The WellCAP program is based on the principle that proper training, emphasizing the knowledge and practical skills critical to successful well control, produces competent rig crews. Using quality benchmarks developed together with operators, drilling contractors, professional trainers and well control specialists, WellCAP ensures that well control training schools adhere to a core curriculum developed by industry.  Accreditation is achieved only after an extensive review of a provider's curriculum, testing practices, faculty, facilities, and administrative procedures.

Constantly adapting to industry needs, WellCAP offers the building blocks for a comprehensive well control culture throughout the organization.  At the Introductory Level, WellCAP provides basic well control knowledge for floorhands, derrick workers and non-technical personnel.  The Fundamental and Supervisory Levels address practical well control skills for derrick workers, assistant drillers, drillers, toolpushers, superintendents and drilling foremen.

IADC's new elite WellCAP Plus offers a completely new approach to well control instruction, addressing team problem-solving and decision making skills for experienced management and operations personnel.

WellCAP has been adopted by the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) in the United States to comply with Subpart O training regulations issued by the US Minerals Management Service (MMS).  WellCAP has also been adopted as the internal training standard for world-class operators such as Chevron, Petrobras and PEMEX and contractors like Transocean, Diamond Offshore and Nabors Drilling International.

In 1997, IADC formed an alliance with the International Well Control Forum (IWCF).  This joint effort is known as the International Alliance for Well Control (IAWC).