Forms & Resources
Form U.W.5 - Application for Permit
Required before drilling any groundwater well. Landowner or driller files.
Download Form ↗Form U.W.6 - Statement of Completion
Required after well completion. File within 30 days after completion.
Download Form ↗All SEO Forms
- Form U.W.5: Application for Permit to Appropriate Groundwater
- Form U.W.6: Statement of Completion and Description of Works
- Form U.W.8/U.W.8P: Existing well registrations (if applicable)
- Abandonment Notice (Rev. 04/2026): One-page SEO form with the permit number, plugging date, reason and plugging method
Online Submission: Use the Wyoming e-Permit System for electronic filing of permits and completion statements.
Licensing Requirements
Wyoming requires licensed contractors for all well drilling and pump installation per W.S. 33-42-101 et seq.
License Types & Fees
| License Type | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Water Well Drilling Contractor | $200 | 3 years |
| Water Well Pump Installation Contractor | $200 | 3 years |
| Application Fee (resident / non-resident) | $25 / $100 | One-time, non-refundable |
| Examination Fee (each Wyoming exam) | $75 | Per exam; same fee to retake |
| Late Renewal (by Jan 31) | +$50 | Added to the $200 renewal fee |
| Inactive/Retired Renewal | $200 | 3 years |
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old and show proof of legal presence in the United States
- Show working knowledge of well construction or pump installation: NGWA certification in the branch, or a passed NGWA general exam plus at least one specialty exam
- Pass the Wyoming-specific exam on state laws and rules ($75)
- Carry at least $300,000 in general liability insurance and provide proof
- Submit the application and fees. Reciprocity, W.S. 33-42-114: "If a person holding a license entitling him to drill water wells or install pumping equipment in another state applies for a Wyoming water well drilling contractor's or water well pump installation contractor's license, if the other state offers reciprocity, and if the board determines the standards and requirements of the state in which the applicant is licensed are equal to or exceed the standards or requirements of this act, the board may waive the examination requirements except the applicant shall successfully complete an examination based on Wyoming statutes and rules relating to the drilling of water wells or installation of pump equipment. The applicant shall also pay all applicable fees."
- Post a copy of your license at each well drilling or pump installation site
- Criminal background check may be required
- Submit the application training/work experience history for the past ten years
Renewal Cycle
- Term: 3 years (expires December 31 of 3rd year)
- Deadline: Renew by December 31 of expiration year
- Grace period: 31 days (through January 31) with a $50 late fee
- After Feb 1: License is not eligible for reinstatement until you meet all licensing requirements again (W.S. 33-42-109(c))
Continuing Education
- Units required: 18 CPC units per 3-year renewal period, at least 9 directly related to your license type
- Providers: Board-approved providers only
- Record retention: Keep your log and certificates for 3 years after renewal
Exam Information
After the Board approves your application, schedule the exam. Study materials cover drilling methods, well construction standards, and plumbing/pump systems. Contact the Board at 307-851-7770 or wwcb@wyoboards.gov for exam dates and details.
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Completion (U.W.6) | Within 30 days after the well is completed (W.S. 41-3-935) | SEO Ground Water Division (e-Permit or mail) |
| Abandonment/Plugging Report | Upon completion | SEO (reference permit number) |
| License Renewal | December 31 of 3rd year; grace period through January 31 with a $50 late fee | Licensing Board |
| CE Records | Keep 3 years after each renewal | Provide on request for audit |
Statement of Completion (U.W.6) Requirements
The completion statement must include:
- Well depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information (materials, depths)
- Pump test data (if conducted)
- Final construction details (wellhead height, cap type, etc.)
Permit Expiration
If drilling is completed after the permit expires, you must submit a notarized affidavit or administrative request to reinstate the permit before filing U.W.6. Contact the SEO Ground Water Division for guidance.
Construction Standards (2011)
All wells must comply with the Wyoming Water Well Minimum Construction Standards (2011), promulgated by the State Engineer per W.S. 41-3-909.
Casing Requirements
- Materials: Steel (ASTM-A53, minimum Schedule 10), PVC (NSF/ANSI-certified, ASTM F480), or concrete pipe
- Installation: Only steel casing with a drive shoe or drive point may be driven or jacked. PVC goes in an oversized drilled hole and is never driven.
- Joints: Watertight per the manufacturer. Steel is welded (fully penetrating, no spot welds) or threaded. PVC is glued, flush-thread or spline-lock, with NSF-approved solvents and glue.
- Connections: Flanged or slip couplings must be properly bonded
- Alignment: No more than 1 degree of drift per 100 ft of borehole
- Wellhead: Casing must extend at least 18 inches above finish grade
- Depth: For Type IV open-hole wells, casing penetrates at least 10 ft into the producing aquifer
Grouting/Sealing
- All annular spaces above target aquifer must be grouted
- Approved materials: Neat cement, sand cement, concrete grout, nonslurry bentonite (chips or pellets), cement-bentonite slurry, or bentonite grout slurry (at least 20 percent solids)
- Surface seal: Grout in an annular space of at least 2 inches, extending at least 20 ft below ground surface or to usable water, evenly distributed and free of voids
- Purpose: Prevent vertical movement of water between aquifers
Setback Requirements
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Septic disposal (leach) field | 100 ft |
| Septic tank | 50 ft |
| Livestock pens, sewage lagoons | ≥50 ft |
| Sewer | 50 ft |
| Property line or boundary | 10 ft |
| Buildings and overhead projections | Outside a 10 ft radius of the surface casing |
| Other contamination sources | Locate the well upgradient when possible |
Best Practice
Always attempt to locate wells upgradient of contamination sources, regardless of minimum setback distances. This provides an extra layer of protection.
Disinfection
All new wells and rehabilitated wells for drinking or sanitary use must be disinfected before being placed in service. Typical method:
- Chlorination (100 mg/L residual for 2+ hours)
- Surging and flushing per SEO Appendix A procedures
- All pumps, piping, and equipment must be cleaned and chlorinated
Flowing/Artesian Wells
Important
Wyoming law (W.S. 41-3-909(a)(vii)) mandates that flowing wells must be capped or plugged to prevent waste. Special casing and surface capping equipment is required for artesian wells.
Permits
Water Rights Permits
All groundwater wells require a permit from the State Engineer before drilling (W.S. 41-3-930). This includes domestic, stock, irrigation, municipal, and industrial wells.
- File Form U.W.5 before drilling
- Domestic/stock permits typically approved in 1–2 weeks
- Larger appropriations may take longer
- Driller must have approved permit on site before drilling
No County Permits
Wyoming does not have county-level drilling permits. All well permitting is centralized through the State Engineer's Office. (Local counties may have setback or well location reviews in subdivision approvals, but no separate drilling permit is required.)
Special Permits
- Geothermal/heat pumps: Covered under W.S. 33-42-102. Drilling license required; may need water right permit if water is used or reinjected.
- Monitoring wells: Small monitoring wells (<4″ diameter) for sampling/observation only are exempt from water-right permitting, but must follow construction standards.
- Dewatering wells: Temporary construction dewatering may have different requirements. Contact SEO Ground Water Division for guidance.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Eastern Plains (High Plains Aquifer)
- Thick alluvial sand-and-gravel (Ogallala Formation)
- Typical depths: 50–300 ft
- Unconfined aquifer (no artesian pressure)
- Watch for seasonal water table fluctuations
Central Basins (Powder River, Wind River)
- Sedimentary Tertiary/Cretaceous aquifers (Fox Hills, Lance, Niobrara)
- Typical depths: 300–600 ft
- Yields 50–150 gpm in valleys
- Water quality: fresh to moderately saline
Western Wyoming (Mountain Basins)
- Fractured aquifers (Paleozoic carbonates: Tensleep, Madison Limestone)
- Artesian conditions possible in valleys (Bighorn, Jackson Hole)
- Alluvium along Snake River, Green River yields easily
- Variable water quality, pressure requires special capping
Hard Rock & Mountain Areas
- Granite, limestone, hard sandstone formations
- Require heavy-duty rotary or cable tool drilling
- Lost circulation zones common
- Centralizers and reaming often needed
Seasonal Considerations
Frozen Ground
Northern Wyoming can have frost depths exceeding 3–4 ft. Wells must be drilled during thaw periods or with special equipment. Use pitless adapters to bury pumplines below frost line.
Spring Flooding
High spring runoff in mountain basins can wash out access roads or inundate floodplain wells. Ensure well pits are above flood levels with proper drainage.
Water Table Fluctuation
Monsoon and snowmelt recharge raise shallow water tables seasonally. May encounter perched aquifers in spring. Late summer drilling sees lower tables.
Regional Resources
Reference SEO aquifer maps and USGS regional studies for detailed geology. Contact local drillers for specific formation conditions in your area.
Resources & Contacts
Wyoming State Engineer - Ground Water Division
Permits, well standards, completion reports
Water Well Contractors Licensing Board
Licensing, exams, renewals, CE requirements
Wyoming Ground Water Association
Industry association, CE courses, networking
Wyoming DEQ - Water Quality Division
Water quality issues, contamination reporting
Regulatory References
- W.S. 33-42-101 et seq. – Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers licensing
- W.S. 41-3-909 – State Engineer powers (construction standards)
- W.S. 41-3-930 – Groundwater appropriation permits required
- Wyoming Water Well Minimum Construction Standards (2011) – SEO Regulations & Instructions, Part III
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Wyoming driller license?
Renew by December 31 of the third year through the Wyoming Water Well Contractors Licensing Board. The renewal fee is $200 per 3-year term. You must complete 18 continuing professional competency (CPC) units for the period and submit the CPC form with your renewal. An expired license can still be renewed through January 31 with a $50 late fee. If it is not renewed by February 1, you must meet the full licensing requirements again.
What are the CE requirements for Wyoming drillers?
Wyoming requires 18 CPC units per 3-year renewal period (W.S. 33-42-113; Board Rules Chapter 7). At least 9 must directly relate to water well construction (drilling license) or pump installation (pump installer license). Courses must be from Board-approved providers. Keep your log and certificates for 3 years after each renewal in case the Board audits you.
How soon must I file the Statement of Completion (U.W.6)?
File Form U.W.6 within 30 days after well completion. Use the e-Permit system or mail to the SEO Ground Water Division.
What are the setback requirements in Wyoming?
Minimum setbacks: ≥100 ft from septic disposal fields, ≥50 ft from livestock pens, sewage lagoons, and sewer lines. Always attempt to locate wells upgradient of contamination sources. Springs used as wells must meet the same setback requirements.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Wyoming well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
Wyoming Homeowner Well Guide →