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Board denies two W-1 well-drilling applications, directs applicants to W-2 apprenticeship path
Summary
The board voted to deny two applications for unlimited water-well contractor (W-1) licenses and told the applicants to apply for W-2 (journeyman) recognition and complete the required two-year timeline before seeking W-1 licensure.
The Plumbing Piping Work Examining Board on April 24 denied two applications for the W-1 (unlimited well-drilling contractor) license, concluding the applicants had not completed the regulatory step of holding a W-2 journeyman registration for the required period. Board members said they found evidence of extensive drilling experience but said the applications had skipped an established regulatory step. Peter Alfieri moved to deny both W-1 applications and Carlton Pember seconded; the motion carried. The board advised the applicants to apply to the application-review working group for W-2 recognition, complete the W-2 requirements and timeline, then return to the board for W-1 consideration. Aaron Akbar, the board's well-driller member, told the meeting the applicants had substantial field experience but noted the board must avoid setting a precedent that would allow other out-of-sequence applications. "I can't see how we can go straight to a W-1 here legally without setting a precedent for everyone else," Akbar said during the review. Applicants in the meeting included Julie Boyd and Adam Yarrish, who presented documentation of out-of-state training and extensive practical experience. Board members said education and training credits were substantial but that Connecticut regulations and the board's working-group process require W-2 registration and a two-year apprenticeship period before an applicant may sit for the W-1 exam. Board members asked that applicants refile as W-2 candidates so the W-2 working group can evaluate their credentials against Connecticut requirements. If the working group approves, applicants would be permitted to sit for the W-2 and must hold that status for the statutory period before applying for the contractor W-1 license. The board's denial is procedural, not a finding that applicants lack experience; several members praised the applicants' training and history in the field and encouraged them to pursue the W-2 route.
