§ 8-08-130. Certification of testers and repairpersons.

(a)

Initial certification. To initially certify as a backflow prevention assembly tester, a person shall attend a forty-hour training course that has been approved by the building code division and successfully completed the written and performance examinations administered as part of the approved training course. A person who is employed by the appropriate licensed contractor in accordance with the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act and attends and successfully completes the approved training course may be certified as a backflow prevention assembly repair person. The initial training shall be valid for the duration of three (3) years from the completion date of the approved training course. The building code division shall issue a certificate to any person who meets the above requirements.

(b)

Recertification of testers and repair persons. A certified tester or repair person who wishes to remain active as a backflow assembly tester or repair person must renew their training requirements every three (3) years. To renew training requirements, certified testers and repair persons shall complete one (1) of the following methods for recertification:

(1)

Repeat an approved training course; or

(2)

Successfully complete an approved eight-hour recertification training course; or

(3)

Accrue twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education credits; or

(4)

Successfully complete an approved re-certification examination administered by the building code division.

(c)

Approved training courses and examinations. The building code division shall be responsible for approval of training courses. The approved training course shall meet the following minimum criteria:

(1)

The instructor shall be a certified tester or repair person;

(2)

The duration of the course shall be at least forty (40) hours, including laboratory time and examinations; and

(3)

The material covered shall be equivalent to the University of Southern California's Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research training course.

(d)

Examinations. Other than recertification examinations as may be administered by the building code division, examinations shall be administered by the instructor conducting the training course or by an independent organization approved by the building code division. For initial certification examinations a performance of seventy (70) percent or better on the written portion of the examination and satisfactory completion of the laboratory examination constitutes successful completion of the course. For recertification testing administered by the building code division or authorized agent of the building code division a performance of seventy-five (75) percent or greater is required for recertification application.

(e)

Recertification training course. The building code division shall be responsible for approval of a recertification training course(s). The approved recertification training course shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(1)

The duration of the course shall be at least eight (8) hours: and

(2)

The course shall include a laboratory examination consisting of the actual testing of the three (3) testable types of backflow prevention assemblies and a written examination.

(f)

Continuing education credits. Continuing education credits may be approved for participation in workshops and seminars whose curriculum is approved by the building code division, such as the workshops and seminars conducted by the New Mexico Backflow Prevention Society and other professional organizations.

(Ord. No. 1068, 12-14-99; Ord. No. 1321, § 48, 2-12-08)