Construction / Well Driller Continuing Education / Washington
- Washington
- Well Driller CE
- Water & Resource Protection Well Operator
- Updated Oct 2026
Washington Well Driller Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Washington water well and resource protection well operators need 14 continuing education units (CEUs) of Department of Ecology-approved training every two years, including at least 2 CEUs on Washington drilling and licensing regulations.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Washington State Department of Ecology requirements
Hours per cycle
14 CEUs
Includes at least 2 CEUs on Washington rules (WAC 173-162-080)
Cycle
2 years
24-month license term based on your first licensure date
Deadline
Based on first licensure date
Every 24 months from initial license issuance
Online allowed?
Yes
Ecology-approved classes, workshops and correspondence/online courses count
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for a Washington well driller license?
Licensed Washington water well operators and resource protection well operators need CE to renew. Renewal is handled by the state through the Department of Ecology under Chapter 18.104 RCW and Chapter 173-162 WAC.
CE applies to
- Water Well Operators
- Resource Protection Well Operators
Exemptions
- None stated in WAC 173-162-080
Washington well driller CE at a glance
Washington well driller renewal, one box
| Renewed with | Washington State Department of Ecology |
| CE required? | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 14 CEUs (hours) |
| Cycle | 2 years (24 months) |
| Required topics | At least 2 CEUs on Washington drilling/licensing regulations; 12 CEUs approved industry topics |
| Online allowed? | Yes |
| Deadline | Every 2 years based on first licensure date |
| Who reports | Licensee submits proof of CEUs with renewal application |
| Carryover | No |
| Grace period | 30-day paperwork extension (cannot drill while expired or earn missing CEUs during extension) |
| Renewal fee | $75 per license |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does a Washington well driller license need?
Under WAC 173-162-080, you need 14 continuing education units (CEUs) during each 24-month license term. At least 2 CEUs must cover Washington state drilling or licensing regulations, and the remaining 12 CEUs cover approved industry topics such as well and pump systems, worker health and safety, groundwater science, and business practices.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Well / Resource Protection Well Operator | 14 CEUs | At least 2 CEUs on Washington state drilling or licensing regulations | 12 CEUs in approved well/pump, safety, groundwater or business topics | Ecology-approved classroom, workshop or correspondence/online courses |
Under WAC 173-162-085, licensees must attend the entire instructional period of a course to receive credit.
Deadline
When is the Washington well driller license renewal deadline?
Washington well operator licenses are renewed every 2 years (24 months), based on the date you were first licensed. You must complete all 14 CEUs before your license expiration date.
| Deadline rule | Every 24 months based on your first licensure date |
| Cycle | 2 years |
| Grace period | 30-day extension to submit renewal paperwork and fee (cannot drill while expired; cannot earn missing CEUs during the 30 days) |
| Late penalty | If not renewed within the 30-day extension, license is suspended/expired and cannot be renewed without meeting relicensing requirements |
| CE completion deadline | Before your license expiration date (cannot use the 30-day extension to complete CE) |
Steps
How to renew a Washington well driller license, step by step
- Take approved CEBefore your deadline
Complete 14 CEUs approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology during your 24-month license term, including at least 2 CEUs on Washington drilling or licensing regulations. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate or proof of attendance for each course you finish. - Confirm it’s reportedWith your renewal
Include proof of completing your 14 CEUs when you submit your renewal application to the Department of Ecology. - Pay the renewal fee$75 per license
Submit your renewal application and the $75 renewal fee per license to the Department of Ecology before your license expires. - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Confirm with the Department of Ecology that your operator license is active with a new 2-year expiration date.
Providers
Approved Washington well driller license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay. All training must be approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology to count.
Approval
How to check a Washington well driller CE course is approved
Under WAC 173-162-085, only continuing education programs approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology count toward your 14 CEUs. Acceptable formats include approved classes, workshops, seminars and correspondence or online instruction.
- Confirm the course and provider are on Ecology’s approved list before you pay.
- Make sure at least 2 CEUs specifically cover Washington state drilling or licensing regulations.
- Attend the entire course session to receive credit under WAC 173-162-085.
Reporting
How Washington well driller CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
Under WAC 173-162-080, you must submit proof of completing 14 CEUs during the previous 24-month license term along with your renewal application and $75 fee.
- Keep the certificate or proof of completion for every course.
- Submit your CEU documentation with your renewal application before your license expires.
- Remember that all 14 CEUs must be earned within your 24-month license term, not during the 30-day paperwork extension.
Cost
How much does Washington well driller license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Operator license renewal fee (per license) | $75 | Washington State Department of Ecology |
| CE courses (14 CEUs) | Varies by provider | CE provider |
Fee from RCW 18.104.100 and WAC 173-162-080, checked October 2026.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Washington well driller license
Under WAC 173-162-080, your license expires on its expiration date if you haven’t submitted a complete renewal application, $75 fee and proof of 14 CEUs. You have a 30-day extension to submit late renewal paperwork, but you cannot drill while expired and cannot earn missing CEUs during those 30 days.
30-day paperwork extension
WAC 173-162-080 allows a 30-day extension after expiration to submit your application and fee, provided your 14 CEUs were already completed before expiration.
No drilling while expired
You may not operate as a licensed well driller after your expiration date until Ecology renews your license.
Makeup CE not allowed in extension
The 30-day extension cannot be used to earn missing CEUs; all 14 CEUs must be completed within the 24-month license term.
Who controls
Who controls Washington well driller license renewal?
Renewal authority
Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington State Department of Ecology, Water Resources Program
PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Washington water well and resource protection well operator licenses
- Approves well driller continuing education providers and courses
- Enforces Chapter 18.104 RCW and Chapter 173-162 WAC
Getting licensed
Getting licensed
We haven’t published a Washington license guide for this profession yet. Tell us if you need one.
FAQ
Washington well driller license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Washington well driller need?
14 continuing education units (CEUs) of approved training every 2-year (24-month) license term, including at least 2 CEUs on Washington state drilling or licensing regulations.
When is the deadline?
Your renewal date is every 2 years based on your first licensure date. All 14 CEUs must be completed before your expiration date.
What topics count?
At least 2 CEUs must cover Washington drilling or licensing regulations. The rest can cover water well or pump technology, groundwater science, occupational health and safety, or business practices.
Can I take CE online?
Yes, if the correspondence or online course is approved by the Department of Ecology under WAC 173-162-085.
Who reports my hours?
You must submit proof of completing your 14 CEUs along with your renewal application and $75 fee to the Department of Ecology.
Do hours carry over?
No. WAC 173-162-080 requires all 14 CEUs to be completed during the previous 24-month license term.
Sources
Official sources for Washington well driller CE rules
- Washington State Department of Ecology, Well Drilling Licensing
- WAC 173-162-080, Conditions and Cost of Renewing a Drilling License
- WAC 173-162-085, Continuing Education
- RCW 18.104.100, Licenses—Duration—Renewal
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Ecology.