OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Rhode Island Water Well Driller — Requirements & Free Practice

US-RI · License preparation

100 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Loading selected examination banks…

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Well-drilling contractor

License for well drilling and installation, alteration, removal, or repair of water-supply systems; includes individual and business-entity licensees.

Licensing authority: Rhode Island Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board · Application information

Board approved change of business registration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Business change
Individual or entity applies to change registration; Board approval is required, and the former number may be transferred.
Liability
New registrant is responsible for the former registrant’s claims and violations within Board jurisdiction; other remedies remain.
License application
Section 6.6(A)(6) applies § 1.6.6 to well-drilling licensees; a new unlicensed responsible person separately satisfies the applicable licensure pathway.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary continuation of an existing entity after license holder death or incapacity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing entity
A corporation, firm, association, or partnership has lost its supervising license holder through death or incapacity.
Future qualification
The next examination sets the timing of existing-entity continuity; it is not a passing-exam prerequisite to continuity itself. A replacement needing licensure uses the applicable licensure route.
Rule limit
Section 1.6.7 allows no more than six months after responsible-person disaffiliation or incapacity without satisfying licensing requirements; appoint a qualified new responsible person.
Statutory permission
Section 5-65.2-3(f) allows operation until the next examination or time the Board permits, never longer than twelve months or the limit established by Board rules.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure of grandfathered DEM registered well drilling contractors
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board application demand
The general Board instructions state: Submit proof of completing a PSI exam. The statute’s express exemption controls this route.
Other requirements
Applicable application, fees, insurance, good-standing, and continuing-education obligations remain.
Prior registration
Previously DEM-registered, in good standing as of December 31, 2012, and previously exempt from DEM testing; § 5-65.2-3(g) preserves that exemption.
Rule discrepancy
Section 6.7(B)(3) states: 3.Those well-drilling contractors who were previously registered with the department of environmental management, and remain in good standing as of December 31, 2019, and that were previously exempted from fulfilling the testing requirements required for registration by the department, shall also be exempt from the testing requirements set forth in this chapter.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination
Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination
Application
Submit the prescribed application including name, business and mailing addresses, telephone, other registration/license numbers, and statement of skills, training, and experience.
Board good standing
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(3): be in good standing with the Board.
Business entity
An LLC, corporation, or incorporated entity registers with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and supplies its Business Identification Number. A business entity designates a responsible person meeting licensing requirements.
Complaints
Acknowledge by signing the application that the licensee will participate in good-faith resolution of Board complaints.
Continuing education
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(4) requires five hours per year; § 6.8(B) implements ten Board-approved hours each two-year period with documentation retained for three license cycles.
Exam certificate
Submit successful Well Driller License Examination certification with the application unless a governing exemption applies.
Fee
Initial license fee is $200 for two years; no cash payments.
Identification
Provide a clear copy of a valid government-issued Driver’s License, State ID, Passport photo page, or Military ID.
Incomplete application
Board instructions reject incomplete applications after three months; a new application must be submitted.
Liability insurance
Board instructions require at least $500,000 in general liability coverage naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Moral character
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(1): be of good moral character.
Nonresident agent
A nonresident appoints a Rhode Island registered agent by power of attorney; Board instructions require a Rhode Island street address and availability during business hours.
Statutory cross reference
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(2) cites § 5-65-3(g). The obtained § 5-65-3(g) addresses exclusive Board regulation and local registrations/fees, and identifies no additional examination or applicant examination-waiver class.
Work exemptions
Section 6.6(D)(1) exempts a RIDOH-regulated water authority using its own regular employees/equipment on its own wells; § 46-13.2-4(b) similarly covers municipalities. These are scoped work exemptions, not separate credentials.
Workers compensation
If there are employees, submit workers’ compensation insurance naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Relicensure after a lapse longer than six months
Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination
Application
Submit the prescribed application including name, business and mailing addresses, telephone, other registration/license numbers, and statement of skills, training, and experience.
Board good standing
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(3): be in good standing with the Board.
Business entity
An LLC, corporation, or incorporated entity registers with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and supplies its Business Identification Number. A business entity designates a responsible person meeting licensing requirements.
Complaints
Acknowledge by signing the application that the licensee will participate in good-faith resolution of Board complaints.
Continuing education
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(4) requires five hours per year; § 6.8(B) implements ten Board-approved hours each two-year period with documentation retained for three license cycles.
Exam certificate
Submit successful Well Driller License Examination certification with the application unless a governing exemption applies.
Fee
Initial license fee is $200 for two years; no cash payments.
Identification
Provide a clear copy of a valid government-issued Driver’s License, State ID, Passport photo page, or Military ID.
Incomplete application
Board instructions reject incomplete applications after three months; a new application must be submitted.
Lapse
More than six months lapsed: meet original application, examination, pre-education, and fee requirements plus back fees, penalties, and required supplemental information.
Liability insurance
Board instructions require at least $500,000 in general liability coverage naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Moral character
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(1): be of good moral character.
Nonresident agent
A nonresident appoints a Rhode Island registered agent by power of attorney; Board instructions require a Rhode Island street address and availability during business hours.
Statutory cross reference
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(2) cites § 5-65-3(g). The obtained § 5-65-3(g) addresses exclusive Board regulation and local registrations/fees, and identifies no additional examination or applicant examination-waiver class.
Waiver
Board may waive renewal requirements on a written showing of good cause under § 1.7.5(D).
Work exemptions
Section 6.6(D)(1) exempts a RIDOH-regulated water authority using its own regular employees/equipment on its own wells; § 46-13.2-4(b) similarly covers municipalities. These are scoped work exemptions, not separate credentials.
Workers compensation
If there are employees, submit workers’ compensation insurance naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Renewal after a lapse not exceeding six months
Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination
Continuing education
Ten Board-approved hours per two-year period; retain documentation for three license cycles.
Examination discretion
Section 1.7.4(B) makes written examinations a renewal requirement only when ordered by the Board; retain the currently offered Well Driller examination for that discretionary demand.
Existing license
Renew the same existing license.
Lapse
Not renewed by expiration; lapse no longer than six months. No solicitation, performance, or offers of services during lapse; return inactive cards/certificates within five business days.
Renewal procedure
Apply, pay the fee, supply required supplemental information, and maintain licensing requirements including applicable insurance, good standing, and nonresident registered agent.
Waiver
Board may waive renewal requirements on a written showing of good cause, including documented illness, incapacity, disability, or military service.
Expedited equivalent credential licensure for military member
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board application demand
General first-time instructions state: Submit proof of completing a PSI exam. Section 5-88-1(a) provides issuance notwithstanding other law on its stated credentials and conditions.
Disqualifications
Other-state Board good standing; no disqualifying criminal record, negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, or pending unprofessional-conduct/crime complaint, allegation, or investigation; pay applicable Rhode Island fees.
Equivalence
Board finds other-state licensure substantially equivalent and issues a digitally verifiable license under § 5-88-1(b)(1).
Military status
US armed-forces member with change-of-station orders to Rhode Island.
Out of state license
Licensed or certified in another state for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited equivalent credential licensure for military spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board application demand
General first-time instructions state: Submit proof of completing a PSI exam. Section 5-88-1(a) provides issuance notwithstanding other law on its stated credentials and conditions.
Disqualifications
Other-state Board good standing; no disqualifying criminal record, negligence/misconduct revocation or surrender, or pending unprofessional-conduct/crime complaint, allegation, or investigation; pay applicable Rhode Island fees.
Equivalence
Board finds other-state licensure substantially equivalent and issues a digitally verifiable license under § 5-88-1(b)(1).
Military status
Spouse of a US armed-forces member transferred to Rhode Island; applicant left employment to accompany the member.
Out of state license
Licensed or certified in another state for at least one year.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with military education, training, or service credit
Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination
Application
Submit the prescribed application including name, business and mailing addresses, telephone, other registration/license numbers, and statement of skills, training, and experience.
Board good standing
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(3): be in good standing with the Board.
Business entity
An LLC, corporation, or incorporated entity registers with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and supplies its Business Identification Number. A business entity designates a responsible person meeting licensing requirements.
Complaints
Acknowledge by signing the application that the licensee will participate in good-faith resolution of Board complaints.
Continuing education
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(4) requires five hours per year; § 6.8(B) implements ten Board-approved hours each two-year period with documentation retained for three license cycles.
Exam certificate
Submit successful Well Driller License Examination certification with the application unless a governing exemption applies.
Fee
Initial license fee is $200 for two years; no cash payments.
Identification
Provide a clear copy of a valid government-issued Driver’s License, State ID, Passport photo page, or Military ID.
Incomplete application
Board instructions reject incomplete applications after three months; a new application must be submitted.
Liability insurance
Board instructions require at least $500,000 in general liability coverage naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Military credit
Section 5-87-1(a) requires acceptance of satisfactory military education, training, or service toward qualifications; it does not expressly remove the examination requirement.
Moral character
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-3(c)(1): be of good moral character.
Nonresident agent
A nonresident appoints a Rhode Island registered agent by power of attorney; Board instructions require a Rhode Island street address and availability during business hours.
Statutory cross reference
Section 5-65.2-3(c)(2) cites § 5-65-3(g). The obtained § 5-65-3(g) addresses exclusive Board regulation and local registrations/fees, and identifies no additional examination or applicant examination-waiver class.
Work exemptions
Section 6.6(D)(1) exempts a RIDOH-regulated water authority using its own regular employees/equipment on its own wells; § 46-13.2-4(b) similarly covers municipalities. These are scoped work exemptions, not separate credentials.
Workers compensation
If there are employees, submit workers’ compensation insurance naming RICRLB as certificate holder.
Licensure on substantially equivalent out of state credentials
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board application demand
The general first-time instructions state: Submit proof of completing a PSI exam. This implementing demand is recorded; statutory equivalence defines issuance on out-of-state credentials.
Equivalence
Board finds other-state requirements substantially equivalent and issues a Rhode Island license under § 5-87-1(b)(1).
Implementation scope
Board § 1.7.6 implements equivalence for military members and spouses; this route retains the broader statutory text.
Other requirements
Submit the application and fees, maintain applicable insurance and good standing, and appoint a registered agent if nonresident.
Out of state license
Hold a current license or certification in another state for the same professional services.
Statutory scope
The operative § 5-87-1(b) refers to a person licensed in another state without a military limitation, although its chapter is titled Service Member Licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

License renewal
Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination
Continuing education
Ten Board-approved hours per two-year period; retain documentation for three license cycles.
Examination discretion
Section 1.7.4(B) makes written examinations a renewal requirement only when ordered by the Board; retain the currently offered Well Driller examination for that discretionary demand.
Existing license
Renew the same existing license.
Renewal procedure
Apply, pay the fee, supply required supplemental information, and maintain licensing requirements including applicable insurance, good standing, and nonresident registered agent.
Reinstatement after voluntary temporary surrender within the license period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Claims and violations
Resolve outstanding claims and violations before reinstatement.
Fee
No additional reinstatement charge within the license period.
Surrender
Voluntary temporary surrender; reinstate within the same license period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Rhode Island Well Driller License Examination

Examination outline
  • General Knowledge
  • Casing and Screens
  • Grouting and Sealing
  • Safety
  • Testing
  • Contamination and Prevention
  • Wells and Pumps
  • Drilling Methods
Examination sources