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. NR 146.04(8)(f)(f) An individual who is not a licensed water well driller or a registered water well drilling rig operator may only perform well drilling activities if the individual is employed by a licensed well driller or a registered water well drilling business and the individual is under the direct supervision of a licensed water well driller or a registered water well drilling rig operator who is on site during all water well drilling activities. NR 146.04(9)(a)(a) To be eligible to take the examination for a heat exchange driller license, an applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(9)(a)1.1. Has been a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator for at least 2 years within the 5 years before the date of applying for a heat exchange driller license. NR 146.04(9)(a)2.2. Within the 5 years immediately prior to the date of applying for a heat exchange driller license, has completed a minimum of 10 heat exchange drilling projects totaling at least 5,000 feet of heat exchange pressure grouted drillhole or has completed a minimum of 30 pressure grouted wells including a minimum of 2,500 feet of pressure grouted casing. Nonpotable pressure grouted wells, including pressure grouted environmental monitoring wells constructed under ch. NR 141, qualify toward the requirements of this subdivision. Experience obtained in a formal degree or apprenticeship program approved in advance by the department may qualify toward the requirements of this subdivision. NR 146.04 NoteNote: The department will maintain a list of formal degree or apprenticeship programs providing experience that meets the requirements of this subdivision.
NR 146.04(9)(a)3.3. Was the individual who operated the drilling rig performing all the heat exchange well drilling activities during the period of the drilling experience under subd. 2. To fulfill this requirement all heat exchange drillholes included on the application shall be constructed in accordance with all laws and rules including reporting, and any department-approved plans, specifications, variances and approvals. NR 146.04(9)(a)4.4. Submit a completed application that includes the following information regarding the heat exchange drilling experience under subd. 2.: the name, address and signature of the supervisory heat exchange driller, the dates during which a heat exchange drilling rig operator registration was held, a description of the heat exchange drilling activities performed, the names of well owners, their addresses and phone numbers, the legal descriptions of the locations of the heat exchange drillholes, the dates the heat exchange drillholes were constructed, the types and hours of activities for which the supervisory heat exchange driller was present, and a recent photo of the applicant operating a heat exchange or water well drilling rig in which the applicant’s face can be seen clearly. NR 146.04(9)(a)5.5. For a period of 3 months, has provided the department with at least 24-hour notice before starting any heat exchange drilling activities. NR 146.04(9)(a)6.6. Has no record of unlicensed heat exchange drilling activities within the last 5 years. NR 146.04(9)(a)7.7. Has no unresolved violations, judgments, court or administrative orders or settlements from previous heat exchange drilling activities in Wisconsin and has no violations that were repeated following notice from the department. NR 146.04(9)(a)8.8. Has attended the department sponsored or department sanctioned continuing education for heat exchange drillers during the experience period under subd. 1. NR 146.04(9)(a)9.9. Except as provided under subd. 9m., has 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(9)(a)9m.9m. In lieu of completing the coursework under subd. 9. b., an applicant may pass the National Groundwater Association examinations on rotary mud and rotary air drilling. NR 146.04(9)(b)(b) After meeting the requirements under par. (a) and receiving a notice of eligibility from the department, the applicant shall submit a license examination application and fee of $50. If the applicant holds a current water well driller license, the applicant is not required to submit an additional application fee to become a licensed heat exchange driller. NR 146.04(9)(cg)(cg) The appliclant shall demonstrate competency to engage in the business of heat exchange drilling by passing an examination administered under s. NR 146.045. NR 146.04 NoteNote: The department will solicit exam topics and questions from licensed heat exchange drillers.
NR 146.04(9)(cr)(cr) The applicant shall 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(9)(d)(d) If the applicant fails to take and pass the exam under par. (cg) within 2 years of receiving a notice of eligibility from the department, the application is void. NR 146.04(10)(a)(a) All persons engaging in the business of heat exchange drilling are required to obtain a business registration for each place of business or retail outlet. NR 146.04(10)(b)(b) To be eligible for a business registration to engage in the business of heat exchange drilling, the applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: NR 146.04(10)(b)2.2. The licensed heat exchange driller under subd. 1. is available to provide adequate general and direct supervision of heat exchange drilling activities and has signed a certificate of supervision for the heat exchange drilling business registration as part of the application. NR 146.04(10)(b)3.3. The licensed heat exchange driller and any registered business for which the heat exchange driller is or was the supervisory heat exchange driller have a pattern of practice that complies with heat exchange drilling laws and rules. NR 146.04(10)(b)4.4. The licensed heat exchange driller and any registered business for which the heat exchange driller is or was the supervisory heat exchange driller may not have any of the following: NR 146.04(10)(b)4.a.a. Unresolved violations, judgments, or court or administrative orders or settlements related to water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, or heat exchange drillhole filling and sealing activities. NR 146.04(10)(b)4.c.c. Outstanding well construction reports, water samples, or well filling and sealing reports from the past 5 years. NR 146.04(10)(b)5.5. The licensed heat exchange driller has previous heat exchange drilling experience with the drilling methods, grouting methods, and types of machines that will be used by the business registration applicant. NR 146.04(10)(c)(c) A completed business registration application for each place of business or retail outlet, signed by both the supervisory heat exchange driller and the owner of the business, shall be submitted by the applicant to the department with the $50 registration fee. If the applicant holds a current registration to engage in the business of water well drilling, the applicant is not required to submit an additional fee to become registered to engage in the business of heat exchange drilling. NR 146.04(10)(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(10m)(10m) Supervisory heat exchange driller responsibilities. The supervisory heat exchange driller is responsible for ensuring that heat exchange drilling and heat exchange drillhole 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, or approvals approved by the department. The supervisory heat exchange driller may be held legally and financially responsible for any corrections needed to noncomplying heat exchange work or noncomplying heat exchange drillhole filling and sealing work. The registered heat exchange drilling business may also be held responsible for such corrections. The supervisory heat exchange driller shall have specific knowledge of work to be performed in advance of the heat exchange drilling and filling and sealing activities of all persons under their supervision. NR 146.04(11)(11) Heat exchange drilling rig operator registration. NR 146.04(11)(a)(a) To be eligible to become a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator, the applicant shall have no unresolved violations, judgments, court or administrative orders or settlements from previous water well drilling, heat exchange drilling or filling and sealing activities in Wisconsin, shall have no outstanding well construction reports, water samples or filling and sealing reports from the past five years and shall not have engaged in the business of drilling without a license within the past two years. NR 146.04(11)(b)(b) An individual who seeks registration as a heat exchange drilling rig operator shall apply to the department on a form specified by the department. The application shall be signed by a supervisory heat exchange driller. The individual shall include an application fee of $25. If the individual has a current water well drilling rig operator registration in effect, the applicant does not need to submit an additional fee to become a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator. NR 146.04(11)(bg)(bg) A heat exchange drilling rig operator registration is not valid unless the rig operator is employed by a licensed heat exchange driller or a drilling business registered for the type of drilling designation held by the rig operator. NR 146.04(11)(br)(br) A heat exchange drilling rig operator registration expires if the individual becomes a licensed heat exchange driller. NR 146.04(11)(c)(c) In order to retain registration as a heat exchange 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 a supervisory heat exchange driller. If the individual has paid the fee for a water well drilling rig operator registration renewal for the same calendar year, the applicant does not need to submit an additional fee to renew the heat exchange drilling rig operator registration. NR 146.04(11)(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(11)(e)(e) Registered heat exchange drilling rig operators may not engage in the business of heat exchange drilling, except for performing heat exchange drilling activities. NR 146.04(11)(f)(f) An individual who is not a licensed heat exchange driller or a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator may only perform heat exchange drilling if the individual is employed by a licensed heat exchange driller or a registered heat exchange drilling business and is under the direct supervision of a licensed heat exchange driller or a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator who is on site during all heat exchange well drilling activities. NR 146.04 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; CR 13-096: am. (1) (a), (d), cr. (2) (dm), (4) (e), (9) to (11), CR 13-099: am. (title), (1) (a), (b), (d), (2) (title), (intro.), (a), (b), renum. (2) (c) to (i) and am., cr. (2) (cm), am. (2) (d), cr. (2) (e) to (h), (j) to (L), (2m), am. (3) (title), (intro.), renum. (3) (a) to (c) and am., cr. (3) (a), am. (3) (b), cr. (3) (d), (e), (3m), r. and recr. (4), cr. (4e), (4m) to (8) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in numbering in (2) (dm), (4) (e), (9) to (11) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., correction in titles in (2m), (3m), (4m), (6), (7m), (10m) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., Register September 2014 No. 705; 2015 Wis. Act 197 s. 36 Register April 2016 No. 724; EmR2123: emerg. cr. (1) (e), am. (2) (i), (2m), (3) (c), (3m), (9) (b), (c), eff. 8-21-21; CR 21-068: cr. (1) (e), am. (2) (i), (2m), (3) (c), (3m), (9) (b), (c) Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5-1-22; correction in (9) (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register April 2022 No. 796; CR 25-014: am. (1) (a), (d), (e), (2) (intro.), (a), (h) (intro.), 1., 2., 4., 6., r. (2) (h) 5., am. (2) (i), cr. (2) (im), r. (2) (k), cr. (2) (km), am. (3) (b), (c), (4) (title), (b) 1. a. to d., 2., 3., renum. (4) (b) 4. to (4) (b) (intro.) and am., am. (4) (b) 5., (c), (e), (4m), (5) (title), (b) 1. a. to d., 2., 3., renum. (5) (b) 4. to (5) (b) 4. (intro.) and am., am. (5) (c), (6), r. (7), am. (8) (b), cr. (8) (bg), (br), am. (8) (c), (f), (9) (a) (intro.), 1., 2., 5., 6., r. and recr. (9) (a) 9., cr. (9) (a) 9m., renum. (9) (a) 10. to (9) (cr), r. and recr. (9) (b), r. (9) (c), cr. (9) (cg), am. (10) (title), (a), (b) 1. a. to d., 2., 3., renum. (10) (b) 4. to (10) (b) 4. (intro.) and am., am. (10) (b) 5., (c), (10m), (11) (b), cr. (11) (bg), (br), am. (11) (c), (f) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26; correction in (3) (c), (9) (a) (intro.), (11) (bg) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., correction in (9) (d), (10) (b) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., and correction in (8) (c), (9) (a) 5., (b), (cg), (cr), (m), (11) (c) made under s. 35.17, Stats., February 2026 No. 842. NR 146.045NR 146.045 Examination administration, application, and fees. NR 146.045(1)(1) Administration. The department shall administer examinations required under this chapter. The department may contract with an external organization to provide examinations. The department may conduct examinations on a case-by-case basis when necessary to accommodate applicants' needs. An organization under contract to provide examinations may charge fees to cover the cost of providing any examination under this section as allowed under its contract with the department. Examination results shall be made available to an applicant within 30 days of the examination date. NR 146.045(2)(2) Application. An eligible applicant shall apply for an examination using a form prepared by the department and submit the fees specified under sub. (3). Applications and fees shall be submitted to the department no later than 10 business days prior to the examination date. An applicant that does not achieve a passing score may apply to the department to retake an examination. NR 146.045(3)(3) Examination fees. In addition to application fees paid to the department, an applicant shall also pay any examination fees charged by an organization contracted under sub. (1). Fees may not be refunded to an applicant who fails to pass an examination, who fails to appear to take the examination, or who fails to identify themselves upon request. NR 146.045 HistoryHistory: EmR2123: emerg. cr., eff. 8-21-21; CR 21-068: cr. Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5-1-22; CR 25-014: am. (1), (3) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26; correction in (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2026 No 842. NR 146.05NR 146.05 License and registration conditions and emeritus. NR 146.05(1)(1) Conditions. The department may condition a license, registration, or renewal issued under this chapter based on the experience, qualifications, equipment, and compliance history of the applicant or the applicant’s supervisory pump installer, supervisory water well driller, or supervisory heat exchange driller. Conditions that may be imposed by the department include restriction of water well drilling or heat exchange drilling to specific methods, equipment, or geologic formations, or advance notification to the department of drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspection activities. NR 146.05 NoteNote: A notification condition may be fulfilled by a water well driller or pump installer by telephoning, e-mailing, or faxing the notification to the office of the designated department employee.
NR 146.05(2)(2) Emeritus status. A licensed water well driller, heat exchange driller, or pump installer in good standing may request to be listed with the department as an emeritus individual if the water well driller, heat exchange driller, or pump installer is no longer engaged in the business for which a license was obtained. An emeritus individual is not required to earn the continuing education credits described under s. NR 146.07 and shall continue to receive codes, bulletins, or other documents prepared and distributed by the department. If an emeritus individual has not earned the annual continuing education requirements during the years for which the license was in emeritus status but wishes to reactivate his or her license to engage in water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspections, the individual must pass the appropriate exam. An individual in emeritus status is not eligible to be a supervisory water well driller, supervisory heat exchange driller, or supervisory pump installer. NR 146.05 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; CR 13-096: am. (title), (1), (2), CR 13-099: am. (title), (1), (2) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; 2015 Wis. Act 197 s. 37 Register April 2016 No. 724; CR 25-014: am. Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26. NR 146.06NR 146.06 Out-of-state water well drillers. A water well driller that holds a license to drill potable wells in states other than Wisconsin is eligible to obtain a Wisconsin water well driller license if all of the following requirements are met: NR 146.06(1)(1) The department determines that the water well drilling construction standards and licensing laws and rules in effect at the time of licensure in at least one of the states in which the applicant is currently licensed were substantially similar to Wisconsin’s. NR 146.06(2)(2) The applicant is in good standing in all states in which the applicant is or was licensed or registered to drill potable wells. NR 146.06(3)(3) The applicant demonstrates competency to engage in the business of potable well drilling in Wisconsin by passing an examination administered under s. NR 146.045. NR 146.06(4)(4) The applicant completes an application which is true and accurate and submits it with an application fee of $50 to the department. NR 146.06(5)(5) The applicant meets 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 146.06 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; CR 13-099: am. (1) to (4), cr. (5) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in (3) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2014 No. 705; EmR2123; emerg. am. (3), eff. 8-21-21; CR 21-068: am. (3) Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5-1-22; CR 25-014: am. (intro.) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26. NR 146.065NR 146.065 Out-of-state heat exchange drillers. A heat exchange driller that holds a license to construct heat exchange drillholes in states other than Wisconsin is eligible to obtain a Wisconsin heat exchange driller license if all of the following requirements are met: NR 146.065(1)(1) The department determines that the heat exchange well drilling construction standards and licensing laws and rules in effect at the time the applicant was licensed in at least one of the states in which the applicant is currently licensed were substantially similar to Wisconsin’s. NR 146.065(2)(2) The applicant is in good standing in all states in which the applicant is or was licensed or registered to drill heat exchange drillholes. NR 146.065(3)(3) The applicant demonstrates competency to engage in the business of heat exchange drilling in Wisconsin by passing an examination administered under s. NR 146.045. NR 146.065(4)(4) The applicant submits a completed application which is true and accurate and an application fee of $50 to the department. If the applicant holds a current Wisconsin water well driller license the applicant does not need to submit an additional fee to become a Wisconsin licensed heat exchange driller. NR 146.065 HistoryHistory: CR 13-096: cr. Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in numbering made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register September 2014 No. 705; EmR2123: emerg. am. (3), eff. 8-21-21; CR 21-068: am. (3) Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5-1-22; CR 25-014: am. (intro.) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26. NR 146.07(1)(a)(a) Submittal and fees. To renew a license or registration, the licensee or registrant shall submit a true and complete renewal application online or by mail to the department on or before January 1 of each year. The department may require that proof of compliance with continuing education credit requirements under sub. (3) be submitted with the renewal application. A renewal application fee of $50 is required for each water well driller or heat exchange driller license or registration; $25 is required for each pump installer license or registration; or $25 is required for each water well drilling or heat exchange drilling rig operator registration. Only one $50 fee is required if a licensee holds both a water well driller and heat exchange driller license. Only one $50 fee is required if a registrant holds both a water well drilling and heat exchange drilling registration. Only one $25 fee is required if a rig operator holds both a water well drilling rig operator registration and a heat exchange drilling rig operator registration.
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