Format at a Glance
| Section | Covers | Questions | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Required with every type | 25 | 70% (18/25) |
| Type I | Small appliances (5 lb or less, factory-sealed) | 25 | 70%; 84% for mail-in format |
| Type II | High- and medium-pressure appliances | 25 | 70% |
| Type III | Low-pressure appliances | 25 | 70% |
| Universal | Core + Types I, II and III | 100 | 70% in each section |
Each certification test includes 25 Core questions and 25 from each technical group (82.161(c) and Appendix D). Type II, Type III and Universal tests are closed-book and proctored. Type I can also be taken in a mail-in format if it isn't part of a Universal test. You can earn Universal in one sitting, or by passing the types separately.
Which Certification Do You Need?
- Household fridges, window or portable ACs, vending machines: Type I
- Residential split systems, rooftop units, supermarket refrigeration: Type II
- Centrifugal chillers on low-pressure refrigerant: Type III
- All of the above: Universal
Car air conditioning falls under Section 609, a separate certification.
Where to Take It
Only EPA-approved technician certification programs can give the test and issue cards. EPA itself does not issue cards. Programs include trade associations, schools, unions and online proctoring providers. EPA publishes the full list on its certification programs for Section 608 technicians page. Many programs offer remote proctoring. By rule, programs are encouraged to offer tests in other languages, and an oral exam can be requested in writing at least 30 days ahead (82.161(b)(3)).
Cost
EPA does not set a price. Each program sets its own, and fees vary with the section, the format (online, in person or mail-in) and whether study materials are included. Check current prices directly with the provider before you book. We don't list specific prices because they change often.
Does It Expire?
No. Section 608 certification does not expire, although EPA reserves the right to add recertification later (82.161(a)(5)). Keep a copy of your card at your place of business.
The 2027 Change
What to Expect on Test Day
Proctored tests follow strict rules. Expect to show valid photo identification. Personal notes, phones and study materials are not allowed during closed-book sections. For remote tests, the proctor usually checks your room by webcam and may ask you to show your desk. Many programs supply a temperature-pressure chart where questions require one, but you should not assume this. Check what the program provides.
The questions are multiple choice. Most programs show your score soon after a computer-based test, although official cards take longer. Read each question fully, and answer every one, because unanswered questions count as wrong.
How the Sections Are Scored
Each section is scored separately. You need 70% in Core and in each type you sit for, which is 18 of 25. If you pass Core and Type II but fail Type I, you are certified as Type II and can retake Type I later. Universal certification requires passing all four sections. Your card lists the types you have passed.
How to Choose a Program
- Confirm the program is on EPA's list of approved certification programs.
- Check whether it uses the revised question bank, especially if you plan to test near the end of 2026.
- Ask how it delivers the test: in person, online with remote proctoring or mail-in for Type I.
- Ask how retakes work and what they cost.
- Ask how long it takes to receive your card and whether a digital copy is available.
Preparing for the Format
Because each section has only 25 questions, every question is worth 4%. Missing eight questions in a section means failing it. Practise with timed tests of 25 questions so you get used to the length and pace. Focus first on Core, because every certification type needs it.
After You Pass
Your certifying program issues your card. Keep a copy at your place of business and a digital copy on your phone. Wholesalers will ask to see it before selling you refrigerant. Under the regulation, you must keep a copy of your certificate until three years after you stop working as a technician.
Accessibility and Language
Approved programs may offer the test in languages other than English, and you can request an oral exam in writing at least 30 days ahead. If you need other accommodations, ask the program when you book.
Topics by Section
| Section | Main topics |
|---|---|
| Core | Ozone depletion, Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, Section 608 rules, substitutes, the three Rs, recovery techniques, dehydration, safety and shipping |
| Type I | Small appliance recovery requirements, recovery techniques, access fittings, safety |
| Type II | Leak detection, leak repair requirements, recovery techniques and evacuation levels, safety, refrigeration basics |
| Type III | Low-pressure leak detection and repair, recovery techniques, recharging, purge units, safety |
EPA's test topics page lists these areas, and the certifying programs build their tests from them.
Common Questions About Format
Can I take Core alone? Core is required with every type, and on its own it doesn't certify you to work on any appliance. Most people take Core with at least one type.
Can I use a calculator? Most questions don't need one. Check your program's rules if you want to bring one.
Is there a time limit? Programs set their own time limits. Ask when you book so you can practise at the right pace.
Are questions the same at every program? Programs draw from an EPA-approved bank, but each test version is different, so memorising a single test won't work.
Remote Proctoring Checklist
- Use a computer with a working webcam and microphone, and run the program's system check in advance.
- Choose a quiet room with a clear desk and no notes in view.
- Have your photo ID ready.
- Close other applications and silence your phone.
- Allow extra time for check-in.
Exam Day Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving questions blank. There is no penalty for guessing.
- Rushing the Core section because it feels familiar. Core is required for every type.
- Changing answers without a clear reason. Your first answer is often right if you studied well.
- Missing words such as "not", "always" and "except".
Key Numbers on the Exam
Many questions turn on a few numbers: 25 questions per section, 70% to pass (84% for mail-in Type I), the 5 lb small appliance limit, the 15 lb limit for system-dependent recovery, the 50 lb leak repair threshold, the 200 lb dividing line in Table 1, the 80% cylinder fill limit and the 15 November 1993 equipment date. Learn these before anything else.
Quick Questions
How soon can I retake a failed section?
Retake rules are set by each certifying program. Many let you retest quickly, sometimes after a short waiting period, and charge a retake fee. Ask before you book.
Is the mail-in Type I test easier?
It is open book, but the pass mark is higher: 84%, or 21 of 25. It can only be used when Type I is taken on its own, not as part of Universal.
Does my card show my score?
Cards normally show your name, the certification types you passed and the certifying program, not your score.
Can I take Core and Type II on different days?
Yes. Programs generally let you pass sections separately. You are certified for a type once you have passed both Core and that type.
What ID do I need?
Programs typically require a current government-issued photo ID. The name must match your registration, so check this before test day.
EPA is replacing the question bank. Tests built from the old bank are not accepted from 1 January 2027. The EPA 608 exam changes for 2027 page explains what's different.