(A) Well drilling licenses must be issued in one of three well drilling categories-environmental wells, coastal wells, and rock wells-and in one of four classes-Class "D", Class "C", Class "B", and Class "A". However, a Class "A" licensee is authorized to practice in all three well drilling categories. No person may engage, or offer to engage, in the drilling of wells for which he does not possess a license of the proper well drilling category and class.

(B) To be licensed as a Class "D" environmental, coastal, or rock well driller, an applicant must:

(1) be at least eighteen years of age;

(2) pass a written examination approved by the board; and

(3) submit an application on forms approved by the board, and pay the prescribed fee.

(C) To be licensed as a Class "C" environmental, coastal, or rock well driller, an applicant must:

(1) pass a written examination approved by the board;

(2) submit an application on forms approved by the board, and pay the prescribed fee;

(3) complete at least one year of experience as a Class "D" well driller, primarily spent in installing wells of the well drilling category for which Class "C" status is sought;

(4) possess the necessary drilling equipment or present to the board sufficient evidence to show the applicant has access to the use of this equipment at any time the applicant needs it; and

(5) furnish proof of a surety bond in accordance with Section 40-23-280 in an amount of at least twenty-five thousand dollars or in an amount as specified by the board in regulation. The board, by regulation, may establish bonding requirements in amounts greater or less than twenty-five thousand dollars if the board finds these amounts are in the public interest.

(D) To be licensed as a Class "B" environmental, coastal, or rock well driller, an applicant must:

(1) pass a written examination approved by the board;

(2) submit an application on forms approved by the board, and pay the prescribed fee;

(3) complete at least one year of experience as a Class "C" employee of a Class "B" or Class "A" well driller, primarily spent in installing wells of the well drilling category for which Class "B" status is sought;

(4) possess the necessary drilling equipment or present to the board sufficient evidence to show the applicant has access to the use of this equipment at any time the applicant needs it; and

(5) furnish proof of a surety bond in accordance with Section 40-23-280 in an amount of a least twenty-five thousand dollars or in an amount as specified by the board in regulation. The board, by regulation, may establish bonding requirements in amounts greater or less than twenty-five thousand dollars if the board finds these amounts are in the public interest.

(E) To be licensed as a Class "A" well driller, an applicant must:

(1) pass a written examination approved by the board;

(2) submit an application on forms approved by the board, and pay the prescribed fee;

(3) complete at least two years in practice as a Class "C" or Class "B" well driller in each of the three well drilling categories;

(4) possess the necessary drilling equipment or present to the board sufficient evidence to show the applicant has access to the use of this equipment at any time the applicant needs it; and

(5) furnish proof of a surety bond in accordance with Section 40-23-280 in an amount of at least twenty-five thousand dollars or in an amount as specified by the board in regulation. The board, by regulation, may establish bonding requirements in amounts greater or less than twenty-five thousand dollars if the board finds these amounts are in the public interest.

HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 185, Section 1; 2014 Act No. 156 (H.4574), Section 7, eff April 14, 2014.

Effect of Amendment

2014 Act No. 156, Section 7, in subsection (C)(3), substituted "a Class 'D' well driller" for "an apprentice well driller".