State rules
New Mexico
New Mexico licenses well drillers through the Office of the State Engineer. The statewide projects page says it is unlawful to drill a well for water from an underground source without a valid license issued by the State Engineer, and that a person who wants to drill files an application with that office. The well rules, 19.27.4 NMAC, repeat the license requirement and state an exception for driven wells that do not use a drill rig and have an outside casing diameter of two and three-eighths inches or less. The same rules require a $5,000 bond, at least $300,000 in general liability insurance, two years of on-site experience under a well driller, a $50 application fee, and a license term of two years. This record does not list drillers.
Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Licensing or permitting agency
- New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
- Who must hold a credential
- Licensed well driller; drill rig supervisors are registered separately
- Official permit or license page
- Official page →
The rules say the bond must stay in effect or the license is not valid. Insurance may be in the driller's name or the company's name if the driller is for hire. Workers' compensation insurance is also required. The license number and company name must be displayed on each rig. A drill rig supervisor may supervise on site under a well driller's direction. The well driller is responsible for that supervisor. A supervisor applicant must be at least 18, have two years of experience, and pass the New Mexico code exam. The supervisor registration has no filing fee in the rule.
The rules also set construction expectations a homeowner can ask about. Wells must be at least 50 feet from another owner's existing well unless the state engineer grants a variance, and setbacks from contamination sources follow applicable requirements. During a stop in construction, the well is covered or capped unless a driller or supervisor is on site. Finished casing extends at least 18 inches above the ground. The state engineer issues a well identification tag with the permit, and the permit holder keeps that tag readable. Artesian wells need an approved plan of operations signed by a well driller before drilling.
The Office of the State Engineer page is the program description, and 19.27.4 NMAC is the rule text used for the bond, insurance, fee, and term. A customer should ask for the well driller license, ask whether a registered drill rig supervisor will be on site, and ask for the permit and the well tag. Plugging a well that hits contaminated soil or water may require coordination with the New Mexico Environment Department. The $5,000 bond, $300,000 insurance, and $50 fee are stated in the rule and are not stored in the fee field of this record.
Official resources in New Mexico
States that a State Engineer well driller license is required.
License, bond, insurance, experience, setbacks, and well tags.
Federal context for private well households.
Key facts for New Mexico
- A State Engineer well driller license is required to drill a water well.
- Small driven wells of 2-3/8 inches or less that do not use a drill rig are excepted.
- The rules require a $5,000 bond and at least $300,000 in general liability insurance.
- Drillers need two years of on-site experience under a well driller.
- The license application fee in the rule is $50, and the license lasts two years.
- Drill rig supervisors are registered and work under a well driller.
- Wells must be at least 50 feet from another owner's existing well unless a variance is granted.
What to do next
- Ask for the State Engineer well driller license and the rig marking.
- Ask whether a registered drill rig supervisor will be the person on site.
- Ask for the permit and the well identification tag.
- Ask about the 50-foot setback from neighboring wells before choosing a spot.
Looking for your city or county in New Mexico?
We haven't found official program-level pages for New Mexico we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across New Mexico, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.New Mexico
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the New Mexico page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- When you need a well permit
- Licensed driller versus pump installer
- How to check a well driller license
- Private well water testing after drilling