IAPMO provides professional training in backflow prevention. These courses include backflow prevention assembly tester, repairer, and cross-connection control surveyor. Each of these courses include a certification exam through the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. The ASSE publishes ANSI recognized Professional Qualification Standards (ASSE Series 5000), and ASSE offers a certification to those standards that is recognized by the model plumbing codes in the United States, including the Uniform Plumbing Code. IAPMO is dedicated to water system safety through plumbing-code compliance and supports the ASSE program.

The tester initial certification and re-certification training classes held at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado are scheduled for the following dates through  the end of 2008. It is possible that these courses will fill, and IAPMO should be contacted for additional classes.

Seminar Schedule

Student applications for the tester courses can be downloaded from the following links. The applications are Acrobat PDF files that must be printed and returned to the IAPMO office stated on the application. If you need Adobe's Acrobat® Reader on your computer to open and print these files, click the  Adobe logo.

Application for a NEW certified tester

Application for a tester RE-CERTIFICATION

Application submittal:

Once completed, class applications must be sent to IAPMO by either US mail, parcel service or may be faxed.

Directions to the Red Rocks Community College classroom and laboratory:

The Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood Campus is located approximately 7 miles west of downtown Denver on the south side of US Highway 6. If traveling west on US 6 (6th Avenue) take either the Union/Simms exit or the Indiana Street exit. From Union, drive west along the frontage road or from Indiana, drive east along the frontage road as shown in the detail map provided.

Certification Information:

The IAPMO training program provides the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to become an ASSE certified backflow preventer tester, repairer, or cross-connection control surveyor.

When completing the application for the tester courses, IAPMO must receive a photocopy of any current certification for re-certification purposes or provide a minimum of 5 years experience in the industry prior to becoming certified as a backflow preventer tester.

Applications must be received by IAPMO two (2) weeks prior to a course start date. This insures that training and certification materials will be available from ASSE for that course.

The certification examination consists of a written examination and a hands-on examination. The exam for an initial tester certification consists of 100 questions. The re-certification exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. Presently, the initial certification candidate must demonstrate the field test procedure for a reduced pressure principle assembly, double check valve assembly and a pressure vacuum breaker assembly, without notes or assistance. A re-certification candidate must demonstrate a field test procedure for a reduced pressure principle assembly and a double check valve assembly.

All candidates will know of successful field test exam results at the time of the test. All written examinations are submitted to ASSE for grading, and certification credentials are provided within two to three weeks after the exam. These certification credentials will be mailed from IAPMO. If a certification candidate is not successful, a written notice will be provided from ASSE.

Other class locations available:

IAPMO can provide training at off-campus locations. If your company or organization has a minimum of 12 students, please contact IAPMO and we can schedule your own backflow prevention class.

Program involvement / affiliation:

If you have an interest in becoming an IAPMO training facility, instructor or certification proctor, please contact Dr. Asay.

Red Rocks Community College offers many safety-related OSHA training courses through the Rocky Mountain Education Center. For more information on these courses, please click here.