641—26.4 (135K) Backflow prevention assembly tester training.
	 26.4(1) Tester training.
	  a.   	 A person or organization that plans to conduct or sponsor a backflow prevention assembly tester training course in Iowa shall apply to the department for approval of the course at least 15 days before the first time the course is held. If a training course was approved before September 15, 2010, the person or organization responsible for the content of the course shall resubmit the information required by 26.4(1)“c.” The application shall include:
	 (1) 	 Sponsoring organization name and Web site URL (if any), contact person, mailing address, E-mail address and telephone number.
	 (2) 	 Course dates and times, if a course has been scheduled.
	 (3) 	 Course location, including street address, if a course has been scheduled.
	 (4) 	 Course outline, including the approximate time allotted to each training segment.
	 (5) 	 A list of reference materials, texts and audio-visual materials used in the course.
	 (6) 	 A copy of the written examination for the course and a written description of the elements and standards of proficiency for the practical examination.
	 (7) 	 The name(s) and qualifications of the instructor(s).
	 (8) 	 A list of the backflow prevention assemblies available for classwork and the number of test stations available for the students.
	 (9) 	 The maximum class size.
	 (10) 	 A $200 nonrefundable fee.
	  b.   	 The department shall review the application and respond to the applicant within 10 business days after the department receives the application.
	  c.   	 For a course approved after September 15, 2010, the person or organization responsible for the course content shall submit to the department the information required in paragraph 26.4(1)“a” within 30 calendar days of the fifth anniversary of the initial approval by the department and within 30 calendar days of the anniversary date of each fifth year thereafter. For training courses approved prior to September 15, 2010, the person or organization responsible for the content of the course shall submit to the department the information required in paragraph 26.4(1)“a” within 30 calendar days of October 1, 2011, and within 30 calendar days of October 1 of each fifth year thereafter.
	  d.   	 The course sponsor shall notify the department at least 15 days before an approved training course is started. The notification shall include:
	 (1) 	 Sponsoring organization name and Web site URL (if any), contact person, mailing address, E-mail address, and telephone number.
	 (2) 	 Course dates and times.
	 (3) 	 Course location, including street address.
	 (4) 	 A $50 nonrefundable fee.
	  e.   	 A training course shall be at least 32 instructional hours and shall cover at least the following subjects:
	 (1) 	 Backflow definitions, causes and examples.
	 (2) 	 Description of backflow prevention assemblies, their proper application and installation, and their operational characteristics.
	 (3) 	 Description and operational characteristics of test equipment.
	 (4) 	 Techniques for testing backflow prevention assemblies.
	 (5) 	 Troubleshooting of backflow prevention assemblies.
	 (6) 	 Record keeping and the responsibilities of regulatory agencies and the registered tester.
The course shall conclude with a written examination of at least 100 questions and a practical examination of testing techniques on all types of testable backflow prevention assemblies. The time for testing shall be in addition to the required instructional hours. To have successfully completed the course, the student must achieve a passing mark of at least 70 percent on the written examination and demonstrate proficiency in testing and troubleshooting procedures.
ABPA or other approved third-party certification agency testing may be substituted for the course test.
	  f.   	 The lead course instructor shall:
	 (1) 	 Have successfully completed an approved training course, document the successful completion of a course that meets the requirements of an approved training course, or be certified.
	 (2) 	 Have at least three years of experience in cross connection control.
	  g.   	 Backflow prevention assembly testing instruction laboratory.
	 (1) 	 The testing laboratory for a training course shall be equipped with examples of each of the backflow prevention assemblies from at least three different manufacturers. If fewer than three manufacturers make a type of backflow prevention assembly, at least one example of that type of backflow prevention assembly shall be provided. At least one double check valve assembly and one reduced pressure principle assembly larger than two inches shall be provided.
	 (2) 	 The testing laboratory shall provide at least one test station per three students.
	 26.4(2) Continuing education training.
	  a.   	 A person or organization that plans to conduct or sponsor a continuing education course for registered testers in Iowa shall apply to the department for approval of the course at least 15 days before the course is scheduled to begin. The application shall include:
	 (1) 	 Sponsoring organization name and Web site URL (if any), contact person, mailing address, E-mail address, and telephone number.
	 (2) 	 Course date and time.
	 (3) 	 Course location, including street address.
	 (4) 	 Course outline, including the approximate time allotted to each training segment.
	 (5) 	 A list of reference materials, texts and audio-visual materials used in the course.
	 (6) 	 A list of backflow prevention assemblies that will be used for the course (if applicable).
	 (7) 	 The name(s) and qualifications of the instructor(s).
	 (8) 	 A $50 nonrefundable fee.
	  b.   	 The department shall review the application and respond to the applicant within ten business days after the department receives the application.
	  c.   	 A continuing education course shall be on cross connection control theory and practice; backflow prevention devices and methods; backflow prevention assembly installation, testing, troubleshooting and repair; codes and rules affecting cross connection control; safety issues related to installation and testing of backflow prevention assemblies; or related subjects approved by the department.
	 26.4(3) Third-party certification agencies.
	  a.   	 An agency that wishes to be a third-party certification agency in Iowa shall submit to the department a request for approval in writing on agency letterhead, signed by an authorized representative of the agency. The request shall include at least the following information:
	 (1) 	 Agency name and Web site URL (if any), contact person, mailing address, E-mail address, and telephone number.
	 (2) 	 A description of the written examination and whether it is open- or closed-book and information about the arrangements for administration of the examination.
	 (3) 	 A copy of the testing procedures that are the basis for the practical examination.
	 (4) 	 A description of the procedures for the practical examination and the criteria for evaluating the performance on the practical examination.
	 (5) 	 Proctor qualifications and training.
	 (6) 	 Procedures and criteria for renewing the certification. The renewal of certification shall be done at least every five years and shall include knowledge and skills testing.
	 (7) 	 A history of the development and implementation of the program, as applicable.
	 (8) 	 A list of other jurisdictions where the certification is allowed and regulatory contacts in those jurisdictions.
	 (9) 	 A nonrefundable fee of $200.
	  b.   	 A third-party certification agency shall not certify an individual who was trained by the agency. An individual proctor shall not certify individuals who have taken a course at which the proctor was an instructor.
	  c.   	 A third-party certification agency approved before September 15, 2010, shall submit to the department the information required in paragraph 26.4(3)“a” on or within 30 calendar days before October 1, 2011, and on or within 30 calendar days before October 1 of each fifth year thereafter. A third-party certification agency approved after September 15, 2010, shall submit to the department the information in paragraph 26.4(3)“a” on or within 30 calendar days before the fifth anniversary of the initial approval by the department and on or within 30 calendar days before the anniversary date of every fifth year thereafter.
[ARC 8981B, IAB 8/11/10, effective 9/15/10]