Free Water Supply Well Constructor License Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Water Supply Well Constructor License Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An Oregon business plans to advertise and contract with landowners to construct water supply wells. Which licensing rule applies before the business offers those services?

   1. A. Only the drilling-machine operator needs a license after work begins
   2. B. The person offering or entering the construction contracts must hold a water well constructor's license in good standing
   3. C. A license is required only when the proposed well will serve more than three households
   4. D. A landowner permit held by each customer substitutes for the contractor's license

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ORS 537.747(1) says, "No person shall advertise services to construct, alter, abandon or convert wells, offer to enter or enter into a contract" without a water well constructor's license in good standing. The planned advertising and contracting therefore require the license before services are offered.

   Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes — ORS 537.747

2. 2OWRD orally approves a bonded constructor's special-standard request. When must the constructor submit the written request?

   1. A. Within 24 hours
   2. B. Within five calendar days
   3. C. Before the next license renewal
   4. D. Within three working days of oral approval

   Answer: D

   Explanation: OAR 690-200-0021(1) states, "If oral approval is granted, the written request must be submitted to the Department within three working days." The constructor must follow that three-working-day deadline.

   Reference: Oregon Administrative Rules — OAR 690-200-0021(1)

3. 3A driller measures the water depth after a well has been idle long enough to recover. What hydraulic term describes this measurement?

   1. A. Pumping water level
   2. B. Specific capacity
   3. C. Drawdown
   4. D. Static water level

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The OWRD study packet defines static water level as "The depth of the water level in a well when it is not being pumped." The recovered, nonpumping measurement is therefore the static water level.

   Reference: Water Well and Monitoring Well Study Guide and Application — p. 12, Understanding Well Hydraulics

4. 4A crane used at a drilling site may operate within 20 feet of an overhead line rated at or below 350 kV. What is the first information the employer should obtain from the utility?

   1. A. The line's height above grade
   2. B. The line's voltage
   3. C. The horizontal distance to the nearest pole
   4. D. Whether the line is presently energized

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The Oregon OSHA fact sheet identifies the "utility owner or utility operator" as the source for the line voltage. Voltage is needed to select the minimum approach distance.

   Reference: Water Well and Monitoring Well Study Guide and Application — p. 16, Power line safety

5. 5The actual annular-seal placement date will differ from the date on a submitted start card. How far in advance must OWRD be notified of the change?

   1. A. At least four hours
   2. B. At least 30 days
   3. C. At least 72 hours
   4. D. At least 10 days

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OAR 690-205-0200(1)(h) requires notification of the changed date "at least four (4) hours before placing the seal." Four hours is the controlling advance-notice period.

   Reference: Oregon Administrative Rules — OAR 690-205-0200(1)(h)

6. 6On Oregon's public-land survey framework, in which general direction does the Willamette Base Line extend?

   1. A. North and south
   2. B. Northeast and southwest
   3. C. East and west
   4. D. Only west from the meridian

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The study packet says, "The Baseline runs east to the Idaho border and west to the Pacific Ocean." It is therefore the east-west reference line.

   Reference: Water Well and Monitoring Well Study Guide and Application — p. 5, Township, Range and Section

7. 7A sample formed by cooling from a molten mass. To which main rock class does it belong?

   1. A. Igneous
   2. B. Metamorphic
   3. C. Sedimentary
   4. D. Unconsolidated sediment

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OWRD defines igneous rocks as "Rocks formed by the cooling of a molten mass." The sample's origin therefore identifies it as igneous.

   Reference: Water Well and Monitoring Well Study Guide and Application — p. 10, Classification of Rocks

8. 8A helper who does not hold an Oregon water well constructor's license is assigned to operate drilling machinery. Under the statutory exception, what must be true?

   1. A. The helper must hold a pump-installer license
   2. B. The landowner must remain at the site
   3. C. The helper must be supervised by a person who possesses the water well constructor's license
   4. D. The helper may operate only after filing a separate contractor bond

   Answer: C

   Explanation: ORS 537.747(2) provides that a person may operate a well drilling machine without the license "if supervised by one who possesses such a license." Supervision by the licensed constructor is the controlling condition.

   Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes — ORS 537.747

9. 9A constructor determines that a proposed site lies within an Oregon Critical Ground Water or Withdrawal Area. Whom must the constructor contact for more information before proceeding?

   1. A. The OWRD Salem licensing office
   2. B. The watermaster for the county
   3. C. The Oregon DEQ regional office
   4. D. The county planning department

   Answer: B

   Explanation: OAR 690-200-0027(2) says the constructor "shall contact the watermaster for the county where the water supply well is to be constructed." That official is the required contact.

   Reference: Oregon Administrative Rules — OAR 690-200-0027(2)

10. 10During a constant-rate test, the depth to water is recorded along with elapsed pumping time. What is that depth called?

    1. A. Pumping water level
    2. B. Static water level
    3. C. Aquifer thickness
    4. D. Entrance velocity

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The study packet defines pumping water level as "The depth of water level in a well when it is being pumped" and notes that it is recorded with elapsed time. That is the measurement described.

    Reference: Water Well and Monitoring Well Study Guide and Application — p. 12, Understanding Well Hydraulics