New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 27 - UNDERGROUND WATER
Part 4 - WELL DRILLER LICENSING; CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR AND PLUGGING OF WELLS
Section 19.27.4.12 - WELL DRILLER REQUIREMENTS

A. Bond requirements: A well driller shall have a bond in the penal sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) on a form acceptable to the state engineer. The surety backing the bond shall be acceptable to the state engineer. A well driller's license shall be valid only so long as the bond remains in effect. The bond shall:

B. Insurance requirements: A well driller shall have general liability insurance in the minimum amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and appropriate insurance under the Workers' Compensation Act. Proof of insurance may be in the name of the well driller or in the name of the company for which the well driller is employed or doing business as (DBA). That insurance must be maintained continuously if the well driller is for hire.

C. National ground water association exams requirements: Required national ground water association exams shall consist of the general drilling exam and the appropriate specialized drilling exam(s) developed and administered by the national ground water association. A well driller engaging in the well drilling activities listed below shall have passed the corresponding national ground water association exams within five years prior to applying for a well driller license.

*The state engineer shall make the final determination of the test(s) necessary should a question arise regarding applicability of available test(s) to specialized drilling method(s) of well construction.

D. New Mexico code exam requirements: A well driller shall have obtained a minimum score of seventy percent on the New Mexico code exam prepared and furnished by the state engineer or his authorized representative and self- administered by the applicant.

E. Experience requirements: A well driller shall have at least two years of relevant, on-site experience working under the supervision of a well driller while exhibiting a due regard for the interest of the state in the protection of its public waters.

F. Drill rig requirements: A well driller shall continuously maintain with the state engineer a description of each drill rig the well driller owns or controls. The well driller's license number and the name of the well drilling company shall be clearly displayed on each drill rig.

G. Drill rig supervisor requirements: A well driller may allow a drill rig supervisor to provide onsite supervision of well drilling activities. The well driller is responsible for the actions of each drill rig supervisor while supervising well drilling activities.