Well Driller License Cost Rankings

All states ranked by total initial licensing cost for well drillers. Find the cheapest and most expensive states to get licensed.

Well driller licensing costs are relatively high compared to many specialty trades, reflecting the environmental and public health implications of groundwater work. Improperly drilled wells can contaminate aquifers and endanger water supplies, so states maintain strict oversight of well drilling operations.

Cheapest State

Mississippi

$370 total

Most Expensive

Hawaii

$715 total

National Average

$474

48 states require license

State-by-State Well Driller License Costs

Rank	State	Application	License	Exam	Total Cost
1	Mississippi	$80	$155	$135	$370
2	Arkansas	$80	$160	$140	$380
3	West Virginia	$80	$160	$140	$380
4	Alabama	$80	$165	$145	$390
5	Oklahoma	$80	$165	$145	$390
6	Kentucky	$85	$165	$145	$395
7	Iowa	$85	$170	$150	$405
8	Louisiana	$85	$170	$150	$405
9	South Dakota	$85	$170	$150	$405
10	Indiana	$85	$175	$150	$410
11	Nebraska	$85	$175	$150	$410
12	Tennessee	$85	$175	$150	$410
13	Idaho	$90	$175	$155	$420
14	New Mexico	$90	$175	$155	$420
15	Ohio	$90	$175	$155	$420
16	South Carolina	$90	$175	$155	$420
17	Georgia	$90	$180	$160	$430
18	Michigan	$90	$180	$160	$430
19	North Dakota	$90	$180	$160	$430
20	Wisconsin	$90	$180	$160	$430
21	Wyoming	$90	$180	$160	$430
22	Montana	$90	$185	$160	$435
23	North Carolina	$90	$185	$160	$435
24	Texas	$90	$185	$160	$435
25	Arizona	$95	$190	$165	$450
26	Utah	$95	$190	$165	$450
27	Florida	$100	$200	$175	$475
28	Minnesota	$100	$200	$175	$475
29	Pennsylvania	$100	$200	$175	$475
30	Maine	$100	$205	$180	$485
31	Delaware	$105	$210	$185	$500
32	Illinois	$105	$210	$185	$500
33	Nevada	$105	$210	$185	$500
34	Vermont	$105	$210	$185	$500
35	Virginia	$105	$210	$185	$500
36	Rhode Island	$110	$215	$190	$515
37	Colorado	$110	$220	$195	$525
38	New Hampshire	$110	$220	$195	$525
39	Oregon	$110	$220	$195	$525
40	Maryland	$115	$230	$200	$545
41	Washington	$115	$230	$200	$545
42	Connecticut	$120	$240	$210	$570
43	Alaska	$125	$250	$220	$595
44	New Jersey	$125	$250	$220	$595
45	Massachusetts	$130	$260	$230	$620
46	New York	$135	$270	$235	$640
47	California	$140	$280	$245	$665
48	Hawaii	$150	$300	$265	$715

What Affects Well Driller License Costs?

Well driller licensing is heavily influenced by groundwater regulations and environmental protection laws. Rural states with high well water usage tend to have the most comprehensive licensing frameworks. Many states require separate certifications for different well types (drinking water, monitoring, geothermal), which can increase your total licensing investment.

Key Takeaways

The cheapest state is Mississippi at $370, while the most expensive is Hawaii at $715.
The national average is $474 and the median cost is $450.
These costs are initial licensing fees only — budget separately for surety bonds, insurance, and continuing education.

Costs shown are estimated initial licensing costs only. Actual fees may vary. Renewal fees, insurance, and bond costs are not included. Data last verified January 2026.