City of Columbus

Testers' Information

Web-based submittals

A web site is now available at https://columbus.tokaytest.com/ that allows electronic submittal of test results to our office. The web site can be accessed using most common web browsers on most internet enabled electronic devices (desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc.). A continuous connection to the internet is required while using the web site.

• Beginning February 15, 2016, as a condition of approval, testers must use the web site for all annual test submittals.

  Submittals from testers by Fax, e-mail, or hard copy using the old paper forms are no longer accepted. It is your choice whether you wish to use the web-based application in the field as you complete the test or if you wish to submit the tests on line at a later time (not to exceed 5 days after the test). 

  A User ID and Password, supplied by our office, are required to access the web site. To obtain your User ID and password you must read and agree to the revised Backflow Assembly Tester Requirements (effective May 21, 2015, revised November 20, 2015); provide our office with a completed and signed copy of the new Backflow Assembly Tester Application Form (effective February 22 2016); and provide us with a valid e-mail address. Your log in information will then be e-mailed to you at the address provided. This e-mail will also be used to contact you whenever there are problems with a test that you have submitted. Failure to respond to our e-mails in a timely manner may result in suspension of your approved tester status.

  Refer to the Testers' Resource Page for more information on using the on-line system. 

Losing Approved Status and Reinstatement

NO TESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED IF performed while a tester has an unapproved status.

• Common causes of losing approved status
  The most common cause of losing your approved status is expiration of one of the four required credentials (ODOC certification, City contractor license, Backflow Compliance Office registration fee, or gage calibration). Testers may also lose approved status for failing to adhere to the guidelines, for repeatedly submitting incomplete or incorrect tests, or for falsifying or misrepresenting their work.
• If any of your credentials lapse

  We are not required to notify you of lapsed or about to lapse credentials. As a courtesy, we attempt to notify you by e-mail when a credential has expired and your approval status has lapsed, but you are responsible for ensuring that your credentials are up to date and that you have provided documentation of such to our office. If any of your credentials lapse, based on the expiration dates on the records you have provided to our office, you will be removed from approved status and your log in credentials will be suspended. Expect 1 - 3 business days following correction of the issue before your log-in credentials are reinstated. If you are removed from approved status because of a lapsed credential, there will be a strict 30-day grace period during which you may be reinstated without paying a penalty.

  If the reason for removal from approved status was failure to provide up to date documentation of a credential you held at the time of the test, retesting will not be required as long as you provide documentation showing you possessed the valid credentials when the device was tested. However, no tests will be accepted if they were performed while a tester did not possess a required credential at the time of the test. The device will need to be retested.

• If you are in an unapproved status for more than 30 days
  If our office determines that you have been in an unapproved status for more than 30 days, you will be required to pay the $100 initial fee and meet all other criteria to be returned to approved status.
• If you are in an unapproved status for more than 90 days
  If you are in an unapproved status for more than 90 days, you will be required to pay the initial $100 fee, complete a new application, and meet all other criteria to be returned to approved status.

Backflow Compliance Registration Renewal Date

The annual renewal date for the Backflow Compliance Office registration fee is February 15. The registration year runs from February 16 until February 15 of the next calendar year.

• Registration for new testers
  Registration for newly approved testers will run through the end of the current registration year as long as you continue to meet all approval requirements. Registrations processed after November 16 may be applied to the remainder of the current registration year or delayed until February 16 of the next registration year.

Payment Renewal Period

Renewal of your Backflow Compliance Office registration may be made no sooner than November 16 (3 months prior to the expiration).

Approved Testers Lists

Lists of testers who have been approved to test backflow devices in the City of Columbus are provided as a courtesy to our customers and are posted on our Website. 

• Lists are published listing the approved tester.
  Lists are published listing the approved tester. Company contact information will be provided with the tester’s name.
• Lists are generated in random order
  Lists are generated in random order to minimize preferential selection based on position on list.
• Approved tester lists are valid for two weeks from the date they are published with an expiration date provided on the list.
  Only testers whose credentials, based on the Backflow Compliance Office records, will be valid through the expiration date will be included on the list. This provides customers with some assurance that a tester approved at the time they are hired by the customer will still be approved when the device is tested.
• Lists are updated weekly.
  Lists will be updated approximately weekly.
• Separate lists are published for testers approved on irrigation systems and testers who can test devices on any type of system.
  Restrictions on testing are based on Ohio Department of Commerce tester certification restrictions. If you are approved to test devices on any type of system you will be included on both lists.
• We publish a list of Credential Expiration Information that our office uses to determine your approved status.
  To assist you in managing credentials, we publish a list of credential expiration dates that our office uses to determine your approved status. This list is posted online. You are encouraged to review this list to ensure that our office is using accurate information to determine your approval status. We are not required to notify you prior to any of your credentials expiring, nor are we required to notify you if your name is removed from any of the lists due to an expired credential.