Water well drilling contractor operating a drilling rig

Become a Licensed C-57 Water Well Drilling Contractor

The C-57 Water Well Drilling classification is the license for drilling and installing water wells and pumps, and it's one of the specialties even a general building contractor can't self-perform.

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Requirements

Minimum age: 18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5)
Experience required: 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work
Contractor bond: $25,000

About the Exam

Exam format: 2 parts (Law & Business + Trade)
Law & Business exam: 115 questions
School-observed scores: 65% Law / 67% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.57

About this classification

What does a C-57 Water Well Drilling contractor do?

A C-57 Water Well Drilling Contractor installs and repairs water wells and pumps by boring, drilling, excavating, casing, cementing, and cleaning to provide a supply of uncontaminated water. It is the specialty that develops the groundwater source itself.

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.57), a C-57 contractor "installs and repairs water wells and pumps by boring, drilling, excavating, casing, cementing and cleaning to provide a supply of uncontaminated water." Because of the public-health stakes, a B (General Building) contractor cannot self-perform the C-57 or the C-16 (BPC §7057(c)), and a B-2 (Residential Remodeling) contractor cannot self-perform the C-57, C-16, or C-22 Asbestos Abatement (BPC §7057.5(c)(1)); all must be subcontracted or held separately.

Official source: CSLB C-57 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

New domestic and agricultural well drilling
Well casing, gravel-pack, and grouting
Submersible pump and pressure-tank installation
Well rehabilitation and cleaning
Monitoring-well installation
Irrigation and supply wells
Well sealing and destruction
Boring, excavating, and cementing for water supply

Important notes

The C-57 is one of the specialties (along with C-16 Fire Protection, and C-22 Asbestos Abatement for B-2) that a B or B-2 general contractor cannot self-perform; it must be subcontracted or separately licensed.
The C-57 develops the water source (drilling and pumps); whole-house water softening and conditioning is the C-55 (Water Conditioning) scope.
Large well fields built as fixed-works infrastructure can fall under the A (General Engineering) license; well drilling is also regulated by the California Department of Water Resources and local agencies.
California requires a license for any well-drilling contract over $1,000 (labor and materials combined), and workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees; sole owners with no employees may file an exemption (BPC §7125(b)).

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-57 Water Well Drilling exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-57 Water Well Drilling trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 67% for the C-57 trade exam. CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Law & Business

Same for all classifications

115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: California contractor law, business management, safety, estimating, project management

C-57 Trade Exam

Water Well Drilling-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: drilling methods, casing and grouting, well sealing, pump selection and installation, groundwater protection, well destruction, water-quality requirements, plan reading

How to Get Your C-57 Water Well Drilling License

Step 1

Qualify

18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5). You also need a valid SSN/ITIN and 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level water well drilling experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Up to 3 years may be substituted with approved education or apprenticeship.

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-57 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 67% C-57 Trade; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-57 license. You're officially in business.

Step 1

Qualify

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-57 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-57 Water Well Drilling Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-57 Water Well Drilling. Our 99% first-time pass rate is backed by the 100% Money-Back Guarantee on eligible programs.

Feature-by-feature comparison of all four CSLS exam prep programs
Features	Most Popular All-Inclusive C-57 Water Well Drilling $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-57 Water Well Drilling $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-57 Water Well Drilling $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-57 Water Well Drilling $295.00 Value: $395
Best For	Comprehensive prep with maximum support	Remote learners wanting live instruction	Experienced pros with an exam date soon	Self-directed independent learners
Law & Business Classes	4 Classes + Full-Day Review	4 Live Online + Review	Full-Day Review Only	Not included
Trade Math Training	30-Day Interactive + Review	Online Video Review	14-Day Crash Course	Not included
Test-Taking Skills Seminar	1-Day In-Person	1-Day Online	Not included	Not included
Law & Business Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Trade-Specific Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Study Materials	Full Online Suite	Online Materials + Audio/Video	Online + Audio/Video	Online + Audio
Online Videos	Full Suite: L&B, Trade, H&S, Math	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	L&B Audio + H&S Video
Law & Business Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
Trade Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
School Location Access	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	Self-Study Only
Application Assistance	Preparation & Review	Review Only	Review Only	Not included
Money-Back Guarantee	Included	Included	Included	Not included
Bond Fee Discount	50% off first-year bond, up to $120	Not included	Not included	Not included
Retail Value	$2,500	$995	$695	$395
Choose a program	Get All-Inclusive	Get Live Online	Get Crash Course	Get Home Study

Not sure which fits? Call 800-809-6463. Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

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Common Questions

C-57 Water Well Drilling license FAQ

Because of the public-health risk of contaminating groundwater, California makes the C-57 (Water Well Drilling) one of the specialties a general building contractor cannot self-perform: a B contractor must subcontract C-57 and C-16 (Fire Protection); a B-2 contractor must also subcontract C-22 (Asbestos Abatement). The general contractor must subcontract the well work to a licensed C-57 or hold the C-57 separately.

The C-57 (Water Well Drilling) develops the water source itself, drilling the well, setting casing, and installing the pump. The C-55 (Water Conditioning) installs treatment equipment like softeners and filters that condition an existing supply. The C-57 supplies the water; the C-55 treats it.

Yes. Installing and repairing water-well pumps is part of the C-57 scope, along with the drilling, casing, cementing, and cleaning. The classification covers both developing the well and installing the submersible pump and pressure tank that deliver the water.

Most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks of CSLS prep. Adding CSLB application processing (typically 2–4 weeks), exam scheduling, and posting your $25,000 bond, the full path usually runs 2–4 months from start to license-in-hand.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level water well drilling experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Qualifying work may be as a journeyperson, foreperson, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder. This can include work as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee. Up to three years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.

The C-57 trade exam covers drilling methods, casing and grouting, well sealing, pump installation, and groundwater protection. You need the current version-specific CSLB passing score to pass. With CSLS exam prep, 99% of students pass on their first attempt, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

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Become a Licensed C-57 Water Well Drilling Contractor

What does a C-57 Water Well Drilling contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-57 Water Well Drilling exam?

Law & Business

C-57 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-57 Water Well Drilling License

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Compare C-57 Water Well Drilling Exam Prep Programs

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What our Water Well Drilling students say

Try a free C-57 Water Well Drilling practice exam

C-57 Water Well Drilling license FAQ

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