. NR 146.07 (3). The individual shall apply for registration renewal and pay a fee of $25 annually on or before January 1. The renewal application shall be signed by the supervisory water well driller. NR 146.04(8)(d)(d) An individual who files an application for registration renewal or who pays the required annual fee after January 1 shall pay a late penalty of $15. NR 146.04(8)(e)(e) Registered water well drilling rig operators may not engage in the business of water well drilling, except for performing water well drilling activities.
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