As a water industry professional in Virginia and a consumer of potable water in Virginia, I believe certification of backflow prevention device testers is critical to the prevention of dangerous cross connections to potable water systems. Testable devices are required when the risk of a connection to a potable water system is high and a potential public health risk to those consuming that water. Due to the criticality of these devices, those testing the devices need to be properly trained and confidence in their ability to test the devices, troubleshoot, repair, and ensure adequate protection against these health risks needs to be high. The only way to ensure this is through certification. Do we want a funeral home's fluids entering the public water system because an uncertified person deemed their backflow prevention device to be ok? I sure don't want that.