Becoming a certified backflow tester in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry certifies anyone who installs, maintains, tests, repairs, replaces or rebuilds backflow prevention assemblies, as either a backflow prevention rebuilder (BF) or a backflow prevention tester (BT).
Getting certified in Minnesota
A Minnesota backflow prevention tester certificate allows testing only. It does not need a plumber licence, but the applicant must hold a current ASSE 5110 certification.
A Minnesota backflow prevention rebuilder certificate covers installing, maintaining, testing, repairing and rebuilding assemblies. The holder must also have a current plumbing licence and current ASSE 5130 and 5110 certifications.
Every new application and every renewal for a Minnesota backflow certificate must include proof of current ASSE certification.
Under Minnesota Statutes 326B.437, backflow prevention rebuilder and tester certificates are issued for two years and must be renewed every two years.
Sources: DLI certifies backflow testers and rebuilders; Certificates run two years
Who may test in Minnesota
Minnesota's plumbing code requires the test to be done by a certified backflow assembly tester following ASSE Series 5000.
Minnesota Statutes 326B.437 say no one may test a reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly without a backflow prevention rebuilder certificate or a tester certificate from the commissioner.
Sources: A certified tester, to ASSE Series 5000; Testing an RPZ needs a state certificate
Approved training courses
Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry requires current ASSE 5110 certification for a backflow tester certificate, and links to ASSE's list of approved schools.
Eight schools on that list are in Minnesota and teach the 5110 tester course. ASSE says to contact each school for schedules and pricing. Minnesota certificates are renewed every two years.
| Provider | City | Course | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetroTesting, Minnesota | Blaine, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Backflow Prevention Institute, IAPMO, Minnesota | Anoka, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Local 6 JATC | Rochester, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Minneapolis Plumbers JATC, Local 15 | Maple Grove, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Local 417 Sprinkler Fitters JATC | Minneapolis, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 11 Training Center | Duluth, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| Soderholm Associates, Equip Training | Ramsey, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
| St Paul JAC 34 | St. Paul, MN | ASSE 5110 tester certification school | Not printed | forms.iapmo.org |
Sources: Minnesota DLI, backflow prevention certification; ASSE International, approved schools; Minnesota Statutes 326B.437
Common questions
Who certifies backflow testers in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry certifies backflow prevention testers (BT) and rebuilders (BF). A tester certificate needs a current ASSE 5110 certification but no plumber licence, and certificates are renewed every two years.