Free Well Driller License Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A Rhode Island company plans to construct water-supply wells and also install, alter, and repair the associated water-supply systems. Which license scope covers that business?

   1. A. Well-drilling contractor
   2. B. Pump installer
   3. C. Residential water-filtration installer
   4. D. Underground utility contractor

   Answer: A

   Explanation: R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-2(16) states that a well-drilling contractor "engages in well drilling, including the installation, alteration, removal, or repair of water-supply systems." The described work falls within that license scope.

   Reference: Title 5 Businesses and Professions — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-2(16)

2. 2A Rhode Island driller completes a well in an unconsolidated formation that is not very coarse gravel free of fines. What must be installed to control formation material?

   1. A. Well screen
   2. B. Liner pipe
   3. C. Well casing
   4. D. Pressure packer

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 6.24.7(A) requires that a well obtaining water from an unconsolidated formation "shall be equipped with a screen, for the purpose of preventing the entrance of formation material into the well after the well has been developed and completed."

   Reference: Rules and Regulations for Well-Drillers, Pump Installers, and Water Filtration Contractors - Rhode Island Department of State — 440-RICR-10-00-6 § 6.24.6

3. 3For a public well, which water range is permitted per 94-pound bag of Portland cement when mixing neat cement grout?

   1. A. 3 to 4 gallons
   2. B. 4 to 5 gallons
   3. C. 5 to 6 gallons
   4. D. 7 to 8 gallons

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 1.4(L)(2)(d)(1) defines neat cement grout as Portland cement and water "in the proportion of five (5) to six (6) gallons of potable water per bag (94 pounds or 1 cubic foot)."

   Reference: Public Drinking Water - Rhode Island Department of State — 216-RICR-50-05-1 § 1.4(L)(2)(d)(1)

4. 4Before using drilling equipment at a construction site, what inspection does OSHA require?

   1. A. A competent person must inspect the drilling and associated equipment before each use
   2. B. The operator must inspect it only after a malfunction
   3. C. A mechanic must inspect it once each month
   4. D. The manufacturer must inspect it once each year

   Answer: A

   Explanation: OSHA § 1926.800(q)(1) states: "A competent person shall inspect all drilling and associated equipment prior to each use. Equipment defects affecting safety shall be corrected before the equipment is used."

   Reference: 1926.800 - Underground Construction | Occupational Safety and Health Administration — OSHA § 1926.800(q)(1)

5. 5What hydraulic testing is required after construction and development of every Rhode Island public well?

   1. A. A yield and drawdown test
   2. B. A pressure-only casing test
   3. C. A one-hour bailer test
   4. D. A tracer-dye test

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 1.4(L)(5)(b) states: "A yield and drawdown test shall be performed on every well after construction and development."

   Reference: Public Drinking Water - Rhode Island Department of State — 216-RICR-50-05-1 § 1.4(L)(5)(b)

6. 6Which set correctly matches Rhode Island's basic minimum isolation distances for a private well?

   1. A. Distribution box 50 ft; septic tank 50 ft; disposal field 75 ft; sewer 25 ft
   2. B. Distribution box 100 ft; septic tank 100 ft; disposal field 150 ft; sewer 75 ft
   3. C. Distribution box 75 ft; septic tank 75 ft; disposal field 100 ft; sewer 50 ft
   4. D. Distribution box 25 ft; septic tank 50 ft; disposal field 100 ft; sewer 100 ft

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 6.24.6(A)(1) lists: "Distribution Box 75 feet," "Septic Tank 75 feet," "Sewage Disposal Field, including cesspools 100 feet," and "Sewer Line 50 feet." Option C preserves the complete mapping.

   Reference: Rules and Regulations for Well-Drillers, Pump Installers, and Water Filtration Contractors - Rhode Island Department of State — 440-RICR-10-00-6 § 6.24.6(A)(1)

7. 7What installation objective governs selection and placement of pumping equipment at a Rhode Island well?

   1. A. Make the most efficient use of the well
   2. B. Maximize motor horsepower regardless of yield
   3. C. Place all equipment below the static level
   4. D. Eliminate every above-ground component

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 6.24.6(F)(1) states: "Pumps and pumping equipment shall be installed to make the most efficient use of well."

   Reference: Rules and Regulations for Well-Drillers, Pump Installers, and Water Filtration Contractors - Rhode Island Department of State — 440-RICR-10-00-6 § 6.24.6(F)(1)

8. 8Which well-construction method uses earth augers turned by hand or powered equipment?

   1. A. Boring
   2. B. Driving
   3. C. Jetting
   4. D. Digging

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 6.4.1(11) describes a bored well as one "constructed with the use of earth augers turned either by hand or by power equipment."

   Reference: Rules and Regulations for Well-Drillers, Pump Installers, and Water Filtration Contractors - Rhode Island Department of State — 440-RICR-10-00-6 § 6.4.1(11)

9. 9A contractor cores an opening to obtain groundwater for a water-supply well. Under Rhode Island's licensing law, how is this activity classified?

   1. A. Pump installation
   2. B. Well drilling
   3. C. Water filtration
   4. D. Underground utility work

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statutory definition includes obtaining water "by drilling, or by excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed." Coring the opening is therefore well drilling.

   Reference: Title 5 Businesses and Professions — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-65.2-2(17)

10. 10Which well assembly must be of standard design and manufacture specifically for well construction under Rhode Island's rule?

    1. A. Liner assembly
    2. B. Screen assembly
    3. C. Casing assembly
    4. D. Tremie assembly

    Answer: B

    Explanation: Section 6.24.7(B)(1) says the well screen must "Be of a standard design and manufacture, for the specific purpose of well construction." The specified component is the screen assembly.

    Reference: Rules and Regulations for Well-Drillers, Pump Installers, and Water Filtration Contractors - Rhode Island Department of State — 440-RICR-10-00-6 § 6.24.6