Requirements, license levels, and the issuing authority, sourced from Wisconsin's official board.
If geothermal is part of the business, budget for the closed loop certification as a separate examination and fee rather than assuming the drilling license covers it. Wisconsin treats vertical closed-loop boreholes as a distinct competence.
| Requirements | WISCONSIN LICENSES WELL DRILLERS AND PUMP INSTALLERS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, and adds a distinct CLOSED LOOP CERTIFICATION for geothermal work. CLOSED LOOP CERTIFICATION is required of drillers doing that work and is issued to those who are qualified and have PASSED THE EXAMINATION; the initial examination fee is $50. A driller moving into ground-source heat pump installation needs this in addition to the base license, and it is a common gap for drillers expanding from water wells into geothermal. The program sits in the DNR because well construction is regulated as groundwater protection, and the administrative rules are published in the Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters governing private water systems. A well driller also works inside the groundwater-protection rules that govern well construction, abandonment and reporting; the licensing agency is normally the same body that receives the well log, so the license and the reporting duty travel together. |
| Reciprocity | The DNR assesses out-of-state applicants against its own licensing and examination requirements; the closed loop certification in particular is examined and is not waived on the strength of another state's credential. |
| Renewal | Licenses and certifications renew with the DNR on the department's published cycle, with continuing education in well construction and groundwater protection as the department requires. |
| Notes | If geothermal is part of the business, budget for the closed loop certification as a separate examination and fee rather than assuming the drilling license covers it. Wisconsin treats vertical closed-loop boreholes as a distinct competence. |
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Sources: dnr.wisconsin.gov, docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Always confirm current requirements with the issuing authority.
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