N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10-10.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 7:10-10.8 - Requirements for approval as a certifying agency

(a) Any person, organization or corporation wishing to be approved by the Department as a certifying agency to certify individuals as certified testers of backflow prevention devices shall meet the requirements of this section.

(b) To apply for approval as a certifying agency to conduct training courses and examinations for the purpose of certifying individuals as certified testers pursuant to the requirements of this subchapter, the applicant-certifying agency shall submit to the Department for approval a certification program that describes the training course and materials for certified testers, and identifies and describes the qualifications of the course instructors and examiners.

(c) The Department shall review the application for approval as a certifying agency submitted pursuant to (a) above and approve or deny the application based on the following factors:

1. The certifying agency shall conduct courses consisting of a minimum of 26 hours of lecture on the theory of backflow prevention and six hours of practice in the testing of backflow prevention devices;

2. The certifying agency shall administer a written exam on the theory of backflow prevention and a practical exam on the testing and inspection of double check valve assemblies and reduced pressure zone backflow preventer assemblies made by different manufacturers whose backflow prevention devices are in common use;

3. The certifying agency shall employ course instructors who have at least five years experience in the public water system industry with direct knowledge of backflow prevention theory and practice; and

4. The certifying agency shall issue certified tester certificates only to those individuals who successfully complete the course and receive a passing grade of 70 percent or higher for the written theory examination and of 80 percent or higher for the practical examination.

(d) Each approved certifying agency shall retain a record of course attendees and the grades received by each attendee on the certification examination for a minimum period of five years.

(e) Each approved certifying agency shall establish minimum standards for the periodic (at least every three years) re-certification of certified testers.

(f) An approved certifying agency shall submit to the Department a list of certified testers as follows:

1. The list shall be in printed and digitized forms in approved formats; and

2. The list may be submitted as often as the approved certifying agency deems necessary to reflect an accurate listing of all certified testers, but not less than once per calendar year, in order for the certifying agency to retain its approved status.

(g) The Department shall revoke its approval of a certifying agency if it determines that the certifying agency is not in compliance with any of the requirements of this section.

1. The Department shall notify a certifying agency in writing of its determination that the certifying agency is not in compliance with the requirements of this section.

2. The Department shall revoke approval of the certifying agency if such certifying agency does not achieve compliance within 90 days of its receipt of the notice of noncompliance pursuant to (g)1 above.

3. The Department shall notify all holders of existing physical connection permits within 30 days of the date of revocation of an approval of a certifying agency pursuant to (g)2 above.

(h) This section shall become operative May 17, 1997.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10-10.8