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
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