(a) A person who wishes to participate in a driller or installer apprentice program under the supervision of a licensed well driller and/or a licensed pump installer who has been licensed for a minimum of two (2) years, must submit a registration form to the department, provide a detailed copy of the training program, including the effective commencement and termination date, and provide proof that the licensed well driller and/or pump installer has agreed to accept the responsibility of supervising the training.
(b) To qualify for an apprentice registration the person must:
  (1) Be at least eighteen (18) years old;
  (2) Participate in an apprentice program developed by a licensed driller or installer who has been licensed as a driller or installer for at least two years;
  (3) Submit an application on a department-approved form, and
  (4) Pay the registration fee.
(c) The application form for an apprentice shall include:
  (1) the name, business address, and permanent mailing address of the apprentice;
  (2) the name and license number of the licensed driller and/or pump installer who will supervise the training;
  (3) a detailed description of the training program, including the types of wells to be drilled and/or the classifications of pumps to be installed, the effective commencement and termination dates of the program, equipment used, safety training and procedures, and experience, knowledge, and qualification benchmarks while under the apprenticeship;
  (4) a statement by the licensed driller and/or pump installer that the licensed driller or installer takes responsibility for the apprentice's acts under the Code and this Chapter for the activities of the apprentice associated with the training program; and
  (5) the signatures of the apprentice and the licensed driller and/or pump installer and the certification of the licensee and apprentice that the information provided is true and correct.
(d) An apprentice registration issued by the department is valid for one year.
(e) To renew an apprentice registration, an apprentice must:
  (1) submit an application on a department approved form;
  (2) show proof of continuing education in compliance with §76.25(c); and
  (3) pay the renewal fee.

Source Note: The provisions of this §76.27 adopted to be effective January 1, 2016, 40 TexReg 8756; amended to be effective January 1, 2024, 48 TexReg 8356