Third Party Exams
How to Schedule an Exam
After taking a course, for your area you may have to take certain exams separate from KTA, generally with third parties such as AWWA, ABPA, or some others like ASSE, or directly with the state. Our courses are either state approved single party exams or prep courses for third party or state exams. The main two that our prep courses are valid for are AWWA (California Nevada Section of American Water Works) or ABPA (American Backflow Prevention Association). You have to schedule the exam after the course, and they typically require a diploma for a 40-hour backflow course in order to apply.
CA-NV-AWWA Course Calendar & Registration Info - www.ca-nv-awwa.org/canv/CNS/Professional_Certification/Backflow_Prevention_Assembly_Tester/CNS/Certification/Backflow/Backflow.aspx - Bottom Left there is a chart that breaks down the available exam dates.
ABPA Course Calendar & Registration Info - www.abpa.org/page/Tester_Cert - Exam dates are tricky to find - there is a link half way down that says "to register for an exam, please visit our site calendar" and it takes you to the list.
Our contact with ABPA is Brittany - 801-436-7238 - brittany.laswell@advancedmanagementsolutions.net – and with AWWA is Gina – 909-291-2100 - genriquez@ca-nv-awwa.org - You can also host your own exams.
What is on the backflow tester exam?
We have an Exam Prep Guide - download here - which outlines what is on the exams and how to prepare for them, which is included and referenced during our certification courses. The exam providers also have booklets outlining what is included in their exams - ABPA's can be downloaded here - CA-NV-AWWA's can be downloaded here - it is probably a good idea to skim through the booklets and familiarize yourself with the format. The exam will come in two separate parts, a written and a practical exam.
Written Exam - This is a 100 multiple choice written exam for ABPA and most state or county exams, AWWA has a format where there is a 50 question general exam and a 25 troubleshooting one which is done at a computer exam site. The questions are based on the Backflow Tester Worker Designation's required "need to know criteria" which is included in the exam prep guide and it's information covered in the USC 10th Edition Manual.
Practical Exam - This is outlined extensively in the exam prep guide. You have to test all four types of assemblies ( RP, DCV, PVB, SVB ) and they will be set up in a way that they mock failures on the rigs. The test have to be completed using the USC 10th Standard Procedures, and then also any troubleshooting additional steps outlined in the diagnostics.
Study for the Exam
The Exam Prep Guide has breakdowns on how the assemblies are set up and what conditions they can be in on the exam. This does help with studying because the USC 10th and most schools' procedures include conditions that you will not encounter such as multiple failures or things that cannot be simulated. It is also crucial to understand how to simulate failures on your own to be able to practice if you purchase or borrow a rig to practice on your own. Instruction on these prep items are a big part of our 40-hour courses and you leave the class with a full understanding of the procedures and troubleshooting diagnostics.
We also have YouTube videos outlining the possible failures you can encounter as well as general tips and tricks below:
General Tips and Tricks for the Practical Exam
Spill Resistant Vacuum Breaker ( SVB ) - Possible Failures & Diagnostics
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Possible Failures & Diagnostics
Double Check Valve ( DCV ) Possible Failures & Diagnostics
Reduced Pressure Backflow ( RP ) Possible Failures & Diagnostics
Testing the SVB - USC 10th Edition Procedures
Testing the PVB - USC 10th Edition Procedures
Testing the DCV / DCVA - USC 10th Edition Procedures
Testing the RP / RPZ - USC 10th Edition Procedures
Illustrated and Unillustrated testing procedures including diagnostic extra steps are included in the Exam Prep Guide.