Backflow Base / Tester certification / Virginia
Backflow tester certification in Virginia.
Since January 1, 2023 anyone testing or repairing backflow assemblies must hold a DPOR Backflow Prevention Device Worker certification (12VAC5-590-630). Water systems may add local rules.
Last updated .
Who certifies
Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), Board for Contractors
804-367-8511 · tradesmen@dpor.virginia.gov
The state issues the certificate testers need.
What it takes
- Credential
- DPOR Backflow Prevention Device Worker certification
- Before you start
- Board pre-approval to sit the exam: 4 years of water distribution experience plus 32 hours of board-approved training, or 7+ years of experience plus 16 hours of approved training.
- Training
- 32 hours (or 16 hours with 7+ years experience) at a board-approved school; training must include wet lab instruction. Board accepts ASSE testing procedure standards.
- Exam
- Administered by PSI after Board approval; PSI scheduling 855-340-3910. DPOR page lists exam sites including Richmond, Vienna, Virginia Beach, Roanoke and Charlottesville.
- Renewal
- Two years under 18VAC50-30-120(B). DPOR says no continuing education is required for backflow workers. 30-day grace period after expiry.
- Fees
- DPOR exam fee listed as $95, paid to PSI. Renewal fee $110 (18VAC50-30-120). Application fee not confirmed.
Certificates from elsewhere
- ASSE 5110: up to each water system. Board accepts ASSE testing procedure standards for approved training; ASSE 5110 is not itself a substitute for the DPOR certification.
No other state's certificate is named as valid here. Ask the program before you rely on one.
Where to get certified
- Virginia Section AWWA (VA AWWA)Statewide, rotating wet lab sites · course · in person. Cross Connection Devices 40-hour course, listed as DPOR approved. Page opened was a 2021 session; check current schedule.
- PSI ExamsRichmond, Vienna, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Charlottesville · exam · in person. Proctors the DPOR backflow exam after Board approval; 855-340-3910.
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
Reports go to the water system or the locality that runs its program. Several use online portals; most want the DPOR certification number on the report.
Deadline: Chesterfield: within 30 days of the test. Fairfax County: within 10 business days. Otherwise set by each system.
Portals in use: SwiftComply
Largest water systems
Fairfax Water
- Contact
- 703-222-0801 · LDSCrossConnectionProgram@fairfaxcounty.gov
- Reports
- Fairfax County Land Development Services runs the program with Fairfax Water. Submit through the county's online Backflow Assembly Test Report Submission form within 10 business days; only passing reports for every assembly are accepted.
- Testers
- DPOR Backflow Prevention Device Worker certification required and the company must be on the Fairfax County Authorized Vendor List (apply through the Cross Connections page).
City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities
- Contact
- 757-385-4160 · Backflow@vbgov.com
- Reports
- Enter tests in SwiftComply. Each tester needs an individual account under their own email; request an admin or tester account through the city page. Paper forms are no longer distributed.
- Testers
- Testers upload their certification and test kit information in SwiftComply.
Newport News Waterworks
- Contact
- 757-234-4963
- Reports
- Submit the city Backflow Test Form (new, annual, replacement, including failed devices) to Cross Connection Control, 425 Industrial Drive, Newport News, VA 23608.
- Testers
- DPOR certification as a backflow prevention device worker required.
Chesterfield County Utilities
- Contact
- 804-768-7810 · backflow@chesterfield.gov
- Reports
- Use the county test report form and submit by the process Utilities has in force at the time; reports due within 30 days of the test. Fax 804-751-4437 or mail PO Box 608, Chesterfield VA 23832.
- Testers
- Current DPOR certification; test gauge calibrated within one year; calibration date and certification number on the report (county cross-connection manual, 5th edition).
Loudoun Water
- Contact
- 571-291-7880 · backflow@loudounwater.org
- Reports
- Page did not describe a submission method; email backflow@loudounwater.org. Include your DPOR certification number on all reports.
- Testers
- Reports from testers without DPOR certification dated after Dec 31, 2022 are void and must be redone.
Sources
- 18VAC50-30-42 Examination approval
- 18VAC50-30-120 Renewal
- 12VAC5-590-630
- DPOR Tradesmen program
- Fairfax County Cross Connection Program
- Fairfax County requirements for testing
- Virginia Beach annual testing
- Newport News cross connection
- Chesterfield cross-connection manual
- Loudoun Water backflow
- VA AWWA 40-hour course
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
- Bookings from a booking page, your own website, and an AI receptionist on your phone.
- Schedule board and route for each tester.
- Field app that scores every test, even with no signal.
- Test reports sent to the water system that serves each address.
- Card payments to your own Stripe account, and yearly renewals that charge after the test.
- Client portal for HOAs, property managers and contractors.
- $50/month flat: no per-test fee, no cut of payments.
- Every feature →What the app does, part by part.
- Compare →Next to other backflow and field-service software.
- Start free →No card. $50/month or $500/year once you go live, 45 days free.
- Free exam prep →Study questions, practice exams, device tests, a VR wet lab.