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TCEQ Occupational Licensing Response to COVID-19 

With the onset of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the Governor’s Proclamation of a state of disaster in Texas, TCEQ is extending the expiration dates of all occupational licenses expiring March through August of 2020 by 30 days. All licenses expiring after August 31, 2020 are expected to comply within the original 3-year renewal cycle. TCEQ is aware that occupational license holders may be having difficulty locating in-person continuing education classes for renewal of their licenses. All license holders are encouraged to seek online training opportunities, when possible.

BPAT license holders whose licenses expire March 2020 through March 2021 are still required to obtain 24 continuing education hours through online courses; however, the TCEQ is temporarily waiving the requirement that eight (8) of the CE hours must be hands-on, practical skills training in order to renew their license. This information and future updates are available at Occupational Licensing Responses to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Bac-Flo Unlimited Courses 

Our courses have been modified for six foot spacing with students having his or her own testing equipment and supplies. Additional ventilation, face covering requirement, an abundance of sanitation measures throughout classroom and lab testing area, along with temperature checks have been implemented for the safety of our students. Entire course is conducted in an outdoor, pavilion type setting. 

Exams 

In the interest of safety, paper exams have been cancelled. TCEQ management is reviewing the situation regularly and plans to restart paper exams once it is determined safe to do so. However, some CBT Centers are open or planning to reopen soon for limited testing under additional safety guidelines. Please contact your local CBT center to find out their operational status. TCEQ will continue to extend the validity of new applications until testing is more widely and consistently available.

Approved applicants who have not taken their allotted four exam attempts will not be required to reapply and pay the application fee again.

If your approved application expired in March - December 2020 and you have not attempted the exam four times with that application, once you have registered to take an exam at a CBT center, TCEQ will extend your application expiration date. You must contact TCEQ at licenses@tceq.texas.gov once you have scheduled your exam at an approved CBT center.

Be sure to include the following in your email: full name, customer number & the date you are schedule to test. We will update your application expiration date. If you do not contact us after scheduling your exam, your expired application will cause the CBT system to prevent you from taking the exam at a CBT center.

The application expiration date extension, to be granted under this policy, would be equivalent to the period of time TCEQ paper exams were unavailable due to the pandemic.

This policy will remain in place until exams are more widely and consistently available.

Backflow Courses
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Backflow Gauge Sweepstakes

Bac-Flo-5 Backflow Test Kit give-a-way coming May 31st. To enter email a picture of a Good backflow prevention assembly installation to BacFloUnlimited@GVTC.com. Up to three entries will be recognized per registrant, must be present or former Bac-Flo Unlimited student to win. Good luck!

Top Rated BAC-FLO-5 Backflow Test Kit

* Made in the USA

* Industry best 5-year warranty

* Full one-year calibration report      

 


Fred Baird
Troy Baird

Bac-Flo Unlimited instructor credentials include irrigation, plumbing and water operator licenses along with university degrees and national certifications... 


Student Testimonials:

"I appreciate that Troy and Fred are always ready and willing to help with problems that backflow testers face in the field".

"Instructors presented material in a professional manner and made the learning process very easy".

"Instructors have plenty of knowledge about cross connections & testing, very patient and humble".

"Very thorough class, good hands on training".

"Very foreign to me but instructors simplified subject".

"I'm surprised by the amount of information I learned in the short amount of time. I look forward to future dealings with Bac-Flo Unlimited".

"Good presentation, pertinent information. Never boring".

"Course was very insightful. Instructors have plenty of knowledge about cross connections and testing."

More student testimonials

BACKFLOW GAUGE CALIBRATION AND CERTIFICATION

Bac-Flo Unlimited provides Gauge Care™, quality service for your differential pressure backflow gauge. 

Ship us your gauge for its yearly certification, and repairs if needed, and we'll safely ship it back with an updated certification report usually within 2-3 business days. Or, contact us for weekly certification times in Boerne, TX.   

Ship your gauge to our secure shipping address below using any shipping method:  

Bac-Flo Unlimited, Inc.

215 West Bandera Road

Suite 114, Box 455

Boerne, TX 78006 

- Include with gauge the following information: testing company's name, address, phone number, along with physical return shipping address. 

- For payment include check or money order for $100 per gauge ($75 certification fee and $25 for return shipping), or click here to pay online.

 

The usual turnaround time is 2-3 business days for getting your gauge shipped back to you. Please note a delay in return shipping could occur without payment or the required information above. For maximum protection ship gauge in its hard sided case placed in a cardboard box. Removing heavy objects such as tools and fittings will reduce shipping costs. Gauge hoses do not need to be included.       

Upon receiving your gauge, we'll inspect, pressure test, verify accuracy points, and fully certify it providing an updated certification report valid for a full year. If there are questions or concerns in regard to a gauge needing additional attention such as calibration or repair, you'll be immediately contacted to discuss further options. 

Our gauge testing and certification service is performed only by our employee Troy Baird. Troy has over 20 years experience in testing, certifying, and if necessary ensuring a quality, factory authorized repair of your gauge. If there are any questions or concerns after receiving your shipment Troy will be personally contacting you.  

Differential pressure gauges are required to be tested for accuracy when purchased and annually thereafter by most jurisdictions. This service verifies gauge accuracy to plus or minus .2 psid in accordance with NIST national standards. Upon instrument verification a detailed certification report is completed in reference to the gauge serial number and testing company, and provided to you. For additional information about getting your differential pressure gauge certified, feel free to contact us by phone or email.

 

 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Can I register for a course by another method other than going through the Bac-Flo Unlimited website?

Yes, another way to register is by printing out the PDF registration form on the Homepage of this website. The form can then be completed with course and payment information and submitted by instructions indicated on top of form.  

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Does a student need a gauge for course attendance?

No, a Differential Pressure Gauge is not needed for course attendance in any of our courses. Everything is provided for hands on and classroom training. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  How soon can I start testing backflow prevention assemblies after completing the 40 hour backflow tester course?

After successfully completing a 40 hour tester course, which includes the Practical Skills portion of the exam provided the last day of class, the student is required to get TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) pre-approved prior to taking the written exam, with is typically computer based provided at a local exam site such as a local community college. The pre-approval process takes 4 - 6 weeks and involves a criminal felony background check and a pre-paid license fee of $111 payable to the TCEQ. After signing up and paying for a 40 Hr. BPAT course, the application process may be completed. Sooner application submittal can result in a shorter wait time to take the written exam after course completion. After successfully completing the written portion of the exam, TCEQ will issue the Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing license at which time the licensee can start testing backflow prevention assemblies.  

Click here to complete the TCEQ application for taking written exam.

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  Is the BPAT (Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester) license an endorsement on another license?

No, the BPAT license is not an endorsement on any other license. The license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the prerequisites for becoming a licensed Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)?

The TCEQ license requirements include a H.S. Diploma or GED, at least two full years of TCEQ approved water related work experience, and successful completion of a felony background check.  

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What are the renewal requirements for a BPAT license?

24 approved CEU hours must be earned in the three-year license period prior to the expiration date with at least 8 hours being Practical Skills (Hands On) training. The earned hours may be divided up over the valid license period or all may be taken at one time. All 24 hours are due on or before the license expiration date. In regard to paying the license fee to TCEQ, the fee is not allowed to be paid sooner than 90 days before the license expiration date and no later than 30 days after the license expiration date. 

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What do students like most about Bac-Flo Unlimited courses?

Our Hands-On training gets the most rave reviews. All of the backflow prevention assemblies are individually mounted with troubleshooting simulations a part of each one. Additionally each assembly is interchangeable with another assembly by the students themselves. The result is an optimized, spread out learning environment that gives students a one-on-one training opportunity with an instructor.  

Click here to expand contentClick here to collapse content  What courses provide credit to another water related license? 

The Fundamentals of Backflow Prevention Course provides 8 hours of CEUs on all TCEQ water related licenses including BPAT, Irrigation, Water/Wastewater, CSI, and Water Treatment Specialist. In relation to the 40 hour tester certification course, 12 hours of CEUs are provided to the licenses mentioned above dependent on the applicant successfully passing the hands on test provided as part of the course. In regard to a plumbing inspector's license, 100 hours is provided by the TSBPE counting toward applying for and obtaining a plumbing inspector's license, again successful completion the entire 40 hour tester course is required for credit. For fire line testers, NICET credit can be applied for and obtained through the NFPA license association as it relates to fire related licenses.  

*Free Gauge Certifications - One free gauge certification and report is available to each enrolled student in a continuing education course.  This service is offered at no charge only at the time of the course. Note: gauge testing is not part of course instruction, though Bac-Flo Unlimited can offer this service due to the advantage of having two instructors on site.

*Free Troubleshooting Assistance - After completing the 40 hr. tester or 24 hr. renewal course, backflow prevention assembly testers can contact one of our instructors for in-field assistance in the troubleshooting and repair of backflow prevention assemblies. In most instances they can help solve your problem over the phone.

*Two Instructors - This is beneficial in the hands-on training for backflow prevention assembly testers. It enables the student the opportunity to have personal one-on-one training with an instructor.

*National ABPA Tester Certification - This certification is useful for testers who plan to test backflow prevention assemblies outside of Texas. The course and training material are the same as for the standard state certification, with the exception of the written exam and final certification coming from the American Backflow Prevention Association. Add $150 to the price of the 40 hr. tester course for this national certification.

*TCEQ Training Credits - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) training credits are provided with all courses for Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers and for other water licenses when attending the 40 Hr. Tester or 8 Hr. Fundamental Course. CEUs are also provided by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners for credit toward obtaining a Plumbing Inspector's License.

*Optimal Hands-on Training - Our backflow assembly testing stations are individually mounted and spread out in courses with available seating for students. Assemblies consist of all four types and are interchangeable by the students themselves. This results in an optimized learning environment with a relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity for one-on-one training with an instructor.

*Learn from Experience - Courses are taught by experienced instructors in the areas of enforcement, testing, troubleshooting and repairing backflow prevention assemblies. You will learn first hand the dos and donts. Cross connection control and backflow prevention is our primary focus.

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