Colorado Well Driller Licensing Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which statement best describes the statutory purpose of Colorado’s
Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors licensing
system under state law?
A. To regulate only the sale of groundwater rights within municipal
boundaries
B. To ensure all well drilling is performed exclusively by federal agencies
C. To protect groundwater resources by requiring licensure, minimum
standards, and oversight of well construction and pump installation work
D. To eliminate private water wells and replace them with public supply
systems
The correct answer is C. Colorado’s statutory framework for well drilling
and pump installation is designed to protect groundwater resources
through contractor licensing, enforceable construction standards, and
regulatory oversight of well activities.
2. What minimum professional experience is generally required before
an applicant may qualify for a Colorado Water Well Contractor license
examination?
A. Six months of supervised fieldwork in any construction trade
B. Two years of experience in well construction or pump installation under a
qualified contractor
,C. Five years of independent drilling operations without supervision
D. Completion of a geology degree without field experience
The correct answer is B. Colorado law requires at least two years of
relevant supervised experience in well construction or pump installation
before an applicant is eligible to take the licensing examination.
3. Which entity is primarily responsible for administering and regulating
well driller licensing in Colorado?
A. Colorado Department of Transportation
B. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
C. State Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump
Installation Contractors
D. Federal Environmental Protection Agency
The correct answer is C. The Board of Examiners of Water Well
Construction and Pump Installation Contractors oversees licensing,
examinations, enforcement, and regulatory compliance for well drilling
professionals.
4. Which requirement is mandatory for all licensed well drillers in
Colorado regarding equipment identification?
A. All rigs must be painted blue and white for visibility compliance
B. Each rig must display the contractor’s license number prominently on the
equipment
C. Rigs must be registered only with county authorities
D. Only pump installation rigs require identification numbers
The correct answer is B. Colorado regulations require that every drilling rig
display the contractor’s license number prominently to ensure traceability
and regulatory compliance.
5. What is the required time frame for submitting a Well Construction
Report (GWS-31) after completion of drilling?
,A. Within 7 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 1 year
The correct answer is C. Well Construction Reports must be submitted
within 60 days after completion of the well to comply with state reporting
requirements.
6. Which of the following is required before beginning most new well
drilling operations in Colorado?
A. Verbal approval from a neighboring landowner
B. A state-issued well construction permit from the Division of Water
Resources
C. Approval from the county tax assessor
D. Registration with a private drilling association
The correct answer is B. Most new wells require a state-issued permit from
the Division of Water Resources before drilling can legally begin.
7. What is the minimum age requirement for obtaining a well drilling
contractor license in Colorado?
A. 18 years
B. 19 years
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
The correct answer is C. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age to
qualify for licensure under Colorado law.
8. Which of the following best describes continuing education
requirements for Colorado licensed well contractors?
A. No continuing education is required after initial licensure
B. 8 hours annually of board-approved continuing education is required
, C. 50 hours every 5 years of unrelated coursework is required
D. Only field experience is required for license renewal
The correct answer is B. Colorado requires licensed contractors to complete
8 hours of approved continuing education annually.
9. What is the consequence of failing to submit required continuing
education documentation by the deadline in Colorado?
A. Automatic license suspension or expiration
B. Mandatory retraining at a federal facility
C. Immediate criminal penalties
D. Requirement to retake only the written exam
The correct answer is A. Failure to submit continuing education
documentation by the deadline results in license expiration or suspension
until compliance is restored.
10. Which document must be completed after pump installation
work in Colorado?
A. GWS-31 Pump Installation Summary Report
B. GWS-32 Pump Installation and Equipment Test Report
C. GWS-100 Water Usage Declaration Form
D. GWS-15 Geological Impact Statement
The correct answer is B. The GWS-32 form is required to document pump
installation and testing after completion of work.
11. Which of the following is a primary purpose of requiring well
construction permits in Colorado?
A. To regulate the resale of drilling equipment
B. To ensure wells meet legal spacing, safety, and groundwater protection
standards
C. To increase private water ownership fees
D. To limit all groundwater extraction regardless of need
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which statement best describes the statutory purpose of Colorado’s
Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors licensing
system under state law?
A. To regulate only the sale of groundwater rights within municipal
boundaries
B. To ensure all well drilling is performed exclusively by federal agencies
C. To protect groundwater resources by requiring licensure, minimum
standards, and oversight of well construction and pump installation work
D. To eliminate private water wells and replace them with public supply
systems
The correct answer is C. Colorado’s statutory framework for well drilling
and pump installation is designed to protect groundwater resources
through contractor licensing, enforceable construction standards, and
regulatory oversight of well activities.
2. What minimum professional experience is generally required before
an applicant may qualify for a Colorado Water Well Contractor license
examination?
A. Six months of supervised fieldwork in any construction trade
B. Two years of experience in well construction or pump installation under a
qualified contractor
,C. Five years of independent drilling operations without supervision
D. Completion of a geology degree without field experience
The correct answer is B. Colorado law requires at least two years of
relevant supervised experience in well construction or pump installation
before an applicant is eligible to take the licensing examination.
3. Which entity is primarily responsible for administering and regulating
well driller licensing in Colorado?
A. Colorado Department of Transportation
B. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
C. State Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump
Installation Contractors
D. Federal Environmental Protection Agency
The correct answer is C. The Board of Examiners of Water Well
Construction and Pump Installation Contractors oversees licensing,
examinations, enforcement, and regulatory compliance for well drilling
professionals.
4. Which requirement is mandatory for all licensed well drillers in
Colorado regarding equipment identification?
A. All rigs must be painted blue and white for visibility compliance
B. Each rig must display the contractor’s license number prominently on the
equipment
C. Rigs must be registered only with county authorities
D. Only pump installation rigs require identification numbers
The correct answer is B. Colorado regulations require that every drilling rig
display the contractor’s license number prominently to ensure traceability
and regulatory compliance.
5. What is the required time frame for submitting a Well Construction
Report (GWS-31) after completion of drilling?
,A. Within 7 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 1 year
The correct answer is C. Well Construction Reports must be submitted
within 60 days after completion of the well to comply with state reporting
requirements.
6. Which of the following is required before beginning most new well
drilling operations in Colorado?
A. Verbal approval from a neighboring landowner
B. A state-issued well construction permit from the Division of Water
Resources
C. Approval from the county tax assessor
D. Registration with a private drilling association
The correct answer is B. Most new wells require a state-issued permit from
the Division of Water Resources before drilling can legally begin.
7. What is the minimum age requirement for obtaining a well drilling
contractor license in Colorado?
A. 18 years
B. 19 years
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
The correct answer is C. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age to
qualify for licensure under Colorado law.
8. Which of the following best describes continuing education
requirements for Colorado licensed well contractors?
A. No continuing education is required after initial licensure
B. 8 hours annually of board-approved continuing education is required
, C. 50 hours every 5 years of unrelated coursework is required
D. Only field experience is required for license renewal
The correct answer is B. Colorado requires licensed contractors to complete
8 hours of approved continuing education annually.
9. What is the consequence of failing to submit required continuing
education documentation by the deadline in Colorado?
A. Automatic license suspension or expiration
B. Mandatory retraining at a federal facility
C. Immediate criminal penalties
D. Requirement to retake only the written exam
The correct answer is A. Failure to submit continuing education
documentation by the deadline results in license expiration or suspension
until compliance is restored.
10. Which document must be completed after pump installation
work in Colorado?
A. GWS-31 Pump Installation Summary Report
B. GWS-32 Pump Installation and Equipment Test Report
C. GWS-100 Water Usage Declaration Form
D. GWS-15 Geological Impact Statement
The correct answer is B. The GWS-32 form is required to document pump
installation and testing after completion of work.
11. Which of the following is a primary purpose of requiring well
construction permits in Colorado?
A. To regulate the resale of drilling equipment
B. To ensure wells meet legal spacing, safety, and groundwater protection
standards
C. To increase private water ownership fees
D. To limit all groundwater extraction regardless of need
