Free WV Well Driller Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A person plans to construct a private water well in West Virginia. What credential must that person possess before beginning the drilling work?

   1. A. A valid West Virginia certification of the proper well-driller class
   2. B. A current West Virginia pump-installer certification only
   3. C. A water-well contractor bond without an individual certification
   4. D. A county-issued water-well permit without an individual certification

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 64CSR19 states, "No person shall drill, construct, alter, or abandon any water well without possessing a valid West Virginia certification of the proper class issued by the Commissioner." The proper-class well-driller certification is therefore required in addition to any project permit.

   Reference: 64 Csr 19 (2026) — 64CSR19 §6.1

2. 2A West Virginia driller needs a design-standard variance because strict compliance creates unusual hardship. When must the variance be approved relative to the work?

   1. A. Before the actual work is performed
   2. B. Before the completion report is due
   3. C. Within 30 days after the work is performed
   4. D. Before the permit expires, even if work is complete

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The design standards state, "In all cases, variances shall be approved in advance of the performance of the actual work." Approval after the work begins would not comply.

   Reference: 64Csr46 2008 Word — 64CSR46 §13.3

3. 3A West Virginia journeyman well driller is offered a project to construct a public water system supply well. Is that work within the journeyman classification?

   1. A. Yes, if a master signs the completion report later
   2. B. Yes, if the well serves fewer than 25 people
   3. C. No, public water system supply wells are excluded from the journeyman's drilling authority
   4. D. No, because journeymen may repair wells but may not construct any wells

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The journeyman authority is to "Drill, construct, install, repair, replace, alter, or abandon a well, except a public water system’s supply wells." The stated project falls within the express exception.

   Reference: 64 Csr 19 (2026) — 64CSR19 §6.3.2.a

4. 4What is the minimum West Virginia setback between a private water well and a property line?

   1. A. 5 feet
   2. B. 10 feet
   3. C. 25 feet
   4. D. 50 feet

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 64CSR46 requires, "A water well shall be located at least ten (10) feet from a property line to allow access without encroaching on property owned by others." The minimum is 10 feet.

   Reference: 64Csr46 2008 Word — 64CSR46 §4.1

5. 5Which pumping-related work may a certified West Virginia journeyman well driller perform under the journeyman classification?

   1. A. Install or replace well pumping equipment, appurtenances, storage tanks, and connecting lines between a well and storage tank
   2. B. Alter the existing electrical service to any building supplied by the well
   3. C. Sign every water-well permit application without a master driller
   4. D. Construct public water system supply wells and certify their completion

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 64CSR19 authorizes a journeyman to "Install or replace well pumping equipment and appurtenances, storage tanks, and connecting lines between a well and storage tank." The other choices exceed or misstate that authority.

   Reference: 64 Csr 19 (2026) — 64CSR19 §6.3.2.b

6. 6A proposed West Virginia well is near an existing building or foundation. What setback does Table 64-46 A require?

   1. A. A 10-foot setback
   2. B. A 25-foot setback
   3. C. A 50-foot setback
   4. D. A 100-foot setback

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Table 64-46 A specifies "Existing Building or Foundation 10 feet." The proposed well must maintain a 10-foot setback.

   Reference: 64Csr46 2008 Word — 64CSR46 Table 64-46 A

7. 7A West Virginia customer asks a journeyman well driller to evaluate well production. Which test is expressly within the journeyman's authority?

   1. A. A public-water treatment compliance audit
   2. B. Yield and drawdown testing of the well
   3. C. A laboratory certification inspection
   4. D. A municipal distribution-system pressure test

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The journeyman classification may "Perform yield and drawdown testing of wells." That is the expressly authorized evaluation in this situation.

   Reference: 64 Csr 19 (2026) — 64CSR19 §6.3.2.c

8. 8Which proposed casing-top location complies with West Virginia's well-location rule?

   1. A. Above ground and outside any basement, pit, or below-ground room
   2. B. Inside a basement utility room
   3. C. Within a covered pit below ground surface
   4. D. Inside a dry underground equipment room

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The rule states, "The top of the well casing shall not extend or terminate in the basement of any building or in a pit, room, or other space below ground surface." Only choice A avoids every prohibited location.

   Reference: 64Csr46 2008 Word — 64CSR46 §4.3

9. 9Under West Virginia's classification rule, a journeyman well driller has authority to supervise which group?

   1. A. Master well drillers
   2. B. Local health inspectors
   3. C. Apprentices
   4. D. Public water system operators

   Answer: C

   Explanation: One enumerated journeyman authority is to "Supervise apprentices." The other listed persons are not the supervised class named by this provision.

   Reference: 64 Csr 19 (2026) — 64CSR19 §6.3.2.d

10. 10A West Virginia driller evaluates a site where future maintenance access is limited. Which location principle must guide the final well position?

    1. A. The well must remain accessible for cleaning, treatment, repair, testing, abandonment, and maintenance
    2. B. The well must be hidden from all public roads
    3. C. The well must be placed under a permanent building for weather protection
    4. D. The well must be located beside the closest property line

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 64CSR46 provides, "All water wells shall be located to be accessible for cleaning, treatment, repair, testing, abandonment, and other maintenance." The final location must preserve that access.

    Reference: 64Csr46 2008 Word — 64CSR46 §4.4