Certified Backflow Tester Courses

Periodically, Cross Connection Control staff conducts a state-recognized school for tester certification and recertification. First, a 40 hour, five day backflow tester certification course is offered to individuals who are interested in testing backflows. A 16 hour, two day re-certification course is offered to certified testers in order to keep testers' skills and regulatory knowledge current. Individuals who are interested in becoming certified testers should review the course packet (PDF). The City of Durham also accepts the following approved backflow certification courses: Charlotte Water, Greenville, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and NC Rural Water.

The City of Durham also offers a Tester Orientation for students who attended a certification or recertification class at one of our approved reciprocity schools listed above. This is for those interested in testing backflow preventers on the City of Durham’s Water distribution system.  Successful completion of the Durham Orientation class (already included in Courses taught by the City of Durham) is mandatory for anyone who wishes to perform backflow preventer testing in our jurisdiction. This includes testers approved through reciprocity. The orientation class will cover local tester requirements and expectations. Copies of Durham’s Cross Connection Control Regulations will be provided during the class and time will be allotted for tester questions.

To enroll, please select the desired course below. Fill out each section and attach all required documentation such as current calibration data, current contractor license, current certificate (if applicable). Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Cost of Classes

Certification: $150
Re-Certification: $75
Orientation: $50  

CERTIFICATION COURSES
***this class has been approved for 8 irrigation ceu hours (Course number #10503) for the nciclb

RE-CERTIFICATION COURSES

***THIS CLASS HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR 2 IRRIGATION CEU HOURS (COURSE NUMBER #10641) FOR THE NCICLB

ORIENTATION COURSES

Testers Ethics and Code of Conduct

1. Testers shall not falsify any data or results obtained from field tests performed by the Tester.
2. Testers shall not sign any Test and Maintenance Report for tests they did not perform.
3. Testers shall not make any unneeded repairs, replacements, nor use any repair parts not specifically manufactured for a specific assembly.
4. Testers shall not perform annual testing prior to 60 days from the established deadline.
5. A Tester shall not remove, straight-pipe, or by-pass any assembly that would create an unprotected cross connection.
6. A Tester shall not perform a test using water through a by-pass or jumper around a meter.
7. A Tester shall perform Field Tests using City of Durham-Specified Test Procedures only (Vertical Sight Tube or Differential Pressure Gage, short downstream tube, compensating tee and bleed off valve). Furthermore, Testers will verify all components required for field-testing are present (i.e., inlet and outlet shut-off valves [SOV], all test cocks [TC]). Any discrepancies shall be listed on the Test and Maintenance Report.
8. Testers are required to submit the appropriate Test and Maintenance Report to the approved electronic database designated by the City of Durham by the established deadline or no later than five (5) calendar days after the date of the test, whichever is more stringent. If test reports are received more than five (5) days after the date of test, they will not be accepted, and the Tester will be required to re-test the assembly in question and submit the form within the required time period. The Tester shall also provide a copy of their test results to the customer or tenant upon completion of the procedure.
9. Testers are required to maintain their BFPA testing equipment. This includes ensuring that the differential pressure gauge is checked against manufacturer specifications at least annually.
10. Testers are required to observe, verify, and record the make, model, size, serial number, and location of all BFPAs when performing the field test.
11. A Tester shall recognize the degree of hazard present when testing an assembly, and if the assembly is not appropriate to the degree of hazard, they shall test the assembly and notify the CCC Administrator of the contradiction in protection. If the assembly is installed in a manner inconsistent with existing City of Durham Code of Ordinance (in a ceiling, polyvinyl chloride [PVC], etc.), a Tester is required to note that discrepancy on the Test and Maintenance Report.