With the end of the year approaching, it is a good time to reflect on what has happened and consider what the future brings. ASSE International’s Backflow Tester certification is now accepted in Nevada. This is just one example of the strides taken to ensure that certified individuals can distinguish themselves from the competition. Consumers looking for someone to do their backflow testing can be confident that the individual they are choosing has the training and abilities to conduct the test properly.
ASSE is also in the process of updating its job task analysis of the ASSE 5110 Backflow Tester certification program. This is just one of the key steps that is conducted to ensure that the examination process we have in place not only for the 5000 Series, but all of our exams are managed under standard best practices for examinations across the board.
The Professional Qualifications (PQ) department is also realigning its team, which includes adding another staff member. The PQ department will initiate increased outreach to schools, including training new staff members from the training department at ASSE-approved institutions. During a recent meeting, it was brought to ASSE staff’s attention that turnover is high among the school training departments, and individuals in their new positions may require some guidance and training.
All program guidelines are being updated to provide schools with the information they need to be successful. In the future, schools will receive a school guidelines document, a proctor/ instructor guidelines document, and a student handbook.
In Portland, Maine, during its most recent meeting, the Cross-Connection Technical Committee voted to increase the number of questions on the ASSE 5110 Backflow Tester Recertification exam from 25 questions to 50 questions. This change will take effect Jan. 1, 2025 (California already has a 50-question exam). The committee also voted to reverse its decision to no longer accept reciprocity applications from certification applicants.
In 2025, we will make significant progress in advancing through the ANSI approval process. ASSE has been gathering the information necessary to be approved as an ANSI-accredited certification provider.
The Professional Qualifications Department staff would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a happy healthy New Year! Just a reminder, ASSE will be closed during the holiday season beginning at 1 p.m. Central Time, Tuesday, Dec. 24, returning Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
