How to Become a Water Well Driller in Alberta
Do you need certification?
Certification is voluntary
Water well driller is a voluntary trade in Alberta. You can work in the trade without a certificate.
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- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller, checked October 11, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Voluntary certification See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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Apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them.
Source
“Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller -
To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
Source
“To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller -
The apprenticeship lasts two years, with each year including at least 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of classroom instruction.
Source
“The term of apprenticeship for each branch of this trade is 2 years (two 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of classroom instruction in each year.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
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You submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
Source
“1. Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/035
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Before enrolling in classroom instruction, apprentices must meet entrance requirements, which include specific high school courses they must have passed.
Source
“Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit...
Experience
Applicants to the Work Experience Program must complete 36 months and 5400 hours of verifiable Water Well Driller work experience.
Source
“1. Complete 36 months and 5400 hours of verifiable Water Well Driller work experience.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/035
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
Water well drillers trained in other provinces can work in Alberta if they hold a recognized certificate or have journeyperson-level skills, and the Recognized Credentials Program requires submitting their certificate and passing a theory exam. Source
“Water well drillers and earth loop technicians trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by Alberta or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Exams
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entrance exam
Source
“If you don’t meet the high school entrance requirements, you’ll need to pass an entrance exam before registering in apprenticeship classroom instruction.”
tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | — | — | — | Undetermined |
| Canada | $21.60 | $30.00 | $41.92 | — |
Water well drillers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Voluntary certification
- Saskatchewan Voluntary certification
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Voluntary certification
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Voluntary certification
- Nova Scotia Certification required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Water Well Driller: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/water-well-driller · fetched October 8, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Water Well Driller tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/profiles/035 · fetched October 10, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Meet Requirements tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/eligibilit... · fetched October 9, 2026
- Tradesecrets - Types of Exams tradesecrets.alberta.ca/apprentice-services/prepare-for-an-exam/typ... · fetched October 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a water well driller in Alberta?
No. Certification is available, but it is not required to work in the trade in Alberta. Certification is managed by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Which exams are required?
entrance exam.
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