Backflow Tester Certification Instructions and Procedures

Effective: Initial - March 1, 2011; Renewal/Recertification - May 1, 2011

Section

General Instructions

All individuals who perform testing of backflow prevention assemblies shall be certified in accordance with 10 NYCRR Section 5-1.31 of the New York State Sanitary Code. In addition, the Department-approved training provider (training provider) will issue a certification of course completion when the individual satisfactorily completes a backflow tester certification course(s).

Application Procedures

A. Initial Certification. The applicant shall complete a backflow tester initial certification course from a training provider. A certification of course completion will be issued by the training provider when the applicant satisfactorily completes the training course. A tester's certification will be valid for three (3) years.

A list of approved training providers is available on the Department's Website.

B. Renewal Certification. To maintain the backflow tester certification, the individual must successfully complete a renewal training course from an approved training provider prior to the certification expiration date. A certification of course completion will be issued by the training provider when the applicant satisfactorily completes the renewal training course. A tester's certification will be valid for three (3) years. Testers should begin the renewal process at least three (3) months prior to that date.

C. Recertification.A tester who allows his or her backflow tester certification to lapse after the certification expiration date, is no longer certified to test backflow prevention assemblies.

The individual whose backflow tester certification lapsed for less than one (1) year, must meet the requirements outlined in Section B. Renewal Certification of this document. When the individual meets the requirements in Section B, the certification will be reinstated with a renewal period starting upon issuance of the certification and ending on the date of the fixed three year renewal cycle. The resulting renewal period will be less than three years.

The individual whose backflow tester certification lapsed for more than one (1) year, must repeat the entire initial certification course or must meet the requirement outlined in Section A. Initial Certification of this document. When the individual meets the requirement in Section A, the certification will be reinstated with a new three year renewal cycle starting upon issuance of the certification of course completion.

Reciprocity. The Department does not have reciprocity with any other state.

Contact Information

Any questions should be directed to:

Center for Environmental Health
Bureau of Water Supply Protection
Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Room 1110
Albany, New York 12237

By phone: 518-402-7650 or 800-458-1158

By email: h2ocert@health.ny.gov