BCWWA CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL RECERTIFICATION FAQ

Q: Why do I have to recertify?

Answer

For the last couple of years, we have been working with the national AWWA Canadian CCC Steering Committee to review and coordinate changes to the

National Cross Connection Control Manual, to update and maintain the proposed new national exam bank, to address standards and codes issues, and to develop a unified approach to accreditation.

The first step toward a unified approach to national and BCWWA accreditation is the adoption of the AWWA Canadian Cross Connection Control Manual. Since January 1, 2009, all BC Cross Connection Control tester students are being taught using the AWWA Canadian Cross Connection Control Manual (Manual #1, 2007), which replaced the PNWS-AWWA Cross Connection Control Manual, sixth edition.

The unified approach requires that “A tester shall successfully complete a recertification course or successfully challenge the recertification exam at regular intervals as required by the section, but in no case shall the time period exceed five years” (AWWA Canadian CCC Manual #1, 2007 – February 2009 revision – Section II page 6)

In September 2009 BCWWA adopted a new Tester Recertification Policy (For BCWWA CCC Policies click HERE) that requires that:

Beginning January 1st 2010, all backflow assembly testers:

• Shall recertify every 5 years
• May be required to successfully complete a recertification course if they submit unacceptable test reports

For the full policy wording, please download this document http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/documents/

Recertificationoftesters_v11.pdf

Q: When will I need to recertify?

Answer

It depends on what your certification number is. Please see table below.

Until you recertify you should continue to renew your annual certificate as

you currently do. After you recertify, you will still need to renew your

certificate annual HOWEVER you will no longer have to provide any evidence

of testing at least two of each of the three devices each year.

Q: How can I purchase the new CCC Manual?

Answer

These are available at either the bookstores of the training institutions or can be purchased directly from us.To purchase from us you will need to fill out the manual order form that is on this page http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/order/index.php and send it in to our office for processing. The direct link to the form is

http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/order/documents/

2009CCCManualPurchase-Individual.pdf.

Q: How do I register to take the recertification exam?

Answer

If you have cross connection control testers certificate that is current or

has not been lapsed for more than 12 months from the date on your

notification of recertification letter AND you have the latest AWWA Canadian Cross Connection Control manual, which contains the current test procedures, THEN please send an email to  cccadmin@bcwwa.org and we will get in touch with you and let you know what slots are available in our current exam schedule. In your email, please provide the following:

1.           Name, address, contact telephone number and email address

2.           Tester Certification Number and Expiry Date

3.           Exam session date and location that you wish to sit. The available options will be shown on this page on our web site http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/exams/index.php

Q: How many questions are on the multiple choice exam?

Answer

There are 50 questions on the recertification multiple choice exam and you

must get a mark of 75% or greater to pass this exam. The current version of

this exam breaks down as follows:

(click on image for larger view)

Note:

Both the written exam and the practical demonstration exam will be closed

book.

You will increase your chances of passing this exam if:   

• You have sound practical testing experience in the field and have good  general back flow prevention knowledge.
• You read over the new manual and pay particular study attention to:
  • Section IV - Hazard Classification, Methods of Backflow Control and, General Installation Requirements. 
  • Section V - Typical Hazards
  • Section VI Maintenance and Testing.  
• You review all new test procedure changes and memorize the test procedures for the RP and DCVA.  

Q: what about the practical exam?

Answer

For the practical exam, you will need to test a RP and DCVA in front of a

proctor. You must get a mark of 75% or greater to pass the practical exam.

You will only be tested on the new testing procedures in the AWWA Canadian CCC Manual for these devices.

Q: What happens if I fail the recertification exam?

Answer

You will be allowed to re-take the examination once if you fail. If you do not pass both components of the exam by the second attempt, you must re-take the full certification course before you will be permitted to write the exam again. Once you have completed the course you must re-take both the written and practical components of the full exam.

Q: Where can I take a recertification course?

Answer

You should get in touch directly with a BCWWA accredited training institution.

Q: What is a BCWWA Accredited Training Institution?

Answer

In order for BCWWA to ensure that the training you are receiving meets the requirements set out in the AWWA Cross Connection Control Manual, we require each of them to agree to abide by a specific set of standards. Our accreditation procedure sets our BCWWA’s requirements for: 

• Course of Instruction – the curriculum for their certification and recertification courses (Note: regardless of whether the training institution is offering only one or both types of courses, they still need to be accredited by BCWWA)
• Instruction Manual – the manual they are to use
• Examinations – the procedures for the written and practical exam
• Instructors – Qualification of instructors
• Laboratory Facilities – content and layout of lab facilities including what teaching aids to have available
• Insurance – minimum professional liability insurance to be in place

Beginning 1st January 2010, only BCWWA accredited training institutions

will be listed on the BCWWA web site as being accredited to offer either the certification or recertification course http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/programs/training-institutions.php. 

Once you register for the course you will need to get in touch with BCWWA to register for the examination. You will also be able to register online for

recertification exams at http://www.bcwwa.org/committees/cccc/exams/

index.php. On this page we list all examination sessions (both certification

and recertification) once the training institution schedules them.

Q: Must I take a course before I sit the recertification exam?

Answer

If you are an active tester and have been identified as requiring to recertify,

you are not required to take a course. You are only required to pass the recertification exam in order to recertify. The courses are being made

available by the training institutions as a tool for those who feel they are not

ready or comfortable challenging the examination without a “refresher”.

Depending on just how comfortable you are with the CCC Manual and/or the

testing procedures, you may wish to either take a minimum 9 hour refresher

course or the full 30 hour certification course. If you choose to take the full certification course, please do remember that you only need to sit and pass

the recertification exam (both written and practical) in order to recertify. If you, however, sit the full exam and pass, you will be considered to have recertified.

It shall be your responsibility to register for the correct exam.

Note: Both courses are optional for recertification but the full certification

course is mandatory for certification.

Q: How much does the refresher course cost?

Answer

You will need to get in touch with an accredited training institution for this.

Q: How much does the recertification exam cost?

Answer

Cost to write or re-write full exam is $100. Cost to re-take either practical

alone or written alone is $60. You will need to get in touch with BCWWA to

register for exams.

Q: Am I still required to submit my Cross Connection Control annual renewal for 2010 after I pass my recertification examination?

Answer

Yes, your 2010 Cross Connection Control annual renewal and calibration report is still required to be submitted after the successfully completion of your recertification exam; however, you no longer need to indicate the number of devices you have tested each year.

Q: Who do I contact at BCWWA if I have questions, comments or

suggestions regarding certification or recertification?

Answer

Your Cross Connection Control Program Administrator is David Icharia. He

can be reached:

by phone at 604-433.4389 ext. 225,

by email at

by fax at 604-433.9859

on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21435804125.

You can also get in touch with Aaron Louie, the Cross Connection Control Coordinator. He can be reached

by phone at 604-433.4389 ext. 221,

by email at ,

by fax at 604-433.9859

on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.

php?gid=21435804125.

Updated: February 18, 2010

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