Professional Growth Requirement

The Waterworks Operator Certification regulation, WAC 246-292-090(4), requires the holder of a Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) certification to demonstrate professional growth by passing the Department of Health’s (DOH) BAT professional growth examination during each reporting period. Washington Certification Services schedules and administers the professional growth examination.

Applicants must provide picture identification prior to taking the examination. 45 minutes is allowed to demonstrate competency in testing the following 3 backflow prevention assemblies using field test procedures approved by Department of Health:

Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly (PVBA)
Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA)
Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPBA)

A malfunction may be simulated on the PVBA, DCVA, and RPBA. Please note that professional growth applicants are not required to test the SVBA.

Practical exam instructions are read aloud to the applicant prior to the administration of the exam. Applicants are permitted to use language translation devices or translation applications on their personal cell phones during the examination.

All certified BATs are assigned a professional growth reporting period based on their original certification date. DOH allows each BAT a minimum of three years to meet the professional growth requirement by passing the professional growth examination. This examination may be taken at any time during the reporting period dates, but must be passed by the reporting period deadline date.

If an applicant fails the professional growth examination they will be required to reapply, pay all applicable fees, and take the examination again. DOH highly recommends that individuals refrain from testing until such time as they have passed the professional growth examination. However, it is not required that they stop testing unless they are notified that they no longer hold an active certification.

The following timetable indicates when a certified BAT must meet the professional growth requirement.

If Your Original Certification Date Is	Then You Must Meet The Professional Growth Requirement Between:
Before 1/1/2026	1/1/2026 and 12/31/2028 and in each 3-year reporting period thereafter.
On or After 1/1/2026	Your original certification date and 12/31/2031 and in each 3-year reporting period thereafter.