Illinois Backflow Prevention Tester Certification: Renewal Requirements

Regulating agency
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) / Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ERTC)
Renewal cycle
3 years (8-hour recertification course cycle), plus a mandatory annual approval renewal every year
CE required
8 hours (recertification course, once per 3-year cycle, staggered on a POD schedule run by SIUE ERTC)
Renewal fee
$32 (annual CCCDI license/approval renewal; fee for the 8-hour 3-year recert course itself not published)
Regulation level
Statewide

Last verified: 2026-07-14

Who regulates backflow tester certification in Illinois

Certification is regulated at the state level: one credential is valid across Illinois.

The authority for backflow tester credentials in Illinois is Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) / Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ERTC). Credential: Cross-Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI). Two-track system: (1) every year, ALL CCCDIs renew their approval ($32) in the May 1-June 30 window; (2) independently, once every 3 years, they complete the 8-hour recertification training. Missing the annual renewal 2 consecutive years requires retaking the full initial training plus written and practical exams. Renewal eligibility requires being an Illinois licensed plumber or water operator in good standing. Initial certification is a separate 4-day, 24-hour, $650 course.

How often you need to renew

Backflow tester certification in Illinois must be renewed every 3 years (8-hour recertification course cycle), plus a mandatory annual approval renewal every year. Annual approval renewal each year between May 1 and June 30 (35 Ill. Adm. Code 604.1510).

Continuing education and retesting requirements

To renew in Illinois, testers must complete: 8 hours (recertification course, once per 3-year cycle, staggered on a POD schedule run by SIUE ERTC).

Renewal deadline and grace period

Annual approval renewal each year between May 1 and June 30 (35 Ill. Adm. Code 604.1510).

How to renew, step by step

  1. Confirm your exact expiration date on your certification card or with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) / Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ERTC).
  2. Complete the required continuing education: 8 hours (recertification course, once per 3-year cycle, staggered on a POD schedule run by SIUE ERTC).
  3. Submit the renewal application and the $32 (annual CCCDI license/approval renewal; fee for the 8-hour 3-year recert course itself not published) fee to the agency before the deadline.
  4. 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 Illinois?

Backflow tester certification in Illinois must be renewed every 3 years (8-hour recertification course cycle), plus a mandatory annual approval renewal every year. Annual approval renewal each year between May 1 and June 30 (35 Ill. Adm. Code 604.1510).

Who regulates backflow tester certification in Illinois?

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) / Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ERTC). Certification is regulated at the state level: one credential is valid across Illinois.

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

Mostly yes. Illinois issues a statewide credential, so the core renewal requirements are the same everywhere in the state. Individual water purveyors may still have their own reporting procedures.

What happens if my Illinois 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 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) / Environmental Resources Training Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE ERTC) well before your expiration date.

Official source

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

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