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:
(1) be
conditioned upon proper compliance with state law and the rules and regulations
of the state engineer;
(2) be
effective for the period of time for which the well driller's license is
issued;
(3) stipulate the obligee
as the "office of the state engineer"; and
(4) not be represented to the public as a
performance bond.
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.
|
Well Drilling Activity
|
National Ground Water Association Exam*
|
|
Constructing wells by drilling using the cable tool
method
|
General drilling exam and cable tool drilling
exam
|
|
Constructing wells by drilling using the air rotary
method
|
General drilling exam and air rotary drilling
exam
|
|
Constructing wells by drilling using the mud rotary
method
|
General drilling exam and mud rotary drilling
exam
|
|
Constructing wells by drilling using the reverse
circulation method
|
General drilling exam and reverse circulation
drilling exam
|
|
Constructing wells using the jetting and driving
methods
|
General drilling exam and jetting and driving wells
exam
|
|
Constructing wells by augering or constructing
monitoring wells
|
General drilling exam and augering and monitoring
exam
|
|
All other well drilling activities
|
General drilling exam
|
*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.
(1)
Exam fee: No fees
or advanced scheduling forms are required for the New Mexico code
exam.
(2)
Test
content: The New Mexico code exam may include questions on the following
subjects:
(a) New Mexico water law as it
pertains to well driller licensing, well drilling and construction, and the
administration of underground water, and
(b) the rules and regulations of the state
engineer pertaining to well driller licensing, well drilling and construction,
and the administration of underground water.
(3)
Re-examination: An applicant
who fails to obtain the minimum passing score on the exam may retake the exam.
(a) No fees or advanced scheduling forms are
required to retake the New Mexico code exam.
(b) Any applicant found cheating on the exam,
as determined by the state engineer, will not be permitted to reapply to take
the exam for a period of one year.
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.
