Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 26 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT › Part 1 - SUBTITLES 01-07 › Subtitle 05 - BOARD OF WELL DRILLERS › Chapter 26.05.01 - General Regulations › Section 26.05.01.01 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. For the purpose
				  of this subtitle, the following definitions apply.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Apprentice" means a person licensed by
				  the Board to work under the direction and control of a principal licensee for
				  the specific purpose of training to practice well drilling.
(2) "Approved training" means courses of
				  study or programs of instruction in the practice of well drilling and related
				  subjects that are approved by the Board in accordance with the requirements of
				  this subtitle.
(3) "Board" means
				  the State Board of Well Drillers.
(4) "Clock hour" or "credit hour" means the
				  amount of time, usually 1 hour per 50 minutes of instruction, that is
				  accredited by the Board or the institution sponsoring the approved
				  training.
(5) "General" means that
				  category of well driller license which authorizes the practice of well drilling
				  in all categories of the well driller license.
(6) "Geotechnical" means that category of
				  well driller license which authorizes the practice of well drilling, limited to
				  wells constructed for the purpose of sampling, measuring, or test pumping for
				  scientific, engineering, or regulatory purposes, including wells constructed
				  specifically for the removal of contaminants from an aquifer, but excluding
				  water supply test wells.
(7) "Gross
				  negligence" means an action or inaction by a licensee or an applicant for a
				  license that is significantly deficient from the action or inaction expected by
				  the profession or that category of the profession in the same circumstances.
				  Gross negligence is determined by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
(8) "Helper" means a person who assists a
				  licensee, but does not practice well drilling.
(9) "Inactive status" means the status
				  assigned to a license by the Board to indicate that the licensee may not
				  practice well drilling until the licensee has met the requirements of COMAR
				  26.05.02.06D(2).
(10) "Incompetency" means an action or
				  inaction by a licensee or an applicant for a license which demonstrates a
				  general lack of knowledge or ability to practice well drilling in the class and
				  category for which the person is licensed. Incompetency is determined by the
				  Board on a case-by-case basis.
(11)
				  "Journeyman well driller" means a person licensed by the Board to practice well
				  drilling in a particular category under the general supervision of a master
				  well driller of the same category or of the general category.
(12) "License" means, unless the context
				  requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board under this subtitle to
				  practice well drilling.
(13)
				  "Licensee" means a person licensed by the Board under this subtitle.
(14) "License renewal period" means the
				  24-month period immediately preceding the June 1 expiration date of the
				  license.
(15) "Master well driller"
				  means a person licensed by the Board to practice well drilling, without
				  restriction, in a particular category.
(16) "Misconduct" means a willful or
				  intentional action or inaction by a licensee or an applicant for a license that
				  is deficient from the action or inaction expected by the profession or that
				  category of the profession under the same circumstances. Misconduct is
				  determined by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
(17) "Practice well drilling" includes
				  engaging in any of the following activities for profit:
(a) Making, altering, repairing, or sealing a
				  well; or
(b) Installing, altering,
				  repairing, or disconnecting well system equipment.
(18) "Principal licensee" means a person
				  licensed by the Board as a master well driller, water conditioner installer, or
				  pump installer.
(19) "Pump", "water
				  pump", or "pumping equipment" means equipment or related materials used to
				  withdraw or otherwise obtain water from a well.
(20) "Repair" means on-site work on an
				  existing well involving redrilling, deepening, changing casing and screen
				  depths, rescreening, chemical cleaning, redeveloping, removing and reinstalling
				  pumps, repairing well system equipment, and related work.
(21) "Selection" means the actual selection
				  of well system equipment to be installed in or at a particular well.
(22) "Water conditioner installer" means a
				  person licensed by the Board to practice well drilling, restricted to the
				  selection, installation, and repair of water conditioning equipment.
(23) "Water conditioning equipment" means
				  equipment or related materials used to change the chemical, physical, or
				  bacteriological characteristics of water obtained from a well.
(24) "Water pump installer" means a person
				  licensed by the Board to practice well drilling, restricted to the selection,
				  installation, and repair of pumps and related equipment, and the testing for
				  well yield.
(25) "Water supply"
				  means that category of well driller license which authorizes the practice of
				  well drilling, limited to wells constructed for the purpose of obtaining a
				  water supply, including wells drilled for the purpose of installing a heat
				  pump.
(26) "Well" means a hole made
				  in the ground to:
(a) Explore for ground
				  water;
(b) Obtain or monitor ground
				  water;
(c) Inject water into any
				  underground formation from which water may be produced; or
(d) Transfer heat to or from the ground or
				  ground water, if the hole:
(i) Extends more
				  than 20 feet below the surface of the ground, and
(ii) Is not a well for obtaining geothermal
				  resources under Natural Resources Article, § 8-8 A-01, Annotated Code of
				  Maryland.
(27) "Well rig operator" means a person
				  licensed by the Board to practice well drilling, restricted to the location and
				  excavation of wells, installation of casing, grout, screens, pumps, and
				  development and testing of wells.
(28) "Well system equipment" means equipment
				  that is necessary to draw or purify water from a well, including casing, grout,
				  screen, water tank, water pump, or water conditioning equipment.