Getting a water well or pump installer certification in North Carolina
North Carolina certifies individual well contractors at four levels, A, B, C and D. Applicants do not have to start at Level D.
Getting certified in North Carolina
Level D covers breaking a well seal, installing a pump or other equipment in a well, and disinfection.
The annual certification fee set by rule is $200 for Level A, $150 for Level B and $125 for Level C.
Certified well contractors must earn two continuing education units each year for their first three years of certification.
A well contractor certificate is renewed every year. A contractor who does not renew within 30 days of expiration must apply for certification again.
Sources: Four certification levels; What Level D covers; Yearly renewal
Who needs a certification
In North Carolina, no one may perform, manage or supervise well contractor work without state certification, unless an exemption applies.
A pump installer who is not a plumber needs at least Level D well contractor certification. Work beyond breaking the well seal or disinfecting, such as extending casing, needs Level C or higher.
A licensed plumber may break the well seal and disinfect the well to install or replace a pump, if the plumber took training in well seals and disinfection within the past two years. Other well work needs certification.
Owners do not need certification to install, repair or abandon a well on their own property for their own use, but the work must still meet state and local well standards.
A county repair permit is not needed when the work is only repairing or replacing a pump or tank.
Sources: Certification required; Pump installers need Level D; No repair permit for pump or tank work
How owners check a certification
NC DHHS keeps a searchable list of every well contractor certified to work in North Carolina.
Certified contractors carry a wallet card with a photo and the dates their certification is valid. Ask to see it.
The contractor's certification level sets what work they may do, so check that the level fits the job. Pump repair needs at least Level D, and plugging a well needs Level C.
A company that is not certified and sells well work must use a certified contractor and tell the landowner in writing the contractor's name, certification number and employer before the work starts.
Sources: State list of certified contractors; Written disclosure if work is subcontracted
Common questions
Who certifies well pump installers in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Well Contractors Certification Commission certifies individual well contractors at levels A to D; Level D covers installing a pump.