What's on the Texas Well Driller and Pump Installer Exams
Updated September 19, 2026 · Written by a Texas-licensed well driller and pump installer
TDLR has four core exams for water well drillers and pump installers. PSI gives them on a computer, they are closed book, and every one passes at 70% (16 TAC §76.23).
Knowing how many questions come from each topic is the fastest way to plan your studying. Spend your time where the points are.
The four exams at a glance
| Exam | Scored questions | Time | Governing law |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Well Driller | 60 | 110 min | Occ. Code Ch. 1901 + 16 TAC Ch. 76 |
| Water Well Driller | 70 | 112 min | Occ. Code Ch. 1901 + 16 TAC Ch. 76 |
| General Pump Installer | 60 | 110 min | Occ. Code Ch. 1902 + 16 TAC Ch. 76 |
| Single-Phase Pump Installer | 30 | 55 min | Occ. Code Ch. 1902 + 16 TAC Ch. 76 |
Exams can also include unscored pretest questions, so you may see more questions on screen than the scored count.
General Well Driller
Everyone applying for a driller license takes this exam.
| Topic | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Texas Law and Rule | 20 |
| Groundwater Protection | 15 |
| Safety | 10 |
| Hydrology and Geology | 10 |
| Rigs | 5 |
Where to focus: Law and rule plus groundwater protection make up 35 of the 60 questions, more than half the exam. Know your Chapter 76 numbers cold: report deadlines, setback distances, and plugging and capping requirements.
Water Well Driller
This is the endorsement exam for drilling water wells.
| Topic | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Design, Construction, and Completion | 35 |
| Geology and Hydrology | 12 |
| Texas Law and Rule | 15 |
| Well Rehabilitation | 4 |
| Safety | 4 |
Where to focus: Half the exam is design, construction, and completion: casing, annular seals, grouting, screens, gravel pack, development, and disinfection. This is the most technical of the four exams.
General Pump Installer
Everyone applying for a pump installer license takes this exam.
| Topic | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Pump Installation | 23 |
| Texas Law and Rule | 20 |
| Hydrology / Well Hydraulics | 6 |
| Safety | 6 |
| Water Chemistry | 5 |
Where to focus: Pump installation and law and rule together are 43 of 60 questions. Pump installers are tested on the same Chapter 76 rules as drillers, so don't skip the rulebook.
Single-Phase Pump Installer
This is the endorsement exam for single-phase pumps, the typical residential submersible.
| Topic | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| Installation | 15 |
| Diagnostics and Repair | 9 |
| Tools and Equipment | 6 |
Where to focus: It is the shortest exam, but it is all practical knowledge. Half is installation. Nearly a third is diagnostics: reading voltage, amperage, and insulation resistance, and working out why a system isn't performing.
How to use this breakdown
- Take a practice test first, before you study, to see which topics you are weak in.
- Weight your study time by the question counts above, not by what you find interesting.
- Learn the rule behind each answer. The real exam words questions differently from any practice test. If you know why an answer is right, you can answer any version of the question.
Want to check the rules yourself? See Texas water well rules every driller should know or our free licensing FAQ.
Sources: PSI Candidate Information Bulletins for the TDLR water well driller and pump installer exams (updated 9/20/2024); 16 TAC §76.23. Always check the current bulletin for your exam before test day.