State rules
Oregon
The Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services issues certification cards for backflow assembly testers and cross-connection specialists on a two-year cycle. Tester certification is required to test backflow assemblies in Oregon. An Oregon licensed plumber or journeyman is not required to hold the certification, but the Authority says it is strongly encouraged because many water systems require it before they will accept a test report. Specialist certification is required for water systems with 300 or more service connections. Cards expire on December 31 of the cycle tied to the first letter of the last name: A through K in even years and L through Z in odd years. A public tester list is voluntary.
Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Drinking-water agency
- The Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services certifies backflow assembly testers and cross-connection specialists.
- Who may test an assembly
- A person with Oregon backflow assembly tester certification, or an Oregon licensed plumber or journeyman under the exception the Authority states.
- Official program page
- Official page →
- Tester lookup
- Official page →
A new tester must show high school or college completion, or a GED, and must finish an approved five-day tester course. The course certificate expires 12 months after completion. A tester who charges a fee needs a Construction Contractors Board license or a Landscape Contractors Board license, held by the tester or the company. The voluntary public list requires that license number. A new specialist needs the same education proof and an approved four-day course, also used within 12 months.
The Authority’s page says fees change across the two-year cycle and are cut in half at the midpoint. Its notes mention 97 dollars and 50 cents and 132 dollars and 50 cents as midpoint amounts. Because the amount depends on the last name and the date, this record leaves the fee field empty. Applications go to the cross-connection email or to OHA Cashier in Portland. The page lists fax number 971-673-0694 and links the PNW-AWWA test report form.
A customer hiring a tester should ask for the current Oregon tester card unless the person is an Oregon licensed plumber or journeyman relying on that exception, and should still ask the water system whether it will accept a plumber who does not hold the card. Specialist certification is the water system’s program credential, not the homeowner’s test credential. The public list is not a complete roster, because listing is voluntary.
Official resources in Oregon
States the two-year tester and specialist cards, the plumber exception, and the public list.
Federal educational manual. It is not an Oregon certification.
Explains state primacy for public water systems.
Key facts for Oregon
- Backflow assembly tester certification is required to test assemblies in Oregon, with a stated exception for an Oregon licensed plumber or journeyman.
- Cross-connection specialist certification is required for water systems with 300 or more service connections.
- Certifications expire December 31 on a two-year cycle split by the first letter of the last name.
- New testers complete an approved five-day course and apply within 12 months.
- Testing for a fee requires a Construction Contractors Board or Landscape Contractors Board license.
- The public tester list is voluntary and requires that contractor license number.
What to do next
- Ask for the Oregon tester card and the expiration year that matches the last-name cycle.
- If the person is a licensed plumber without the card, ask the water system whether it will accept the report.
- Do not treat the public list as complete.
- Specialist certification is for the water system’s program, not a substitute for asking who tests your assembly.
Looking for your city or county in Oregon?
We haven't found official program-level pages for Oregon we can verify yet, so we don't show local numbers here rather than guess. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Oregon, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Oregon Health Authority tester and specialist certification
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Association of Oregon Counties →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Oregon page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What a backflow test is
- Who is allowed to test a backflow assembly
- Why utilities require annual backflow testing
- Tester and cross-connection specialist