Texas General Pump Installer Practice Exam | 200
Questions with Answers | TDLR License Prep
2026 | Instant Pdf Download
sections
1 Pump Types & Applications
2 Well Construction & Components
3 Hydraulics & System Design
4 Electrical Systems & Controls
5 Installation & Maintenance
6 Water Quality & Treatment
7 Texas Regulations & Licensing
8 Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
This exam for the Texas General Pump Installer license. questions covering pump
types, hydraulics, electrical, installation, water treatment, TDLR regulations, and
troubleshooting.
Includes:
Submersible vs. jet pumps
Total Dynamic Head (TDH) calculations
Pump curves and efficiency
Electrical controls (pressure switches, VFDs, capacitors)
Well construction and pitless adapters
Water quality (hardness, iron, H2S, nitrates)
TDLR licensing and Texas regulations
Real-world troubleshooting scenarios
,Section 1: Pump Types & Applications (Questions 1-25)
1. Which type of pump is most commonly used for residential water well systems in
Texas?
a) Jet pump
b) Submersible pump
c) Diaphragm pump
d) Centrifugal pump
Submersible pumps operate underwater inside the well casing and are the standard for
most modern Texas water wells due to efficiency and reliability.
2. What is the primary advantage of a submersible pump over a jet pump?
a) Lower cost
b) Higher efficiency and ability to pump from greater depths
c) Easier repair
d) Quieter operation
Submersible pumps push water rather than pulling it, allowing them to lift water from depths
exceeding 200 feet where jet pumps lose efficiency.
3. A shallow well jet pump can lift water from a maximum depth of approximately:
a) 10 feet
b) 25 feet
c) 50 feet
d) 100 feet
*Due to atmospheric pressure limitations (14.7 psi), shallow well jet pumps are limited to a
theoretical maximum lift of about 25-28 feet at sea level.*
4. A deep well jet pump uses which component to assist in lifting water?
a) Impeller only
b) Ejector assembly (venturi) located in the well
c) Check valve only
d) Pressure switch only
The ejector (venturi) creates a pressure differential that helps lift water; it is installed in the
well for deep well applications.
5. What type of pump is designed to handle solids and wastewater?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Effluent or sewage pump
c) Jet pump
d) Booster pump
,Effluent and sewage pumps have larger passages and cutting mechanisms to handle solids
without clogging.
6. Which pump type is used to increase water pressure in a home with low municipal
supply pressure?
a) Well pump
b) Booster pump
c) Sump pump
d) Grinder pump
Booster pumps increase incoming water pressure to acceptable levels for household use.
7. A grinder pump is typically used in which application?
a) Irrigation systems
b) Pressure sewer systems where wastewater must be pumped through small
diameter pipes
c) Deep well water supply
d) Pool circulation
Grinder pumps macerate solids into fine slurry, allowing transport through small-diameter
pipes under pressure.
8. Which pump is most appropriate for dewatering a construction excavation in
Texas?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Submersible trash pump or dewatering pump
c) Jet pump
d) Booster pump
Trash pumps handle debris and sand common in construction dewatering applications.
9. What is the primary difference between a 2-wire and 3-wire submersible pump?
a) Horsepower rating
b) Location of the starting capacitor (in motor vs. in control box)
c) Pump material
d) Discharge size
*2-wire pumps have the starting capacitor built into the motor; 3-wire pumps require an
external control box with capacitor.*
10. Which pump type is most common for residential lawn irrigation systems in
Texas?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Centrifugal pump
c) Diaphragm pump
, d) Piston pump
Centrifugal pumps are commonly used for irrigation from ponds, lakes, or shallow wells due
to high flow capacity.
11. What is the purpose of a recirculating pump in a residential hot water system?
a) To heat water
b) To provide instant hot water by circulating water through return lines
c) To filter water
d) To pressurize water
Recirculating pumps reduce water waste by eliminating the wait for hot water at distant
fixtures.
12. Which pump is designed to remove water from a basement or crawl space?
a) Well pump
b) Sump pump
c) Booster pump
d) Jet pump
Sump pumps are installed in sump basins to collect and discharge groundwater that enters
the structure.
13. What is the typical horsepower range for residential submersible well pumps?
a) 1/4 to 1/2 HP
b) 1/2 to 5 HP
c) 10 to 20 HP
d) 25 to 50 HP
Most residential wells use ½ to 5 HP pumps depending on depth and water demand.
14. A turbine pump is most commonly used in which Texas application?
a) Residential shallow well
b) Municipal water supply, irrigation, and high-capacity industrial wells
c) Sewage ejection
d) Pool circulation
Turbine pumps (vertical or line-shaft) are used for high-flow, high-efficiency applications in
large-diameter wells.
15. What type of pump is used to lift water from a lake or pond for irrigation?
a) Submersible well pump
b) End-suction centrifugal pump
c) Jet pump
d) Grinder pump
Questions with Answers | TDLR License Prep
2026 | Instant Pdf Download
sections
1 Pump Types & Applications
2 Well Construction & Components
3 Hydraulics & System Design
4 Electrical Systems & Controls
5 Installation & Maintenance
6 Water Quality & Treatment
7 Texas Regulations & Licensing
8 Troubleshooting & Problem Solving
This exam for the Texas General Pump Installer license. questions covering pump
types, hydraulics, electrical, installation, water treatment, TDLR regulations, and
troubleshooting.
Includes:
Submersible vs. jet pumps
Total Dynamic Head (TDH) calculations
Pump curves and efficiency
Electrical controls (pressure switches, VFDs, capacitors)
Well construction and pitless adapters
Water quality (hardness, iron, H2S, nitrates)
TDLR licensing and Texas regulations
Real-world troubleshooting scenarios
,Section 1: Pump Types & Applications (Questions 1-25)
1. Which type of pump is most commonly used for residential water well systems in
Texas?
a) Jet pump
b) Submersible pump
c) Diaphragm pump
d) Centrifugal pump
Submersible pumps operate underwater inside the well casing and are the standard for
most modern Texas water wells due to efficiency and reliability.
2. What is the primary advantage of a submersible pump over a jet pump?
a) Lower cost
b) Higher efficiency and ability to pump from greater depths
c) Easier repair
d) Quieter operation
Submersible pumps push water rather than pulling it, allowing them to lift water from depths
exceeding 200 feet where jet pumps lose efficiency.
3. A shallow well jet pump can lift water from a maximum depth of approximately:
a) 10 feet
b) 25 feet
c) 50 feet
d) 100 feet
*Due to atmospheric pressure limitations (14.7 psi), shallow well jet pumps are limited to a
theoretical maximum lift of about 25-28 feet at sea level.*
4. A deep well jet pump uses which component to assist in lifting water?
a) Impeller only
b) Ejector assembly (venturi) located in the well
c) Check valve only
d) Pressure switch only
The ejector (venturi) creates a pressure differential that helps lift water; it is installed in the
well for deep well applications.
5. What type of pump is designed to handle solids and wastewater?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Effluent or sewage pump
c) Jet pump
d) Booster pump
,Effluent and sewage pumps have larger passages and cutting mechanisms to handle solids
without clogging.
6. Which pump type is used to increase water pressure in a home with low municipal
supply pressure?
a) Well pump
b) Booster pump
c) Sump pump
d) Grinder pump
Booster pumps increase incoming water pressure to acceptable levels for household use.
7. A grinder pump is typically used in which application?
a) Irrigation systems
b) Pressure sewer systems where wastewater must be pumped through small
diameter pipes
c) Deep well water supply
d) Pool circulation
Grinder pumps macerate solids into fine slurry, allowing transport through small-diameter
pipes under pressure.
8. Which pump is most appropriate for dewatering a construction excavation in
Texas?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Submersible trash pump or dewatering pump
c) Jet pump
d) Booster pump
Trash pumps handle debris and sand common in construction dewatering applications.
9. What is the primary difference between a 2-wire and 3-wire submersible pump?
a) Horsepower rating
b) Location of the starting capacitor (in motor vs. in control box)
c) Pump material
d) Discharge size
*2-wire pumps have the starting capacitor built into the motor; 3-wire pumps require an
external control box with capacitor.*
10. Which pump type is most common for residential lawn irrigation systems in
Texas?
a) Submersible well pump
b) Centrifugal pump
c) Diaphragm pump
, d) Piston pump
Centrifugal pumps are commonly used for irrigation from ponds, lakes, or shallow wells due
to high flow capacity.
11. What is the purpose of a recirculating pump in a residential hot water system?
a) To heat water
b) To provide instant hot water by circulating water through return lines
c) To filter water
d) To pressurize water
Recirculating pumps reduce water waste by eliminating the wait for hot water at distant
fixtures.
12. Which pump is designed to remove water from a basement or crawl space?
a) Well pump
b) Sump pump
c) Booster pump
d) Jet pump
Sump pumps are installed in sump basins to collect and discharge groundwater that enters
the structure.
13. What is the typical horsepower range for residential submersible well pumps?
a) 1/4 to 1/2 HP
b) 1/2 to 5 HP
c) 10 to 20 HP
d) 25 to 50 HP
Most residential wells use ½ to 5 HP pumps depending on depth and water demand.
14. A turbine pump is most commonly used in which Texas application?
a) Residential shallow well
b) Municipal water supply, irrigation, and high-capacity industrial wells
c) Sewage ejection
d) Pool circulation
Turbine pumps (vertical or line-shaft) are used for high-flow, high-efficiency applications in
large-diameter wells.
15. What type of pump is used to lift water from a lake or pond for irrigation?
a) Submersible well pump
b) End-suction centrifugal pump
c) Jet pump
d) Grinder pump
