EPA 608 Test Format

The Four Certification Types

• Core — required for all technicians regardless of which equipment type(s) they also certify for.
• Type I — small appliances (5 lbs or less of refrigerant), such as refrigerators and window air conditioners.
• Type II — high-pressure appliances, including most residential and commercial split systems and heat pumps.
• Type III — low-pressure appliances, primarily chillers.

What Core Covers

Core covers topics that apply across every equipment type: ozone depletion, the Clean Air Act Section 608 regulations, refrigerant recovery requirements, and general safety. Every technician seeking any type of 608 certification must pass Core.

Practice Core questions

What Types I, II and III Cover

Each Type section focuses on the equipment category it certifies: refrigerant charge limits, recovery equipment requirements, access fittings, leak standards and evacuation levels specific to that equipment class. Type I covers small appliances, Type II covers high-pressure appliances, and Type III covers low-pressure chillers.

• Practice Type I questions
• Practice Type II questions
• Practice Type III questions

How Universal Relates to All Sections

“Universal” isn't a fifth, separate exam — it's the result of passing Core and all three Type sections. Some certifying organizations let you take a combined Universal exam covering all four areas in one sitting instead of four separate tests; check with your certifying organization for which format they offer.

Try the Universal practice test

Proctoring and Test Conditions

The EPA requires that Section 608 certification tests be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization under that organization's approved procedures. Details like whether a test is open-book, closed-book, in-person or remote, how many questions it contains, and what score is needed to pass are set by the certifying organization within EPA's approval, and can differ between organizations. This site does not administer certification exams and cannot state those details on a certifying organization's behalf.

For current, authoritative information, see the EPA's own pages:

• Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements
• Certification Programs for Section 608 Technicians
• Section 608 Technician Certification