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Backflow Base / Tester certification / Tennessee

Backflow tester certification in Tennessee.

TDEC issues the Certificate of Competency in Testing and Evaluating Backflow Preventers through the Fleming Training Center and TDEC-approved training providers. Water systems may add their own tester approval.

Last updated .

Who certifies

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Fleming Training Center, Cross-Connection Control Program
615-898-6508 · benjamin.rodriquez@tn.gov

The state issues the certificate testers need.

What it takes

Credential
Certificate of Competency in Testing and Evaluating Backflow Preventers
Training
Basic Workshop (course 101): 3 days in person at the Fleming Training Center, covering RP and DC assemblies. Training also given by TDEC-approved providers.
Exam
Written and practical exams at the end of the basic workshop; passing both earns the certificate.
Renewal
Every 3 years. Renewal Workshop (course 102), 1 day, practical exam; a valid Tennessee certificate is required to attend.
Fees
Fleming Training Center: $335 basic workshop, $170 renewal workshop, $125 repair workshop. Approved providers set their own fees.

Certificates from elsewhere

No other state's certificate is named as valid here. Ask the program before you rely on one.

Compare every state →

Where to get certified

Listed for convenience, not endorsed. Check that a course is on the state's approved list before you pay.

Free exam prep → Study questions, practice exams, device tests.

Test procedures for every assembly → The steps we recommend for the field exam.

Filing test reports

TDEC publishes a Tennessee Approved Test Report. Reports go to the water system serving the property; each system sets its own method.

State test report form →

Portals in use: HydroCorp (Consolidated Utility District)

Largest water systems

Metro Water Services (Nashville)

Reports
Page says every backflow device is inspected annually by Metro Water Services or its contractor, billed to the customer at $50 per device. It does not describe a private tester filing process.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW)

Contact
901-528-7757 · crossconnection@mlgw.org
Reports
Fax 901-528-4658.
Testers
Testers must attend a mandatory 2-hour MLGW session each year to test on its system (2026 sessions at 4949 Raleigh LaGrange, Room 124). Testers in good standing with Tennessee and MLGW qualify for 2026.

Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)

Contact
865-594-8333
Reports
KUB brochure (2017) says companies on KUB's approved tester list send passing results to KUB after each test.
Testers
Testers must be on KUB's approved list on its backflow web portal. Current requirements not confirmed; the brochure is from 2017.

Clarksville Gas, Sewer and Water

Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County

Contact
615-225-3326 · rharrell@cudrc.com
Reports
Page says the certified tester submits a copy of each test report to HydroCorp. A copy of a test after repair or disassembly also goes to CUD.
Testers
Tester must hold a Certificate of Competency and be approved by CUD. Irrigation devices must be tested at startup each year; testing before winterization is not accepted. Failed devices must be repaired and passed within 30 days.

All 439 Tennessee water systems →

Sources

Checked 2026-10-19 against each state's own program pages and rules. Rules change; confirm with the program before you book an exam or a test. Spot something out of date? hello@backflowbase.com.

The software

Contact

hello@backflowbase.com