New Certification Required for Well Contractors
RALEIGH -- Under a new program, well contractors wanting to work in North Carolina must become certified by Jan. 1, 2000. Grandfathering requirements must be met by Jan. 1, 1999.
Under the grandfathering requirements, well contractors registered or working for a company registered with the Division of Water Quality since July 1992 can be certified without taking a newly required exam, if they apply for certification by Jan. 1, 1999 and pay the $200 annual fee. Additionally, contractors must register for 1999 and pay the $50 yearly registration fee.
Contractors without continuous registration since July 1992, however, have to register and pass the certification examination. The required examination is administered at a cost of $50. After passing the exam, an annual fee of $200 must be paid to become legally certified as a well contractor.
The Well Contractors Certification Commission recently adopted the rules, including the examination requirement, as part of meeting mandates of House Bill 251. Enacted in 1997, the legislation is intended to maintain the trade's standing and to protect consumers from unqualified contractors.
DWQ is contacting registered well contractors across the state to provide application materials and other information on the new requirements, which became effective Dec. 15, 1998, as temporary rules.
The public can submit written comments on the new certification program through Feb. 15, 1999. The Commission is to adopt permanent rules in 1999.
Submit comments to David Hance, Division of Water Quality, Groundwater Section, P.O. Box 29578, Raleigh, NC 27626-0578; phone (919) 715-6189; facsimile (919) 715-0588.
Additional information is also available on DWQ's web site at http://gw.ehnr.state.nc.us/.
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Date Posted: 12/21/98
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