Free Level A written examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Level A written examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1At what point does North Carolina's Well Construction Act cease to govern the distribution of water from a completed well?

   1. A. Beyond the point where water discharges from the pump.
   2. B. Beyond the point where water leaves the well casing.
   3. C. Beyond the point where water leaves the pressure tank.
   4. D. Beyond the point where water crosses the property line.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "this Article shall not apply to any distribution of water beyond the point of discharge from  the pump." Article 7 expressly ends its scope at the pump discharge; the three proposed extensions add conditions absent from that boundary.

   Reference: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 7 — G.S. 87-86

2. 2The Well Contractors Certification Commission considers delegating work to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Which power must remain with the Commission?

   1. A. The power to adopt well-contractor certification rules.
   2. B. The power to arrange examination administration.
   3. C. The power to process certification applications.
   4. D. The power to receive well-contractor training records.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "The Commission may, by rule, delegate to the Secretary of Health and Human Services any of its powers, other than the power to adopt rules." Rule adoption is the express exception to delegation; the other described administrative functions do not fall within that stated exception.

   Reference: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 7B — G.S. 87-99.1(b)

3. 3Under North Carolina's certification rules, what does it mean to personally supervise well contractor activities?

   1. A. Review the work after completion
   2. B. Give on-site direction and control whenever the activities are conducted
   3. C. Provide telephone advice once per shift
   4. D. Employ an uncertified drilling crew

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Rule .0101 states: "Personally supervise" means the on-site direction and control of all well contractor activities at any time those activities are being conducted. The supervisor must therefore exercise direction and control on site while work occurs.

   Reference: 15 a Ncac 27 Rules — § 15A NCAC 27 .0101(e)

4. 4Who bears responsibility for ensuring a required well permit is secured before construction begins?

   1. A. The well owner or agent alone
   2. B. The well owner or agent and the North Carolina certified well contractor
   3. C. The North Carolina certified well contractor alone
   4. D. The permitting authority alone

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The construction rule states: "The well owner or his or her agent, and the North Carolina certified well contractor shall see that a permit is secured" before work on a well requiring one. Each distractor names a real participant but incorrectly assigns sole responsibility.

   Reference: 15 a Ncac 02 C Existing Rules — § 15A NCAC 02C .0105(j)

5. 5A flowing artesian well is no longer supplying a beneficial use. What must the operator do with its flow-control valves?

   1. A. Keep the valves open until the well is permanently abandoned.
   2. B. Close the valves while the well is not being beneficially used.
   3. C. Throttle the valves but continue discharge until the next capacity test.
   4. D. Leave the valves open if the casing can withstand artesian pressure.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "Valves shall be closed when a beneficial use is not being made." The cessation of beneficial use triggers closure; casing condition, testing, and abandonment do not replace that duty.

   Reference: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 7 — G.S. 87-88(d)

6. 6A dispute over a well-contractor certification under Article 7A reaches the final agency-decision stage. Which body makes that decision?

   1. A. The local county health department.
   2. B. The Environmental Management Commission.
   3. C. The Well Contractors Certification Commission.
   4. D. The Secretary of Environmental Quality.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "The Commission shall make the final agency decision on any matter involving the certification of well contractors pursuant to Article 7A of Chapter 87 of the General Statutes and on civil penalties assessed for violations of that Article or rules adopted pursuant to that Article." Article 7B assigns the final certification decision to the Well Contractors Certification Commission, distinct from the local health and environmental bodies.

   Reference: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 7B — G.S. 87-99.1(a)(2)

7. 7Which action matches North Carolina's definition of personally managing well contractor activities?

   1. A. Giving directions to the on-site person who personally supervises the work
   2. B. Operating every drill personally
   3. C. Signing a permit after the work is finished
   4. D. Visiting the site once each month

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule .0101 states: "Personally manage" means giving directions to the on-site person who is personally supervising well contractor activities. This is management through the on-site supervisor, not a requirement to operate every tool.

   Reference: 15 a Ncac 27 Rules — § 15A NCAC 27 .0101(d)

8. 8What is the annular space of a well?

   1. A. The space between casing and borehole wall or outer casing
   2. B. The water column inside the pump
   3. C. The opening in a screen slot
   4. D. The distance from static level to land surface

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule .0102 defines annular space as "the space between the casing and the walls of a borehole or outer casing or the space between a liner pipe and well casing."

   Reference: 15 a Ncac 02 C Existing Rules — § 15A NCAC 02C .0102(4)

9. 9While constructing a well, a driller encounters a water-bearing stratum containing nonpotable mineralized water. How must the stratum be handled?

   1. A. Develop the mineralized stratum by surging it before installing the pump.
   2. B. Place a well screen across the mineralized stratum before final development.
   3. C. Case or cement off the stratum so it cannot contaminate adjacent groundwater zones.
   4. D. Install a graded filter pack around the mineralized stratum before testing.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "the stratum shall be adequately cased or cemented off as conditions may require so that contamination of the overlying or underlying groundwater zones will not occur." Development, screening, and filter packing are real well-construction methods, but none isolates the mineralized zone as required.

   Reference: North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 87, Article 7 — G.S. 87-88(f)

10. 10For continuing-education credit under the North Carolina well-contractor rules, one CEU equals how much instructional time?

    1. A. 30 minutes
    2. B. 45 minutes
    3. C. 60 minutes
    4. D. 90 minutes

    Answer: C

    Explanation: Rule .0101 provides: "One CEU is equivalent to 60 minutes of instructional time." Thus a single CEU is one contact hour.

    Reference: 15 a Ncac 27 Rules — § 15A NCAC 27 .0101(b)