Exam Preparation for the EPA 608 Test

Technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified according to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Adding or withdrawing refrigerant from a refrigerator or freezer, servicing or repairing such equipment, or disposing of it are examples of activities covered by the act. To become certified, technicians must pass a written test that covers basic refrigeration and air conditioning theory and terminology, as well as safety issues.

The certification exam is a proctored exam, which means it is taken at a licensed testing center alongside other people at a set time and day. There are 25 multiple-choice questions on the Type 1 exam, 21 of which must be answered correctly. The type 2 exam, like the type 3, has 25 questions, and 21 of them must be answered correctly to pass. There are 25 questions in the core area of the exam, which is the same for all types. The last 25 questions are questions from the specialty areas, which will vary by type. You can use this EPA 608 practice test to get a sense of how the certification exam will be structured and the types of questions that will be asked. There are also Type 3 and Type 5 EPA 608 certification exams which cover separate systems and liquid refrigerants, respectively. Certain sorts of technicians may be certified to deal with specialized refrigeration equipment. Some technicians, for example, may be qualified by the Society of Refrigeration Technicians to work with electronic digital systems that manage temperature using electrical sensors embedded in CFCs and HCFCs. Others may be qualified to work on certain types of equipment, such as micro-split air conditioners or portable gas refrigeration units, by various organizations.

Each portion of the test is graded separately, and passing all sections isn't essential unless you want to get a Universal Certification. Test takers can choose which portions they want to take. Certifications earned after passing never expire, but it is the responsibility of the individual to keep track of their graded portions. They may be compelled to retake the test if they fail this. If you fail the exam, you must wait 14 days to retake it. If you fail again, the test center can give you up to 2 more chances. After that, you'll need to retake the entire course before you can take the test again. The common method is to prepare yourself by applying the information learned in class and then taking a practice exam with a study guide that covers all the questions. Some people even take a practice test without studying first, but most people don't agree with this method because it doesn't provide an effective mixture of information and hands-on experience. The EPA 608 certification exam is managed by multiple organizations and has no single governing body. The EPA has been administering these exams since 1951, when it introduced its first version of an NBC Exam for Air Conditioning Technicians in Atlanta, Georgia.