New England Region Backflow Tester Program
Development of the New England Region Backflow Tester Certification Program
Over the past decade, Kruger Training Academy has developed curriculums and training methods to service Backflow Testers and Device Workers in dozens of states, our motto is "We Are Where You Are" and we are hoping to service technicians seeking backflow certification, providing accessible and affordable training where possible. Most areas in the United States have water purveyors regulated on a state by state basis, which is also the case in New England, but just through experience offering our very popular Massachusetts program, and students taking the Mass program then submitting their credentials to the neighboring states, we recently decided to put together a new Regional Program where people can come to our courses ( often held in Massachusetts ) and still get the information related to their specific states and areas. This also gives us more ability to coordinate the program with the local regulators for each state instead of relying on reciprocal agreements that Kruger Training Academy is not involved with. More info on the below links for each of the 6 included states in the Region :
Massachusetts - Connecticut - New Hampshire - Maine - Rhode Island - Vermont
Curriculum Basis of the Program
Our courses in New England utilize two main course materials:
The EPA Cross Connection Control Manual v. 2003 - which is a free download but each student gets a full color copy of the textbook. This text has been the cornerstone of backflow testing programs since they first started back in the 1980s and includes much of the plumbing background info required and hydraulic theory items that are required source materials for written exams, with complete information on commonly used backflow devices. Complete with interactive PowerPoints that follow the book and focus on critical information that shows up on written exams.
Excerpts and Derivative Materials from the University of Southern California Manual for Cross Connection Control, 10th Edition - this is most widely used and accepted manual for backflow testing procedures, accepted in the regular form or derivative forms including supplemental procedures in essentially all states of the USA. Published in 2008, it covers diagnostic procedures in all conditions, such that if Shut Off leaks or Check Valve Failures are present on the assembly being tested, it allows a tester to conclude exactly what the malfunction is and whether or not the critical parts of an assembly can be tested even if the condition exists. This means you can test a backflow preventer and get the required results even if both shutoff valves are leaking, without replacing shutoff valves which is costly to the customer and inconvenient for the tester. Also the procedures flow very smoothly, you don't have to move the hoses back and forth multiple times, everything is seamless.
The book is not given as part of the tuition to the students, but our derivative works are printed out and can be used to study the procedures. We recommend that you buy the book using the link above if interested in the backflow industry, it is a true page turner. Check out our video on YouTube that uses derivative materials showcasing the 2 valve testing method on all four types of assemblies below:
The Complete Guide to Testing Backflow Preventers - By the Book
Course materials are followed as submitted and written by the developers of the procedures. Contrary to other course providers in the New England area, we require that you do all testing procedures as designed, it does not matter if the double check is on a fire system and there shouldn't be any flow, literally one gallon per 3 hours from a leaking 2" main drain gate valve, or a slight drip on a standpipe connection that has a drain next to it in an area no one goes, can and will result in Type 2 testing errors, you have a magical DCV that cannot fail a test. Stress in the program is maintained to do all testing procedures properly, and record all readings properly, without instructors giving all the students "shortcuts" as is commonplace with other New England programs for whatever reason.
Examinations
There is a 100 question multiple choice written examination and you must test all four types of backflow assemblies with diagnostic failures simulated. All examinations are blind ( no study aids ) but we allow up to 2 "errors," meaning you forgot this or that, you must get all test readings applicable, write them on a test report exam sheet, so if your error makes it so you cannot get a required reading, or the reading you recorded was wrong, that would result in automatic failure.
The integrity of the exam is paramount to a reputable program, as a training institution our goal is to get everyone certified, but often people fail the exams, without the rigors of a blind exam, often students forget what they have learned and improperly test backflow assemblies in the field. If a tester does not memorize the procedures for the exam, often small errors get performed over and over in the field without realizing it. Our program currently includes FREE RETAKES for failed exams. The retake cannot be done on the same day, so often you fail the exam on Thursday and schedule the retake during the renewal course on Friday.
The written exam is in English and you cannot use translation software, if you cannot read and write in formal English, you will likely fail the exam, so we would recommend taking some formal English reading and writing lessons before retaking the exam, specifically with terms related to backflow, read the EPA book a few times and look up any words you don't know. English words are spelled funny they often do not look the way they sound.
Additional Requirements for Each State
Since each state has their own prerogative with backflow testing certification requirements, often you have to take additional exams in order to get state certification. Most often you need the ABPA exam, which is the Gold Standard for integrity of record keeping on third party exams, which we are a longstanding member and partner and often proctor their exams. Also some states require you to register directly with them, pay additional fees, etc., we have each item broken down on the state by state above, we also have more info on how to schedule and prepare for ABPA exams on our website at www.krugerstraining.academy/usc-test-prep