Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from New Mexico's official board.
New Mexico requires a well driller license from the Office of the State Engineer, which states that it is unlawful to drill a well for water from an underground source in New Mexico without a valid, existing license.
| Requirements | The Office of the State Engineer states that it is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to drill or to begin the drilling of a well for water from an underground source without a valid, existing license issued by the State Engineer, and that all drillers must obtain a license from the office before working in New Mexico. The minimum qualifications set out in 19.27.4.12 NMAC are: be at least 20 years of age; have two years of experience working with a licensed well driller; passing scores from the National Ground Water Association General Drilling Exam and the method exams for each type of drilling the applicant intends to perform; a passing score on the New Mexico Code Exam; a bond in the sum of $5,000; and general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $300,000. The rules also provide for registration of drill rig supervisors, who must likewise pass a New Mexico Code Exam. |
| Reciprocity | 19.27.4 NMAC ('Well Driller Licensing; Construction, Repair and Plugging of Wells'), as published by the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, contains no reciprocity, endorsement, or provision allowing an out-of-state license to satisfy any licensing requirement. |
| Renewal | A well driller's license issued by the State Engineer is valid for a period of two years. The renewal application must be filed at least ten days before expiration and must include proof of the required bond and insurance, a list of drill rig supervisors, evidence that both the well driller and all drill rig supervisors met the continuing education requirements, and a $50 filing fee. During each two-year licensing period a well driller must complete a minimum of eight continuing education hours approved by the State Engineer, of which at least two hours must be specific to New Mexico rules and regulations; drill rig supervisors have the same eight-hour requirement for each two-year registration period. |
| Notes | New Mexico requires a well driller license from the Office of the State Engineer, which states that it is unlawful to drill a well for water from an underground source in New Mexico without a valid, existing license. |
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Sources: www.ose.nm.gov, www.ose.nm.gov, www.srca.nm.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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