California Backflow Prevention Tester Certification: Renewal Requirements

Regulating agency: State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water
Renewal cycle: 3 years
CE required: Not published by the agency. Confirm directly with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water.
Renewal fee: Not published by the agency. Confirm directly with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water.
Regulation level: State baseline with local variations

Last verified: 2026-07-14

Who regulates backflow tester certification in California

California sets baseline rules at the state level, but some local jurisdictions add their own requirements on top. Check both the state agency and your local water purveyor.

The authority for backflow tester credentials in California is State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water. Under the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (adopted Dec 19, 2023, Article 4 effective July 1, 2025), testers must be certified by an SWRCB-recognized organization (ABPA, ASSE International, AWWA CA-NV Section) rather than by SWRCB directly; recertification is exam-based (written + performance), not CE-hour based. Some counties (LA, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, SF, and others) previously ran their own county programs but mostly stopped administering their own exams as of July 1, 2025. From July 1, 2027, only ANSI/ISO-17024-accredited organizations will count. Fee is set independently by each recognized certifying org, not published by SWRCB.

How often you need to renew

Backflow tester certification in California must be renewed every 3 years.

Continuing education and retesting requirements

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water does not publish continuing education requirements online. Confirm with the agency before your renewal date.

Renewal deadline and grace period

The agency does not publish a formal grace period online. Treat your expiration date as hard: Water purveyors generally stop accepting test reports from testers whose certification has lapsed, and many jurisdictions require retaking the full certification course instead of a simple renewal once the credential expires. Confirm the exact grace period, if any, with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water well before your expiration date.

How to renew, step by step

Confirm your exact expiration date on your certification card or with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water.
Complete any required refresher course or continuing education for your jurisdiction.
Submit the renewal application to the agency before the deadline.
Keep your test kit calibration certificate current: most jurisdictions require annual gauge calibration alongside a valid tester credential.

Frequently asked questions

How often do I need to renew my backflow tester certification in California?

Backflow tester certification in California must be renewed every 3 years.

Who regulates backflow tester certification in California?

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water. California sets baseline rules at the state level, but some local jurisdictions add their own requirements on top. Check both the state agency and your local water purveyor.

Is backflow tester certification the same in every county in California?

No. In California, requirements are set partly at the local level, so the renewal cycle, approved courses, and fees can differ from one jurisdiction to another.

What happens if my California backflow tester certification expires?

Water purveyors generally stop accepting test reports from testers whose certification has lapsed, and many jurisdictions require retaking the full certification course instead of a simple renewal once the credential expires. Confirm the exact grace period, if any, with State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water well before your expiration date.

Official source

Data on this page was verified on 2026-07-14 against: