Mission Statement

The mission of the water well certification program is to protect the health of West Virginia citizens who rely on water wells for their drinking water source, through implementation of the West Virginia Water Well Design Standards. Protection of ground water resources and aquifers is accomplished by assuring that water wells are constructed, modified, and abandoned in a technically sound manner. Our Agency encourages development of ground water resources and strives to nurture a sustainable well drilling industry through reasonable and uniform statewide enforcement of code requirements.

Background Information

In order to apply for certification, an informational packet is mailed to applicants requesting certification as a water well driller (entire packet is now available on this website (see Certification Information). This packet consists of West Virginia rules and regulations, liability coverage requirements, study information, and a work experience notarization form which serves as application for certification. The driller must have two years of verifiable water well drilling experience before he may test. If the EED staff verifies the information submitted, a test date is scheduled.

Certification testing consists of 3 separate examinations: WV Rules and Regulations, General Knowledge of Drilling, and a Category Examination -- the final two examinations are National Ground Water Association tests. The applicant must receive a score of at least 70% on each examination to receive certification.

As of July 1, 1992, each water well contractor must have a current contractor's bond and liability insurance coverage effective throughout West Virginia. The bond and insurance will cover all certified drillers employed by the contractor. Lack of current coverage is deemed sufficient grounds to deny permits to drill water wells in the state.

Training Services/Classes

This section of the site is still under construction. It will be updated as soon as training information is available.

What's New in the Program

January 8, 2000 -- WV Water Well Certification program launches new Internet site to provide information and forms to other state government agencies, county agencies, and certified and uncertified water well drillers. One of the sites main features is it's online database of currently certified drillers. This constantly updated database allows counties and individuals to check our files to find the certification status of drillers.