Frequently Asked Questions

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of appliances that could release regulated refrigerants into the atmosphere to be properly certified.

Technicians earn Section 608 certification by passing an EPA-approved technician certification examination.

The certification is divided into four exam sections: Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III. The certification you need depends on the types of appliances you service.

EPA Section 608 certification is generally required for technicians who perform work that could reasonably be expected to release regulated refrigerants from appliances.

This includes activities such as attaching or detaching hoses and gauges, adding or removing refrigerant, and performing certain service, maintenance, repair, or disposal activities involving regulated refrigerants.

Certification requirements depend on the work being performed and the equipment involved.

EPA Section 608 certification is divided into the following categories:

• Core — general refrigerant regulations, environmental impacts, safety, recovery requirements, and other knowledge applicable to all technicians.
• Type I — for servicing small appliances.
• Type II — for servicing or disposing of high-pressure and very-high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor vehicle A/C systems.
• Type III — for servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
• Universal — earned by passing Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.

Universal certification is the broadest EPA Section 608 technician certification.

To earn Universal certification, a technician must successfully pass:

• Core
• Type I
• Type II
• Type III

Universal certification allows the technician to perform work covered by all three Section 608 technician certification types, subject to applicable regulations.

No. EPA Section 608 technician certification does not expire.

Once a technician has earned certification, it remains valid. Keep your certification credentials and identifying information in a safe place in case proof of certification is needed in the future.

EPA Section 608 is a federal certification, so the certification itself is recognized throughout the United States.

However, states, territories, municipalities, employers, or licensing authorities may impose additional licensing or qualification requirements for HVAC/R work.

EPA 608 certification does not replace any separate contractor, trade, business, or occupational license that may be required where you work.

EPA regulations restrict the sale of certain refrigerants to certified technicians and other authorized purchasers.

A Section 608 technician certification can be used as proof of certification when purchasing refrigerants for which certification is required. Other regulatory requirements may still apply depending on the refrigerant and transaction.

No.

EPA 608 is a federal technician certification relating primarily to the handling of regulated refrigerants.

An HVAC contractor or technician license is generally issued under state, territorial, or local law and may cover broader requirements such as installation, electrical work, mechanical work, business licensing, experience, insurance, or permitting. Having EPA 608 certification does not automatically give someone an HVAC contractor license.

The examination covers the knowledge technicians need to properly handle refrigerants and comply with Section 608 requirements. Topics may include:

• Environmental effects of refrigerants
• Clean Air Act requirements
• Refrigerant recovery
• Recycling and reclamation
• Leak and service practices
• Recovery equipment
• Refrigerant handling
• Safety
• Shipping and transportation considerations
• Type-specific equipment and procedures

The exact material depends on which certification section you are taking.

The Universal examination consists of all four EPA 608 sections:

1. Core
2. Type I
3. Type II
4. Type III

A technician must successfully complete all required sections to earn Universal certification.

No.

Universal certification is useful for technicians who want certification covering all Section 608 appliance categories, but you may only need one certification type depending on the equipment you service.

You can choose Individual ($49), which covers Core plus one section of your choice, or Universal ($89), which covers all four sections.

Use this quick guide:

Each section (Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III) contains 25 questions. The Universal exam covers all four sections, for 100 questions total.

You need at least 70% on each section to pass. Sections are scored independently, so a section you've passed stays on your record even if you don't pass every section in one sitting.

Yes. The Individual exam ($49) covers Core plus one section of your choice: Type I, Type II, or Type III. Universal ($89) covers all four sections.

It depends on your exam. Individual includes one attempt per section. Universal includes two attempts per section (the second is included in the price). Sections you've already passed stay on your record, so you only use another attempt on the sections you missed.

Retests are not sold separately. Once your included attempts are used, you can buy Individual or Universal again for the sections you still need. Exams are purchased in the app.

Candidates must follow the examination rules provided before their test. Unauthorized notes, study guides, websites, assistance, electronic resources, or other prohibited materials may not be used during a closed-book examination. Review all exam-day rules before beginning your test.

Candidates may only use reference materials specifically authorized for the examination.

If Trades Academy Online provides an approved Pressure-Temperature (PT) chart for use during the exam, use that version rather than bringing your own reference materials.

Yes. Trades Academy Online's exam is taken in the Trades Academy iPhone app. There is no live proctor: your front camera, audio, and screen activity are recorded while you test, and a proctor reviews the recording afterward.

Official certification testing is subject to EPA approval of Trades Academy Online's certification program.

The general process is:

1. Download the Trades Academy iPhone app and sign in.
2. Purchase your exam in the app.
3. Complete the camera and microphone checks in the app.
4. Take the exam. Your front camera, audio, and screen activity are recorded while you test.
5. The app uploads your recording when you finish.
6. A proctor reviews your recording as part of the certification process.

The exam is not proctored live, so there is no one to connect with during your attempt.

You will need:

• An iPhone with the Trades Academy app installed
• A working front camera and microphone
• Reliable internet access to upload your recording
• An acceptable photo ID
• A private and appropriate testing environment

At this time the exam is offered only in the Trades Academy iPhone app. It can't be taken on a computer, an Android phone, a tablet, or in a web browser.

No separate webcam is needed. The app records using your iPhone's front camera and microphone.

Yes. Candidates should expect to verify their identity as part of the recorded exam.

You'll need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID.

The name used for exam registration should match the candidate's identification and certification record.

Candidates should plan to test in a quiet, private area where interruptions can be minimized.

Because your camera, audio, and screen activity are recorded for review, unauthorized notes, additional electronic devices, other people, or prohibited materials should not be accessible during the exam.

Any additional setup instructions will be shown in the app before you begin.

If you experience a technical problem during your exam, contact support and provide your name, exam information, and a description of the problem.

Keep the app installed and don't force-close it until your recording has finished uploading. If sending is interrupted, reopen the app and it will resume.

If part of your recording couldn't be saved on your phone, that attempt can't be reviewed. The exam is voided and you receive a free replacement. If it happens a second time, contact support and we'll look into it.

Unless specifically permitted as an approved accommodation, candidates should plan to take the exam in a private testing environment without assistance from another person. Your session is recorded and reviewed by a proctor.

Every exam recording is reviewed by a proctor, which takes 1-2 days. Your result is available once the review is complete.

Once a proctor has reviewed your recording (1-2 days), your result appears in the Trades Academy app and we'll notify you by email.

Once your recording has been reviewed and approved, your result is released and Trades Academy Online processes your certification record. Everyone who passes receives a digital certification card.

Everyone who passes receives a digital certification card.

If you purchased the Universal exam and earn Universal certification, you also receive one physical certification card once your certification has been approved.

Employers can verify a certification record issued through Trades Academy Online using Technician Lookup.

Only information permitted by the organization's privacy and recordkeeping policies is displayed.

Candidates whose certification record was issued through Trades Academy Online can request a replacement card for $35. Contact support and we'll verify your certification record first, then reissue your card.

Trades Academy Online can only directly issue replacement credentials for certification records that it maintains or is otherwise authorized to reproduce.

If another EPA-approved certifying organization issued your original certification, you may need to contact that organization for a replacement.

Contact Trades Academy Online support if a certification record issued through Trades Academy Online needs to be updated because of a legal name change. Supporting documentation may be required before the certification record can be changed.

Typically this means a copy of the document showing your legal name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order, along with a current government-issued photo ID in your new name.

Individual (Core plus one section of your choice) is $49. Universal (Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III) is $89. Exams are purchased in the Trades Academy iPhone app.

There are two ways to take the exam:

• Individual ($49): Core plus one section of your choice (Type I, Type II, or Type III), with one attempt per section.
• Universal ($89): Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III, with two attempts per section. The second attempt is included.

Both include proctor review of your recorded exam, certification processing if you pass, and a digital certification card. Universal also includes one physical certification card once you've earned Universal certification and it has been approved.

If you want more sections later, you can buy Individual or Universal again. Sections you've already passed stay on your record.

No. Trades Academy Online displays the full price before checkout, and there are no hidden fees. The only optional extra is a $35 replacement card, which is priced separately and shown before you pay.

Payments are processed securely through Stripe. The payment methods available to you are shown at checkout.

All purchases are final — there are no refunds after purchase. If you run into a technical problem during your exam, contact support. An attempt that can't be reviewed because part of the recording couldn't be saved is voided and replaced for free.

There's no appointment to reschedule. You take your exam in the Trades Academy iPhone app, so there's no time slot to book, move, or pay a fee to change.

There's no scheduled appointment to miss. Because the exam is taken in the app and reviewed afterward, there is no no-show policy.

First, check your email spam or junk folder and confirm that the email address entered during checkout was correct.

If you still cannot locate your confirmation, contact support and include:

• Your full name
• Email address used at checkout
• Approximate purchase date
• Order number, if available

Do not send full credit card information by email.

For assistance, visit the Contact page or email contact@tradesacademyonline.com.

When contacting support about an existing exam or purchase, include your name, order number if available, and enough information for the support team to locate your record.

Never send passwords, Social Security numbers, or complete payment card numbers through the contact form or email.