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.

PLEASE NOTE: Orientation Classes ONLY Offered in 2020 & 2021 Due to Construction


Due to construction at our location (1600 Mist Lake Drive), certification and re-certification classes in 2020 and 2021 will not be offered through the City of Durham. Our facility is in the midst of a major construction and renovation project. Parking is limited, and the existing wet lab will soon be demolished. The City will still offer orientation classes for students who receive their certification or re-certification through our approved reciprocity schools (Charlotte Water, Greenville, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and NC Rural Water). The 2021 orientation class schedule will be posted in December 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Cost of Classes


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

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Orientation Courses

Date Time Registration Status
Jan 17, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Full/Closed
Feb 21, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Full/Closed
Mar 27, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Postponed
Jul 17, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed
Sep 18, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed
Nov 13, 2020 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed

Effective on 12/31/2017 and beyond, a policy change has been adopted by the group of North Carolina Training Schools recognized by the City of Durham. It is in agreement with all the schools that we maintain for original certification that the expiration date established be no more than two years from the date of passing the certification class.
 
For re-certification, the expiration date shall be no more than three years from the date of passing the re-certification class. If the re-certification class is missed and the tester certification expires, the tester has up to an additional year to get re-certified before they will be required to take the full certification class. If a tester’s certification expires, they are not valid to test backflow assemblies until they get re-certified or retake and successfully complete the full certification class.

Related Documents

  1. Class and Training Information (PDF)