Florida Water Well Contractor License Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 25, 2026

Florida water well contractor license: Florida DEP delegates licensing and well permitting to the five Water Management Districts. Apply to the district where most work will occur, but the issued contractor license is valid statewide. Every well construction, repair or abandonment project still needs the appropriate permit.

What the Florida water well contractor license covers

The five-district model is unusual: administration is regional, but licensure is statewide. Project permits follow the well location, not necessarily the district that processed the license.

• Contracting to construct, repair or abandon water wells.
• Statewide practice under a valid contractor license.
• Project permitting through the appropriate district or delegated authority.
• Compliance with Chapters 62-531 and 62-532.
• Continuing education for license renewal.

For onsite sewage systems, see the Florida septic contractor guide.

Florida water well contractor license requirements at a glance

Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.

How to complete the Florida water well contractor license process

1. Identify the Water Management District where most work will occur.
2. Obtain its current license application and experience forms.
3. Document required work and well-construction history.
4. Complete 12 approved education hours and pass the exam.
5. Receive the statewide contractor license.
6. Apply for a project permit before every covered well job.

Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.

Important Florida rules and boundaries

• Apply through a district even though the contractor license is valid statewide.
• The contractor license does not replace individual well permits.
• Permit authority may be delegated by a WMD.
• Temporary construction dewatering and excluded excavations follow different definitions.

Florida may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.

Florida water well contractor license cost and renewal

Check the relevant WMD schedule for application, examination, renewal and individual well-permit fees.

Complete 12 approved hours within the renewal period, respecting subject and online-credit limits, and apply through the administering district.

Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.

Florida water well contractor license checklist

• Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
• Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
• Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
• Use the current official form and fee schedule.
• Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
• File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
• Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
• Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is the license valid statewide?

Yes, although the application is filed with one Water Management District.

Does every well need a permit?

Covered construction, repair and abandonment require a permit from the appropriate authority.

How much CE is required?

Twelve hours, with subject-matter and online limits.

Who regulates well construction?

DEP establishes the rules and delegates licensing and permitting implementation to the WMDs.

Official sources used

• DEP water-well licensing and permitting
• DEP Water Well Construction Program
• DEP water-well continuing education