Chapter NR 146

NR 146.07(1)(b) (b) Online renewal requirement. Except as allowed under par. (c), applications shall be submitted and processed online using the portal provided by the department. This requirement first applies to a license or registration renewal application submitted following March 2, 2027.

NR 146.07(1)(c) (c) Online renewal exemption and requirements for renewal by mail.

NR 146.07(1)(c)1. 1. Starting with the 2027 calendar year, and each year thereafter, a licensee, rig operator, or business registrant may submit a written request to the department for exemption from required online renewal application submittal and processing. An applicant requesting an exemption shall submit the request by mail or electronically from January 1 to July 31 of the applicable calendar year. The request shall include a detailed explanation of circumstances beyond the applicant’s control that prevent online renewal application submittal and processing. The department shall review exemption requests and make a discretionary approval determination within 15 business days of receipt.

NR 146.07(1)(c)2. 2. An applicant with an approved exemption request shall complete all required annual continuing education attendance and have all required annual attendance allocated to the department database no later than October 1 of the applicable calendar year. If all required annual continuing education attendance is not allocated to the department database by October 1, the exemption from required online renewal is revoked.

NR 146.07(1)(c)3. 3. By October 15 of each calendar year, the department shall mail paper renewal application forms to online-exempt applicants who had continuing education attendance allocated before October 1. Paper renewal applications submitted to the department shall be postmarked no later than December 1. The department shall review paper renewal applications within 15 business days of receipt. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant. An application is considered incomplete if received with incorrect fee payment or missing signatures. Any paper application submitted or resubmitted to the department with a postmark later than December 1 shall be returned with fee payment to the applicant.

NR 146.07(1)(c)4. 4. Exemptions from the online renewal requirement expire on December 1 each year. Applicants may reapply for an exemption each calendar year.

NR 146.07(1)(d) (d) Late renewal penalty. Beginning in 2028 and each year thereafter, a late penalty of $15 is required for each license or registration renewal that is submitted and processed online after January 1.

NR 146.07(1)(e) (e) Effective date. A renewal is effective on the date the licensee, rig operator, or business registrant receives the renewed license or registration from the department and expires on December 31 of each year.

NR 146.07(1)(g) (g) Supervisor signature required for rig operator registration renewal. The renewal application for a registered drilling rig operator shall be signed by the supervisory water well driller or supervisory heat exchange driller. The required supervisor signature may be provided through the online renewal portal when a supervisor’s license is renewed online. The supervisor acknowledges their supervisory designation and provides the signature required for rig operator registration renewal by checking the box provided at the online renewal portal for that purpose.

NR 146.07(1)(h) (h) Supervisor signature required for business registration renewal. The renewal application for a business registrant shall be signed by the supervisory driller or the supervisory pump installer. The required supervisor signature may be provided through the online renewal portal when a supervisor’s license is renewed online. The supervisor acknowledges their supervisory designation and provides the signature required for business registrant renewal by checking the box provided at the online renewal portal for that purpose.

NR 146.07(1)(j) (j) Certificate of supervision. The department may require a registrant and the registrant’s supervisory pump installer, supervisory water well driller, or supervisory heat exchange driller to complete and submit an updated certificate of supervision with a renewal application.

NR 146.07(2) (2) Eligibility.

NR 146.07(2)(a) (a) Continuing education attendance. Only individuals who have met continuing education attendance requirements of this section are eligible to apply to renew a license or registration for the calendar year that follows the date of license or registration expiration.

NR 146.07(2)(b) (b) Expiration without eligibility for renewal. An expired license or expired rig operator registration may not be renewed if any of the following occurs:

NR 146.07(2)(b)1. 1. Failure to fulfill continuing education attendance requirements under sub. (3).

NR 146.07(2)(b)2. 2. Failure to renew a license or rig operator registration within one year of expiration.

NR 146.07(2)(b)3. 3. A department of revenue hold placed on renewal of a license or rig operator registration that is not resolved within one year of expiration.

NR 146.07(2)(b)4. 4. A department of children and families hold placed on renewal of a license or rig operator registration that is not resolved within one year of expiration.

NR 146.07(2)(b)5. 5. Suspension lasting longer than one calendar year.

NR 146.07(2)(c) (c) Reinstatement following expiration without renewal eligibility. If a license or registration is not renewed because of the reasons under par. (b), the individual whose license or registration is not renewed must take and pass the appropriate exam and comply with s. NR 146.04 (9) (a) 7. to become licensed again.

NR 146.07(2)(d) (d) Loss of driller license examination eligibility. If a water well driller or heat exchange driller license is not renewed for 5 or more years, the applicant shall lose license examination eligibility. To reinstate the water well driller or heat exchange driller license, the applicant shall meet prerequisite license examination eligibility requirements in effect at the time of reinstatement.

NR 146.07(2)(e) (e) Supervisor eligibility required for registrant renewal. In order for a registrant to be eligible for renewal, the registrant’s supervisory pump installer, supervisory water well driller, or supervisory heat exchange driller shall have met the continuing education attendance requirements of this section.

NR 146.07(3) (3) Continuing education.

NR 146.07(3)(a) (a) Attendance. Each calendar year, licensed and registered individuals are required to earn 6 continuing education credits by attending continuing education sessions sponsored or sanctioned by the department. One credit of continuing education is earned for each hour in attendance at training sponsored or sanctioned by the department. Continuing education credits shall be earned and allocated to the department database before December 31 of each year, except that persons who have been granted an exemption from online renewal under sub. (1) (c) shall complete all required annual continuing education attendance requirements and have all required annual continuing education credits allocated to the department database by October 1 of the applicable calendar year.

NR 146.07(3)(b) (b) Grace period. Starting with the 2027 calendar year, and each year thereafter, a licensee or registrant may complete continuing education attendance requirements within a 6-month grace period following license or registration expiration. During the grace period, the license or registration is expired and may be renewed under sub. (1) when continuing education attendance requirements are completed for the previous calendar year. Six additional hours of continuing education attendance shall be required to fulfill renewal eligibility requirements for the next calendar year.

NR 146.07(3)(c) (c) Exemption for a first-time licensee or rig operator.

NR 146.07(3)(c)1. 1. Except as provided under subd. 2., continuing education attendance is not required for renewal eligibility during the first calendar year in which an individual becomes licensed or obtains registration as a rig operator for the first time.

NR 146.07(3)(c)2. 2. A rig operator who intends to apply for a driller license shall meet continuing education requirements in the first calendar year of registration in order for the first year’s drilling experience to apply towards prerequisite license application requirements of this chapter.

NR 146.07(3)(d) (d) Training topics. Starting with the 2027 calendar year, and each year thereafter, applicants shall earn a total of at least 6 credits from the following training topics for the applicable license or registration:

NR 146.07(3)(d)1. 1. ‘Licensed pump installer.’ For a licensed pump installer:

NR 146.07(3)(d)1.a. a. Training related to code compliance - 1 credit.

NR 146.07(3)(d)1.b. b. Training specific to pump installing - 3 credits.

NR 146.07(3)(d)1.c. c. Training specific to water well drilling, business practice, safety and first aid, or additional training on the topics specified under subd. 1. a. or b. - 2 or more credits.

NR 146.07(3)(d)2. 2. ‘Licensed water well driller or registered water well drilling rig operator.’ For a licensed water well driller or registered water well drilling rig operator:

NR 146.07(3)(d)2.a. a. Training related to code compliance - 1 credit.

NR 146.07(3)(d)2.b. b. Training specific to water well drilling - 3 credits.

NR 146.07(3)(d)2.c. c. Training specific to heat exchange drilling, pump installing, business practice, safety and first aid, or additional training on the topics specified under subd. 2. a. or b. - 2 or more credits.

NR 146.07(3)(d)3. 3. ‘Licensed heat exchange driller or registered heat exchange drilling rig operator.’ For a licensed heat exchange driller or registered heat exchange drilling rig operator:

NR 146.07(3)(d)3.a. a. Training related to code compliance - 1 credit.

NR 146.07(3)(d)3.b. b. Training specific to heat exchange drilling - 3 credits.

NR 146.07(3)(d)3.c. c. Training specific to water well drilling, business practice, safety and first aid, or additional training on the topics specified under subd. 3. a. or b. - 2 or more credits.

NR 146.07 Note Note: The department will consult with water well drillers, heat exchange drillers, and pump installers in developing continuing education programs. One of the department sponsored continuing education sessions for water well drillers and pump installers will be held in conjunction with the annual Wisconsin Water Well Association conference.

NR 146.07(4) (4) Engaging in business. A person applying for a renewal under this section may not engage in the business of water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing, or property transfer well inspections after a license or registration has expired until the person receives a renewed license or registration from the department.

NR 146.07 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; am. (3) (a) and r. (3) (b), (c) and (d), Register, February, 1991, No. 422, eff. 3-1-91; CR 13-096: am. (1) (a), (b), (e), cr. (1) (f) to (j), r. and recr. (2), am. (3), (4), CR 13-099: am. (1) (a), (b), (e), cr. (1) (f) to (j), r. and recr. (2), am. (3), (4) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in (2) (b), (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register September 2014 No. 705; 2015 Wis. Act 197 s. 38 Register April 2016 No. 724; CR 25-014: am. (1) (a), (b), r. and recr. (1) (c), am. (1) (d), (e), r. (1) (f), r. and recr. (1) (g), am. (1) (h), r. (1) (i), am. (1) (j), (2) (a), r. and recr. (2) (b) (intro.), am. (2) (b) 1. to 4., cr. (2) (c) (title), am. (2) (d), (e), renum. (3) to (3) (a) and am., cr. (3) (b) to (d), am. (4) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26; correction in (1) (a), (2) (b) (intro.), (3) (d) (intro.), 1. (intro.), a., 2. (intro.), a., 3. (intro.), a. made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction in (2) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 12., Stats., Register February 2026 No. 842.

NR 146.08 NR 146.08 Licensee and registrant responsibilities. A licensee, drilling rig operator registrant, or business registrant shall do all of the following that are applicable to the person’s license or registration:

NR 146.08(1) (1) Perform work in compliance with, and ensure that work performed under their supervision is conducted in compliance with, all applicable laws and rules and with any plans specifications, variances, and approvals approved by the department; and perform work in a sanitary manner.

NR 146.08(2) (2) Upgrade any noncomplying water well, heat exchange drillhole, or pump installation feature on which work is performed. The upgrade shall comply with the laws and rules and with any plans, specifications, variances, and approvals approved by the department in effect at the time the upgrade is performed. Water well drillers shall be responsible for corrections relating to well location, construction, and reconstruction. Heat exchange drillers shall be responsible for corrections relating to drillhole location, construction, and reconstruction. Pump installers shall be responsible for corrections relating to the pump installation. A form provided by the department shall be completed for other noncomplying water system features that are apparent and known, with the exception of subs. (9) to (13).

NR 146.08(3) (3) Complete any corrections ordered by the department for any water well construction, heat exchange drilling, pump installation or filling and sealing on which the licensee or registrant performed work, supervised work or signed a well construction report. Water well drillers shall be responsible for corrections relating to well location, construction and reconstruction. Heat exchange drillers shall be responsible for corrections relating to the construction of heat exchange drillholes. Pump installers shall be responsible for corrections relating to the pump installation. Water well drillers, heat exchange drillers, and pump installers shall be held responsible for correcting their well or drillhole filling and sealing violations.

NR 146.08(4) (4) Submit any report or form required to be submitted by applicable laws and rules and by any plans, specifications, variances, and approvals or orders in the time period required and notify the department of any change in information submitted on water well driller, heat exchange driller, or pump installer license, registration and renewal applications. Reports and forms shall be complete, true and accurate.

NR 146.08(5) (5) Clearly identify the name and license or registration number of the supervisory pump installer, supervisory water well driller, supervisory heat exchange driller, or the registrant in all advertising, estimates, invoices, and receipts and on any water well drilling rig, heat exchange drilling rig, pump installation truck, or similar equipment. The identification of equipment shall be at least 2 inches in height. The identification shall have a sharp color contrast with the background on which it is applied and be legible from a distance of 50 feet away during daylight hours while equipment is stationary. The identification shall remain legible and shall be maintained without deterioration.

NR 146.08(6) (6) Refuse to contract for water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing or filling and sealing for, or lease or lend water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing or water well filling and sealing equipment to, an unlicensed individual or unregistered person without having an employee/employer relationship and without directly supervising the water well drilling, pump installing, or filling and sealing activities of the unlicensed individual or unregistered person.

NR 146.08(7) (7) Refuse to contract for water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing or filling and sealing for, or lease or lend water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing or filling and sealing equipment to, an individual or person whose license or registration was suspended or revoked, without having an employee/employer relationship and without directly supervising the drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing, or filling and sealing activities of the individual or person whose license or registration has been suspended or revoked.

NR 146.08(8) (8) A supervisory water well driller shall provide direct supervision of the first 10 water wells drilled by any employee or individual under their supervision if the employee or individual has no water well drilling experience or has no experience in a water well drilling method or grouting method to be used by the employee or individual.

NR 146.08(8m) (8m) A supervisory heat exchange driller shall provide direct supervision of the first 10 heat exchange drillholes drilled by any employee or individual under their supervision if the employee or individual has no heat exchange drilling experience or has no experience in a heat exchange drilling method or grouting method to be used by the employee or individual.

NR 146.08(9) (9) Before extending any well casing pipe out of a pit, or deepening a well constructed by another individual, the well driller or the pump installer shall measure the well casing pipe depth to verify that the casing depth complies with the code in effect at the time the well casing was installed. Well details, including location, well casing pipe depth, total well depth, distances to possible contaminant sources and well owner information shall be entered on a form and submitted to the department in accordance with s. NR 812.27 (12).

NR 146.08(10) (10) When doing any pump work involving replacement of the pressure tank or work involving the water supply piping inside the basement or building, upstream of the pressure tank, the pump installer shall install a complying sample faucet if one is missing, or replace any sample faucet that does not comply with the requirements of s. NR 812.34, including replacement of any threaded sample faucet with a sample faucet without threads.

NR 146.08(11) (11) When doing any water well work or pump installing work that involves entry into a well located outside a building, the water well driller or pump installer shall extend the well casing pipe in accordance with the requirements of s. NR 812.42 to at least:

NR 146.08(11)(a) (a) 12 inches above grade for any well that is less than 8 inches above grade and was installed before February 1, 1991.

NR 146.08(11)(b) (b) 12 inches above grade for any well that is less than 12 inches above grade and was installed on or after February 1, 1991.

NR 146.08(12) (12) When doing any water well work or pump installing work that involves entry into a well, the water well driller or pump installer shall replace any non-vermin proof well cap with an approved vermin-proof cap or sanitary well seal.

NR 146.08(13) (13) When any water well drilling work or pump installing work is performed involving entry into a well that has a nonpressure conduit, the water well driller or pump installer shall evaluate the integrity of the nonpressure conduit and its connection to the well casing pipe by performing a pressure test. If the nonpressure conduit fails the pressure test, the installation shall be changed to a pitless connection in accordance with s. NR 812.42 (11) (e).

NR 146.08(14) (14) Verify that the appropriate well notification, county well location permit, department approval and/or variance has been obtained before commencing any well construction or reconstruction.

NR 146.08(15) (15) Be legally and financially responsible for correcting any noncomplying work not corrected by individuals or persons which the licensee or registrant supervises or employs.

NR 146.08(16) (16) Have advance and specific knowledge of work being done by any individual for whom they are responsible to supervise.

NR 146.08(16m) (16m) Have advance and specific knowledge of work being done by any individual for whom they are providing direct supervision.

NR 146.08(17) (17) Be adequately equipped to perform water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing, well filling and sealing and property transfer well inspections in compliance with applicable laws and rules and with any plans, specifications, variances and approvals approved by the department.

NR 146.08(18) (18) Ensure that either a licensed water well driller or a registered water well drilling rig operator is on site at all times during water well drilling activities. The licensee or registrant shall ensure that either a licensed heat exchange well driller or a registered heat exchange drilling rig operator is on site at all times during heat exchange drilling activities.

NR 146.08(18m) (18m) For water wells and pump installations, ensure that the work is performed in a sanitary manner.

NR 146.08(19) (19) Water well drillers, heat exchange drillers, pump installers and well constructors shall, when requested by the department, give notice to the department, as specified in the notice of request, at least on the department work day prior to the day upon which any well construction or reconstruction or any part thereof, any well filling and sealing operation or the installation of any pumping equipment, will be commenced.

NR 146.08 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1988, No. 396, eff. 1-1-89; CR 13-096: am. (title), (intro.), (1), (3) to (7), cr. (8m), (14) to (16), (16m), (17), (18), (18m), (19), CR 13-099: am. (title), (intro.), (1) to (7), cr. (8) to (17), (19) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 10-1-14; correction in numbering in (8m), (14) to (16), (16m), (17), (18), (18m), (19) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register September 2014 No. 705; 2015 Wis. Act 197 ss. 39, 40 Register April 2016 No. 724; CR 18-095: am. (9) Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20; CR 25-014: r. and recr. (intro.), am. (2), (5), r. and recr. (8), (8m) Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26; correction in (5) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2026 No. 842.

NR 146.09 NR 146.09 Suspension and revocation.

NR 146.09(1) (1) Grounds for action. The department may suspend or revoke a license or registration under this chapter for any of the following reasons:

NR 146.09(1)(a) (a) The licensee or registrant made a material misstatement in the application for the license, registration, or any application for renewal of the license or registration.

NR 146.09(1)(b) (b) The licensee or registrant demonstrated incompetency to act in the industry or industries for which the license or registration was issued.

NR 146.09(1)(c) (c) The licensee or registrant willfully violated a second time or more any provision of ch. 280, Stats., or any rule, regulation or order prescribed by the department.

NR 146.09(1)(d) (d) The licensee or registrant was found guilty in any civil or criminal proceeding of any action constituting fraud in connection with water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, or pump installing activities or operations.

NR 146.09(2) (2) Suspension and revocation activities. No person whose license or registration has been suspended or revoked may engage in the business of water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, or pump installing during the suspension or revocation period unless all of the following apply:

NR 146.09(2)(a) (a) Water well drilling activities are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed water well driller; heat exchange drilling activities are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed heat exchange driller; and pump installing activities are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed pump installer.

NR 146.09(2)(b) (b)

NR 146.09(2)(b)1. 1. All of the following requirements that are applicable are met:

NR 146.09(2)(b)1.a. a. The water well driller whose license was suspended or revoked is employed by and under the direct supervision of a licensed water well driller or is employed by a registered water well drilling business and under direct supervision of the supervisory water well driller for the business.

NR 146.09(2)(b)1.b. b. The heat exchange driller whose license was suspended or revoked is employed by and under direct supervision of a licensed heat exchange driller or is employed by a registered heat exchange drilling business and under direct supervision of the supervisory heat exchange driller for the business.

NR 146.09(2)(b)1.c. c. The pump installer whose license was suspended or revoked is employed by and under the direct supervision of a licensed pump installer or is employed by a registered pump installing business and under direct supervision of the supervisory pump installer for the business.

NR 146.09(2)(b)2. 2. A copy of the employment contract under par. (b), (c), or (d) is provided to, and approved by, the department before any water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, pump installing, or well filling and sealing activities are commenced. An employment contract entered into to meet the requirements of this chapter shall include the assignment of responsibility for supervision, submission of reports, and completion of work in compliance with all applicable laws and rules and with any plans, specifications, variances, and approvals approved by the department to the supervisory water well driller, supervisory heat exchange driller, or supervisory pump installer.

NR 146.09(2)(c) (c) The individual or person whose license or registration was suspended or revoked shall notify the department of the location of any water well drilling, heat exchange drilling, or pump installation the individual or person whose license or registration was suspended or revoked will be working on at least 48 hours in advance, except that emergency pump installations shall be reported before 8:00 a.m. on the first business day following the work.

NR 146.09(2)(d) (d) The individual or person whose license or registration was suspended or revoked shall notify the department of the location of each water well drilling rig, heat exchange drilling rig, or pump installation truck owned, leased or used by the individual or person whose license or registration was suspended or revoked and of any change in the location of any rig or truck during the suspension or revocation period.

NR 146.09(3) (3) Reinstatement.

NR 146.09(3)(a) (a) An individual whose license was suspended based on incompetency to act in the industry or industries for which a Wisconsin license was issued shall demonstrate competency to engage in the industry or industries by passing an exam administered under s. NR 146.045 before the suspension is ended by the department.

NR 146.09(3)(b) (b) An individual whose license has been revoked may apply for a new license one year or thereafter after the date of revocation. A license application from an individual whose license was revoked is not a renewal. A person whose registration has been revoked may apply for a new registration one year or thereafter after the date of revocation.