Page 1 of 135
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE EXAM
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (High-Yield Topics)
Based on the Texas Well Driller exam requirements (TDLR, Occupations Code Chapters 1901 & 1902) :
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE TESTED
1. Regulatory Framework
o TDLR oversees licensing, continuing education, and enforcement for water well drillers
and pump installers
o Examinations designed to disqualify persons lacking knowledge that would create
serious risk of polluting fresh water
o License expiration: one or two years as determined by commission rule (effective 2024)
2. Well Construction Requirements
o Minimum casing wall thickness: 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch) for steel
o Minimum grout thickness around casing: 1 inch
o Minimum grout depth: 20 feet (or to confining layer)
o Casing extension above ground: 12 inches min (some standards say 18 inches)
3. Setback Distances for Contamination Prevention
o From septic tank/drain field: 50 feet (TDLR standard) or 100 feet (TCEQ standard) - exam
uses both, know context
o From property lines: 5 feet minimum (local ordinances may require more)
4. Well Plugging & Abandonment
o May be performed by licensed driller or landowner following TCEQ standards
o Materials commonly used: bentonite or cement
o First step: removing debris and obstructions
5. Drilling Methods
o Rotary drilling: Uses continuous rotary motion with bit
o Cable tool: Uses percussion (dropping/lifting bit); advantage: operates without drilling
mud, minimizing contamination risk
6. Aquifer Types
o Unconfined aquifer: Directly recharged by precipitation, most vulnerable to
contamination
o Artesian/confined aquifer: Bounded by impermeable layers; pressurized flow
7. Well Components
o Sanitary seal/well cap: Prevents insects, dust, contaminants from entering; extends 12-
18 inches above ground
o Grout/Annular seal: Prevents surface contamination from migrating down borehole
o Well screen: Filters sand/debris, allows water entry
o Gravel pack: Increases permeability around screen, stabilizes formation
8. Well Efficiency & Testing
o Specific capacity: Gallons per minute per foot of drawdown - measures well efficiency
o Static water level: Water level when well is not being pumped
9. Reporting Requirements
o Well completion report must be filed with TDLR within 30 days
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o Copy of well log/report filed with county clerk
10. Safety & Disinfection
o Shock chlorination: Standard method for disinfecting new wells
o PPE required when operating drilling rig
Q1. What is the minimum casing wall thickness required for steel casing in a Texas residential water
well?
A) 0.125 inches (1/8 inch)
B) 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch)
C) 0.250 inches (1/4 inch)
D) 0.375 inches (3/8 inch)
Answer: B
*Rationale: TCEQ regulations specify a minimum casing wall thickness of 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch) for
steel casing to ensure structural integrity during and after installation .*
Q2. A driller in Texas completes a residential water well on June 15th. What is the deadline for
submitting the well completion report to TDLR?
A) June 30th (15 days)
B) July 15th (30 days)
, Page 3 of 135
C) July 30th (45 days)
D) August 15th (60 days)
Answer: B
Rationale: Well completion reports must be submitted to TDLR within 30 days of completing the well to
maintain compliance with state rules .
Q3. Which Texas agency is responsible for licensing and regulating water well drillers?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
C) Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
D) Texas Railroad Commission
Answer: B
Rationale: TDLR is responsible for licensing and regulating well drillers and pump installers in Texas.
TCEQ regulates water quality and groundwater protection, while TWDB handles groundwater
management planning .
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Q4. A water well driller is drilling in an area with loose, collapsing formations. What is required to
maintain borehole stability?
A) Increase drilling speed
B) Temporary surface casing
C) Reduce grout thickness
D) Use larger drill bit
Answer: B
Rationale: Temporary casing stabilizes boreholes in loose or collapsing formations, preventing cave-ins
and protecting groundwater during drilling operations .
Q5. You are called to plug an abandoned residential water well. What is the first step you must take?
A) Pour bentonite down the casing
B) Remove debris and obstructions from the well
C) Cut the casing below ground level
D) Notify the local health department
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE EXAM
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (High-Yield Topics)
Based on the Texas Well Driller exam requirements (TDLR, Occupations Code Chapters 1901 & 1902) :
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE TESTED
1. Regulatory Framework
o TDLR oversees licensing, continuing education, and enforcement for water well drillers
and pump installers
o Examinations designed to disqualify persons lacking knowledge that would create
serious risk of polluting fresh water
o License expiration: one or two years as determined by commission rule (effective 2024)
2. Well Construction Requirements
o Minimum casing wall thickness: 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch) for steel
o Minimum grout thickness around casing: 1 inch
o Minimum grout depth: 20 feet (or to confining layer)
o Casing extension above ground: 12 inches min (some standards say 18 inches)
3. Setback Distances for Contamination Prevention
o From septic tank/drain field: 50 feet (TDLR standard) or 100 feet (TCEQ standard) - exam
uses both, know context
o From property lines: 5 feet minimum (local ordinances may require more)
4. Well Plugging & Abandonment
o May be performed by licensed driller or landowner following TCEQ standards
o Materials commonly used: bentonite or cement
o First step: removing debris and obstructions
5. Drilling Methods
o Rotary drilling: Uses continuous rotary motion with bit
o Cable tool: Uses percussion (dropping/lifting bit); advantage: operates without drilling
mud, minimizing contamination risk
6. Aquifer Types
o Unconfined aquifer: Directly recharged by precipitation, most vulnerable to
contamination
o Artesian/confined aquifer: Bounded by impermeable layers; pressurized flow
7. Well Components
o Sanitary seal/well cap: Prevents insects, dust, contaminants from entering; extends 12-
18 inches above ground
o Grout/Annular seal: Prevents surface contamination from migrating down borehole
o Well screen: Filters sand/debris, allows water entry
o Gravel pack: Increases permeability around screen, stabilizes formation
8. Well Efficiency & Testing
o Specific capacity: Gallons per minute per foot of drawdown - measures well efficiency
o Static water level: Water level when well is not being pumped
9. Reporting Requirements
o Well completion report must be filed with TDLR within 30 days
, Page 2 of 135
o Copy of well log/report filed with county clerk
10. Safety & Disinfection
o Shock chlorination: Standard method for disinfecting new wells
o PPE required when operating drilling rig
Q1. What is the minimum casing wall thickness required for steel casing in a Texas residential water
well?
A) 0.125 inches (1/8 inch)
B) 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch)
C) 0.250 inches (1/4 inch)
D) 0.375 inches (3/8 inch)
Answer: B
*Rationale: TCEQ regulations specify a minimum casing wall thickness of 0.1875 inches (3/16 inch) for
steel casing to ensure structural integrity during and after installation .*
Q2. A driller in Texas completes a residential water well on June 15th. What is the deadline for
submitting the well completion report to TDLR?
A) June 30th (15 days)
B) July 15th (30 days)
, Page 3 of 135
C) July 30th (45 days)
D) August 15th (60 days)
Answer: B
Rationale: Well completion reports must be submitted to TDLR within 30 days of completing the well to
maintain compliance with state rules .
Q3. Which Texas agency is responsible for licensing and regulating water well drillers?
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
C) Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
D) Texas Railroad Commission
Answer: B
Rationale: TDLR is responsible for licensing and regulating well drillers and pump installers in Texas.
TCEQ regulates water quality and groundwater protection, while TWDB handles groundwater
management planning .
, Page 4 of 135
Q4. A water well driller is drilling in an area with loose, collapsing formations. What is required to
maintain borehole stability?
A) Increase drilling speed
B) Temporary surface casing
C) Reduce grout thickness
D) Use larger drill bit
Answer: B
Rationale: Temporary casing stabilizes boreholes in loose or collapsing formations, preventing cave-ins
and protecting groundwater during drilling operations .
Q5. You are called to plug an abandoned residential water well. What is the first step you must take?
A) Pour bentonite down the casing
B) Remove debris and obstructions from the well
C) Cut the casing below ground level
D) Notify the local health department
