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EPA 608 Core Practice Test: 25 Original Questions

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  1. Since January 1, 2018, which appliances fall under the Section 608 technician certification requirement?
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    B. Appliances that contain any class I or class II refrigerant, or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant

    The requirement was widened in 2018 to take in substitute refrigerants that EPA hasn't exempted. The 50-pound figure belongs to the leak-repair rule, not to certification. 40 CFR 82.161 says: “Starting on January 1, 2018, this section applies to technicians and organizations certifying technicians that maintain, service, or repair appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161 (who the section covers)

  2. Under 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1), what decides whether a person has to pass a Section 608 certification exam?
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    C. Whether the person could be reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit during the work

    Certification turns on whether the work could open the refrigerant circuit, not on licensing, charge size or how often the work is done. 50 pounds is a leak-repair threshold. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1) covers “Any person who could be reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances” that contain a covered refrigerant.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)

  3. Which certification does 40 CFR 82.161 require of a person who maintains, services or repairs small appliances?
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    D. Type I

    Maintaining, servicing or repairing a small appliance is Type I work, and the rule gives that work no exemption. Type II's scope leaves small appliances out by name, and Type III is for a different class of appliance. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(i): “Persons who maintain, service, or repair small appliances must be certified as Type I technicians.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(i)

  4. A technician will service and dispose of low-pressure appliances. Which certification type does 40 CFR 82.161 name for that work?
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    A. Type III

    Low-pressure appliances have their own certification, Type III. Type I is for small appliances, Type II for medium-, high- and very-high-pressure appliances, and subpart B for motor vehicle air conditioners. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iii): “Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of low-pressure appliances must be certified as Type III technicians.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iii)

  5. A technician works on small appliances, high-pressure appliances and low-pressure appliances. Which single certification covers all of that work?
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    B. Universal

    Work across all three appliance groups calls for Universal certification. No one of Type I, II or III reaches the other types' appliances. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iv) says persons who work on all the appliances in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii) “must be certified as Universal technicians”.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iv)

  6. Which of these people does 40 CFR 82.161 leave outside the certification requirement?
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    D. A person who disposes of small appliances

    Disposing of small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances needs no certification. Disposing of high- or low-pressure appliances is Type II or Type III work, and repairing a small appliance is Type I work. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(vii): “Persons who dispose of small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(vii)

  7. When may an apprentice who isn't certified do work that could release refrigerant from an appliance?
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    C. Only while closely and continually supervised by a certified technician

    The apprentice exemption depends on supervision during the work itself, not on a later check, a charge size or a grace period. The supervisor and the apprentice share responsibility for compliance. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(2): apprentices are exempt “provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician” during that work.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(2)

  8. What may EPA require a certified technician to show at the technician's place of business?
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    B. The ability to perform proper procedures for recovering and/or recycling refrigerant

    The Administrator may call for an on-site demonstration of recovery or recycling, and failing it can lead to suspension or revocation of the certificate. The rule sets no periodic retest and no insurance or job-list check. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(3): “The Administrator may require technicians to demonstrate at their place of business their ability to perform proper procedures for recovering and/or recycling refrigerant”.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(3)

  9. A technician's Section 608 certificate has been revoked. What has to happen before that person works on appliances again?
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    D. The technician recertifies

    Revocation ends the certification, so the technician has to recertify first. The rule sets no waiting period, fee or co-signing route back. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(3): “If a technician's certificate is revoked, the technician would need to recertify before maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of any appliances.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(3)

  10. Where must a certified technician keep a copy of the Section 608 certificate?
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    A. At the technician's place of business

    The copy belongs at the technician's place of business. EPA doesn't hold it for the technician, and nothing is filed with an EPA office or with customers. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)(i): “Technicians certified under this section must keep a copy of their certificate at their place of business.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)

  11. For how long must a technician keep a copy of the Section 608 certificate?
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    B. Until three years after no longer operating as a technician

    The duty outlasts the working career by three years, so leaving the trade doesn't end it straight away. The rule has no one-year or five-year period. 40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)(ii): “Technicians must maintain a copy of their certificate until three years after no longer operating as a technician.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)

  12. According to EPA, how long does a Section 608 technician certification stay valid?
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    C. It doesn't expire

    EPA says the credentials don't expire. Three years is how long a technician keeps a copy of the certificate after leaving the trade, not a renewal period. EPA's Section 608 certification page: “Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.”

    Source: EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements

  13. Under 40 CFR 82.161(b)(3), how does a person ask for the certification test to be given orally?
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    A. A written request to the program at least 30 days before the scheduled exam

    A program may give the test orally to a person who asks it in writing at least 30 days ahead, and the request must say why. The request goes to the program, not to EPA. 40 CFR 82.161(b)(3): “A test may be administered orally to any person who makes this request, in writing, to the program at least 30 days before the scheduled date for the examination.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(b)(3)

  14. Which technicians must a certifying program that isn't federally run list online?
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    B. All technicians it has certified on or after January 1, 2017

    Since 2018, programs other than federally run ones publish lists reaching back to certifications from January 1, 2017, update them at least once a year, and let technicians opt out. 40 CFR 82.161(b)(6): such programs “must publish online a list of all technicians they have certified on or after January 1, 2017”.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(b)(6)

  15. Who may receive EPA's bank of Section 608 test questions?
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    C. Only approved technician certification programs

    EPA keeps its bank confidential and gives it only to approved programs, which is why practice questions like these are written independently. 40 CFR 82.161(c): “The Administrator will release this bank of questions only to approved technician certification programs.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(c)

  16. Under 40 CFR 82.161(c), what is the smallest set of questions a Type II certification test may have?
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    D. At least 25 questions from the core group and at least 25 from the Type II technical group

    Every test draws at least 25 questions from the core group and at least 25 from each technical group that applies, so a Type II test has both parts. 40 CFR 82.161(c): “Each test for each type of certification must include at least 25 questions drawn from the core group and at least 25 questions drawn from each relevant technical group.”

    Source: 40 CFR 82.161(c)

  17. How many questions does a Universal certification test include under Appendix D?
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    C. 100 questions

    A Universal test is 25 core questions plus 25 from each of the three technical groups. 75 counts only the technical questions, and 50 is a single-type test. Appendix D, section a: “Tests for Universal technicians will include 100 questions”.

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section a (Test Preparation)

  18. What score passes a closed-book Section 608 certification test?
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    B. 70 percent

    Appendix D sets it: “The passing score for the closed-book Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal certification test is 70 percent.” The 84 percent mark is for Type I tests taken in the mail-in format.

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section e (Grading)

  19. What score passes a Type I certification test taken in the mail-in format?
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    C. 84 percent

    Type I tests in the mail-in format have their own, higher pass mark. 70 percent is the mark for closed-book tests. Appendix D, section e: “The passing score for Type I certification tests using the mail-in format is 84 percent.”

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section e (Grading)

  20. A technician passed a Type I test in the mail-in format. Can that result count toward Universal certification?
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    B. No, a mail-in Type I test can't be used toward Universal certification

    Universal certification needs a closed-book, proctored test or series of tests, and Appendix D excludes the mail-in Type I format by name. Appendix D, section a: “Mail-in format Type I tests cannot be used toward a Universal certification.”

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section a (Test Preparation)

  21. How must a proctor confirm who is taking a closed-book certification test?
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    A. By examining photo identification

    Appendix D requires a photo ID check and lists driver's licenses, government identification cards, passports and military identification as acceptable. Appendix D, section b: “Proctors are required to verify the identity of individuals taking the test by examining photo identification.”

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section b (Proctoring)

  22. Appendix D bars one thing from the unique number on a Section 608 wallet card. What is it?
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    C. The technician's Social Security number

    Each card carries a unique number for the certified person, and section f bars only one thing from it: the Social Security number. Nothing there keeps the program's name, the certification type or the test date out of the number. Appendix D, section f: the card includes “a unique number for the certified person that does not include a technician's social security number”.

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section f (Proof of Certification)

  23. Appendix D lists three areas for Group I, the core questions. Which of these is one of them?
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    B. Environmental impact of CFCs, HCFCs, and substitute refrigerants

    Group I covers environmental impact, laws and regulations, and the changing industry outlook. Leak detection, recovery techniques and shipping are sector-specific Group II areas. Appendix D, section d, lists for Group I: “Environmental impact of CFCs, HCFCs, and substitute refrigerants”.

    Source: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section d (Test Content)

  24. How does EPA's 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation fact sheet describe HFCs?
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    A. As potent greenhouse gases

    EPA calls HFCs potent greenhouse gases, developed to replace ozone-depleting substances, with global warming potentials hundreds to thousands of times that of carbon dioxide. EPA's ER&R fact sheet: “HFCs are potent greenhouse gases”.

    Source: EPA ER&R Program fact sheet (Sept. 20, 2024), About HFCs

  25. Under the AIM Act, by how much must U.S. production and consumption of HFCs come down, and by when?
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    D. By 85% from historic baseline levels, by 2036

    The AIM Act sets an 85% phasedown from historic baseline levels, reached in 2036, in line with the Kigali Amendment. 2050 is only the end of EPA's cost-benefit window for its 2024 rule. EPA's ER&R fact sheet: “The AIM Act directs EPA to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs by 85% from historic baseline levels by 2036.”

    Source: EPA ER&R Program fact sheet (Sept. 20, 2024), What is the HFC Phasedown?

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25 original Core questions on who needs certification, the four certification types, test rules and record keeping, each explained from 40 CFR Part 82. A closed-book Section 608 test needs 70% to pass, which is 18 of 25 here.

Every question on this page was written from the regulation itself. They're original practice material, not the certification exam, and they can't be: EPA keeps its question bank away from the public. Section 82.161(c) is direct about it: "The Administrator will release this bank of questions only to approved technician certification programs." A site offering the real questions would be offering something it shouldn't have.

Pick a choice for each question and the page tells you at once whether you got it, then shows the source paragraph that settles it. A question locks once it's answered. Your picks stay in this browser tab, even through a reload, and nothing is sent anywhere; Start again clears the lot.

Worked example: scoring a Core section

Show the math

A closed-book section has 25 questions and a 70% pass mark. Seventy percent of 25 is 17.5, and nobody earns half a question, so the working bar is 18 right answers: 18 of 25 is 72%, over the line. One fewer is 17 of 25, or 68%, and that falls short. The progress strip above the questions keeps this count as you answer.

The 70% figure is set in section e of Appendix D, the standards every certifying program has to meet: "The passing score for the closed-book Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal certification test is 70 percent."

How the real test is built

The rule fixes the shape of each certification test. From 82.161(c): "Each test for each type of certification must include at least 25 questions drawn from the core group and at least 25 questions drawn from each relevant technical group." A Type II candidate therefore answers the core group plus the Type II group. A Universal candidate answers the core group and all three technical groups, which makes 100 questions.

How the test is given depends on the type. Type II and Type III are closed-book tests, proctored in a secure setting. Type I is the one exception: a program that certifies only Type I may offer it in a mail-in format, and that version is graded more strictly. Appendix D again: "The passing score for Type I certification tests using the mail-in format is 84 percent." A mail-in Type I result also can't be counted toward Universal certification, which needs the proctored route.

What the Core section covers

Appendix D calls the core material Group I and gives it three areas: the environmental impact of CFCs, HCFCs and substitute refrigerants; laws and regulations; and the changing industry outlook. Most of the 25 questions sit under laws and regulations, because that's where the saved rule text says the most. They ask who has to be certified, what the four certification types cover, how a test is given and graded, and what a certified technician has to keep. Two questions deal with environmental impact and one with the industry outlook. One of the environment questions is written from Appendix D's own list of Group I areas; the other, and the outlook question, come from EPA's 2024 fact sheet on HFC emissions.

The table under the test lists every question with its topic and the exact paragraph it came from, so you can read the source for yourself.

After you pass

Certification is earned once. EPA's certification page says it plainly: "Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire." There's no renewal cycle today, though 82.161(a)(5) lets EPA add a recertification requirement later through a notice in the Federal Register.

What the rule does ask is that you hold on to the paperwork. Under 82.161(a)(4), a certified technician keeps a copy of the certificate at their place of business, and keeps it until three years after they stop working as a technician.

Where these questions come from

The questions were written from the saved eCFR text of 40 CFR 82.161 and Appendix D to Subpart F, and from two EPA documents, its Section 608 technician certification page and the 2024 Emissions Reduction and Reclamation fact sheet, as they read on September 19, 2026. Each explanation quotes its paragraph word for word, and an automated test compares every quote with the saved text, so a paraphrase can't pass as a quotation. Regulations change through rulemaking, so the questions are checked against the current text every quarter.

The second section, on high-pressure equipment and the leak-repair rules, is the Type II practice test.

For how this Core section fits alongside Type II, Type III and Universal, see EPA 608 certification types; for a study checklist by group, see what each EPA 608 test covers.

What the 25 questions cover, and where each comes from
QuestionTopicSource
1Who must be certified40 CFR 82.161 (who the section covers)
2Who must be certified40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)
3Certification types40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(i)
4Certification types40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iii)
5Certification types40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iv)
6Who must be certified40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(vii)
7Who must be certified40 CFR 82.161(a)(2)
8Keeping your certification40 CFR 82.161(a)(3)
9Keeping your certification40 CFR 82.161(a)(3)
10Keeping your certification40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)
11Keeping your certification40 CFR 82.161(a)(4)
12Keeping your certificationEPA, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements
13How the test works40 CFR 82.161(b)(3)
14Keeping your certification40 CFR 82.161(b)(6)
15How the test works40 CFR 82.161(c)
16How the test works40 CFR 82.161(c)
17How the test works40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section a (Test Preparation)
18How the test works40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section e (Grading)
19How the test works40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section e (Grading)
20How the test works40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section a (Test Preparation)
21How the test works40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section b (Proctoring)
22Keeping your certification40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section f (Proof of Certification)
23Environmental impact40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D, section d (Test Content)
24Environmental impactEPA ER&R Program fact sheet (Sept. 20, 2024), About HFCs
25Changing industry outlookEPA ER&R Program fact sheet (Sept. 20, 2024), What is the HFC Phasedown?
Sources (4)
  1. 40 CFR 82.161, Technician certification (eCFR) ecfr.gov
  2. 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D: standards for certifying programs (eCFR) ecfr.gov
  3. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements epa.gov
  4. EPA, Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Program fact sheet (September 20, 2024) epa.gov