Forms & Resources
Well Completion Report (OSWCR)
Required for every well drilled, altered, or destroyed. Due within 60 days.
Submit Online ↗Application for Original Contractor License (CSLB 13A-1)
Application for a new C-57 contractor license. Submit to CSLB with the nonrefundable $450 application fee; the initial license fee ($200 sole owner, $350 other) is paid after you pass the exam.
Download Form ↗Key Forms
- OSWCR: Online System for Well Completion Reports (required for all wells)
- CSLB 13A-1: Application for Original Contractor License (13A-1A is the exam-waiver version under BPC 7065)
- License renewal: CSLB mails the renewal about 60 days before expiration; single-qualifier licenses can renew online
- County Well Permit: Varies by jurisdiction (contact local Environmental Health)
- Injurious Water Report: Report contaminated water found during drilling
OSWCR Account Required: Create an account at oswcr.water.ca.gov validated by your C-57 license. Submit all completion reports electronically.
Licensing Requirements
California requires a C-57 Well Drilling Contractor license for all well drilling work, or C-61/D-21 Machinery & Pumps license for pump installation. Water Code §13750.5 bars anyone without a C-57 license from digging, boring, drilling, deepening, reperforating, abandoning or destroying a water, monitoring, cathodic protection or geothermal heat exchange well.
All contractors must have a $25,000 contractor bond on file with CSLB (BPC 7071.6). A $25,000 qualifying-individual bond is also required when qualified by a responsible managing employee (RME); LLCs need a $100,000 wage bond.
License Fees
| License Type | Application + Initial Fee | Term | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-57 Well Drilling (Sole Owner) | $450 app + $200 initial | 2 years | $450 |
| C-57 Well Drilling (Corp/Partnership) | $450 app + $350 initial | 2 years | $700 |
| C-61/D-21 Pump Installer (Sole) | $450 app + $200 initial | 2 years | $450 |
| Additional Classification | $230 | – | – |
Delinquent Renewal Penalties
Late renewals (after expiration date) incur significant penalties: $675 for sole owners, $1,050 for corporations/partnerships. Licenses that lapse more than 5 years require reapplication and re-examination.
Exam Requirements
- Trade Exam: Technical knowledge of well drilling and construction
- Law and Business Exam: California contractor law and business practices
- Experience: At least 4 years of experience in the classification within the last 10 years, at journeyman level or above (T16 CCR 825)
- Retakes: You have 18 months after your application is approved to pass; wait 21 days between attempts
- Study Materials: Available from CSLB and industry associations
- Exam Provider: PSI Exams (scheduled after CSLB approval)
Continuing Education
No CE Required: California currently has NO mandatory continuing education requirement for C-57 or C-61/D-21 licenses. However, voluntary training is recommended through California Groundwater Association (CGA) and other industry groups.
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Well Completion Report | 60 days after completion | DWR OSWCR system (online) |
| Destruction/Plugging Report | 60 days after completion | DWR OSWCR system |
| License Renewal | Before the expiration date (two years from the last day of the month the license was issued) | CSLB online (single-qualifier licenses) or by mail |
| Local Permit Application | Before drilling | County Environmental Health |
Well Completion Report Requirements
The Well Completion Report must include:
- Location (APN, latitude/longitude, address)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Annular seal/grouting information
- Pump test data and static water level
- Disinfection method and date
Water Code §13751
California Water Code §13751 mandates filing of Well Completion Reports within 60 days of finishing work. Since June 24, 2015, well completion reports are public records. Under Water Code §13752, DWR shares them with government agencies and, on request, with the public. It may charge a fee and removes personal information from public copies.
Abandonment/Destruction Reports
Permanently abandoning a well also requires a completion report within 60 days. Follow DWR Bulletin 74 Parts II-III for proper destruction methods. Submit marked as "destruction/plugging" in OSWCR system.
Construction Standards (DWR Bulletin 74)
Bulletin 74 Is Being Updated
DWR last updated Bulletin 74 in 1991 and plans to release a Public Review Draft on November 5, 2026, with a 60-day comment period ending January 7, 2027. The draft and comment period do not change the rules: DWR plans final revisions in winter/spring 2027 and tentatively plans to send the revised standards to the Water Boards in October 2027, to be adopted into a model well ordinance. Until revised standards are adopted, the current Bulletin 74 standards below apply. Local agencies may adopt standards that meet or exceed Bulletin 74.
Casing Materials
- Steel: New ASTM A-53 steel casing (must meet API or ASTM standards)
- PVC: ASTM F480, NSF-pw certified. Not approved near petroleum/chemical sources
- Fiberglass: Must meet NSF-61/ASTM D-2996 standards
- All joints: Watertight above screen intervals
Annular Seal (Grouting)
| Well Type | Minimum Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Community/Industrial Wells | ≥50 ft | Deeper seal for public supply |
| Domestic/Agricultural Wells | ≥20 ft | Standard minimum for private wells |
| All Wells | Concrete base 2 ft beyond boring, 4 in. thick | Sloped away from casing (Bulletin 74-81, Section 10) |
Surface Completion: A concrete base at least 4 inches thick must extend at least 2 ft in every direction from the outside of the well boring and slope away from the casing (Bulletin 74 Section 10). The top of the casing must be above grade and above known flood levels; for community water supply wells that means above the 100-year floodplain (Title 22 CCR §64417, quoted in Section 8).
Setback Requirements
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Cesspools/seepage pits | 150 ft |
| Watertight septic tank or animal enclosure | 100 ft |
| Sewer lines | 50 ft |
| Property lines | Varies by county |
| Other known contamination sources (feedlots, petroleum or chemical storage, pesticide areas) | No fixed distance; Bulletin 74 asks for adequate separation and up-gradient placement where possible |
Local Ordinances
Local jurisdictions may impose stricter setback requirements beyond Bulletin 74 minimums. Always check county Environmental Health regulations before drilling.
Disinfection
Any new, repaired, or reconditioned well for domestic (drinking) water must be disinfected per Bulletin 74 §11. Appendix C calls for a chlorine solution of at least 50 mg/L (ppm) available chlorine in the well; some authorities recommend 100 mg/L. All drilling lubricants and gravel must be free of sewage contaminants.
Permits
Local Well Permits
California has no statewide pre-drill permit. Instead, all drilling requires a local well permit from the county Environmental Health Department or local water district.
Permit Process:
- Driller or owner submits permit application to county
- Application includes site maps, driller work plan, setback verification
- County reviews for compliance with Bulletin 74 standards (4–8 weeks typical)
- Upon approval, drilling may commence
- County may inspect wellhead seal, pitless adapter, or other components
- After completion, driller files Well Completion Report to DWR
Find Your Permitting Agency
Use the DWR Permitting Agencies list to find county contact information. Fees and forms vary by jurisdiction.
Special Permits
- Geothermal heat exchange (ground-source loop) wells: Covered by Bulletin 74, the C-57 license rule and the 60-day Well Completion Report (Water Code §§13750.5, 13751). Geothermal resource wells (extraction and injection for geothermal energy) are regulated by CalGEM (Dept. of Conservation).
- Monitoring wells: Must meet Bulletin 74 monitoring well standards. Local permit required; often exempt from some use requirements.
- Groundwater recordation: Applies only in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties. Owners of wells with aggregate extractions over 25 acre-ft/yr (or 10 acre-ft/yr or more from a single source) file an annual report; the local agency sets any fee. Outside the seven delegated local agencies, file with the State Water Board before February 1 and pay the State fee.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Central Valley (Alluvial Basins)
- Thick sand/gravel aquifers
- Typical depths: 100–1,000+ ft
- High yields (10–500 gpm common)
- Clay confining layers
- Subsidence concerns in some areas
- Watch for nitrates in agricultural zones
Sierra Nevada Foothills (Hard Rock)
- Crystalline granite/metamorphic rock
- Water in fractures (low yields)
- Typical depths: 200–500 ft
- Often 5–20 gpm maximum
- Drilling difficulty: high
- Arsenic common in some areas
Coastal Basins
- Confined sands and clays
- Typical depths: 200–800 ft
- Moderate to high yields
- Saltwater intrusion risk
- Artesian conditions possible
- Hard water common
Northeast California (Volcanic)
- Fractured volcanic rock
- Variable yields (unreliable)
- Depths vary widely
- Thermal springs common
- Radon concerns in some areas
- Freeze protection required
Seasonal Considerations
- Frozen ground: In northern and high-elevation areas (mean frost-free season <100 days), wellhead seal can be set up to 4 ft below ground to avoid freezing.
- Flooding: Casing tops must be above grade and above known flood levels (Bulletin 74 Section 8). For community water supply wells the level is the 100-year floodplain (Title 22 CCR §64417).
- Water table fluctuations: Pump intakes must be set below seasonal low water table. Screen below clay layers to ensure year-round yield.
- Artesian conditions: Confined aquifers may have artesian pressure. Proper annular sealing (Section 9B) critical for blow-out prevention.
Geology Resources
Reference DWR Bulletin 118 for detailed hydrogeologic information on California's 10 hydrologic regions and groundwater basins.
Resources & Contacts
Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
C-57 licensing, exams, renewals, complaints
DWR - Well Completion Reports (OSWCR)
Online well report submission and help
DWR North Central Region (West Sacramento)
Counties: Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, etc.
Regulatory References
- DWR Bulletin 74 – California Well Standards (Parts I-III)
- Water Code §13751 – Well Completion Report requirement (60-day filing)
- Water Code §13752 – Public availability of well reports
- CSLB Contractor Licensing – C-57 license requirements and renewals
Professional Associations
- California Groundwater Association (CGA): Industry training, advocacy, and networking. Visit groundh2o.org.
- Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRAC): Professional development and technical resources. Visit grac.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my C-57 driller license in California?
Renew through CSLB before your license expires. A license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued (BPC 7140). Fee is $450 for sole owners or $700 for other entities. Single-qualifier licenses can renew online; licenses with more than one qualifier renew by mail or hand delivery with payment. A delinquent renewal costs $675 (sole owner) or $1,050 (other). No continuing education is currently required for C-57 licenses.
What are the continuing education requirements for California drillers?
California currently has NO mandatory continuing education (CE) requirement for C-57 or C-61/D-21 licenses. However, industry associations like the California Groundwater Association offer voluntary training on code updates, safety, and best practices.
How soon must I file the Well Completion Report?
Within 60 days after completion per Water Code §13751. Submit through the DWR Online System for Well Completion Reports (OSWCR) at oswcr.water.ca.gov. You must create an account validated by your C-57 license. A copy must also be provided to the well owner.
What are the setback requirements in California?
DWR Bulletin 74 Section 8 lists these minimum horizontal separation distances: 150 ft from cesspools and seepage pits, 100 ft from watertight septic tanks, leaching fields and animal or fowl enclosures, 50 ft from sewers. They assume a significant unsaturated layer less permeable than sand between the surface and groundwater. The enforcing agency can require more, or approve less case by case with special protection. Wells should be up-gradient of contamination sources where possible. Local ordinances may be stricter.
What casing materials are approved in California?
Steel (ASTM A-53), PVC (ASTM F480, NSF-pw certified), and fiberglass (NSF-61/ASTM D-2996) are approved per Bulletin 74. All casing joints above screen intervals must be watertight. PVC must meet NSF standards and cannot be used near petroleum or chemical sources that could degrade the material.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our California well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
California Homeowner Well Guide →Sources & References
All facts in this guide are sourced from official California agencies and regulations:
- CA Department of Water Resources (DWR) - Wells Program
- DWR Bulletin 74 - California Well Standards
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- California Water Code §13751 - Well Completion Reports
- Online System for Well Completion Reports (OSWCR)
- DWR Bulletin 118 - California's Groundwater
- State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)