Tennessee water well driller license: Complete 2026 Guide

Official-source review: August 24, 2026

Tennessee water well driller license: Tennessee separately licenses water-well, monitoring-well and geothermal-well drillers, pump installers and water-treatment installers. Each category has its own application, records and annual renewal.

Fast answer: Choose every category needed, submit the application and supporting qualifications, complete any required examination, receive the license before contracting, maintain installation records and renew annually.

Tennessee water well driller license authority eligibility application fees insurance renewal — Tennessee requirements summarized from the responsible agencies. Local permits, employers and certifying bodies may impose additional conditions.

What the Tennessee water well driller license covers

Tennessee separately licenses water-well, monitoring-well and geothermal-well drillers, pump installers and water-treatment installers. Each category has its own application, records and annual renewal.

Drilling and installation only within the TDEC category issued.
Work only within the classification issued.
Obtain every local permit and inspection.

Compare related occupations and states in the License Finder.

Tennessee water well driller license requirements at a glance

Requirement	Current rule or route
Route	State driller or installer license for water wells, monitoring wells, geothermal wells, pumps or treatment systems
Experience	Document the experience, equipment and responsible-individual information required by the selected application.
Exam	Pass the examination or technical review required for the selected category.
Fees	Application fee: $100 for each water-well, monitoring-well or geothermal-driller category; $50 for pump installer or water-treatment installer.
Insurance or bond	Maintain every bond, insurance and financial assurance required by the selected category.
Renewal	Annual renewal deadline is July 31.

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 Tennessee water well driller license process

Classify the work, project value and destination jurisdiction.
Complete the required training and experience.
Obtain approval and pass each required examination.
Submit the application, supporting records and current fee.
Complete insurance, business and local permit requirements.
Renew on time and retain compliance records.

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 Tennessee rules and boundaries

Drilling, pump installation and treatment installation are separate categories.
A license does not replace construction notifications or well records.
Local land-use rules may also apply.
Continuing education begins after the first licensed year.

Tennessee 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.

Tennessee water well driller license cost and renewal

Budget separately for applications, examinations, training, insurance, business filings and local permits.

Renew each individual, company and specialty credential separately and confirm current fees before filing.

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.

Tennessee water well driller 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 this credential statewide?

The principal credential is statewide, but local licensing, permits and inspections may still apply.

Is an exam required?

Pass the examination or technical review required for the selected category.

When does it renew?

Annual renewal deadline is July 31.

Are local permits separate?

Yes.

Official sources used

Verified licensing details

Licensing authority: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources
Fees: Application fee: $100 for each water-well, monitoring-well or geothermal-driller category; $50 for pump installer or water-treatment installer.
Experience: Document the experience, equipment and responsible-individual information required by the selected application.
Exams: Pass the examination or technical review required for the selected category.
Insurance or bond: Maintain every bond, insurance and financial assurance required by the selected category.
Continuing education: After the first licensed year, complete five continuing-education hours annually.
Renewal period: Annual renewal deadline is July 31.

Official sources

Official sources last checked August 23, 2026.

Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.