1
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM Verified
Questions With Detailed Rationales | 2025-2026
Edition Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR) | 16 TAC Chapter 76
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• Regulatory Framework & Licensing - TDLR jurisdiction, Texas Water
Code Chapter 190, 16 TAC Chapter 76, license types and endorsements,
experience requirements, continuing education
• Well Construction Standards - Casing materials (steel/PVC), minimum
diameter requirements, casing thickness, annular space, grouting
procedures, well screens
• Well Siting & Setback Requirements - Property lines, septic systems,
petroleum wells, landfills, minimum separation distances,
environmental protection
• Drilling Methods & Equipment - Rotary drilling (mud rotary, air
rotary), cable tool (percussion), auger drilling, casing installation,
drilling fluids
• Aquifers & Groundwater - Unconfined vs. confined aquifers, artesian
conditions, water-bearing formations, fresh water protection,
groundwater flow
• Well Completion & Development - Well development techniques,
surging, pumping, disinfection procedures, sanitary seals, well caps
• Well Abandonment & Plugging - Full-depth sealing requirements,
plugging reports, bentonite/cement materials, abandonment
procedures
• Reporting & Recordkeeping - Well Construction Report (WWD-001),
Notice of Intent, record retention requirements, reporting deadlines
pg. 1
,2
• Safety & Compliance - Drilling rig safety, licensing and insurance
requirements, penalties for unlicensed activity, hazard communication
• Water Quality Protection - Contamination prevention, lead standards,
disinfection, sanitary control, aquifer protection
SECTION A: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING
1. Which Texas agency is primarily responsible for licensing water well
drillers and pump installers?
A. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
C. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
D. Railroad Commission of Texas
Answer: B. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Rationale: TDLR administers the Well Driller Licensing Program under
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1902 and 16 Texas Administrative Code
Chapter 76. TCEQ oversees water quality, and TWDB manages water
resources data.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for a Texas Well Driller
license?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 25 years
D. No age requirement
Answer: A. 18 years
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1902.102 requires applicants to be
at least 18 years of age to obtain a well driller license.
3. Which law governs water well drilling activities in Texas?
pg. 2
,3
A. Texas Water Code, Chapter 190
B. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1901
C. Texas Administrative Code, Title 30
D. Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
Answer: A. Texas Water Code, Chapter 190
Rationale: The Texas Water Code, Chapter 190 specifically governs water
well drilling activities in Texas, establishing licensing requirements and
construction standards.
4. How long is a Texas water well driller license valid before renewal?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: Texas water well driller licenses are valid for 2 years, effective
for licenses issued on or after January 1, 2024.
5. Which license class allows drilling of water wells, monitoring wells,
and well repair?
A. Water Well Driller
B. Pump Installer
C. Well Driller (unrestricted)
D. Limited Well Driller
Answer: C. Well Driller (unrestricted)
Rationale: The unrestricted Well Driller license permits drilling,
constructing, repairing, and abandoning water wells, monitoring wells, and
other wells regulated under Chapter 1902.
pg. 3
, 4
6. What is the minimum experience required to qualify for a Texas Well
Driller license?
A. 1 year (2,000 hours) supervised
B. 2 years (4,000 hours) supervised
C. 3 years (6,000 hours) supervised
D. 5 years (10,000 hours) supervised
Answer: B. 2 years (4,000 hours) supervised
Rationale: Texas requires 2 years (4,000 hours) of supervised experience
to qualify for a well driller license.
7. What is the passing score required for the Texas Water Well Driller
License Exam?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Answer: C. 70%
Rationale: The Texas Water Well Driller License Exam requires a passing
score of 70%.
8. Which license endorsement qualifies a driller as a "Master Driller"?
A. Completion of all drilling endorsements (W, M, C, D, N) plus passing the
general exam
B. 10 years of experience
C. A college degree in geology
D. Recommendation from three licensed drillers
Answer: A. Completion of all drilling endorsements (W, M, C, D, N) plus
passing the general exam
pg. 4
TEXAS WATER WELL DRILLER LICENSE
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM Verified
Questions With Detailed Rationales | 2025-2026
Edition Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR) | 16 TAC Chapter 76
CORE DOMAINS COVERED:
• Regulatory Framework & Licensing - TDLR jurisdiction, Texas Water
Code Chapter 190, 16 TAC Chapter 76, license types and endorsements,
experience requirements, continuing education
• Well Construction Standards - Casing materials (steel/PVC), minimum
diameter requirements, casing thickness, annular space, grouting
procedures, well screens
• Well Siting & Setback Requirements - Property lines, septic systems,
petroleum wells, landfills, minimum separation distances,
environmental protection
• Drilling Methods & Equipment - Rotary drilling (mud rotary, air
rotary), cable tool (percussion), auger drilling, casing installation,
drilling fluids
• Aquifers & Groundwater - Unconfined vs. confined aquifers, artesian
conditions, water-bearing formations, fresh water protection,
groundwater flow
• Well Completion & Development - Well development techniques,
surging, pumping, disinfection procedures, sanitary seals, well caps
• Well Abandonment & Plugging - Full-depth sealing requirements,
plugging reports, bentonite/cement materials, abandonment
procedures
• Reporting & Recordkeeping - Well Construction Report (WWD-001),
Notice of Intent, record retention requirements, reporting deadlines
pg. 1
,2
• Safety & Compliance - Drilling rig safety, licensing and insurance
requirements, penalties for unlicensed activity, hazard communication
• Water Quality Protection - Contamination prevention, lead standards,
disinfection, sanitary control, aquifer protection
SECTION A: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING
1. Which Texas agency is primarily responsible for licensing water well
drillers and pump installers?
A. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
B. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
C. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
D. Railroad Commission of Texas
Answer: B. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Rationale: TDLR administers the Well Driller Licensing Program under
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1902 and 16 Texas Administrative Code
Chapter 76. TCEQ oversees water quality, and TWDB manages water
resources data.
2. What is the minimum age requirement for a Texas Well Driller
license?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 25 years
D. No age requirement
Answer: A. 18 years
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1902.102 requires applicants to be
at least 18 years of age to obtain a well driller license.
3. Which law governs water well drilling activities in Texas?
pg. 2
,3
A. Texas Water Code, Chapter 190
B. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1901
C. Texas Administrative Code, Title 30
D. Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
Answer: A. Texas Water Code, Chapter 190
Rationale: The Texas Water Code, Chapter 190 specifically governs water
well drilling activities in Texas, establishing licensing requirements and
construction standards.
4. How long is a Texas water well driller license valid before renewal?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: Texas water well driller licenses are valid for 2 years, effective
for licenses issued on or after January 1, 2024.
5. Which license class allows drilling of water wells, monitoring wells,
and well repair?
A. Water Well Driller
B. Pump Installer
C. Well Driller (unrestricted)
D. Limited Well Driller
Answer: C. Well Driller (unrestricted)
Rationale: The unrestricted Well Driller license permits drilling,
constructing, repairing, and abandoning water wells, monitoring wells, and
other wells regulated under Chapter 1902.
pg. 3
, 4
6. What is the minimum experience required to qualify for a Texas Well
Driller license?
A. 1 year (2,000 hours) supervised
B. 2 years (4,000 hours) supervised
C. 3 years (6,000 hours) supervised
D. 5 years (10,000 hours) supervised
Answer: B. 2 years (4,000 hours) supervised
Rationale: Texas requires 2 years (4,000 hours) of supervised experience
to qualify for a well driller license.
7. What is the passing score required for the Texas Water Well Driller
License Exam?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Answer: C. 70%
Rationale: The Texas Water Well Driller License Exam requires a passing
score of 70%.
8. Which license endorsement qualifies a driller as a "Master Driller"?
A. Completion of all drilling endorsements (W, M, C, D, N) plus passing the
general exam
B. 10 years of experience
C. A college degree in geology
D. Recommendation from three licensed drillers
Answer: A. Completion of all drilling endorsements (W, M, C, D, N) plus
passing the general exam
pg. 4
