iapmobpi.org

What is IAPMO BPI?

IAPMO BPI is the Backflow Prevention Institute, a training and certification body within the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Its focus is protecting drinking water supplies through cross-connection control — the practice of keeping contaminated water from flowing backward into potable water systems. The institute describes itself as a leading training provider in that field, offering third-party certified instruction in backflow testing and repair, cross-connection control surveying, program administration, and fire sprinkler system backflow testing. IAPMO BPI

Who it serves

The audience is working professionals rather than general consumers: plumbers and pipefitters who test and repair backflow assemblies, water utility and municipal staff who run cross-connection control programs, inspectors, and fire protection specialists. Many of these roles require periodic recertification or continuing education credits, which the institute says it is recognized to provide in numerous states and jurisdictions.

What it offers

• Open-enrollment classes and private classes, delivered nationwide and internationally
• Certification tracks in backflow testing and repair, cross-connection surveying, program administration, and fire sprinkler backflow testing
• Continuing education credits accepted in many jurisdictions
• A reference manual (currently in its fourth edition) and a backflow prevention journal
• Podcasts and an online video tutorial covering the learning management system

How registration works

Class registration has moved to IAPMO Learn, a learning management platform. The stated process is to create an account, browse the catalog, and register for the class directly through the platform. Credentials can also be viewed and managed in that account. Questions go to [email protected].

A practical next step

If your goal is certification or license renewal, check two things before registering: whether your state or local authority accepts IAPMO BPI credentials for the specific requirement you're satisfying, and whether the class dates fit your renewal deadline. Start at the class schedule on IAPMO Learn, then confirm acceptance with your licensing board. For broader context on plumbing codes and standards, IAPMO is the parent organization.

How do I register for a backflow prevention certification class?

Register through IAPMO Learn, the platform where IAPMO BPI now hosts its class schedule and credentials.

Steps to register

1. Create an account on IAPMO Learn if you do not already have one.
2. Browse the catalog to find the backflow prevention class you want.
3. Register for the class directly through the platform.

Your class credentials are also managed in that same account, so you can view and track them after registration.

If something goes wrong

BPI directs registration problems and general questions to [email protected]. Before writing, check whether you are signed in to the correct IAPMO Learn account and whether the class you want is listed in the catalog — the schedule moved to this platform, so older bookmarks or paper forms may no longer be the right path.

Choosing the right class

BPI's training covers several distinct roles, and picking the wrong one is the most common wasted step:

Certification is third-party certified, and BPI states it is a recognized provider of continuing education credits in many states and jurisdictions. Because credit recognition varies by location, confirm your state or local jurisdiction accepts the specific class before you pay or travel — that check is faster than resolving a rejected credit afterward.

A practical next step: create the IAPMO Learn account first, then browse the catalog while signed in, since registration and credential records both live there. If you need a private class for a crew rather than open enrollment, ask about that by email rather than assuming it appears in the public catalog.

Which backflow prevention certifications and training courses does IAPMO BPI offer?

IAPMO BPI (the Backflow Prevention Institute) provides third-party certified training across four main areas, according to its site: backflow testing and repair, cross-connection control surveying, program administration, and fire sprinkler system backflow testing. It also notes that it is a recognized provider of continuing education credits in many states and jurisdictions, so some courses may count toward license renewal rather than only toward a BPI credential.

What the training covers

• Backflow testing and repair — for the technicians who test and fix backflow assemblies in the field.
• Cross-connection control surveying — for identifying and documenting potential cross-connections in a water system.
• Program administration — for the people who run or oversee a cross-connection control program for a utility or municipality.
• Fire sprinkler system backflow testing — a specialized track for the backflow assemblies found on fire protection systems.

How classes are delivered

BPI says training is available nationwide and internationally, through both open-enrollment classes and private classes arranged for an organization. That private-class option is the practical route for a utility or contractor that needs to certify a whole crew on its own schedule rather than sending individuals to public sessions.

Registration and class scheduling now run through IAPMO Learn, where you create an account, browse the catalog, and register; the same account is used to view and manage class credentials. The site also offers an online video tutorial covering the redesigned learning management system, plus a class schedule, a backflow prevention journal, and podcasts.

Choosing the right course

Start with the role you are certifying. A field technician typically needs testing and repair, or the fire sprinkler variant if that is the work they do. A supervisor, inspector, or utility staffer responsible for records, hazard surveys, and compliance usually needs the surveying and program administration courses instead. If your goal is renewing an existing license, confirm with your state or jurisdiction that the specific BPI course carries the continuing education credit you need, since approval varies by location.

For a concrete example: a city water department with two new field techs and one program coordinator might send the techs to backflow testing and repair and the coordinator to cross-connection control surveying and program administration, then check whether the state accepts those hours toward renewal. For a contractor with a larger crew, a private class is often the more efficient path.

As a next step, review the class schedule and catalog inside IAPMO Learn, or contact BPI directly at [email protected] if you need help matching a course to a specific certification or state requirement. For general context on the plumbing and mechanical code side of the industry, the parent organization's site is IAPMO.

How can I find the current IAPMO BPI class schedule and locations?

The current IAPMO BPI class schedule is now hosted on IAPMO Learn, the organization's learning management system. From the BPI site, follow the "Class Schedule" link to reach the catalog, then browse for backflow testing and repair, cross-connection control surveying, program administration, or fire sprinkler backflow testing courses. Locations are shown within each course listing, since BPI runs open-enrollment classes nationwide and internationally as well as private classes arranged by request.

Steps to find and register

1. Create an IAPMO Learn account if you do not already have one.
2. Browse the catalog for the class you want.
3. Register directly through the platform; your class credentials are then managed in the same account.
4. If a listing is unclear or you hit a registration problem, contact BPI at [email protected].

What to check before committing

• Delivery format: confirm whether a session is in person, online, or private/on-site, because that determines your travel and time off.
• Credential credit: BPI states it is a recognized continuing education provider in many states and jurisdictions, so verify your own state accepts the specific course before paying.
• Certification type: third-party certified training in testing and repair differs from surveyor or administrator training; pick the one your job or license requires.
• Timing: schedules expand and update, so recheck the catalog if your preferred date is not yet listed.

For general context on plumbing and mechanical codes, see IAPMO. If you are comparing training paths, decide first whether you need a hands-on tester certification or a program-level qualification, then filter the catalog accordingly.

What continuing education credits can I earn from IAPMO BPI training?

IAPMO BPI says it is a recognized provider of continuing education credits in many states and jurisdictions, but the site itself does not list specific credit hours or approved states. To find out what you can earn for a particular class, check the individual course listing in the IAPMO Learn catalog, where credit details are typically shown.

What the site confirms

• Training areas include backflow testing and repair, cross-connection control surveying, program administration, and fire sprinkler system backflow testing.
• Classes are offered through open enrollment and private sessions, nationwide and internationally.
• Registration and credential management now run through IAPMO Learn, so your earned credits and class credentials live in that account.

What to verify before you register

• Your state or jurisdiction's requirements. Credit recognition varies by location, and the site does not publish a state-by-state approval list.
• The specific course listing. Credit hours are usually tied to the class, not to the provider as a whole.
• Whether your license renewal accepts these credits. Some boards accept third-party certified training; others require pre-approved providers.

If a listing is unclear, contact [email protected] before paying. For general context on credentialing bodies in this field, you can also check IAPMO BPI directly.

A practical example

Suppose you are a certified backflow tester in a state that requires continuing education hours every renewal cycle. You would create an IAPMO Learn account, browse the catalog for a testing or repair course, and look for the credit statement on that course page. If it does not state your state or credit amount, email BPI with your license type and state before registering, since credits earned in one jurisdiction may not count in another.

Do I need the Backflow Prevention Reference Manual, 4th Edition, and what does it cover?

The Backflow Prevention Reference Manual, 4th Edition, is a study and reference resource for people working in cross-connection control and backflow prevention. It is not a certification in itself. IAPMO BPI describes it as a fully illustrated reference manual covering the knowledge needed to protect potable water systems, and it aligns with the institute's training in backflow testing and repair, cross-connection control surveying, program administration, and fire sprinkler system backflow testing.

Who gets the most value from it

• Testers and repair technicians who need a single reference for device operation, field procedures and troubleshooting.
• Cross-connection control surveyors who assess premises and need to recognize and evaluate hazards.
• Program administrators who write or enforce local cross-connection control policy.
• Exam candidates preparing for certification or recertification in any of those areas.

When you can skip it

If you are only taking a short continuing-education course to renew an existing credential, you may not need to buy the manual. If your employer already provides current training materials and your jurisdiction publishes its own code guidance, that may cover your day-to-day work. The manual is most valuable when you are learning the subject for the first time, preparing for an exam, or want a reference you can consult away from a class.

How to decide

Ask yourself three questions: Do I need to pass a certification exam? Do I regularly troubleshoot or survey backflow assemblies? Do I need a reference that is independent of my employer's materials? Two or more yes answers make the manual a reasonable purchase. Otherwise, start with the free resources below and buy the manual only if you find gaps.

Practical next step

Check the current class schedule and registration instructions on the IAPMO BPI site, since classes and credentials are now managed through the IAPMO Learn platform. The site also lists an online video tutorial that walks through the redesigned learning management system, which is worth watching before you register so you know how to find the catalog and manage your credentials. For broader context on backflow prevention and cross-connection control, the IAPMO BPI site is the authoritative starting point, and IAPMO covers the wider plumbing and mechanical code side.