Certification Exams

Home | NGWA / Advance Your Career / For Contractors

NGWA’s exam vendor, PSI, has a new website to make it easier to schedule an exam!

Visit the new website at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ngwa.

The Certified Well Driller (CWD) and Certified Pump Installer (CPI) exams are designed to test your knowledge of specialized equipment use, geologic formations, and troubleshooting skills within each certification area. Each exam consists of 50 questions (unless otherwise noted). Candidates have one hour to complete each exam.

To earn the CWD designation, you must pass the general drilling exam and at least one other specialized drilling exam.
To earn the CPI designation, you must pass the water systems general exam and at least one other specialized pump/water systems exam.

You must pass both required exams within one 12-month period with scores of 70 percent or better to become certified.

Exam categories

Drilling categories (as of November 1, 2009)

General drilling exam
Exam A/B: Cable tool drilling
Exam C/D: Air rotary drilling
Exam E/F: Mud rotary drilling
Exam G: Reverse circulation drilling
Exam H: Jetting and driving wells
Exam M: Augering and monitoring (75 questions)

Pump categories (as of November 1, 2009)

Water systems general exam
Exam K: Water systems less than 100 gpm
Exam L: Water systems more than 100 gpm

Specialty exam category

Exam N: Well servicing and maintenance

Preparing for the exams

Review the NGWA Exam Preparation Success Guide for an overview of how — and what — to study for your exams.

NGWA has designed a Professional Designations Information and Study Guide that covers study materials for all exams. It can be purchased through the NGWA online store.

NGWA recommends the following texts:

Professional Designations Information and Study Guide — all exams
Groundwater & Wells, third edition — all exams
Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, third edition — all drilling exams
Water Well Driller’s Beginning Training Manual — all drilling exams
Procedures for Well Drilling Operations (CD) — all drilling exams
Water Systems Handbook, 12th edition (currently only available as a download from Water Systems Council) — all water systems exams, general drilling exam
Engineering Your Business — all water systems exams
Basic Water Systems: A Pump and Hydraulic Training Manual — all water systems exams
Employee Safety Manual, second edition — general drilling, augering and monitoring exam
Model Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manual (CD) — general drilling and general water systems exams
Environmental Remediation Drilling Safety Guideline — drilling exams, augering and monitoring exam
Handbook of Suggested Practices for the Design and Installation of Ground-Water Monitoring Wells — augering and monitoring exam.

NGWA University Online Training

Prepare for the General Drilling and Water Systems exams and enhance your groundwater career through NGWA University’s online training courses.. NGWA-approved subject matter experts and Oklahoma State University education specialists created these interactive courses to make exam prep easier than ever. Courses are self-paced and include 3D models, knowledge checks, study guides, and video lectures to prepare or upskill the groundwater workforce. Develop your skills anywhere, anytime with NGWA University online training.

For more information about other NGWA-recommended study materials, call customer service at (800) 551-7379 or (614) 898-7791 outside the United States.

CWD and CPI exam fees

NGWA members: $75 per exam
Nonmembers: $275 for two exams; $75 for each additional exam

When and where can I take the exams?

You can take the exams at your convenience year-round at any one of more than 400 test centers nationwide. PSI Services, one of the largest test center networks in North America, administers the online exams. Visit PSI’s website to schedule your exam, and to find scheduling information, or call PSI at (855) 579-4642. The program is easy to use and does not require any computer skills.

If you have any issues scheduling your exam, please email certification@ngwa.org and we will work with PSI to solve any issues.

All testing centers are ADA compliant. If you require special accommodations, please contact NGWA at (800) 551-7379, or (614) 898-7791 from outside the United States, or via email at certification@ngwa.org. We will record your information and send approval to PSI for special accommodations. Someone from PSI will then contact you to complete your exam registration.

Scores are issued immediately following exam completion; be sure to collect your score report at the test center prior to leaving. NGWA can reissue exam scores, for a fee. If you need another copy of your scores, call (800) 551-7379, or (614) 898-7791 from outside the United States, to order. Exam scores are never issued over the phone.

DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) codes

DACUM code job task analysis charts are helpful to industry professionals studying for contractor certification. These charts were created by water well system professionals and analyze major duties and related tasks for industry professions. They cover the necessary knowledge, skills, and traits needed to complete duties for water well drilling, pump installation, and geothermal drilling.

See the charts for: