Water Rights
IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Well Driller Licensing

Licensing requirements. Well drilling rigA South Dakota well driller license is needed prior to drilling any well or contracting to drill a well (listing of licensed well drillers). In addition, a licensed well driller is also authorized to do well pump installations and well repair work.

A license representative needs to be designated for each license and the license representative is responsible for all of the work completed. Each license representative will need to provide a description of their experience and a list of qualifications for the type of well drilling to be completed. In addition to providing the information requested on the application, the following information will also need to be provided for each proposed license representative:

  • Dates worked with each drilling company,
  • Position, authority and responsibilities with a drill rig,
  • Types of wells constructed,
  • Cement grouting experience,
  • Name of your supervisor or someone that can verify work experience,
  • Address of the drilling companies,
  • Name of the manager or owner of the company, and
  • Drilling equipment you have for drilling wells.

An application for a South Dakota well driller license or an application to renew an existing well driller license may be downloaded or completed online. Please note, a new South Dakota well driller license requires an examination. Please contact the Water Rights Program to request the exam. Following issuance of a license, each calendar year the license may be renewed. Renewal of the license depends on complying with the well construction standards, including submission of any well completion reports, well or test hole plugging reports, and well rehabilitation reports for work completed during the year, as well as complying with continuing education requirements in General Rule 74:02:01:42 through 74:02:01:43. An application to renew the license needs to be submitted by January 31. In addition, an application fee needs to be submitted with either a new application for a well drillers license or with an application to renew an existing license.

For additional information, please review the well driller requirements contained in Chapter 74:02:01, contact us by e-mail or call (605) 773-3352.

 

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