Nevada Drilling Wells Contractor (C-23) Exam Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Drilling Wells Contractor (C-23) trade examination with a focused exam book package built around Nevada well regulations, water-well construction practices, drilling fundamentals, contamination prevention, pumps, tanks, and jobsite safety. This package brings together the exam-room-approved Nevada reference and additional study materials that support the major technical subjects covered on the C-23 examination.

The Nevada C-23 classification applies to drilling wells and installing pumps, pressure tanks, and storage tanks considered integral to water wells. The scope includes installing and repairing water wells, pressure tanks, storage tanks, and pumps through boring, drilling, excavating, casing, cementing, dewatering, and cleaning to provide a supply of uncontaminated water.

The exam-room-approved reference included in this package is Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells. Candidates should use this reference throughout preparation because the C-23 examination is open book and includes a significant number of questions involving Nevada well regulations and requirements.

The package also includes three study references that support the technical knowledge needed for the examination: Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, 3rd Edition, 1996; Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, 3rd Edition, 2017; and Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA). These three references are not allowed into the examination room and should be used as study materials before test day.

A productive C-23 preparation plan should combine Nevada regulatory knowledge with practical drilling knowledge. Candidates should understand drilling and borehole procedures, casings and screens, grouting and sealing, contamination prevention, testing, pumps and tanks, and general safety practices. Strong preparation also requires learning how to navigate Nevada Administrative Code 534 efficiently during the timed open-book exam.

Exam Details

The Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells trade examination is administered through PSI for candidates authorized to test as part of the Nevada contractor licensing process.

• Exam: Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 45
• Time Allowed: 1.5 hours
• Minimum Passing Score: 32 correct answers

The C-23 examination is divided into the following subject areas:

• General Regulations: 10 questions
• Drilling and Boreholes: 5 questions
• Casings and Screens: 6 questions
• Grouting and Sealing: 6 questions
• Contamination Prevention: 5 questions
• Testing: 3 questions
• Safety and General Knowledge: 4 questions
• Pumps and Tanks: 6 questions

General Regulations is the largest individual category with 10 questions. Candidates should become familiar with Nevada requirements affecting underground water and wells, well construction, drilling activity, regulatory responsibilities, and related requirements contained in Nevada Administrative Code 534.

Casings and Screens, Grouting and Sealing, and Pumps and Tanks each account for six questions. These categories represent a substantial portion of the examination and deserve focused preparation.

Drilling and Boreholes and Contamination Prevention each contain five questions. Candidates should understand practical drilling methods as well as the measures used to protect groundwater and maintain an uncontaminated water supply.

Safety and General Knowledge accounts for four questions, while Testing accounts for three. Although these are smaller categories, they remain important parts of a complete preparation plan.

Open Book Test

The Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells examination is an open-book test with designated reference material permitted in the examination room.

The exam-room-approved reference included in this package is:

• Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells

Candidates are responsible for bringing their approved reference to the examination. The approved reference may be highlighted, underlined, or indexed before the examination session, but candidates should follow all current PSI rules regarding reference preparation and use.

The following books included in this package are not allowed into the C-23 examination room:

• Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, 3rd Edition, 1996
• Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, 3rd Edition, 2017
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)

These study-only references are still valuable because the C-23 examination may contain questions based on trade knowledge and general industry practices. Candidates should use them before test day to strengthen their understanding of drilling methods, well construction, safety, casing, screens, sealing, pumps, tanks, and contamination prevention.

The open-book format should not be treated as a substitute for preparation. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete 45 questions, which gives an average of two minutes per question. Knowing which questions require a regulatory lookup and which can be answered from technical knowledge can help preserve valuable time.

Licensing Steps

The Nevada State Contractors Board regulates the C-23 contractor classification. Passing the C-23 trade examination is one part of the contractor licensing process.

1. Confirm the C-23 classification. Determine that drilling wells and installing pumps, pressure tanks, and storage tanks integral to water wells matches the work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. Designate the person who will satisfy the applicable experience and examination requirements.
3. Document qualifying experience. Prepare records describing relevant work involving drilling, boring, excavation, casing, cementing, dewatering, cleaning, pumps, pressure tanks, storage tanks, and water-well construction.
4. Prepare the Nevada contractor license application. Gather the required business information, qualifier information, experience documentation, financial information, and supporting materials.
5. Submit the application. The Nevada State Contractors Board reviews the application and applicable qualifications.
6. Complete applicable background requirements. Follow required disclosure, fingerprint, and background procedures.
7. Meet applicable financial responsibility requirements. Provide the financial information required for the requested contractor license.
8. Receive examination eligibility. Candidates who are required to test can proceed with scheduling after authorization.
9. Schedule the C-23 trade examination. Follow the examination scheduling instructions provided after eligibility is established.
10. Prepare for the C-23 examination. Study Nevada well regulations, drilling methods, casing and screens, grouting, sealing, contamination prevention, testing, safety, pumps, and tanks.
11. Complete applicable contractor management requirements. Nevada contractor licensing also includes business and management qualification requirements when applicable.
12. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Satisfy applicable bonding, financial responsibility, background, and other requirements before license issuance.

State Requirements

The Nevada C-23 classification is designated for drilling wells and installing pumps, pressure tanks, and storage tanks considered integral to water wells.

A C-23 contractor may install and repair water wells, pressure tanks, storage tanks, and pumps by boring, drilling, excavating, casing, cementing, dewatering, and cleaning to provide a supply of uncontaminated water.

This scope requires candidates to understand much more than drilling equipment operation. Water-well work involves protecting underground water from contamination, selecting and installing casing and screens, sealing and grouting the well properly, testing completed work, and understanding the relationship between the well and associated pumps and tanks.

Nevada Administrative Code 534 is especially important because it addresses underground water and well requirements that directly affect the work. Candidates should develop a working familiarity with the applicable regulatory language and learn how to locate requirements efficiently during the examination.

The trade examination also emphasizes practical well-construction knowledge. Study should cover boreholes, casing placement, screens, grouting materials and methods, sealing, contamination prevention, testing procedures, pumps, tanks, and jobsite safety.

Passing the C-23 trade examination does not automatically issue a Nevada contractor license. Applicants must also satisfy the applicable Nevada State Contractors Board requirements associated with the licensing process.

Reference Books

• Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells
  Exam-room-approved Nevada regulatory reference covering underground water and well requirements relevant to well construction, drilling, casing, sealing, protection of groundwater, and related regulatory responsibilities.
• Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, 3rd Edition, 1996
  Study reference supporting fundamental water-well drilling knowledge, drilling methods, equipment, construction practices, and practical concepts useful for C-23 preparation. This book is not allowed into the examination room.
• Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, 3rd Edition, 2017
  Study reference covering water-well construction practices, casing, screens, drilling, sealing, completion methods, and other technical subjects relevant to professional well construction. This book is not allowed into the examination room.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Study reference supporting construction safety preparation involving equipment, excavation, personal protective equipment, jobsite hazards, and other occupational safety topics. This reference is not allowed into the C-23 examination room.

Exam Room Approved Books

• Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells
  This is the exam-room-approved reference included for use during the Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells trade examination.

The Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, and OSHA reference are study materials only and should be used before test day to build the technical and safety knowledge needed for the examination.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong C-23 study plan should reflect the official examination weighting and balance regulatory preparation with practical drilling knowledge.

Prioritize General Regulations. This category contains 10 questions, more than any other individual section. Use Nevada Administrative Code 534 regularly and learn where major well-related requirements are located.

Study casings and screens. Review the purpose, selection, placement, and installation of casing and screen systems. Understand how these components affect well integrity, water entry, and contamination protection.

Review grouting and sealing. Candidates should understand why sealing and grouting are important, where they are used, and how proper construction helps protect underground water resources.

Prepare for pumps and tanks. Review pumps, pressure tanks, storage tanks, installation relationships, and the role these components play in a complete water-well system.

Study drilling and boreholes. Review boring, drilling methods, excavation, borehole construction, drilling conditions, equipment, and practical field considerations.

Focus on contamination prevention. The C-23 scope specifically involves providing a supply of uncontaminated water. Candidates should understand how proper drilling, casing, sealing, grouting, and well completion help protect water quality.

Review testing procedures. Understand the purpose of well testing and the types of information that testing can provide about the completed water-well system.

Prepare for safety. Use OSHA study material to reinforce safe practices involving drilling equipment, excavation, tools, machinery, personal protective equipment, and other well-drilling hazards.

Practice code navigation. Because Nevada Administrative Code 534 can be used during the examination, candidates should practice locating requirements under timed conditions. Learn the structure of the regulation and use key terms from practice questions to direct searches.

Know when to use the book. Not every question will require a regulation lookup. Practical questions may be answered more efficiently from drilling knowledge developed through the study-only references.

Practice timed questions. Candidates have 90 minutes for 45 questions. Maintaining an average pace of approximately two minutes per question can help ensure enough time remains for difficult regulatory lookups.

Connect regulations to field practice. Regulations are easier to remember when candidates understand why they exist. Relating Nevada requirements to casing, sealing, contamination prevention, pumps, and well construction can make preparation more practical and effective.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation when applicable, and confidence-building study structure.

This exam book package combines the Nevada regulatory reference permitted in the examination room with technical study materials that support drilling, casing, screens, well construction, safety, pumps, tanks, and contamination-prevention knowledge.

Reference-navigation preparation is especially important for Nevada Administrative Code 534. Candidates can practice identifying the subject of a question, locating the applicable section, and confirming the regulatory requirement without spending excessive exam time searching.

Trade-focused review helps candidates prepare for questions that depend on practical industry knowledge rather than a direct code lookup. Drilling techniques, boreholes, casing, screens, grouting, sealing, pumps, tanks, and contamination prevention all require a working understanding of water-well construction.

The study-only references add depth in areas that cannot be searched during the examination because those books are not permitted in the exam room. Candidates should use them before test day to strengthen technical understanding and reinforce important safety practices.

Practice-oriented preparation can also help identify weaker areas. A candidate with extensive drilling experience may need more practice navigating Nevada regulations, while another candidate may need additional review of pumps, tanks, casing, grouting, testing, or contamination prevention.

By combining exam-reference navigation, water-well trade knowledge, safety review, and an organized study structure, 1 Exam Prep helps candidates build a focused preparation plan for the Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells trade examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books are included in the Nevada C-23 Exam Book Package?

The package includes Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells; Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, 3rd Edition, 1996; Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, 3rd Edition, 2017; and Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA).

Is the Nevada C-23 examination open book?

Yes. The Nevada C-23 Drilling Wells trade examination is open book with designated approved reference material.

Which book is allowed into the C-23 examination?

Nevada Administrative Code 534: Underground Water and Wells is the exam-room-approved reference included in this package.

Which books are not allowed into the C-23 exam?

The Water Well Driller's Beginning Training Manual, Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 are study references and are not allowed into the examination room.

How many questions are on the Nevada C-23 exam?

The examination contains 45 questions.

How much time is allowed?

Candidates have 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes, to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 32 correct answers out of 45 questions.

What is the largest C-23 exam category?

General Regulations is the largest individual category with 10 questions.

What subjects should I study for the C-23 exam?

Study General Regulations, Drilling and Boreholes, Casings and Screens, Grouting and Sealing, Contamination Prevention, Testing, Safety and General Knowledge, and Pumps and Tanks.

Why should I study the books that are not allowed into the exam?

The examination may include trade-knowledge and general-industry-practice questions. The study-only books help build the technical understanding needed to answer those questions without relying on an exam-room reference.

What work does the Nevada C-23 classification cover?

The classification covers drilling wells and installing or repairing water wells, pressure tanks, storage tanks, and pumps through activities including boring, drilling, excavating, casing, cementing, dewatering, and cleaning to provide uncontaminated water.

Should I practice using Nevada Administrative Code 534 before test day?

Yes. Candidates should become familiar with the structure and terminology of NAC 534 so regulatory information can be located efficiently during the timed open-book examination.

Does passing the C-23 exam automatically issue a Nevada contractor license?

No. Passing the trade examination is one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy the other applicable Nevada State Contractors Board licensing requirements.

Who is this exam book package best for?

This package is designed for Nevada C-23 candidates who want the approved NAC 534 exam reference along with technical water-well construction and safety study materials for comprehensive trade exam preparation.