Well Driller vs. Pump Installer in Indiana — Which License Do You Need?
March 2, 2026
Indiana’s Water Well Driller and Pump Installer Licensing Program (IC 25-39-3) issues two distinct license types. Understanding the difference matters when you’re hiring a contractor — the wrong license type isn’t allowed to perform your specific work.
Well Driller License
A licensed well driller is authorized to:
- Drill new water wells (rotary, percussion, or cable tool methods)
- Deepen existing wells
- Drill test holes and monitoring wells
- Install and seal well casing during drilling
- Plug (abandon) old wells
- Perform certain environmental and geotechnical drilling
What a well driller cannot do (without a separate pump installer license):
- Install or service water well pumps
- Replace pressure tanks
- Work on the pump electrical system
If a contractor quotes you on drilling a new well AND installing the pump, ask to see both license types — or verify they hold a combined license.
Pump Installer License
A licensed pump installer is authorized to:
- Install new submersible or jet pumps in water wells
- Pull and reinstall pumps for service
- Repair or replace pressure tanks
- Service and repair pump electrical controls
- Install pump systems for geothermal heat pumps
What a pump installer cannot do (without a separate well driller license):
- Drill new wells
- Deepen existing wells
- Perform any drilling operations
Combined License
Many Indiana contractors hold both licenses. This is common for full-service well companies that handle everything from drilling through pump installation. When interviewing contractors, ask specifically which license(s) they hold.
When You Need a Well Driller Only
- Drilling a new well (you plan to hire a separate plumber or pump installer for the pump)
- Deepening an existing well with reduced yield
- Drilling a monitoring well, test well, or geotechnical borehole
- Plugging an abandoned well
When You Need a Pump Installer Only
- Pump has failed and needs replacement (well is fine)
- Pressure tank replacement
- Pump service or pull-and-clean
- Adding a second pump system to an existing well
When You Need Both (or a Combined License Holder)
- New well from scratch — drilling, casing, pump, pressure tank, and hookup
- Geothermal well system installation
- Major well rehabilitation (new casing plus new pump)
How to Verify Which License a Contractor Holds
Contact the Indiana DNR Division of Water directly:
- Phone: (877) 928-3755, Option 4
- Phone: (317) 234-1087
- Email: DOWWRU@dnr.in.gov
Ask for verification of the specific individual’s name, license type (well driller, pump installer, or both), license number, and current status. Don’t accept a contractor’s word for it — verify with the DNR.
License Expiration and Renewal
Both license types expire December 31st of the year they are issued. A contractor licensed in 2024 has a license that expired January 1, 2025. Always verify the license is current — an expired license is not valid for performing work.
Finding Licensed Contractors
Browse IN Well Drillers to find DNR-registered well drilling companies in your county. The contractor registry shows each company’s service type categories (PI for pump installer, DWS/WS for water supply drilling, etc.) and includes direct phone numbers so you can call and ask about their individual license types before scheduling.