Skip to main content
Back To Top Top Back To Top
This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 1301:3-7 | Backflow Technician

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 1301:3-7-01 | Definitions.
 

(A) "Board" means the backflow advisory board appointed by the superintendent of the division of industrial compliance in the Ohio department of commerce pursuant to section 3703.21 of the Revised Code.

(B) [Reserved.]

(C) "Division" means the division of industrial compliance in the Ohio department of commerce.

(D) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of the division of industrial compliance in the Ohio department of commerce.

(E) "Approved training agency" means a training agency approved by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee to teach required courses to candidates for certification as backflow technicians or continuing education courses to certified backflow technicians, pursuant to section 3703.21 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Superintendent's designee" means an individual designated by the superintendent to act on his or her behalf concerning matters governed by section 3703.21 of the Revised Code and shall also include the board when so designated by the superintendent.

(G) "Lawn irrigation backflow techinican" means an individual holding a "Class B" backflow certificate issued in accordance with section 3703.21 of the Revised Code and rules promulgated thereunder.

(H) Unless a different meaning is clearly intended, the term "certified backflow technician" shall include individuals holding either a "Class A" or Class B" backflow technician certificate.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:54 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Rule 1301:3-7-02 | Classes of backflow technician certificates; Application for initial certification as a backflow technician.
 

(A) No individual shall engage in the installation, testing, or repair of any "isolation backflow prevention device," as defined in division (F) of section 3703.21 of the Revised Code, unless he or she possesses a valid certification as a backflow technician as follows:

(1) If the backflow prevention device is, or will be, located within a lawn irrigation process piping system, the individual must possess a valid "Class A" or "Class B" backflow technician certification issued in accordance with section 3703.21 of the Revised Code and rules promulgated thereunder.

(2) If the backflow prevention device is an isolation device that is owned by the public water system, the individual must possess a valid "Class A" or "Class C" backflow technician certification issued in accordance with section 3703.21 of the Revised Code and rules promulgated thereunder.

(3) For all other isolation backflow prevention devices not subject to paragraph (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this rule, the individual must possess a valid "Class A" backflow technician certification issued in accordance with section 3703.21 of the Revised Code and rules promulgated thereunder.

(B) This rule does not apply with respect to the installation, testing, or repair of any "containment backflow prevention device," as that term is defined in division (F) of section 3703.21 of the Revised Code.

(C) An initial applicant for certification as a backflow technician shall submit a completed application to the division on a form designated by the division. In order to qualify to sit for the backflow technician examination, the applicant must successfully demonstrate to the satisfaction of the superintendent or the superintendent's designee all of the following:

(1) Significant workplace experience relevant to backflow technician work, as follows:

(a) If the applicant is experienced in the plumbing industry, the applicant must possess five years of experience with a plumbing contractor, a hydronic contractor, or a fire protection company certified by the Ohio state fire marshal; or, the applicant must hold a current plumbing inspector certification from the division or bureau of building standards.

(b) If the applicant is experienced in the water purveyor or industry business, the applicant must possess five years of experience in the water purveyor industry; or, the applicant must possess a minimum of an Ohio environmental protection agency license class I distribution of an Ohio environmental protection agency water treatment operator license.

(c) If the applicant does not have the experience set forth in paragraph (B)(1)(a) or (B)(1)(b) of this rule, the board may consider other acceptable experience related to the performance of backflow technician duties, including consideration of such experience as it relates to the class of backflow technician certification that is being applied for.

(2) Completion of a twenty-four hour backflow course by an approved training agency that includes a mandatory hands-on testing and repairing examination administered by an approved training agency.

(3) Payment of an application fee and examination fee set forth in rule 1301:3-7-04 of the Administrative Code.

(D) If the applicant holds another state's backflow technician certification, then the superintendent may permit the applicant to complete an eight-hour Ohio recertification backflow technician course by an approved training agency and then issue the certification.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:55 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 11/20/2015
Rule 1301:3-7-03 | Backflow technician examination.
 

(A) Upon submission of an application pursuant to rule 1301:3-7-02 of the Administrative Code and approval by the superintendent or superintendent's designee of the applicant's qualifications, the applicant shall be permitted to sit for the backflow technician examination.

(B) The examination shall be prepared, administered, and scored by the division or its designee. The division or its designee may provide computer-based testing options for all portions of the examination that do not require a face-to-face practical examination.

(C) If reexamination occurs, an additional fifty dollars must be submitted to the division of industrial compliance or its designee.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:55 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 11/20/2015
Rule 1301:3-7-04 | Fees for backflow application and examination.
 

(A) The fees for the backflow technician application and examination under Chapter 1301:3-7 of the Administrative Code shall be non-refundable, paid to the division or its designee prior to the administration of the examination, and shall be as follows:

(1) Application fee........................................fifty dollars

(2) Examination fee......................................fifty dollars

(3) Reexamination fee..................................fifty dollars

(4) Certification fee.....................................seventy-five dollars every three years

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:55 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 2/2/2006
Rule 1301:3-7-05 | Renewal of a Certificate as a Backflow Technician.
 

(A) An applicant for renewal of a certificate as a backflow technician shall meet each of the following requirements:

(1) Completion of a minimum of an eight-hour backflow course by an approved training agency;

(2) Passage of a mandatory practical test conducted by an approved training agency in accordance with the "Backflow Prevention & Cross-Connection Control Manual" of the division; and

(3) Submission of a payment of a renewal fee of seventy-five dollars every three years.

Last updated September 8, 2023 at 10:49 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: RC Sec. 3703.21
Amplifies: RC Sec. 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 11/24/2025
Rule 1301:3-7-06 | Approval of training agency for backflow technician education.
 

(A) In order to be approved by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee, in accordance with section 3703.21 of the Revised Code, a training agency must submit a request for approval to the division every three years, and must demonstrate all of the following requirements:

(1) The training agency's trainers meet the following requirements:

(a) Possess six years of experience in the backflow industry; and

(b) Currently hold a backflow technician certification in Ohio.

(2) Upon request of the division, attend an annual meeting held by the division.

(B) Upon meeting the requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule, the superintendent or superintendent's designee shall grant approval to the training agency to teach backflow courses and administer tests.

(C) Approval may be denied or revoked by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee for the following reasons:

(1) The training agency has failed to meet or maintain the approval requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule;

(2) The training agency has made a misrepresentation or material omission in its request for approval; or

(3) The training agency has engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, deception, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in the conduct of business.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:56 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 2/2/2006
Rule 1301:3-7-07 | Denial, revocation, or suspension of a backflow certificate.
 

(A) An application for a backflow technician certificate, and a backflow technician certificate issued in accordance with Chapter 1301:3-7 of the Administrative Code, may be denied, revoked, suspended, or refused to be renewed, in accordance with Chapters 119. and 3703. of the Revised Code if the applicant for, or holder of, the backflow technician certificate has engaged in any of the following:

(1) Falsified documentation;

(2) Violated any provision of Chapter 3703. of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant thereto;

(3) Obtained a license by fraud, misrepresentation, or deception;

(4) Engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, deception, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in the conduct of business; or

(5) Performed work that exceeds the scope of the class of backflow technician certificate that the individual holds, in violation of rule 1301:3-7-02 of the Administrative Code.

(B) In accordance with Chapters 119. and 3703. of the Revised Code, the superintendent may:

(1) Suspend or revoke a backflow techician certificate for a specified period of time, from a minimum of six months to a maximum of life; and/or

(2) Require a holder of a backflow technician certificate to complete additional continuing education courses within a specified time period.

(C) Upon written notification of the action of the superintendent, the aggrieved may appeal pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and rule 1301:3-7-08 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:56 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 11/20/2015
Rule 1301:3-7-08 | Administrative appeal for backflow technician.
 

Administrative hearings held under Chapter 3703. of the Revised Code, shall be conducted in conformity with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code relating to adjudication hearings.

Last updated May 28, 2021 at 9:56 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3703.21
Amplifies: 3703.21
Five Year Review Date: 5/28/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 11/20/2015