Getting a water well or pump installer license in Maryland

Getting licensed in Maryland

A well driller license covers every activity that counts as well drilling, including the work allowed under the restricted pump installer and water conditioner installer licenses, within the limits of its category.

A General category well driller license allows well drilling in every category, so it covers both water supply wells and geotechnical wells.

A Water Supply category well driller license is limited to wells built to obtain a water supply, including wells drilled for a heat pump.

A Geotechnical category license is limited to sampling, measuring, test pumping and contaminant removal wells for scientific, engineering or regulatory purposes. It excludes water supply test wells, so it is not a water well license.

A master well driller may practise well drilling without restriction within the category of the license.

A journeyman well driller practises in one category under the general supervision of a master well driller of the same category or of the general category.

The Approving Authority may issue a well construction permit only to a master well driller licensed by the Board.

Sources: License categories and classes; Well driller license includes restricted work; General category covers all well types; Only master drillers get well permits

Who needs a license

Maryland law defines practicing well drilling to include installing, altering, repairing or disconnecting well system equipment for profit, so paid pump work falls under the Board's licensing law.

Well system equipment includes casing, grout, screens, water tanks, water pumps and water conditioning (treatment) equipment.

A person may not practise, try to practise or offer to practise well drilling in Maryland without a Board license. The definition covers this work when it is done for profit; the statute prints no separate homeowner exemption.

A Maryland master plumber may install or repair a water pump, a water tank or water conditioning equipment without a license from the Board of Well Drillers.

Pump installers, water conditioner installers, electricians and master plumbers who work on a well or drinking water system are each responsible for their part of the work meeting the law.

Selecting and installing pumping equipment must meet the state plumbing code (COMAR 09.20) or the local plumbing code, whichever is stricter.

Sources: Pump work counts as well drilling; License required to practise or offer well work; Master plumbers may do pumps, tanks and treatment; Each trade answers for its own phase

How owners check a license

The Board publishes a roster of active licensees by name and by company, updated monthly, showing each person's license type.

The Board advises consumers to confirm with a licensee that the license is active before hiring.

The Board lists active licensees as a resource only and does not endorse or guarantee any of them.

MDE says building a well starts with hiring a Maryland licensed well driller; the Board's roster lists those qualified to get permits.

The State Board of Well Drillers can be reached at 410-537-4466.

Sources: Board roster of active licensees; Roster is not an endorsement; New wells start with a licensed driller; Board contact