Getting a water well or pump installer license in Colorado
The Board of Examiners examines, approves, denies, suspends, revokes and renews contractor licenses.
Getting licensed in Colorado
Colorado pump installation licenses cover either pumps producing up to 100 gallons per minute, or larger pumps and line shaft turbine pumps.
Each licensee must keep a $20,000 compliance bond, deposit, certificate of deposit or letter of credit on file with the Board.
Licensees must file proof of continuing education by January 15 each year, or the license lapses on February 1. These administration rules (2 CCR 402-14, version effective 2021) are being revised.
Who needs a license
Permanent pump and cistern installations on a water well must be done by a licensed pump installation contractor or by a private pump installer.
A private pump installer is a well owner, or their direct employee, using the owner's own equipment (not rented, leased or hired) on land the owner owns.
Owners installing or repairing their own pump must first complete the state's private pump installer assessment.
A licensed well driller who does not also hold a pump installation license may not install a pump, except temporary pumps for development and testing.
A pump installation report must be filed every time a pump is installed or its depth setting changes.
Source: Licensed installer or owner
How owners check a license
The Board of Examiners keeps a list of currently licensed contractors and updates it every quarter.
Well drillers and pump installers in Colorado must hold a current license.
An unlicensed worker may install pumps only as a direct employee of, or under continuous on site supervision by, a licensed contractor.
Sources: Licensed contractor list; Unlicensed helpers
Common questions
Who licenses well pump installers in Colorado?
Colorado's Board of Examiners of Water Well and Ground Heat Exchanger Contractors, in the Division of Water Resources, oversees pump installation and licenses contractors.