What is the ABPA Backflow Tester Exam ?

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Their handbook - downloadable here - page 8 outlines the requirements for taking their exam, section 3.2 requires a course of instruction ( Kruger Training Academy 40-hour or 32-hour Version, or equivalent ) or have adequate experience, or both. Meaning if you hold a CA-NV-AWWA or ASSE license in the past, they would likely let you sit for only the exam and not have to take a specific class again, but if starting fresh you would need to demonstrate your education or experience, most people just take a class before applying. There is no paper application that you fill out to register, you pick your exam date on their website - here - and then just pick whichever date works best. They end online registration about 14 days before the exams, but you can often call them or email them and they can squeeze you in, sometimes there is an extra fee.

The written exam is 100 questions mutliple choice and is based on the "Need to Know Criteria" which is essentially what a candidate should know in order to be a backflow assembly tester in the field. The criteria is listed on the handbook ( downloadable here ) starting on page 13. Generally you have to be familiar with hydraulic principles as related to backflow, the types of backflow methods, devices, and assemblies, as well as their ratings for use ( High hazard vs low Hazard, Backpressure vs Backsiphonage ) 

For the practical exam, a tester must test all four types of backflow assemblies ( RP, DCV, PVB, SVB ) where two of the four types have one simulated condition ( Shutoff leak, Check Valve leak, some other malfunction ) and the tester must test all four types from memory, along with any relevant diagnostic steps, and properly fill out the test report forms. What is Backflow has many videos that can help you prepare for this practical Exam:

Tips and Tricks for Backflow Examinations 

RP Diagnostics & Test Reports - Explained

DCV Diagnostics & Test Reports - Explained

PVB Diagnostics & Test Reports - Explained

SVB Diagnostics & Test Reports - Explained

Currently, they don't allow free retakes, you would just have to schedule for their next exam and pay again. If you feel like you have been mistreated, meaning the item they used to fail you was unfair or misleading, DO NOT LEAVE THE TESTING AREA - if you leave the area at all then you can only protest to the national committee and you forfeit the exam fee, but while still in the testing area,  indicate that you would like to challenge the ruling to the proctor, and you will then have a discussion with the Exam Monitor and the Exam Proctor to determine if the item missed was sufficient to cause a failure on the exam. If the Monitor also agrees that the missed item was sufficient, you then send all of this information, including the USC book section referenced, to the National Committee. We have seen some proctors fail candidates for very trivial items at certain exam centers, for example opening test cocks too fast, or not writing things on the test report that are not required by the books. Often the exam locations are also backflow testing companies that use the program to certify their own technicians but would rather not certify outside individuals, but overall most exam locations are on the up and up.