CO Well Driller study materials
CO Well Driller study resources

CO Well Driller study plan

CO Well Driller · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Well Construction

  • Map the well construction domain into a checklist of every construction stage from site assessment through grouting and completion

  • Explain annular seal placement and grout mix requirements in writing without notes

  • Sketch a typical well cross-section labeling casing, screen, filter pack, grout, and surface seal

  • List the casing and screen material selection criteria used for different formation types

Your checkpoint

A one-page well construction checklist with a labeled hand-drawn cross-section covering all five stages

Week 2

Well Construction

  • Calculate grout volume for a given borehole and casing diameter and verify the arithmetic twice

  • Diagnose three common construction defects (improper seal, misaligned screen, inadequate casing depth) and state the corrective action for each

  • Compare state well construction code requirements for setbacks and sealing against field practice

  • Write a short inspection sequence for a newly drilled well

Your checkpoint

A worked grout-volume problem set of five calculations plus a defect-and-correction table

Week 3

Ground Heat Exchanger Construction

  • Describe the sequence for installing a vertical borehole ground heat exchanger from drilling through grouting and header connection

  • Explain the purpose and required properties of thermally enhanced grout and identify when it is specified

  • Calculate required loop length or borehole count for a simple heating and cooling load scenario

  • Outline pressure testing and flushing procedures for a closed-loop system before backfill

Your checkpoint

A ground heat exchanger installation sequence document with one worked loop-sizing calculation and a pressure-test checklist

Week 4

Ground Heat Exchanger Construction & Well Construction

  • Identify the differences between open-loop and closed-loop systems and the well construction implications of each

  • Explain borehole spacing, thermal interference, and setback considerations for a multi-bore field

  • Review all Domain 1 and Domain 2 notes and close any gaps flagged during self-testing

  • Complete a timed mixed set of construction questions and score it

Your checkpoint

A scored practice set of at least 40 mixed Domain 1 and 2 questions with a written review of every missed item

Week 5

Pump Installation

  • Match pump type (submersible, jet, variable frequency) to well conditions and explain the selection rationale

  • Read a pump curve and determine operating point against a system head curve

  • Calculate total dynamic head for a given lift, drawdown, and discharge pressure scenario

  • Explain pump setting depth, motor cooling flow, and the consequences of setting a pump too shallow or too deep

Your checkpoint

A pump selection worksheet with a pump curve operating-point exercise and a total dynamic head calculation shown step by step

Week 6

Pump Installation & Licensing Administration and Financial Responsibility

  • Outline the steps to install, wire, and start up a submersible pump including controls and protection devices

  • Diagnose three pump performance faults (cavitation, cycling, sand damage) and state the cause and remedy for each

  • Summarize the licensing administration requirements covering license categories, renewal, and scope of practice

  • Explain the financial responsibility requirements including bonding or insurance and how they apply to a working driller

Your checkpoint

A two-part summary sheet: pump troubleshooting matrix plus a licensing and financial responsibility reference page

Week 7

Licensing Administration and Financial Responsibility & Continuing Education and Remedial Action

  • Describe the continuing education hour requirements and acceptable activity categories for license renewal

  • Outline the remedial action process including causes for discipline, notification, and corrective steps

  • Identify recordkeeping and reporting obligations that accompany well completion and pump installation

  • Compare the consequences of lapsed versus revoked licensure and the path back to good standing

Your checkpoint

A compliance timeline showing renewal, CE deadlines, and the remedial action sequence from complaint to resolution

Week 8

Well Construction & Ground Heat Exchanger Construction & Pump Installation & Licensing Administration and Financial Responsibility & Continuing Education and Remedial Action

  • Complete two full-length timed practice exams and score each against a passing target

  • Rank the five domains by missed-question count and re-study the two weakest areas

  • Recite the key formulas for grout volume, loop sizing, and total dynamic head from memory

  • Write a one-page exam-day strategy covering pacing, question triage, and calculation double-checks

Your checkpoint

Two scored full-length practice exams with an error log and a final one-page formula and strategy sheet

Milestones

Week 2: Can explain annular sealing and grouting requirements and correctly solve a grout-volume calculation without reference material

Week 4: Scores at least 75 percent on the 40-question mixed Domain 1 and Domain 2 practice set and has reviewed every missed item

Week 6: Can determine a pump operating point from a curve and calculate total dynamic head, and can state the license renewal and financial responsibility requirements from memory

Week 8: Scores at or above the target on both full-length practice exams and has a completed error log showing improvement in the weakest domain