Get Certified as a Well Contractor

 When Certification is Required

A certified well contractor must be present at all times when well contractor activities are being conducted. A well contractor activity is defined as the construction, installation, alteration, or abandonment of any well. Well contractor activities include breaking the well seal to gain access to the well, disinfection, extending the well casing, well abandonment, hydrofracturing, well repair and construction. Exemptions to the certification requirement can be found on the "Rules" webpage, General Statute exam reference III.

Certification as a well contractor is split into 4 levels, based on activities performed. Well Contractors are required to hold a level of certification appropriate to the work they perform/supervise.

Click HERE for a summary chart of the 4 Levels of Certification.

Certification will not be granted to anyone with unpaid civil penalties or who has not conducted all restoration activities ordered by the Department.

General Requirements to Become Certified

To become certified as a well contractor you must be at least 18 years old; provide satisfactory proof of experience in well contractor activities (6-18+ months depending on Level); satisfactorily complete the Field Observation (for Level A applicants only) then, pass the North Carolina well contractors certification exam (written) for the appropriate Level.

Certification is renewed annually (June 30 deadline) with payment of the renewal fee ($100-200 based on Level) and completion of eight hours of approved continuing education.

How to Get Certified

1) Decide which Level of certification will be needed to cover ALL the well contractor activities you intend to perform, and for which you have experience in.

2) Complete the application form (links are below) for the Level desired and mail in to the address listed on the form along with the application fee noted on the form. Your application fee is comprised of a scheduled exam fee ($50) and your annual certification fee ($100-200) which covers the time left in that certification period upon passing the exam, The purpose of the application is to show your have met the experience requirement so make sure it is filled out completely and notarized properly. You will also want to maintain a copy for your records.

3) Once the application is received and processed, it goes to the Review Committee (a subset of the full Commission) for final review.

4) You will be notified by mail of the Review Committee's decision. If approved, the letter you receive will inform you that you have been assigned to the next Scheduled Exam. (For Level A applicants, you will first receive notification to schedule a Field Observation) The approval packet will include an admission ticket to the exam listing location, date & time, a map to the location, and list of reference materials for the exam.

At this time you will also be given the option of requesting an out-of-cycle exam (OCE) which may be available sooner than the scheduled exam. There is an additional $50 fee for an OCE. To request one, you would submit an OCE request form with the fee. You will then be mailed an admission ticket confirming the new exam date. 

5) On the day of the exam, bring the allowed reference materials and a calculator. Four hours are alloted for the exam. You will be mailed the exam results (Pass/Fail). Upon passing the exam you are certified. A certificate and wallet card with your assigned certification number will then be mailed to you. The certification card is required to be carried by the well contractor at all times when performing well contractor activities.

Certification Application Forms

    Application for Certification as a Well Contractor- LEVEL A (WCC-1A)

    Level A Field Observation Request Form (WCC-3)

    Application for Certification as a Well Contractor- LEVEL B (WCC-1B)

    Application for Certification as a Well Contractor- LEVEL C (WCC-1C)

    Application for Certification as a Well Contractor- LEVEL D (WCC-1D)

    Notarized Letter of Reference Form for Certification Applicant (WCC-2)

    Application for TEMPORARY Certification as a Well Contractor- ONE well only 

    Oral Exam Request (WCC-6)

    Out-Of-Cycle/Retake Exam Request (WCC-7)

    Exam Schedule

    Summary Chart of the 4 Levels of Certification

    Exam Reference Materials List

    Reference to prepare for the Level A Field Observation

    OSHA Safety Requirements Reference

    Test Taking Tips