ORS 537.747: Water well constructor’s license; rules; fees.

(1) No person shall advertise services to construct, alter, abandon or convert wells, offer to enter or enter into a contract with another person or public agency to construct, alter, abandon or convert a well for such other person, cause any well construction, alteration, abandonment or conversion to be performed under such a contract or operate well drilling machinery without possessing a water well constructor’s license therefor in good standing issued by the Water Resources Department. The department shall adopt a single water well constructor’s license that may specify the type of well, type of well alteration or construction or type of well drilling machine operation for which the water well constructor is qualified. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a person may operate a well drilling machine without a water well constructor’s license if supervised by one who possesses such a license. (3) A person shall be qualified to receive a water well constructor’s license if the person: (a) Is at least 18 years of age. (b) Has passed a written examination conducted by the department to determine fitness to operate as a water well constructor. (c) Has paid a license fee and an examination fee according to the fee schedule set forth under subsection (6) of this section. (d) Has one year or more experience in the operation of well drilling machinery. (e) Provides evidence that the person has completed an arc welding training course from a community college, received a professional welding certification, passed a welding proficiency test or otherwise completed professional welding training, if the evidence is required under rules adopted by the Water Resources Commission that are based on the type of well for which the water well constructor is qualified. (4) Upon fulfillment of all the requirements set out in subsection (3) of this section, the department shall issue the applicant a water well constructor’s license in a form prescribed by the department. The license may be issued for a period of two years. (5) A water well constructor’s license shall expire on June 30 or on such date as may be specified by department rule. A person may renew a license by submitting an application and the appropriate fees any time before the license expires but not later than one year after the license expires. A person who renews a license within the 12 months after the license expires may either pay a penalty fee set forth under subsection (6)(d) of this section or requalify for a water well constructor’s license in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. If a person fails to renew a license within 12 months after expiration, the person must comply with the requirements of subsection (3) of this section for a new water well constructor’s license. (6) The department shall collect in advance the following fees: (a) An examination fee of $25. (b) A license fee of $165. (c) A renewal fee of $165, if the license is renewed on or before the expiration date. (d) Unless a person requalifies for a water well constructor’s license in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, a water well constructor shall pay a renewal fee of $275 if an expired license is renewed on or before 12 months after the expiration date. (e) If a person requalifies for a water well constructor’s license under subsection (3) of this section, the person shall pay the renewal fee established under paragraph (c) of this subsection. (7) The department may revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any water well constructor’s license when it appears to the satisfaction of the department, after notice and opportunity to be heard by the licensee, that the licensee has failed to comply with the provisions of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992 applicable to such licensee or any order or rule adopted thereunder applicable to such licensee, or has made a material misrepresentation or material misstatement of fact on an application for a license or well log or established a pattern of conduct that willfully or negligently violates any provision of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, applicable to such licensee. (8) The requirement in subsection (3)(d) of this section does not apply to any person who, on July 1, 1981, holds the license required by this section and who continues thereafter to maintain the license in good standing. (9) The requirement in subsection (3)(e) of this section does not apply to any person who, on July 1, 2023, holds the license required by this section and who continues thereafter to maintain the license in good standing. (10) If the department observes a welding deficiency on a well, the department may order the licensee who welded the well to, within a reasonable time, complete an arc welding training course from a community college, acquire a professional welding certification, pass a welding proficiency test or otherwise complete professional welding training. (11) The fees collected under subsection (6) of this section shall be paid into the Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund. Such moneys are continuously appropriated to the Water Resources Department to pay the department’s expenses in administering and enforcing the water well constructor’s licensing program. [1961 c.334 §2; 1971 c.591 §1; 1973 c.827 §58; 1981 c.416 §2; 1985 c.615 §2; 1985 c.673 §66; 1987 c.109 §1; 1989 c.758 §2; 1999 c.293 §2; 2001 c.496 §§5,8; 2003 c.594 §§9,10; 2007 c.221 §1; 2007 c.768 §§11,12; 2021 c.610 §6; 2023 c.542 §1; 2025 c.491 §2]