EPA Section 608 Certification Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?

   • AThe thermosphere
   • BThe stratosphere
   • CThe mesosphere
   • DThe troposphere
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The stratosphere

   EPA explains that the protective ozone layer is in the stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere where our weather happens.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which part of a CFC or HCFC molecule destroys ozone in the stratosphere?

   • ACarbon
   • BChlorine
   • CHydrogen
   • DFluorine
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Chlorine

   When strong UV light breaks down CFCs and HCFCs high in the atmosphere, they release chlorine atoms, and chlorine destroys ozone.

3. Question 3 of 25

   About how many ozone molecules can one chlorine atom destroy before it leaves the stratosphere?

   • AAbout 100
   • BAbout 10
   • CAbout 1,000 to 10,000
   • DMore than 100,000
   Show answer

   Answer: D. More than 100,000

   EPA explains that one chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules, which is why even small releases matter.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which group of refrigerants contains chlorine and depletes the ozone layer the most?

   • AHydrocarbons
   • BCFCs
   • CHFCs
   • DCarbon dioxide
   Show answer

   Answer: B. CFCs

   CFCs have the highest ozone depletion potential of the common refrigerant groups, HCFCs have less, and HFCs contain no chlorine.

5. Question 5 of 25

   R-22 is an HCFC. When was it phased out in the United States?

   • AJanuary 1, 1996
   • BJanuary 1, 2020
   • CJanuary 1, 2030
   • DIt has never been phased out
   Show answer

   Answer: B. January 1, 2020

   EPA states that HCFC-22 was phased out in the United States as of January 1, 2020, under the Clean Air Act phaseout schedule.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A store has an R-22 system built in 2005. What does EPA say about servicing it now?

   • AIt may only be serviced with propane
   • BIt may only be serviced with new R-22 made under a special EPA permit
   • CIt may still be serviced, and recovered or reclaimed R-22 is legal to use
   • DIt must be replaced right away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It may still be serviced, and recovered or reclaimed R-22 is legal to use

   EPA does not require existing HCFC-22 systems to be replaced, and recovered and reclaimed HCFC-22 is still legal to use for service.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What do the Section 608 rules say about knowingly venting refrigerant during service or disposal?

   • AIt is allowed if you report it later
   • BIt is allowed if the system is small
   • CIt is allowed outdoors only
   • DIt is prohibited
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It is prohibited

   Under 40 CFR 82.154, no person servicing or disposing of an appliance may knowingly vent or otherwise release refrigerant into the environment.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When is a small refrigerant release counted as "de minimis" and not a violation?

   • AWhen the amount released is less than 50 pounds in one calendar year per appliance
   • BWhen it happens while the required service and recovery practices are followed
   • CWhen it happens at night
   • DWhen the customer agrees to it
   Show answer

   Answer: B. When it happens while the required service and recovery practices are followed

   Releases are de minimis only if they occur while the required practices, such as proper recovery with certified equipment, are being followed.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which of these is an exempt substitute that the venting ban does not cover in any application?

   • AR-22
   • BNitrogen
   • CR-134a
   • DR-410A
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Nitrogen

   The rule lists carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water as exempt substitutes in any application, so releasing them is not a venting violation.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does it mean to "recover" refrigerant?

    • AAdd oil to it
    • BRemove it from an appliance and store it in an outside container
    • CClean it to new-product purity and confirm that purity with a lab test
    • DRelease it slowly outdoors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Remove it from an appliance and store it in an outside container

    Recovery means taking refrigerant out of an appliance in any condition and storing it in an external container, without needing to test or process it.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does it mean to "recycle" refrigerant under Section 608?

    • AMix it with a new refrigerant
    • BClean it for reuse with basic steps such as oil separation and filter-driers
    • CSend it to be destroyed
    • DReprocess it to AHRI 700 purity and verify that purity by laboratory testing
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Clean it for reuse with basic steps such as oil separation and filter-driers

    Recycling cleans refrigerant with basic methods such as oil separation and filter-driers for reuse in equipment of the same owner, but it does not meet reclaim purity.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does it mean to "reclaim" refrigerant?

    • AVent the air out of the cylinder
    • BReprocess it to the purity in AHRI Standard 700 and verify that purity by testing
    • CPump it into another cylinder on site
    • DStore it until it is needed
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Reprocess it to the purity in AHRI Standard 700 and verify that purity by testing

    Reclaiming means reprocessing recovered refrigerant to at least the AHRI 700 purity standard and verifying it with the standard's test method.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Recovered refrigerant is going to be sold to a different owner. What must happen first?

    • AIt must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer
    • BIt must be passed through a filter-drier and labeled with the new owner's name
    • CNothing, it can be sold as it is
    • DIt must be mixed with new refrigerant
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer

    EPA says that if recovered refrigerant changes ownership, it must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified refrigerant reclaimer.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Who may buy refrigerant for stationary equipment, with limited exceptions?

    • AOnly EPA-certified technicians, or employers who show proof they employ one
    • BOnly people with a state contractor or business license showing they work in HVAC
    • CAnyone over 18
    • DOnly appliance store owners
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only EPA-certified technicians, or employers who show proof they employ one

    The sales restriction allows sales to certified technicians, or to employers who give written evidence that they employ at least one certified technician.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A technician holds only Section 609 (motor vehicle air conditioning) certification. What may they buy?

    • AOnly refrigerant for chillers
    • BAny refrigerant in any container
    • COnly refrigerant in drums
    • DOnly refrigerant acceptable for motor vehicle air conditioners
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only refrigerant acceptable for motor vehicle air conditioners

    EPA says Section 609 technicians may buy only refrigerant for motor vehicle air conditioners, not refrigerant intended for stationary equipment.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which refrigerant may still be sold to people who are not certified?

    • ASmall cans of MVAC refrigerant with unique fittings and self-sealing valves
    • BAny cylinder holding less than 30 pounds of refrigerant, if the buyer signs a form
    • CReclaimed R-410A
    • DDrums of R-22
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Small cans of MVAC refrigerant with unique fittings and self-sealing valves

    Small containers of non-exempt MVAC refrigerant, two pounds or less, with unique fittings and self-sealing valves, are an exception to the sales restriction.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Under Section 608, who counts as a "technician"?

    • AAnyone who sells appliances
    • BOnly people who work on cars
    • CAnyone whose work could reasonably be expected to open the refrigerant circuit
    • DOnly people who install new systems or who hold a state mechanical contractor license
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Anyone whose work could reasonably be expected to open the refrigerant circuit

    EPA defines a technician as anyone whose work could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit, such as attaching hoses.

18. Question 18 of 25

    When may an apprentice who is not yet certified work on appliances?

    • AOnly after one year on the job, working alone as long as a manager signs off
    • BNever
    • COnly on weekends
    • DWhen closely and continually supervised by a certified technician
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When closely and continually supervised by a certified technician

    EPA exempts apprentices from certification only while they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.

19. Question 19 of 25

    How long is a Section 608 technician certification valid?

    • A5 years
    • BIt does not expire
    • C2 years
    • D10 years
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It does not expire

    EPA states that Section 608 technician certification credentials do not expire, although EPA reserves the right to require recertification later.

20. Question 20 of 25

    How long must a technician keep a copy of their certificate?

    • AFor 6 months
    • BFor 1 year
    • CFor as long as their state contractor license stays active
    • DUntil 3 years after they stop working as a technician
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Until 3 years after they stop working as a technician

    Technicians must keep a copy of their certificate until three years after they are no longer operating as a technician.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Who issues Section 608 certification cards?

    • AThe local fire department
    • BThe state motor vehicle office
    • CThe EPA-approved certifying organization that gave the test
    • DEPA headquarters, which mails a card after each test is scored
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The EPA-approved certifying organization that gave the test

    EPA does not issue certification cards; the EPA-approved certifying organization that gave your test provides the card.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which recovery or recycling equipment may be used for service?

    • AEquipment certified by an EPA-approved testing organization
    • BAny pump rated for refrigerant, as long as it has a working pressure gauge
    • COnly equipment made outside the US
    • DOnly equipment painted yellow
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Equipment certified by an EPA-approved testing organization

    EPA requires recovery and recycling equipment to be certified by an EPA-approved testing organization. Some equipment made before November 15, 1993 is grandfathered.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the main purpose of a dehydration evacuation at the end of a service job?

    • ATo raise the pressure high enough for a standing leak test
    • BTo cool the compressor
    • CTo remove air and moisture from the system
    • DTo add oil to the system
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To remove air and moisture from the system

    EPA's core topics describe dehydration evacuation as removing air and moisture from the system before it is closed and charged.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which gas is commonly used to pressurize a system for a leak check and is exempt from the venting ban?

    • ADry nitrogen
    • BCompressed oxygen
    • CNatural gas
    • DR-12
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Dry nitrogen

    EPA's core topics cover using nitrogen for leak checks, and nitrogen is an exempt substitute that may be released into the air.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why should a technician avoid mixing different refrigerants in one recovery cylinder?

    • AMixing makes the cylinder colder
    • BMixed refrigerant is hard or impossible to reclaim to purity standards
    • CIt is required by the Montreal Protocol
    • DMixed refrigerant weighs less
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Mixed refrigerant is hard or impossible to reclaim to purity standards

    EPA's core topics include avoiding refrigerant mixing during recovery, because a mixture cannot easily be reclaimed and may have to be destroyed.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70 percent on closed-book tests; 84 percent on mail-in Type I tests