With some confusion and misinformation regarding acceptance of ASSE’s backflow prevention assembly tester certification in California, I’d like to answer some frequently asked questions about the ASSE 5110 Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification in the state of California. I hope the information below provides clarity for jurisdictions, current ASSE 5110 certification holders, and those seeking ASSE 5110 certification. If you have any further questions about the status of ASSE 5110 Certification in California, please contact us at assecertifications@asse-plumbing.org.
IS ASSE 5110 BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA?
Yes! In a letter dated June 17, 2025, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Drinking Water, officially recognized the ASSE 5110 certification program as meeting the requirements outlined in Section 3.4.1 of the state’s Cross- Connection Control Policy Handbook. This makes ASSE 5110 officially acceptable until July 1, 2027.
IS ASSE 5110 BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER CERTIFICATION ACCEPTABLE FROM JULY 1, 2026 – JULY 2027 (SWRCB RECOGNIZED)?
Yes! From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, backflow assembly testers in California must be certified by a certification organization recognized in California to comply with the cross-connection control policy handbook requirements (CCCPH, §3.4.1(a), (c); and §3.4.1(a), (c)). ASSE 5110 is a certification organization recognized by the SWRCB.
WHERE CAN I VERIFY THAT ASSE 5110 CERTIFICATION IS SWRCB RECOGNIZED?
A list of “Backflow Assembly Tester Certifications – Recognized and Accredited” can be viewed and downloaded from California Water Boards’ website at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/docs/2025/testers.pdf. This link, and further information about the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook, can be found at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/ drinkingwater/cccph.html.
WHY IS ASSE 5110 CERTIFICATION ACCEPTANCE LISTED AS “IN PROCESS” AFTER JULY 1, 2027?
Effective July 1, 2027, only certifying organizations accredited by ANAB/ANSI to comply with ISO/IEC 17024: Conformity Assessment- General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons can be used for compliance with the CCCPH (CCCPH §3.4.1(d) and §3.4.2(d)).
ASSE is currently “in process” of earning this accreditation with the expectation of receiving full accreditation well before July 1, 2027.
WHAT IS ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 ACCREDITATION?
ISO/IEC 17024 is an international accreditation standard that defines how organizations certify individuals. In simple terms, it ensures that a certification program is fair, valid, reliable, and impartial, and that certified individuals truly meet the required level of knowledge, skills and abilities to do what is required to be certified.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB), is a U.S.-based accreditation body that evaluates certification organizations against this standard. When a certification body is accredited to ISO/IEC 17024, it means an independent third party has confirmed that the organization’s certification processes meet globally recognized best practices. This accreditation is widely viewed as the gold standard for personnel certification programs.
WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS IN THE ISO/IEC 17024 ACCREDITATION PROCESS?
Achieving ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation is a multi-step effort that focuses on governance, exam integrity, and ongoing oversight. At a high level, the process includes:
- Program Design and Documentation
The certification body documents its certification scheme, including eligibility requirements, exam development processes, scoring methods, recertification requirements, and policies related to impartiality, appeals, and complaints. - Examination Development and Validation
Examinations must be developed using psychometrically sound practices. This includes subject matter expert involvement, job task analysis, documented exam security controls, and defensible cut score studies. - Impartiality and Governance Controls
The organization must demonstrate that certification decisions are made independently and free from conflicts of interest. This includes procedures for managing risks to impartiality and oversight by an impartiality committee. - Internal Review and Implementation
All documented procedures must be implemented consistently. Records are required to show compliance — not just intent. An internal audit is conducted, and adjustments may need to be made to policies and procedures.
WHERE IS ASSE AT IN THE ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 ACCREDITATION PROCESS?
ASSE International is progressing through the accreditation process, and ANAB is scheduled to conduct its formal assessment of our program. Once accredited, ASSE will be part of ongoing surveillance and continuous improvement. Accredited certification bodies undergo regular surveillance and reassessment to ensure continued compliance.
IS THE ASSE 5110 BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM PROPRIETARY?
No. The ASSE 5110 Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification program is not proprietary.
WHAT DOES “NOT PROPRIETARY” MEAN IN THIS CONTEXT?
A nonproprietary program is one that is based on publicly recognized standards, industry accepted practices, and objective competency requirements, rather than on exclusive or restricted methods designed to favor a specific organization or commercial interest.
ON WHICH STANDARD IS THE ASSE 5110 BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLY TESTER CERTIFICATION BASED?
The ASSE Backflow Certification Program is grounded in established industry standards and best practices related to cross-connection control and backflow prevention. The program’s requirements, examinations, and renewal criteria are designed to evaluate knowledge and competence — not to restrict access or create dependency on a single provider. ASSE provides an outline of required competencies in ASSE Standard 5110, Professional Qualifications Standard for Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers, found within ASSE Series 5000, Cross-Connection Control Professional Qualifications Standard.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STANDARD TO REFERENCE?
ASSE standards are developed under the guidelines set forth by ANSI. The development of standards is done under a consensus process to ensure that there is no bias or domination of one entity. All standards are reviewed and approved through a ballot process.
CAN TRAINING PROVIDERS OR PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATE WITHOUT SPECIAL OWNERSHIP OR LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS?
Yes. ASSE’s program is structured to support broad industry participation, allowing qualified professionals and training providers to engage with the certification process under clearly defined, transparent requirements.
WHY IS THIS DISTINCTION IMPORTANT?
Transparency and nonproprietary practices are foundational principles of credible personnel certification programs. They support fairness, portability of credentials, and public trust, key expectations under ISO/IEC 17024.
WHY CHOOSE ASSE CERTIFICATION?
Choosing ASSE means choosing a certification body with a long-standing commitment to public health, safety, and workforce competence. ASSE certifications are developed with direct involvement from subject matter experts and industry stakeholders and are designed to reflect real world job requirements. ASSE’s focus on accreditation, exam integrity, and impartial governance demonstrates a commitment to quality that benefits certified professionals, employers, regulators, and the public. As ASSE continues its alignment with ISO/IEC 17024, certificants can be confident that their credentials are supported by globally recognized best practices and continuous oversight.
