Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Exam: Step-by-Step Study Guide
Preparing for the Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller exam is easier one step at a time. This guide starts with the key facts from the official bulletin, then covers the topics on the exam, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a simple way to prepare. PSI gives the exam.
Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Exam Overview
Start with the facts. Here's what the official bulletin says:
| Questions | 40 questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 70 |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $75 |
On exam day
- You must present one current, government-issued photo and signature ID (such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, or alien registration card) to be admitted.
- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
- Candidates are responsible for bringing their own reference materials, no writing is allowed in them during the examination session, and anyone caught writing in references or possessing unauthorized materials will have their binder seized and be reported to the Division.
- Pre-exam highlighting, underlining and permanent indexing are permitted, while writing during the exam and temporary markers such as Post-its are prohibited.
- Only approved items may be brought into the exam room; all other personal belongings, including electronics, writing devices, bags, food and drinks, must be placed in secure storage.
References you may bring
- 2017 NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (ISBN-13: 9781455912773)
- 2017 Ferm's Fast Finder Index (ISBN-13: 9781890659790)
- 2017 Key Word Index by Tom Henry (ISBN-13: 978099788574)
- Ugly's Electrical References (ISBN-13: 9781284275919)
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- You may schedule online through PSI's registration website or by calling PSI at 855-340-3713.
- You may cancel and reschedule without forfeiting your fee if PSI receives your cancellation notice 2 days before the scheduled examination date, done by website or by phone (not voicemail or email).
- If you miss your appointment, arrive after the examination start time, cancel late, or lack proper ID, your registration is invalid and you forfeit your examination fee.
- Your score is shown on screen at the end of the exam and a score report is provided, with a diagnostic report of strengths and weaknesses if you fail.
- If you do not pass, you may retake the exam as many times as needed, paying an examination fee for each attempt.
Source: Examination Scheduling Procedures / Examination Guide (Idaho PSI Candidate Bulletin), Effective 7/9/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
Topics on the Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Exam
Next, the content. The official content outline has 6 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Introduction | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 1 | 4 | 10% |
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 2 | 14 | 35% |
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 3 | 8 | 20% |
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 4 | 10 | 25% |
| 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA Calculations | 1 | 2% |
A Simple Plan to Prepare for the Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Exam
Step one is the books. This is an open-book exam, so the references on the bulletin's list are what you'll work from, while you study and in the exam room. Get the editions the bulletin names.
Step two is learning your way around them. Go through each book's table of contents and index until you know where the major subjects are. You don't need to memorize the books. You need to find things in them.
Step three is marking them up. Highlight the sections you use most. The exam facts above list the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings, so follow them exactly.
Step four is timed practice. Our practice exams run on a clock, so you get used to the real exam's pace: about 3 minutes per question.
Along the way, give the most time to the biggest topics. 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 2 and 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 4 make up 60% of the exam.
The last step is consistency. Keep practicing until you pass several practice exams in a row. That's the signal you're ready.
Reference Books for the Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Exam
The allowed reference is the 2017 NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code, and the 2017 Ferm's Fast Finder Index, 2017 Key Word Index by Tom Henry and Ugly's Electrical References may also be used as optional references.
Where to get them:
On Test Day
Go through the exam at a steady pace. On your first pass, answer the questions you know and bookmark the ones you don't. Every exam lets you come back to bookmarked questions.
On your second pass, return to your bookmarks one at a time. You have 2 hours for 40 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question, so keep moving and don't let one question hold you up. Before you finish, answer anything you skipped. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
On an open-book exam, the winners aren't the smartest people in the room — they're the fastest at finding answers. Buy the required book, practice with it open, and tab and highlight each section the first time a question sends you there. Learn the index and table of contents until you can land on any topic in seconds. That speed is what separates a pass from a fail.
On an open-book exam, work through every question once: answer the ones you know and skip the ones you don't. Then go back to the ones you flagged. You can bookmark questions for later review, just like on our exams — and don't sink too much time into any single question. The clock is still running.
Give yourself at least three to six weeks. Use your exam's candidate bulletin as your roadmap for what's tested, and spend your time on finding-it-fast skills over rote memorization. In practice, aim for three clean passes at 80% or higher — setting your practice bar above the real cut score gives you a comfortable margin on test day.
Practicing against a ticking clock is the best way to beat exam-clock anxiety. Use these timed tests to build your pacing, so you learn to move steadily and never burn too long on a single question. By test day, the format feels routine.
Sample Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller Practice Questions
Here are a few questions from our practice question bank, each with its answer and reference.
Sample 1 — 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 1
Question: Which term describes a branch circuit consisting of two or more ungrounded conductors that have a voltage between them, plus a grounded conductor having equal voltage between it and each ungrounded conductor?
- A. Multiwire branch circuit
- B. General-purpose branch circuit
- C. Appliance branch circuit
- D. Individual branch circuit
Correct Answer: A
NEC 2017, Article 100 defines Branch Circuit, Multiwire with exactly this construction. An individual branch circuit supplies only one utilization equipment; a general-purpose branch circuit supplies two or more receptacles or outlets for lighting and appliances.
Reference: NEC 2017 Article 100 (Definitions: Branch Circuit, Multiwire; Branch Circuit, Individual; Branch Circuit, General-Purpose)
Sample 2 — 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Introduction
Question: Per NEC 90.2(A), the Code covers the installation and removal of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and ______ cables and raceways.
- A. Coaxial
- B. Fiber optic
- C. Optical fiber
- D. Data communication
Correct Answer: C
Per NEC 90.2(A), the Code covers 'the installation and removal of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways.' The specific term used in the Code is 'optical fiber.'
Reference: NEC 2017 Section 90.2(A)
Sample 3 — 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA Calculations
Question: A continuous-duty motor rated more than 1 horsepower has no marked service factor and no marked temperature rise. Where a separate overload device responsive to motor current is used, it shall be selected to trip or be rated at not more than what percentage of the motor nameplate full-load current rating?
- A. 125 percent
- B. 140 percent
- C. 115 percent
- D. 130 percent
Correct Answer: C
NEC 2017, 430.32(A)(1) requires a separate overload device for a continuous-duty motor over 1 hp to be rated at no more than 125 percent of nameplate full-load current for motors with a marked service factor of 1.15 or greater or a marked temperature rise of 40°C or less, and 115 percent for all other motors. The 130 percent and 140 percent figures are the maximum trip values permitted only under the 430.32(C) modification when the initial selection will not start the motor or carry the load.
Reference: NEC 2017 Section 430.32(A)(1)
Sample 4 — 2017 National Electrical Code, NFPA – Chapter 2
Question: According to NEC 240.6(B), what is the ampere rating of an adjustable-trip circuit breaker that has external means for adjusting the current setting but does NOT have restricted access?
- A. The minimum setting possible
- B. The nominal rating printed on the breaker label
- C. The setting at the time of installation
- D. The maximum setting possible
Correct Answer: D
According to the National Electrical Code Handbook (Page 151), Section 240.6(B), the rating of adjustable-trip circuit breakers having external means for adjusting the current setting (long-time pickup setting), not meeting the requirements of 240.6(C) for restricted access, shall be the maximum setting possible.
Reference: NEC 2017
Practicing Online vs. With a PDF
A PDF lets you read questions at your own pace. The real exam runs on a clock. Our practice exams are timed and on a screen, so you practice finding answers with the clock running. Each attempt draws a new set of questions from our bank, and your results show your score by topic, so you always know what to study next.
Your Next Step
Take the free Idaho Limited Electrical Well Driller practice exam to see where you stand. Then study the topics that need the most attention, one at a time. For the official rules, read the exam bulletin, and see the licensing board's website.