What is EPA Section 608?
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release regulated refrigerants into the atmosphere to be certified. You earn certification by passing an EPA-approved technician certification exam, which is broken into four sections: Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.
The four certification sections
Which sections you need depends on the equipment you actually work on. Here's how they break down:
| Section | Covers | Typical equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Core | General refrigerant regulations, environmental impact, safety, recovery requirements | Applies to all technicians, regardless of Type |
| Type I | Small appliances, 5 lbs of refrigerant or less | Refrigerators, window units, vending machines |
| Type II | High-pressure and very high-pressure appliances | Residential and light commercial split systems, heat pumps |
| Type III | Low-pressure appliances | Large chillers |
Pass Core plus all three Type sections and you earn Universal certification, which covers every equipment category under Section 608.
How the exam is structured
Each section, Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III, contains 25 questions. The Universal exam is all four sections combined, for 100 questions total. You need a minimum score of 70% on each section to pass (some open-book formats require 84%). Sections are scored independently and passed sections are retained — if you don't pass everything in one sitting, you only need to retake the sections you missed.
How to prepare
Start with Core
Every certification path runs through Core, so it's the foundation worth studying first. Focus on recovery requirements, the environmental reasoning behind the regulations, and the safety practices technicians are expected to follow.
Study the Type section(s) you actually need
Don't try to memorize all three Type sections if you only need one. Match your studying to the equipment you actually work on — small appliances (Type I), high-pressure split systems (Type II), or low-pressure chillers (Type III).
Test yourself before exam day
Practice questions reveal gaps that re-reading material won't. Take a diagnostic test, see which section you're weakest in, and spend your remaining study time there instead of re-studying what you already know.
See where you stand right now
Take the free 15-question EPA 608 Readiness Check and get a section-by-section breakdown of what to study.
Take the Free Practice Test →Frequently asked questions
What is on the EPA 608 exam?
The exam is divided into four sections: Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III. Core covers general refrigerant regulations, environmental impact, safety, and recovery requirements that apply to all technicians. Each Type section covers the equipment category it certifies you to work on.
How many questions are on each EPA 608 section?
Each section contains 25 questions. The Universal exam covers all four sections for a total of 100 questions.
What score do I need to pass EPA 608?
Each section requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. Some open-book formats require 84%. Sections are scored independently, and passed sections are retained even if you don't pass every section in one sitting.
What is the difference between Type I, Type II, and Type III?
Type I covers small appliances with 5 lbs of refrigerant or less, such as refrigerators and window air conditioners. Type II covers high-pressure and very high-pressure appliances, such as residential and light commercial split systems. Type III covers low-pressure appliances, most commonly large chillers.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
No. Once earned, EPA Section 608 technician certification does not expire and does not need to be renewed.