WASHINGTON HYDROGEOLOGIST LICENSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES|
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES |
FULL STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, REGULATIONS & ETHICS (Q1-Q60)
Q1. Which Washington statute governs water well construction?
A) RCW 90.03
B) RCW 18.104
C) RCW 90.44
D) RCW 43.21
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.104 is the Water Well Construction Act, establishing
standards for well construction, licensing of well contractors, and reporting
requirements. RCW 90.03 is the Water Code (surface water), and RCW 90.44 is
the Groundwater Code. This act protects groundwater resources through proper
well construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Q2. Under RCW 90.44.050, a groundwater permit is NOT required for daily
withdrawals up to:
A) 1,000 gallons per day
B) 3,000 gallons per day
C) 5,000 gallons per day
D) 10,000 gallons per day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 90.44.050 provides a permit exemption for groundwater
withdrawals not exceeding 5,000 gallons per day for specified beneficial
uses, including domestic use, stock watering, and irrigation of up to
one-half acre. This is commonly known as the "permit-exempt well" provision.
Q3. Which WAC chapter regulates the licensing of well contractors and
operators in Washington?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
1
,D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 173-162 addresses the regulation and licensing of well
contractors and operators. WAC 173-160 covers minimum standards for well
construction and maintenance. WAC 173-340 implements MTCA, and WAC 246-
290
governs Group A public water supplies.
Q4. The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is implemented under which WAC
chapter?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 173-340 implements the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA),
Washington's cleanup law for contaminated sites, including groundwater
remediation standards and processes. It establishes cleanup standards,
remedial action objectives, and public participation requirements.
Q5. Which WAC chapter governs Group A public water supplies?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: WAC 246-290 establishes regulations for Group A public water
supplies, including source approval, water quality standards, and system
design requirements. Group A systems serve 15 or more connections or 25 or
more people per day.
Q6. A hydrogeologist preparing a report for a new Group B water system must
evaluate whether the source is:
A) Under the influence of surface water
B) Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWI)
2
,C) Artesian
D) Contaminated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 246-291-125 requires that a licensed hydrogeologist or
engineer complete a hydrogeologic evaluation to determine whether a
potential source is groundwater under the direct influence of surface water
(GWI) before approval. This is critical for determining appropriate
treatment requirements.
Q7. Which document provides guidance for wellhead protection programs in
Washington?
A) DOH Publication 331-018
B) Ecology Publication 96-02
C) WAC 173-200
D) RCW 90.48
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Washington State Department of Health's Wellhead Protection
Program Guidance Document (DOH Publication 331-018, April 1995) provides
guidance for delineating wellhead protection areas and managing potential
contaminant sources. It describes methods including calculated fixed radius,
analytical, hydrogeologic mapping, and numerical modeling.
Q8. A licensed hydrogeologist's scope of practice includes all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Groundwater flow modeling
B) Aquifer test analysis
C) Well design and construction
D) Structural engineering of foundations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Structural engineering of foundations is within the practice of
engineering, not hydrogeology. Hydrogeologists address groundwater
resources, contaminant transport, and subsurface characterization. Well
design and construction are within the hydrogeologist's scope when related
to groundwater resource evaluation.
3
, Q9. The Washington State Board of Registration for Geologists requires that
experience gained toward licensure be obtained under the supervision of:
A) Any practicing geologist
B) A state-licensed geologist or qualified equivalent
C) A professional engineer
D) A university professor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-15-040 requires that at least three years of geological
experience be obtained under the supervision of state-licensed geologists
or others who, in the opinion of the board, are qualified to have
responsible charge. This ensures experience meets professional standards.
Q10. Which RCW chapter establishes the Groundwater Code in Washington?
A) RCW 18.104
B) RCW 90.03
C) RCW 90.44
D) RCW 90.48
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 90.44 is the Groundwater Code, enacted in 1945, which
extended the water code to groundwater appropriation and established the
permit system for groundwater withdrawals. It requires a permit for most
groundwater withdrawals exceeding 5,000 gallons per day.
Q11. Under the Groundwater Code, Ecology may designate:
A) Wellhead protection areas
B) Groundwater management areas
C) Critical aquifer recharge areas
D) Sole source aquifers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 90.44 and WAC 173-100 allow Ecology to designate groundwater
management areas, subareas, or depth zones to prevent overdraft and manage
groundwater resources. These designations allow for more intensive
management and regulation.
Q12. The "four-part test" under RCW 90.03.290, as applied to groundwater
4
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES|
GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES |
FULL STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, REGULATIONS & ETHICS (Q1-Q60)
Q1. Which Washington statute governs water well construction?
A) RCW 90.03
B) RCW 18.104
C) RCW 90.44
D) RCW 43.21
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.104 is the Water Well Construction Act, establishing
standards for well construction, licensing of well contractors, and reporting
requirements. RCW 90.03 is the Water Code (surface water), and RCW 90.44 is
the Groundwater Code. This act protects groundwater resources through proper
well construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Q2. Under RCW 90.44.050, a groundwater permit is NOT required for daily
withdrawals up to:
A) 1,000 gallons per day
B) 3,000 gallons per day
C) 5,000 gallons per day
D) 10,000 gallons per day
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 90.44.050 provides a permit exemption for groundwater
withdrawals not exceeding 5,000 gallons per day for specified beneficial
uses, including domestic use, stock watering, and irrigation of up to
one-half acre. This is commonly known as the "permit-exempt well" provision.
Q3. Which WAC chapter regulates the licensing of well contractors and
operators in Washington?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
1
,D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 173-162 addresses the regulation and licensing of well
contractors and operators. WAC 173-160 covers minimum standards for well
construction and maintenance. WAC 173-340 implements MTCA, and WAC 246-
290
governs Group A public water supplies.
Q4. The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is implemented under which WAC
chapter?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 173-340 implements the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA),
Washington's cleanup law for contaminated sites, including groundwater
remediation standards and processes. It establishes cleanup standards,
remedial action objectives, and public participation requirements.
Q5. Which WAC chapter governs Group A public water supplies?
A) WAC 173-160
B) WAC 173-162
C) WAC 173-340
D) WAC 246-290
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: WAC 246-290 establishes regulations for Group A public water
supplies, including source approval, water quality standards, and system
design requirements. Group A systems serve 15 or more connections or 25 or
more people per day.
Q6. A hydrogeologist preparing a report for a new Group B water system must
evaluate whether the source is:
A) Under the influence of surface water
B) Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWI)
2
,C) Artesian
D) Contaminated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 246-291-125 requires that a licensed hydrogeologist or
engineer complete a hydrogeologic evaluation to determine whether a
potential source is groundwater under the direct influence of surface water
(GWI) before approval. This is critical for determining appropriate
treatment requirements.
Q7. Which document provides guidance for wellhead protection programs in
Washington?
A) DOH Publication 331-018
B) Ecology Publication 96-02
C) WAC 173-200
D) RCW 90.48
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Washington State Department of Health's Wellhead Protection
Program Guidance Document (DOH Publication 331-018, April 1995) provides
guidance for delineating wellhead protection areas and managing potential
contaminant sources. It describes methods including calculated fixed radius,
analytical, hydrogeologic mapping, and numerical modeling.
Q8. A licensed hydrogeologist's scope of practice includes all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Groundwater flow modeling
B) Aquifer test analysis
C) Well design and construction
D) Structural engineering of foundations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Structural engineering of foundations is within the practice of
engineering, not hydrogeology. Hydrogeologists address groundwater
resources, contaminant transport, and subsurface characterization. Well
design and construction are within the hydrogeologist's scope when related
to groundwater resource evaluation.
3
, Q9. The Washington State Board of Registration for Geologists requires that
experience gained toward licensure be obtained under the supervision of:
A) Any practicing geologist
B) A state-licensed geologist or qualified equivalent
C) A professional engineer
D) A university professor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-15-040 requires that at least three years of geological
experience be obtained under the supervision of state-licensed geologists
or others who, in the opinion of the board, are qualified to have
responsible charge. This ensures experience meets professional standards.
Q10. Which RCW chapter establishes the Groundwater Code in Washington?
A) RCW 18.104
B) RCW 90.03
C) RCW 90.44
D) RCW 90.48
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 90.44 is the Groundwater Code, enacted in 1945, which
extended the water code to groundwater appropriation and established the
permit system for groundwater withdrawals. It requires a permit for most
groundwater withdrawals exceeding 5,000 gallons per day.
Q11. Under the Groundwater Code, Ecology may designate:
A) Wellhead protection areas
B) Groundwater management areas
C) Critical aquifer recharge areas
D) Sole source aquifers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 90.44 and WAC 173-100 allow Ecology to designate groundwater
management areas, subareas, or depth zones to prevent overdraft and manage
groundwater resources. These designations allow for more intensive
management and regulation.
Q12. The "four-part test" under RCW 90.03.290, as applied to groundwater
4
