62-531.300. Application Requirements for Water Well Contractors

(1) The Water Management Districts (Districts) shall accept applications for licensing as a water well contractor from any person who is at least 18 years of age, has knowledge of those rules adopted by the Department and the District which deal with the regulation of water wells, has at least two years experience in constructing, repairing, or abandoning wells, and has taken and completed a minimum of 12 approved coursework hours earned in the two-year period directly preceding the last day (July 31st) of the biennial renewal cycle. In addition, each application shall:

(a) Be submitted on forms provided by the District and delivered by mail, hand delivery, or electronic transmittal to the District and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee as set forth in rule 62-531.340, F.A.C.

(b) Contain proof of experience as provided in subsection (7) below.

(c) Include copies of certificates of completion of approved coursework. Confirmation of approved coursework completion will be accepted from the Department or the Administrator, if available, in lieu of certificates of completion.

(d) Include a request for the water well contractor examination described by rule 62-531.350, F.A.C.

(2) Approved coursework and CECs shall be governed by the requirements in the Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program Manual effective date August 2019, https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10908, hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, and requires the use of the following forms, which are also adopted and incorporated by reference:

(a) Coursework Certificate of Attendance and Evaluation, Florida Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program, Form 1, effective 6-22-14, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04128,

(b) Florida Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program, Certificate of Completion, Form 2, effective 6-22-14, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04129,

(c) Application for Continuing Education Coursework Approval, Florida Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program, Form 3, effective 6-22-14, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04130, and

(d) Application for Continuing Education Course Provider, Florida Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program, Form 4, effective 6-22-14, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04131.

Copies of the Water Well Contractor Continuing Education Program Manual and the forms referenced therein are available on the Department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us or by writing the Department at 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3580, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400.

(3) Completion of 12 approved coursework hours shall be required for licensure. A minimum of six approved coursework hours must be specifically related and relevant to water well construction industry drilling technologies, methodologies and practices and/or applicable State of Florida water well licensing, permitting and construction statutes and rules. No more than six approved coursework hours may be specifically related and relevant to water well contruction industry health and safety requirements, practices and procedures and/or business management and accounting practices and procedures. Completion of approved coursework hours can be converted one time either to CECs for contractor licensing or for contractor license point reduction, but not both.

(4) The District shall not schedule an applicant to take the required examination until his or her application has been reviewed and the applicant has met all other licensing conditions of this chapter. The applicant shall be provided three opportunities to take and pass the examination within 12 months after the applicant has become eligible to take the exam, otherwise the applicant must submit a new application for licensure and fee to the District.

(5) A license shall not be issued until the applicant successfully passes the required examination.

(6) A license issued by any Water Management District shall be valid in every Water Management District in the state.

(7) As set forth in section 373.323(3), F.S., satisfactory proof of two years experience in the construction, repair, or abandonment of water wells shall be demonstrated by providing the following:

(a) Evidence of the length of time the applicant has been engaged in the business of the construction, repair, or abandonment of water wells as a major activity, as attested to by a letter from three of the following persons:

1. A water well contractor;

2. A water well driller;

3. A water well parts and equipment vendor; or

4. A water well inspector employed by a governmental agency.

(b) A list of at least ten water wells that the applicant has constructed, repaired, or abandoned within the preceding five years. Of these wells, at least seven must have been constructed, as defined in section 373.303(2), F.S., by the applicant. The list shall also include information relating to the 10 water wells including:

1. The name and address of the owner or owners of each well;

2. The location, primary use, and approximate depth and diameter of each well that the applicant has constructed, repaired, or abandoned; and

3. The approximate date the construction, repair, or abandonment of each well was completed.

(8) If at any time after application and before licensure, information provided in the application changes, including the applicant’s address or principal place of business, the applicant shall update his or her application with any such changes within 30 days of the change or upon receipt of the license, whichever is sooner.

Rulemaking Authority 373.043, 373.309, 373.337 FS. Law Implemented 287.0571, 373.323, 373.326, 373.329 FS. History–New 8-18-73, Amended 10-9-84, Formerly 17-20.02, Amended 6-16-86, Formerly 17-20.020, Amended 5-25-89, Formerly 17-531.300, Amended 7-17-03, 11-25-07, 6-22-14, 8-7-19.