american backflow prevention association

What american backflow prevention association does

The American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) is a private, nonprofit professional association founded in 1984 and headquartered in West Jordan, Utah. Its mission is to protect drinking water through cross-connection control and backflow prevention, and it operates as the leading North American credentialing body in this niche, serving water utilities, plumbing and irrigation professionals, engineers, regulators, and training providers. ABPA runs three core certification programs — the Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) two-part exam ($300 member / $330 non-member), the Cross-Connection Control Specialist (CCCS) multiple-choice exam, and the Proctor Program — alongside an online credential verification search, a proprietary Cross-Connection Control Manual, BPAT practice exams, and the bilingual 'Buster Backflow' children's education series. Revenue is generated through individual and corporate membership dues (US individual $75/year, international $85/year, corporate sustaining $750/year), certification exam fees, conference registration, and online store sales of educational materials and merchandise. Distribution is handled via a direct-to-consumer website operated on the YourMembership.com AMS platform, an annual international conference with 25+ exhibitors, certification exam sites across multiple US states, and a network of 12 regional divisions and 31+ local chapters across the US and Canada.

The organization is governed by an elected Board with Regional Directors for each of 12 regions and is led by International President Kathy Riley, Executive Director Patti Fauver, Vice President Stephen Bitely, and supporting officers. ABPA maintains formal MOU partnerships with AWWA, ICC, NSF International, the US EPA, ASPE, NRWA, PHCC, the Irrigation Association, ASIC, CSA Group, BPMA, the University of Florida TREEO Center, and the Australian Backflow Prevention Association QLD. Its BPAT and CCCS certifications carry California State Water Resources Control Board recognition through July 1, 2027, with a stated pathway to ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation by that date, anchoring a regulatory moat among utilities and jurisdictions that mandate certified testers.

Name

american backflow prevention association

Legal name

American Backflow Prevention Association

Website

https://abpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The American Backflow Prevention Association is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1984 that certifies backflow prevention assembly testers and cross-connection control specialists across the US and Canada through exams, training materials, an annual conference, and a 12-region chapter network serving water utilities, plumbers, and regulators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Training Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental Permitting & Impact Assessment (EIA/NEPA) (BPAIAMAK)

Keywords

• Backflow prevention certification
• Cross-connection control
• Water safety training
• Professional certification
• Plumbing industry education

Headquarters

HQ city

West Jordan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to certification programs, educational materials, chapter membership, quarterly newsletters, and discounted conference registration
2. Certification Examination Fees: Fees for Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester and Cross-Connection Control Specialist certification exams; $300 for members, $330 for non-members
3. Conference Registration: Annual international conferences and trade shows with in-person and virtual attendance options; member discounts available
4. Online Store Sales: Sale of educational materials including ABPA Cross-Connection Control Manuals, Buster Backflow comics, practice exams, replacement certificates, and merchandise

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ABPA is a nonprofit professional membership association that administers industry-recognized certification programs (Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester and Cross-Connection Control Specialist), publishes educational manuals and practice exams, hosts an annual international conference and trade show, and operates a network of regional chapters across the US and Canada. Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues, certification examination fees, conference registration, and educational material sales.

Product overview

The American Backflow Prevention Association operates as a certification and educational organization rather than a software product company. Its core offerings consist of three certification programs (Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester, Cross-Connection Control Specialist, and Proctor), supported by educational materials including the ABPA Cross-Connection Control Manual, BPAT practice exams, and the Buster Backflow comic book series for public education. The association also hosts an annual international conference featuring technical sessions and a trade show. A credential verification search tool enables verification of certified personnel. These offerings are delivered through the ABPA website powered by YourMembership.com association management software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) Certification Entry-level certification program consisting of a closed-book written exam covering hydraulic principles, cross-connection theory, codes, and regulations, plus a hands-on performance exam demonstrating field test procedures for RP, DC, PVB, and SVB assemblies. Member fee is $300; non-member fee is $330.
• Cross-Connection Control Specialist (CCCS) Certification Advanced certification for professionals who administer Cross-Connection Control programs. Closed-book multiple-choice exam based on ABPA Specialist Need-to-Know Criteria for program administration.
• Proctor Program Certification program for proctors who observe and evaluate BPAT performance examinations. Proctors must be proficient in backflow prevention assembly field test procedures and understand ABPA examination rules and policies.
• ABPA Cross-Connection Control Manual Comprehensive reference manual covering cross-connection control and backflow prevention. Adopted by the ABPA Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification Program for field test procedures, based on the University of Southern California's Manual of Cross-Connection Control, Tenth Edition.
• BPAT Practice Exams Practice examination materials including a physical P-1 Written Practice Exam Book and a one-time-use online practice exam, sold through the ABPA online store.
• Buster Backflow Educational Comics Educational comic book series featuring Buster Backflow teaching children about backflow prevention, available in English and Spanish. Includes Comic Book #1 (garden hose/back-siphonage) and Comic Book #2 (irrigation system protection).
• Annual International Conference & Trade Show Annual international conference featuring technical sessions, networking opportunities, vendor exhibitions, and certification program information. The 41st conference is scheduled for May 4-6, 2026 at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas with 28 on-site technical sessions.
• Credential Verification Search Online searchable database enabling verification of BPAT and CCCS certification status. Lists certified testers sorted alphabetically or by state location, with downloadable PDF lists updated bi-weekly and disciplinary actions published.

Quantifiable outcome

• ABPA tester and specialist certifications are recognized by the California Water Board

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• American Water Works AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to safe and sustainable water in the world, with over 50,000 members worldwide. ABPA collaborates on promoting common objectives in water safety and cross-connection control.
• International Code CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICC develops model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. ABPA works with ICC on backflow prevention code requirements.
• National Sanitation Foundation InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF International develops public health standards and certification for products, including backflow prevention equipment, protecting food, water, health and consumer products globally.
• United States Environmental Protection AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment. ABPA collaborates with EPA on public awareness and education regarding backflow prevention protection.
• American Society of Plumbing EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASPE is an international organization for professionals skilled in the design, specification and inspection of plumbing systems, dedicated to advancing plumbing engineering and public health.
• American Society of Irrigation ContractorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASIC represents professionals within the irrigation industry, founded in 1970 to exchange information and advance skills in irrigation design, installation and product application.
• Irrigation AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading membership organization for irrigation companies and professionals committed to efficient irrigation and long-term sustainability of water resources.
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHCC is America's premier trade group for p-h-c professionals with over 3,500 contractor members in residential service, new construction, commercial and industrial markets.
• National Rural Water AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRWA is the nation's largest water and wastewater utility membership association with over 31,000 members, providing grassroots advocacy and federal funding support.
• Canadian Standards Association InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSA Group provides standards development, training, testing and certification services across key areas including plumbing and construction, with billions of certified products worldwide.
• Backflow Prevention Manufacturers AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPMA promotes common business interests of those engaged in the backflow industry, considering problems of management, production, distribution, employment and financial functions.
• Backflow Prevention Association QLD (Queensland) Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional body dedicated to Backflow Prevention in Queensland, Australia, made up of members across all aspects of the plumbing and water supply industry.
• University of Florida TREEO CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUF TREEO develops and teaches training courses for environmental occupations professionals including water, wastewater, sustainability, air quality and health & safety.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Water Works Association (AWWA): AWWA is the largest scientific and educational nonprofit for water professionals with over 50,000 members worldwide. It is a strategic MOU partner of ABPA and offers overlapping backflow-related standards, training, and certification programs, making it the most direct broad incumbent peer.
• International Code Council (ICC): ICC develops the model plumbing codes referenced in cross-connection control regulation and is an ABPA MOU partner. It is a broad incumbent that indirectly shapes the standards ABPA's certifications test against.
• National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF): NSF develops public health standards and certifies backflow prevention equipment used in the field. As an ABPA MOU partner, it is a broad incumbent in the broader water-safety certification ecosystem.
• National Rural Water Association (NRWA): NRWA is the largest US water and wastewater utility membership association with over 31,000 members and is an ABPA MOU partner. It is a broad incumbent in the water-utility membership space that interfaces with the same municipal customer base.

Direct peers

• University of Florida TREEO Center: UF TREEO delivers training and certification for water and wastewater professionals, including backflow prevention. As an ABPA MOU partner and an active competitor in the certification market, it is a direct peer in backflow tester credentialing.
• Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USC): USC's foundation publishes the Manual of Cross-Connection Control that underpins ABPA's reference manual and administers its own backflow tester certification. It is a direct peer competing for the same certified tester pool.
• American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE): ASPE is an international professional society for plumbing system design professionals and is an ABPA MOU partner. It serves a highly overlapping member base of plumbing engineers and specifiers who interact with backflow prevention requirements.
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC): PHCC is the premier US trade association for plumbing contractors with 3,500+ members; it is an ABPA MOU partner and is highly comparable in operating model (membership association serving plumbing professionals with conferences and education).
• Irrigation Association: The Irrigation Association is a leading membership organization for irrigation companies and professionals and is an ABPA MOU partner. It overlaps with ABPA's secondary irrigation-industry segment and provides comparable certification and education offerings.
• Backflow Prevention Manufacturers Association (BPMA): BPMA is a trade group representing backflow prevention equipment manufacturers and is an ABPA MOU partner. It is a direct peer operating in the same niche industry but serving the manufacturer side rather than the tester/certifier side.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/abpa.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-backflow-prevention-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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