SECTION 76.25. Continuing Education

(a) Terms used in this section have the meanings assigned by Chapter 59 of this title, unless the context indicates otherwise.

(b) To renew a license as a driller or pump installer, a licensee must complete continuing education courses approved by the department, which must include the following:

(1) one (1) hour of instruction dedicated to the Water Well Driller/Pump Installer statutes and rules; and

(2) the following number of hours of instruction dedicated to topics directly related to the water well industry, including but not limited to well and water well pump standards, geologic characteristics of the state, state groundwater laws and related regulations, well construction and pump installation practices and techniques, health and safety, environmental protection, technological advances, or business management:

(A) three (3) hours for renewal before March 1, 2024; or

(B) seven (7) hours for renewal on or after March 1, 2024.

(c) To renew a registration as an apprentice, a registrant must complete a one (1) hour department-approved continuing education course dedicated to the Water Well Driller and Pump Installer statutes and rules.

(d) The continuing education hours must have been completed within the term of the current license or registration, in the case of a timely renewal. For a late renewal, the continuing education hours must have been completed within the one (1) year period immediately prior to the date of the late renewal.

(e) A licensee or registrant may not receive continuing education credit for attending the same course more than once during their license term.

(f) Licensees and registrants must retain a copy of the certificate of course completion for one year after the date of completion. In conducting any inspection or investigation of the licensee or registrant, the department may examine the licensee's or registrant's records to determine compliance with this subsection.

(g) To be approved under Chapter 59 of this title, a provider's course must be dedicated to instruction in one or more of the topics listed in subsection (b), and the provider must be registered under Chapter 59 of this title.

(h) A licensee whose license has been placed on "inactive" status pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, §51.4011 is not required to complete continuing education as required by this section until the licensee seeks to change to "active" status.

Source Note: The provisions of this §76.25 adopted to be effective March 1, 2013, 38 TexReg 1142; amended to be effective September 15, 2014, 39 TexReg 7090; amended to be effective January 1, 2016, 40 TexReg 8756; amended to be effective January 1, 2024, 48 TexReg 8356