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 certain certification types depending on the equipment you service.

Trades Academy Online's exam selection lets you choose the certification sections you need.

Use this quick guide:

The standard Section 608 certification examination structure uses separate questions for Core and each certification Type.

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Yes, candidates may take the certification sections applicable to the certification they are pursuing, subject to the examination structure and Core requirements.

[POLICY TO FINALIZE] This answer should eventually explain:

• Whether individual failed sections can be retaken
• Whether another payment is required
• Any waiting period
• How a candidate schedules a retest
• Whether previously passed sections remain on record

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.

Trades Academy Online is being designed to provide remotely proctored EPA Section 608 examinations, subject to the requirements of its approved certification program.

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Once operational, candidates will be able to complete eligible exams remotely while an authorized proctor verifies identity and monitors the examination.

The general process is:

1. Purchase or register for your exam.
2. Schedule your proctored testing session.
3. Complete the required system and equipment checks.
4. Verify your identity.
5. Show the proctor your testing environment when requested.
6. Follow the proctor's instructions.
7. Complete the exam under monitored testing conditions.
8. Submit the exam for scoring and processing.

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Remote testing will generally require:

• A compatible desktop or laptop computer
• Reliable internet access
• A working webcam
• A working microphone
• Speakers
• A supported web browser
• An acceptable photo ID
• A private and appropriate testing environment

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[CONFIRM WITH FINAL PROCTORING PROVIDER.] Remote proctoring platforms commonly require a supported desktop or laptop computer rather than a mobile phone.

Remote proctoring generally requires a working webcam so the proctor can verify the candidate's identity and monitor the testing environment.

Final hardware requirements will match the requirements of Trades Academy Online's proctoring provider.

Yes. Candidates taking a remotely proctored examination should expect to verify their identity before testing.

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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.

The proctor may require the candidate to show the surrounding testing area before the examination begins. Unauthorized notes, additional electronic devices, other people, or prohibited materials should not be accessible during the exam.

Exact room requirements will be provided before the scheduled examination.

If you experience a technical problem during a remotely proctored examination, follow the proctor's instructions and attempt to reconnect using the approved testing process.

Do not independently restart or continue the examination outside of the authorized testing session.

If the issue prevents completion of the examination, contact support and provide your name, exam information, scheduled testing time, and a description of the problem.

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Unless specifically permitted as an approved accommodation, candidates should plan to take a remotely proctored exam in a private testing environment without assistance from another person. Follow all instructions given by the proctor.

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Avoid promising "instant" or "immediate" results unless the production system and approved program actually provide them.

After the examination has been scored and processed, candidates will receive their result through the method established by Trades Academy Online.

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After all requirements for the certification you are pursuing have been successfully completed, Trades Academy Online will process the applicable technician certification record and credential according to its approved procedures.

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[POLICY TO FINALIZE] Specify whether candidates receive:

• Physical certification card
• Digital credential
• Printable certificate
• Combination of these

Also state expected delivery times if applicable.

Trades Academy Online plans to provide a technician verification system that allows certification records issued through the organization to be verified.

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

Candidates whose certification record was issued through Trades Academy Online will be able to request a replacement credential after their certification record has been verified.

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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.

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Current exam pricing is shown on our exam registration page.

[FINALIZE BASED ON PRODUCT OFFERING.] The final answer should clearly state:

• Which examination attempt(s) are included
• Which sections are included
• Whether remote proctoring is included
• Whether certification processing is included
• Whether a physical or digital credential is included
• What happens if the candidate does not pass

Do not advertise anything that is not actually included.

Trades Academy Online displays required charges before checkout. If additional optional services are available, such as replacement credentials, those charges are separately identified.

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[POLICY TO FINALIZE] This answer will link to the site's official Refund / Cancellation Policy once it has been finalized.

[POLICY TO FINALIZE WITH PROCTORING PROVIDER.] The final answer should explain:

• How far in advance an exam can be rescheduled
• Any rescheduling fee
• Late cancellation rules
• Missed appointment rules
• How to reschedule

[POLICY TO FINALIZE] The actual no-show policy will be added once the proctoring arrangement and exam terms have been finalized.

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.