Backflow Prevention
Control Rules and Practices
Frequently asked questions regarding licensing, certifications, and backflow prevention courses.
Do you have to be a licensed plumber to test backflows?
There is no pre-requisite to take the course or to test backflows, however, we recommend you check with your local water purveyor or utility to see if they require you to be a licensed plumber.
Florida Water Management Districts
For more information on each district, you may want to visit their website:
District Counties Headquarters Website Northwest Florida Water Management District Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson (western half), Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton & Washington 81 Water Management Drive
Havana, FL 32333
850-539-5999http://www.nwfwater.com/ Suwannee River Water Management District Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson & Levy 9225 CR 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
386-362-1001
800-226-1066 (Florida only)http://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ St. Johns River Water Management District Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Putnam P.O. Box 1429
Palatka, FL 32178-1429
386-329-4500
800-451-7106http://www.sjrwmd.com/ Southwest Florida Water Management District Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Marion & Polk 2379 Broad St.
Brooksville, FL 34604-6899
352-796-7211
800-423-1476 (Florida only)http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ South Florida Water Management District Broward, Collier, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Polk 3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406-3089
561-686-8800
800-432-2045 (Florida only)https://www.sfwmd.gov/ Do you have to be a licensed plumber to repair backflows? How long is the certification good for?
Yes, to install & repair. Florida Statutes require any person installing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly for a customer to be a state-licensed plumbing contractor.
Florida Statutes require any person installing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly on a domestic water system to be a state-licensed plumbing contractor. Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers are required to attend a bi-annual recertification course.
How old do you have to be to test backflows?
We recommend you have a driver’s license for identification purposes.
What are the requirements to test fire lines?
You will need to contact the State Fire Marshalls office as there are additional prerequisites to test fire lines. The State Fire Marshalls office phone number is: (850) 413-3170.
Florida Statutes require any person installing, testing, or repairing a backflow prevention assembly on a fire protection system be a state licensed fire sprinkler contractor.
Anyone can be an employee of a Fire Protection System I or II Contractor’s company. To work on any part of a fire protection system (backflow preventer) they must hold a water-base permit under the contractor’s license, issued through the Division Regulatory Licensing Section.
See: Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 633.312 – Inspection of fire control systems, fire hydrants, and fire protection systems
See Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 633.318 – Certificate Application and issuance; permit issuance; examination and investigation of applicant
Which is the first course I need to take to get certified to test backflows?
Where are you located?
Murray Backflow Training
1533 SW 1 Way F-8
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Phone: 954-428-3255
Fax: 954-697-2233
Email: murraybackflowtraining@yahoo.com
Do you have to be a licensed plumber to test backflows?
There is no pre-requisite to take the course or to test backflows, however, we recommend you check with your local water purveyor or utility to see if they require you to be a licensed plumber.
Florida Water Management Districts
For more information on each district, you may want to visit their website:
District Counties Headquarters Website Northwest Florida Water Management District Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson (western half), Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton & Washington 81 Water Management Drive
Havana, FL 32333
850-539-5999http://www.nwfwater.com/ District Counties Headquarters Website Suwannee River Water Management District Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson & Levy 9225 CR 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
386-362-1001
800-226-1066 (Florida only)http://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ District Counties Headquarters Website St. Johns River Water Management District Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Putnam P.O. Box 1429
Palatka, FL 32178-1429
386-329-4500
800-451-7106http://www.sjrwmd.com/ District Counties Headquarters Website Southwest Florida Water Management District Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Marion & Polk 2379 Broad St.
Brooksville, FL 34604-6899
352-796-7211
800-423-1476 (Florida only)http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ District Counties Headquarters Website South Florida Water Management District Broward, Collier, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Polk 3301 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406-3089
561-686-8800
800-432-2045 (Florida only)https://www.sfwmd.gov/ Do you have to be a licensed plumber to repair backflows? How long is the certification good for?
Yes, to install & repair. Florida Statutes require any person installing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly for a customer to be a state-licensed plumbing contractor.
Florida Statutes require any person installing or repairing a backflow prevention assembly on a domestic water system to be a state-licensed plumbing contractor. Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers are required to attend a bi-annual recertification course.
How old do you have to be to test backflows?
We recommend you have a driver’s license for identification purposes.
What are the requirements to test fire lines?
You will need to contact the State Fire Marshalls office as there are additional prerequisites to test fire lines. The State Fire Marshalls office phone number is: (850) 413-3170.
Florida Statutes require any person installing, testing, or repairing a backflow prevention assembly on a fire protection system be a state licensed fire sprinkler contractor.
Anyone can be an employee of a Fire Protection System I or II Contractor’s company. To work on any part of a fire protection system (backflow preventer) they must hold a water-base permit under the contractor’s license, issued through the Division Regulatory Licensing Section.
See: Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 633.312 – Inspection of fire control systems, fire hydrants, and fire protection systems
See Florida Statutes: CHAPTER 633.318 – Certificate Application and issuance; permit issuance; examination and investigation of applicant
Which is the first course I need to take to get certified to test backflows?
Where are you located?
Murray Backflow Training
1533 SW 1 Way F-8
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Phone: 954-428-3255
Fax: 954-697-2233
Email: murraybackflowtraining@yahoo.com