EPA 608 questions, answered with sources
Short answers to the questions people ask most about the EPA Section 608 technician certification test. Each one links to the page or regulation it comes from.
Who needs EPA 608 certification?
EPA says technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. Apprentices are exempt if they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician. [EPA certification requirements] [40 CFR 82.161] Who has to be certified.
What are the types of EPA 608 certification?
Four. Type I is for small appliances. Type II is for medium-, high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances, motor vehicle air conditioners and MVAC-like appliances (EPA's summary page says high- or very high-pressure; the regulation also names medium-pressure). Type III is for low-pressure appliances. Universal is for servicing all types of equipment. [40 CFR 82.161] [EPA certification requirements] What's on the test.
How many questions are on the EPA 608 test?
The regulation says Type I, Type II and Type III tests include 25 questions from Group I and 25 from Group II (40 CFR 82.161(c) says "at least 25" of each), and that Universal tests include 100 questions. Each certifying organization builds its own tests from that structure. [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D] [40 CFR 82.161] The structure.
What is the passing score on the EPA 608 test?
The regulation says the passing score for the closed-book Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal test is 70 percent, and for Type I tests using the mail-in format it is 84 percent. It does not say how an organization applies the percentage to each group of questions, so ask your certifying organization. [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D]
Is the EPA 608 test open book?
Type II, Type III and Universal tests are closed-book and proctored. Organizations that provide Type I only may choose an on-site format or a mail-in format. EPA says Core tests taken as an open book exam cannot be used to get Universal certification, and the regulation says mail-in Type I tests cannot be used toward Universal. [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D] [EPA certification requirements] Universal certification.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
No. EPA says Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire. [EPA certification requirements]
What is EPA 608 Universal certification?
Universal is the certification for servicing all types of equipment. The regulation says Universal tests may be taken all at once, or by combining passing scores on separate Type I, Type II and Type III tests. [EPA certification requirements] [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D] What Universal takes.
Who gives the EPA 608 test?
An EPA-approved certifying organization. EPA says tests must be administered by one, and publishes the list of approved programs. EPA itself does not issue the certification cards. [EPA certification requirements] [EPA certification programs] [EPA Section 608 certification]
Can I take the EPA 608 test online?
Some programs can. EPA's list of certifying programs says some programs offer remote or online testing that does not require you to travel to a physical testing location. The list shows which ones. [EPA certification programs]
How much does the EPA 608 test cost?
We did not find a price on an EPA page. The regulation says certifying programs may charge individuals reasonable fees for the administration of the tests. Fees are set by each certifying organization. [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D]
How long until I get my EPA 608 results and card?
The regulation says the certifying program must inform you of your result, and issue a wallet-sized identification card, no later than 30 days from the date of the test. For a Type I test taken by mail, the 30 days run from the date the program receives your completed test and any required documentation. [40 CFR 82 Subpart F, Appendix D]
What if I lose my EPA 608 card?
EPA does not issue certification cards and cannot replace a lost one. Contact the organization that certified you. It is required to maintain records of the cards it issues. EPA's page has steps for the case where that organization no longer exists. [EPA lost-card steps]
Do I need EPA 608 certification to buy refrigerant?
The sales restriction says refrigerant may not be sold unless one of the listed conditions is met. Two of them: the buyer has been certified as a Type I, Type II, Type III or Universal technician, or the buyer employs at least one such technician and provides proof to the seller. The list has other cases too. [40 CFR 82.154]
Do I need to be certified to dispose of a small appliance?
The regulation says persons who dispose of small appliances, motor vehicle air conditioners and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified. Servicing small appliances takes Type I. [40 CFR 82.161]
Is EPA 608 the certification for car air conditioning?
No. The regulation says persons who maintain, service or repair motor vehicle air conditioners for consideration must be certified under 40 CFR part 82, subpart B. [40 CFR 82.161]
Does EPA approve study guides and practice tests?
No. EPA says it does not review or approve any training preparatory programs or materials. [EPA certification programs]
Are the practice questions here the real test questions?
No. They are practice questions from our app, each cited to the EPA page or regulation it rests on. They are not questions from any certifying organization's test. The practice test.
What do the official sources not say?
We found no official statement of a time limit, a price, a pass rate or how many times you can retake the test, so this guide does not give them. Ask the certifying organization you choose.
Sources
- EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements (last updated July 15, 2026)
- EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification (last updated March 3, 2026)
- EPA, Certification Programs for Section 608 Technicians (last updated October 20, 2026)
- EPA, Steps for Replacing a Lost Section 608 Technician Certification Card (last updated March 19, 2026)
- eCFR, 40 CFR 82.161, Technician certification
- eCFR, 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D: Standards for Becoming a Certifying Program for Technicians
- eCFR, 40 CFR 82.154, Prohibitions
Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on . noshu is not affiliated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or any EPA-approved certifying organization, and this is an unofficial study aid: EPA’s Section 608 pages, the regulation and your certifying organization are the authority on the test. If something here is wrong, tell us at a@noshu.net.