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Clean, running water is a staple of modern life. Imagine having to hike to the nearest river or well to get water for drinking, bathing, and household washing. These days, it comes to homes through municipal plumbing infrastructure instead.

However, water isn’t readily available everywhere, and it’s not always easy to access groundwater supplies. This is where water well drilling professionals enter the picture.

With specialized training, knowledge, and skills, water well drillers are responsible for drilling and constructing wells that supply clean water and ensuring they’re safe and sterile.

As skilled trade professionals, water well drillers are required to have a license in Texas and renew it periodically. Here’s what you need to know to keep your water well drilling license current.

How Often Do Licenses Need to Be Renewed?

Once you have obtained a water well driller license from the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), it remains valid for two years from the date it was issued. The department will send you a renewal notification by mail about 60 days before your license expires.

However, you are solely responsible for renewing your license before it expires, whether you receive a notification or not. You can always contact the TDLR to make sure you understand renewal requirements and deadlines.

What Does Renewal Entail?

As of March 1, 2025, professionals renewing a water well driller license must complete eight hours of continuing education (CE) to renew a license. Your CE must include one hour of instruction on water well drilling laws and rules, as well as seven hours covering topics directly related to the industry. Course topics approved by the TDLR include:

• Well standards
• Geologic characteristics of the state
• State groundwater laws and related regulations
• Well construction practices and techniques
• Health and safety
• Environmental protection
• Technological advances
• Business management

The courses you choose may include some or all of these topics. When you select a TDLR-approved course, you can be sure that the subject matter covered meets requirements and contributes to your ongoing professional education. Along with proof of completed CE, you must submit applicable fees with your renewal application.

What Happens if a License Expires?

If you miss your renewal and your license expires, you are not permitted to continue working as a water well driller. Doing so could result in penalties like fines and other legal action.

If your license has been expired for 90 days or less, you may still renew it by completing the requirements and paying 1.5x renewal fees. Licenses expired 3-18 months require 2x licensing fees to renew. Even if you’re in the process of renewing, you are not permitted to work without a valid license.

Finding the Best CE Program for Working Professionals

It’s hard to find time to complete CE as a working professional. You want a state-approved program that makes it easy with 24/7 online access so that you can learn at your own pace.

If the renewal deadline for your water well driller license in Texas is on the horizon, contact RocketCert now to sign up for a suitable CE program.