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Quick answer
The EPA 608 exam certifies technicians who work on stationary refrigeration and air conditioning. It has four sections of 25 questions each: Core, Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure) and Type III (low-pressure). Passing all four makes you Universal. The regulation sets a 70 percent pass mark, which most programs apply as 18 of 25, and the certification never expires.
About the exam
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Exam
Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, anyone who could be expected to open the refrigerant circuit while maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of stationary refrigeration or air conditioning equipment must be certified (40 CFR 82.161). Since January 1, 2018 that covers HFC refrigerants as well as CFCs and HCFCs. EPA does not give the test or issue cards itself. EPA-approved certifying programs give the test from an EPA question bank and mail the card.
The test has four sections. Core covers ozone depletion and climate effects, the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, the Section 608 rules, refrigerants and oils, the three Rs (recover, recycle, reclaim), recovery, evacuation, safety and shipping. Type I covers small appliances, Type II covers medium, high and very high-pressure appliances, and Type III covers low-pressure chillers. You pass Core plus any type to be certified for that type, or all four for Universal.
The rules changed recently. From January 1, 2026, the leak repair rule for HFC appliances (40 CFR 84.106) applies to systems holding 15 pounds or more, with leak rate limits of 20 percent for commercial refrigeration, 30 percent for industrial process refrigeration and 10 percent for comfort cooling. This bank uses those current numbers. Some programs' tests may still use the older 35 and 15 percent figures, so read each question carefully.
Exam format
EPA 608 Certification: questions, time and pass mark
| Item | Official exam | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | Core, Type I, Type II and Type III, 25 questions each. Universal is all four (100 questions). | Verified Oct 2026 (40 CFR 82.161; Part 82 Subpart F Appendix D) |
| Pass mark | 70 percent per section in the regulation. Most programs use 18 of 25 (72 percent). | Verified Oct 2026 (Appendix D); 18 of 25 is program practice |
| Closed book | Type II, Type III and Universal tests must be closed book and proctored. An open-book Core cannot count toward Universal. | Verified Oct 2026 (Appendix D; EPA requirements page) |
| Time limit | Not set by EPA. Each certifying program sets its own. | Not published by the agency; practice test uses 60 minutes for 50 questions |
| Expiry | Section 608 certification does not expire. | Verified Oct 2026 (epa.gov) |
| Card | Certifying programs send results and the card within 30 days of the test. | Verified Oct 2026 (Appendix D; EPA Q&A) |
The practice test above draws 50 questions with a 60-minute timer and a 72% pass mark. Practice mode lets you work one topic at a time with explanations after every answer, and the cheat sheet view lists every question and answer for review.
Cost and booking
Fees, where to take it and retakes
There is no federal fee. Each EPA-approved certifying program sets its own price and offers the test at its own sites, through training schools and supply houses, or with online proctoring. Ask what is included: some prices cover one section, others all four.
If you lose your card, contact the program that certified you. EPA does not keep a list of certified technicians and cannot replace cards.
What’s covered
310+ practice questions, by topic
Written from 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (including Appendix D), 40 CFR Part 84 and EPA Section 608 technician certification test topics. Every explanation cites its section.
- Core: Ozone, Law and Regulations84
- Core: Refrigerants, Recovery and Safety66
- Type I: Small Appliances60
- Type II: High-Pressure Appliances59
- Type III: Low-Pressure Appliances47
Official sources
Facts on this page were checked against these pages in October 2026.
Why people fail
The mistakes that cost people the EPA 608 Certification
- Skipping the Core. You must pass Core to be certified for any type, and it holds most of the law: venting bans, sales restrictions, leak repair and recordkeeping.
- Memorizing old leak rate thresholds. The current figures are 20, 30 and 10 percent, and the HFC rule starts at 15 pounds of charge.
- Mixing up required evacuation levels, which depend on the appliance type, its charge size and when the recovery equipment was made.
- Not knowing which refrigerants fall into which pressure group, for example R-134a as medium pressure (Type II) and R-123 as low pressure (Type III).
- Weak Type III basics: low-pressure chillers run below atmospheric pressure, rupture discs and purge units, and charging with vapor before liquid.
A study plan that works
- Start with the Core in Practice mode. Read every explanation, since the Core rules apply to all three types.
- Pick the types you need. Most residential HVAC technicians take Core plus Type II, and Universal covers everything.
- Make a sheet of the numbers: leak rate thresholds, repair and verification deadlines, evacuation levels and recordkeeping periods.
- Take timed Tests (50 questions, 60 minutes) until you score 80 percent or better in each category.
- Book with an EPA-approved certifying program and ask which sections the fee covers.
Try a few
Sample EPA 608 Certification practice questions
Six questions pulled straight from the bank, with the answer shown. For the timed, no-peeking version, use the quiz above.
Why: EPA places CFCs, halons and similar chemicals in Class I and HCFCs in Class II. HCFCs are less damaging than CFCs but are still being phased out.
Source: EPA Ozone-Depleting Substances page (epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/ozone-depleting-substances)
Why: Section 84.106 requires the follow-up test within 10 days of a successful initial test, or within 10 days of reaching normal operating conditions.
Source: 40 CFR 84.106 (as in force 2026)
Why: EPA lists R-134a, R-12 and R-124 as medium-pressure (45 to 170 psia at 104°F).
Source: 40 CFR 82.152
Why: The final processor must obtain a statement or contract that proves refrigerant was recovered.
Source: 40 CFR 82.155
Why: High-pressure appliances with a full charge under 200 pounds are evacuated to 0 inches Hg, whether built before or after 1993.
Source: 40 CFR 82.156, Table 1
Why: 90 divided by 600 is 15 percent, above the 10 percent threshold.
Source: 40 CFR 82.152; 82.157
FAQ
EPA 608 Certification questions, answered
How many questions are on the EPA 608 exam?
Each section has 25 questions: Core, Type I, Type II and Type III. The Universal exam is all four sections, 100 questions. Our practice bank has 316 questions across the four sections.
What score do you need to pass the EPA 608?
The regulation (40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F, Appendix D) sets 70 percent per section. On 25 questions most programs require 18 correct, which is 72 percent. This practice test uses 72 percent.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
No. EPA Section 608 technician certification does not expire. Keep your card, because the program that certified you is the place to get a replacement.
Is the EPA 608 exam open book?
Type II, Type III and Universal must be closed book and proctored. Some programs offered Type I on site or by mail in the past, but an open-book Core cannot be used toward Universal certification.
Which EPA 608 type do I need?
Type I covers small appliances such as household refrigerators and window units. Type II covers medium, high and very high-pressure equipment, including most residential and commercial air conditioning. Type III covers low-pressure chillers. Universal covers all three.
What are the current EPA leak repair thresholds?
For appliances covered by the HFC leak repair rule (40 CFR 84.106, from January 1, 2026) and the ODS rule (82.157): 20 percent for commercial refrigeration, 30 percent for industrial process refrigeration and 10 percent for comfort cooling and other appliances.
Is this the official EPA 608 test?
No. ExamStates is an independent practice site, and EPA does not publish its question bank. These questions are original, written from 40 CFR Parts 82 and 84 and EPA's test topics, with the source cited for every answer.