Frequently Asked Questions

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national health based standards for drinking water. States are responsible for having regulations in place that are as rigorous as the EPA regulations. Usually the State Department of Health (or State Health Agency) is responsible for this.

Here is where it gets tricky. States have developed their own set of rules and regulations for their own Cross Connection Control Programs. The Backflow Certification process can vary from state to state. One state may administer its own Backflow Certification Program, and another may not. In some cases, different counties may even have different backflow certification requirements. Some organizations may accept Certificates of Completions from Training Courses or Classes, while others may require 3rd party certification from the main Certifying Bodies. 

So we say all of that to say that there is no set Federal Backflow Testing Standard, and that's why it can get confusing for people who want to certify. 

That's why we created the Resource page, to make it a one stop shop of useful information so that anyone across the country can use it to get a good idea of what they have to do, what to expect, and the next step to take in their Backflow Certification process!

This website was built to simplify the Backflow Certification process for folks across the country by providing clarity regarding the Backflow Certification process and offering great training tools to help people pass their Backflow Certification Exams!!

We've spent a lot of time organizing relevant information to make it easier for you to understand the Backflow Certification process and the next steps you may take.

We've also spent a lot of time developing our Backflow Testing Simulator help students and professionals learn and retain the steps better.

The whole reason for Backflow Devices is to stop any pollutant or contaminant from entering our public water supply and threatening public safety. People have gotten sick from water borne diseases, and unfortunately there have been deaths from contamination of the public drinking water system, which could have been avoided if there were proper Cross-Connection Controls in place. 

Backflow Assembly installations will most likely become more common moving forward, as Cross-Connection Control Programs expand and codes change or are updated for newer construction. The ultimate goal of Cross-Connection Control Programs is to keep our potable water safe and to keep yourself and neighbors safe. Backflow Testing and Repairing are important jobs that are crucial to protecting our drinking water supply, so there will always be a need for Backflow Testers.

Another reason to get your Backflow Certification is that it will increase your own value and can open up more opportunities for you career wise, and that includes earning more money. If you can also offer Backflow Installation and Testing/Repairing services, you expand your income streams.

Finally there's the satisfaction of knowing that by performing Backflow Testing and/or Repairing you are part of the maintenance work to protect our potable water supplies. There are lots of Backflow Incidents that go unreported every year, but it's way more common than people realize. 

1.) Find out which Backflow Certification your employer or county approves and accepts. (ABPA, AWWA, ASSE or NCBPA) Click here for more information on the Backflow Certifying Bodies click here.

2.) Sign up for a class or course. Click here for a list of classes or courses in your area. 

3.) Complete the class or course. For Tips, click here. 

4.) Sign up for the Backflow Certification Exam during your class/course or as its ending.

5.) Pass your Backflow Certification Exam!!

Because there isn't a set standard across the country for Backflow Testing, there are several Certifying Bodies (Organizations that can officially make you Backflow Certified) across the country. Some States do the Backflow Certifying themselves, and others allow 3rd party organizations to grant Backflow Certifications to people. 

Then there are Testing Procedures. There are multiple Testing Procedures available throughout the country. But lucky for you, we have painstakingly organized all that information for you here. 

American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA)

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE)

Northern California Backflow Prevention Association (NCBPA)

The Backflow Certification Process is different from state to state. So we spent a lot of time organizing all of the available info to make it easier for you to see what you need:

You can get your Backflow Certification in as little as one (1) week, or it may take a few months depending on what course/class/training you take and how quickly after you can schedule a Backflow Certification Exam. 

If you sign up for a 2-5 Day Course you may be able to test as soon as you finish the course. Some Course Providers will even let you take the test at their facility after the Course is over! You will have to call and ask them to confirm though because it varies among courses.

If you sign up for a class at a local Community College/University or Trade School, the class itself may last about 3-5 months. Then you can schedule a Backflow Certification Exam. (There are exceptions- you may be able to schedule a Backflow Certification Exam before the class is over) The Community College/University or Trade School may also offer Backflow Certification Exams after the class is over, but again, you'll have to ask them to confirm, because it varies.

It depends on the training you get and how much you spend on resources. 

As a rough ballpark, you can spend (or invest) anywhere between $150-$1,600+ to get your Backflow Certification. This is a rough estimate to help you plan for your Backflow Certification, the actual figure will vary based on training, certification and availability of Field Test Equipment. 

For a 2-5 Day Course: Expect to pay at least $250 or $800 on average.

$250-$1,000 2-5 Day Course (16-40 Hour Course) 

$90-140 Textbook/Manual (The Backflow Training Course Provider may provide you with a Manual/Textbook, saving you this cost.)

$165-$285 Backflow Certification Exam Fee (The Backflow Training Course Provider may have included this cost into their price, but you'll have to call them to confirm, if not you'll have to pay the Backflow Certification Exam Fee yourself.)

$800 Field Test Kit (The Backflow Training Course Provider may provide you a Field Test Kit and tools you can use for your Backflow Certification Exam, saving you this cost.)

So your looking at about $250 minimum if you are recertifying and want a 2 Day refresher course and if the Course Provider provides the manual, a Backflow Certification Exam and Field Test Kit, or about $800 on average if you go to a 5 Day Course and the Course Provider provides the manual, a Backflow Certification Exam and the Field Test Kit. 

(If they don't provide a manual (you don't have to buy one, but I'd recommend it to learn and study from), and/or if they don't provide a Backflow Certification Exam and if they don't provide a Field Test Kit then you'd have to spend more money and should account for that, but many Backflow Training Course Providers will offer most of these.)

For a more traditional College/Trade School Class: Expect to pay at least $500 on average.

$165 College Class/Trade School (3-5 months)

$140 Textbook/Manual

$165-$285 Backflow Certification Exam

$800 Field Test Kit (The Backflow Training Class may provide you a Field Test Kit and tools you can use for your Backflow Certification Exam, saving you this cost.)

Here you're looking at around $500, assuming you can borrow a Field Test Kit from the Backflow Training Class.

Different States and Certifying Bodies may test differently, but typically all Backflow Certification Exams will have:

1.) A written multiple choice section (about 80-100 questions) covering Backflow Theory, Cross Connections, Degree of Hazard, Hydraulics, Administration of Cross Connection Programs, Field Testing and Troubleshooting, Major Components, Design/Installation Requirements etc. 

2.) A hands on performance exam (you will test the 4 different backflow prevention assemblies- DC, RP, PVB and SVB) and diagnose if they are working properly or if they have a failure (or multiple failures sometimes). Typically they will only simulate 1 failure per test, although it is possible to run into more than 1 failure.

3.) Recertification will take place at least every three (3) years.

Here are some quick links to help you find Backflow/Cross Connection Jobs, as well as water industry jobs.