Backflow prevention is a critical part of protecting public drinking water systems. As regulations evolve, the standards for backflow testers are becoming more formalized and more closely tied to national certification programs.
Because of these regulatory changes, many professionals entering the industry are asking an important question:
Which backflow certification is the best one to have in California?
While there are several organizations that offer certification, many industry professionals believe that the AWWA Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) certification is currently one of the strongest credentials to hold in California.
What Is AWWA Backflow Certification?
The American Water Works Association offers one of the most widely recognized certifications for backflow professionals in North America.
The certification most technicians pursue is the:
AWWA Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification
This certification verifies that a technician can properly:
The certification process includes both a written exam and a hands-on practical exam, ensuring that testers understand the theory behind cross-connection control as well as the practical skills required to test assemblies in the field.
Many water utilities rely on these standardized procedures to maintain compliance with cross-connection control regulations.
Why Backflow Certification Standards Are Changing
Backflow certification requirements are evolving as water utilities strengthen their cross-connection control programs.
In California, oversight for drinking water programs is provided by the
California State Water Resources Control Board.
Water systems must maintain formal cross-connection control programs to protect public drinking water supplies.
New policies are placing greater emphasis on:
Many certification programs are moving toward ANSI / ISO 17024 accreditation, which establishes requirements for how professional certifications are administered and maintained.
These changes are intended to ensure that certified testers meet consistent standards and that certification programs follow recognized credentialing practices.
California recently implemented updates to the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook through the California State Water Resources Control Board.
Increasing Regulatory Oversight in California
These policies require public water systems to maintain formal cross-connection control programs and ensure that backflow prevention assemblies are properly tested and maintained.
Under these rules, testers must hold certification from a recognized organization, and certification programs themselves must meet strict standards for testing and credentialing.
In addition, future requirements will require certifying organizations to meet ANSI / ISO 17024 accreditation standards, which are internationally recognized standards for professional certification programs.
These changes are raising the bar for certification programs and the professionals who hold them.
Several organizations offer backflow tester certifications, and each program has its own training and testing requirements.
Some of the most common certification programs include:
All three programs are recognized in many parts of the United States.
However, AWWA certification is closely tied to water utility operations and cross-connection control programs.
Because AWWA works directly with water utilities and public water systems, many professionals feel the certification aligns closely with the standards used by municipal water agencies.
For technicians who plan to work with water districts or cross-connection control programs, this alignment with utility standards can be an important advantage.
If you’re planning to start a career in backflow prevention, proper training can help prepare you for both the written and practical certification exams.
At American Backflow Academy, we offer hands-on training designed to prepare students for the AWWA BPAT certification exam.
Our courses cover:
You can view upcoming class dates on our Class Schedule page.