Free Practice Exam
EPA 608 Practice Test
Twenty-four practice questions across Core, Type I, Type II and Type III — scored instantly against the real 70% pass mark, with an explanation on every answer so a wrong pick teaches you something.
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Each section is scored on its own, exactly as the real exam does it. Start with Core — everyone has to pass it.
Ozone science, the Clean Air Act, venting rules, recovery definitions, safety and recordkeeping. Everyone takes this.
Which federal law makes it illegal to knowingly vent refrigerant into the atmosphere during service, maintenance, repair or disposal?
📋 Important: These are practice questions, not official EPA exam questions
The questions and explanations here are written for study and are provided for general planning purposes only. They are not reproduced from any EPA exam, and a score on this page does not predict or guarantee a result on the real test. Certification is only issued through an EPA-approved certifying organisation using an approved proctor. Always confirm current requirements with the EPA and your certifying body, and verify any regulatory detail with a licensed professional before relying on it.
What the EPA 608 Exam Actually Asks
Which type do you need?
Everyone sits Core. After that, the type depends on what you will actually put your gauges on:
| Type | Covers | Typical equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Mandatory for all | Regulations, ozone science, safety, recovery definitions, recordkeeping |
| Type I | Small appliances, 5 lb or less, factory sealed | Domestic fridges, window units, vending machines, PTACs |
| Type II | High-pressure appliances | Split systems, heat pumps, supermarket racks — R-22, R-410A, R-404A |
| Type III | Low-pressure appliances | Centrifugal chillers on R-11, R-123, R-113 |
| Universal | Core + I + II + III | Anything. Most technicians take this |
A residential split system is not Type I even though it is residential, because it is field-charged rather than factory-sealed. That single distinction accounts for a surprising number of people turning up with the wrong certification.
The scoring rule that fails people
Each section needs 70% on its own. Scores are never averaged. Someone who takes 90% on Core and 65% on Type II has passed Core and failed Type II, and leaves without the certification they came for. Prepare each section separately rather than treating the exam as one pool of questions, and do not let a strong Core result create false confidence about the type sections — they test different material entirely.
The numbers worth memorising
Most of what fails candidates is recall, not reasoning. These are the figures that come up again and again:
| Situation | Required level |
|---|---|
| Small appliance recovery, compressor running | 90% of charge |
| Small appliance recovery, compressor not running | 80% of charge (or 4 in. Hg vacuum) |
| High-pressure appliance under 15 lb | 0 psig |
| High-pressure appliance 15 – 200 lb | 10 in. Hg vacuum |
| High-pressure appliance over 200 lb | 15 in. Hg vacuum |
| Low-pressure appliance (Type III) | 25 mm Hg absolute |
| Leak testing a low-pressure machine | 10 psig maximum |
| Filling a recovery cylinder | 80% by weight maximum |
If you learn nothing else, learn this table. It covers a disproportionate share of the questions across Core, Type II and Type III.
Recovery, recycling and reclamation are not synonyms
Recovery removes refrigerant from a system into a container, with no cleaning implied. Recycling cleans it on site through oil separation and filter-drying, and it may go back into the same owner’s equipment. Reclamation processes it back to ARI 700 virgin specification at a certified reclaimer, and it is the only one of the three that allows the refrigerant to be sold on to a different owner. Exam questions lean on that last distinction constantly, and it has real field consequences after a compressor burnout.
It does not expire — and why that matters commercially
Section 608 certification is issued for life with no renewal or continuing education. NATE certification, by contrast, runs on a two-year recertification cycle. For an apprentice the practical driver is usually simpler than career planning: without the card you cannot buy refrigerant in containers over 2 pounds, so you cannot stock the truck. Get it early. The wider credential picture, including what is worth an employer paying for, is in the HVAC certification guide, and the route into the trade is in the HVAC apprenticeship guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What score do you need to pass the EPA 608 exam?
70% on each section, scored independently. That last part is what catches people out: you do not average across sections. A technician who scores 90% on Core and 65% on Type II passes Core and fails Type II, and walks away without the certification they came for. Core is mandatory for every certification type, and you must pass Core plus the specific type you want. Passing Core plus all three types earns Universal certification.
Which EPA 608 certification type do I need?
Type I covers small appliances — factory-sealed units holding 5 pounds or less, such as domestic refrigerators, window air conditioners and vending machines. Type II covers high-pressure appliances, which is most residential and commercial HVAC: split systems, heat pumps and supermarket racks running R-22, R-410A or R-404A. Type III covers low-pressure centrifugal chillers on R-11 or R-123. Most working HVAC technicians need Type II at minimum, and most take Universal because the incremental effort is small and it removes any question about what you are allowed to touch.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
No. Section 608 technician certification is issued for life and requires no renewal, continuing education or re-testing. That makes it unusual among trade credentials — NATE certification, by contrast, runs on a two-year cycle and does require recertification. Keep the card, because suppliers will ask for it before selling you refrigerant in containers over 2 pounds, and employers will ask for it at hire.
Is the EPA 608 test open book?
It depends on the proctor and the type. Many proctors allow open book for Type I, II and III but require Core to be closed book, and some run the whole exam closed book. Type I is also commonly offered as a mail-in proctored exam, while Types II and III generally require an in-person proctor. Confirm the format with your specific testing organisation before the day, because preparing for an open-book exam and sitting a closed-book one is an avoidable way to fail.
How hard is the EPA 608 exam?
It is a knowledge test rather than a trick test, and it is very passable with preparation. The material that fails people is consistent: the evacuation levels by appliance size, the difference between recovery, recycling and reclamation, the 80% cylinder fill limit, and the Type III numbers — 25 mm Hg absolute for evacuation and a 10 psig ceiling for leak testing. Those are memorisation items rather than reasoning items, so they reward drilling. Field experience alone is not sufficient, because much of Core is regulatory rather than practical.
Do I need EPA 608 certification to buy refrigerant?
Yes, for containers larger than 2 pounds. The sales restriction limits purchases of regulated refrigerant to Section 608 certified technicians or to someone buying for a certified technician's use, and the supplier is required to verify certification and keep the record. This is the most common practical reason apprentices get certified early — without the card they cannot pick up refrigerant for the truck.
Running the Shop That Hires These Techs?
Track certifications and expiry dates against every technician, dispatch on who is actually qualified for the job, and keep the paperwork ready when an inspector asks.
Get a Free DemoThese are study questions written for practice and should be verified against current EPA guidance and your certifying organisation before you rely on them. All calculations are estimates based on historical information and should be verified by the user. This tool is provided as a free service for planning purposes only and is not a substitute for an EPA-approved certification course, an approved proctored exam, or professional regulatory advice.