Under such reasonable rules and regulations as the secretary may adopt pertaining to the business of water well contracting and construction of water wells, the secretary shall investigate by examination or otherwise, the qualifications of all applicants for initial licenses as water well contractors to construct, reconstruct or treat wells for production of underground waters in this state. Where an examination is required, such examination may be oral or written or both. The qualifications required of each candidate for such an examination are as follows:

(a) Familiarity with Kansas water laws, sanitary standards for water well drilling and construction of water wells and rules and regulations relating to water well construction, reconstruction, treatment and plugging as adopted by the secretary;

(b) Knowledge of groundwater and subsurface geology in its relation to well construction.

The examinations conducted by the secretary shall be held at such times and places as he may determine. Failure of an applicant to pass such examination shall disqualify him from making further application for a period of one (1) month. The secretary shall act within a reasonable time upon all applications for licenses hereunder.