280.15(2m)(f)1m.1m. The department may not issue a driller license that authorizes well drilling unless all of the following apply:

280.15(2m)(f)1m.a.a. The applicant demonstrates competency in well drilling by passing an examination administered by the department or a department representative.

280.15(2m)(f)1m.b.b. Except as provided in par. (g), the applicant has been a registered drilling rig operator for at least 2 years within the 5 years before applying, has complied with training and continuing education requirements under sub. (3g), and has the well drilling experience required by the department by rule.

280.15(2m)(f)2m.2m. The department may not issue a driller license that authorizes heat exchange drilling unless all of the following apply:

280.15(2m)(f)2m.a.a. The applicant demonstrates competency in heat exchange drilling by passing an examination administered by the department or a department representative.

280.15(2m)(f)2m.b.b. Except as provided in par. (g), the applicant has been a registered drilling rig operator for at least 2 years within the 5 years before applying, has complied with training and continuing education requirements under sub. (3g), and has the heat exchange drilling experience required by the department by rule.

280.15(2m)(g)1.1. The department may issue a driller license to an applicant who does not comply with par. (f) 1m. b. or 2m. b. if the applicant complies with par. (f) 1m. a. or 2m. a. and holds a driller license in good standing from another state and the department determines that the other state has laws and rules governing well drilling and heat exchange drilling and licensing of well drillers and heat exchange drillers that are substantially similar to this state’s laws and rules.

280.15(2m)(g)2.2. The department shall establish alternative requirements to par. (f) 1m. b. for applicants who have gained well drilling experience before June 1, 2008. The department shall establish alternative requirements to par. (f) 2m. b. for applicants who have gained heat exchange drilling experience before April 1, 2015.

280.15(3g)(a)(a) Application. An individual who seeks registration as a drilling rig operator shall apply to the department on a form prepared by the department. The individual shall include a fee of $25, except that an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44 is not required to pay the fee.

280.15(3g)(b)(b) Renewal. In order to retain registration as a drilling rig operator an individual shall do all of the following:

280.15(3g)(b)1.1. Complete training approved by the department.

280.15(3g)(b)2.2. Comply with requirements for continuing education promulgated by the department by rule. The department shall require continuing education specific to well drilling for individuals seeking to retain a drilling rig operator’s registration that authorizes well drilling and shall require continuing education specific to heat exchange drilling for individuals seeking to retain a drilling rig operator’s registration that authorizes heat exchange drilling.

280.15(3g)(b)3.3. Apply for registration renewal and pay a fee of $25 annually on or before January 1.

280.15(3g)(d)(d) Late fees. An individual who files an application for registration renewal or who pays the required annual fee after January 1 shall pay a late penalty of $15.

280.15(3r)(a)(a) Requirement. Except as provided in par. (b) and sub. (4), an individual who is not a licensed driller or a registered drilling rig operator may engage in drilling a well or heat exchange drillhole only if the individual is under the supervision of a licensed driller or a registered drilling rig operator who is on the site of the drilling.

280.15(3r)(b)(b) Exception. Paragraph (a) does not apply to an individual performing well drilling of a public well for a local governmental unit if the individual applies for registration under sub. (3g) no later than 14 days after the day on which the individual begins to perform the well drilling.

280.15(4)(4) Work on own real estate. No individual is required to obtain a registration or license under this section for well drilling or heat exchange drilling on real estate owned or leased by that individual, but the well or heat exchange drillhole and the work done on the well or heat exchange drillhole shall comply with the law and the rules promulgated by the department.

280.16(1)(1) In this section, “pitless adapter” means a device that attaches a well casing pipe to an underground pipe that conveys water from the well.

280.16(2)(2) No person may install a pitless adapter that extends into the inside of a well casing pipe except if the sand screen is permanently attached to the bottom of a well casing pipe that is constructed of polyvinyl chloride. Only the following may install pitless adapters:

280.16(2)(b)(b) An employee of a licensed pump installer or a registered pump installing business.

280.16(2)(c)(c) A welder under contract with a licensed pump installer or registered pump installing business.