EPA 608 certification guide
Based on the text of 40 CFR 82.161 and its Appendix D as published on eCFR, read November 11, 2026.
Who needs EPA 608 certification?
Under 40 CFR 82.161(a), any person who could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit while maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of covered appliances must pass a certification exam offered by an EPA-approved technician certification program. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the EPA requires nearly all HVAC technicians to be certified in refrigerant handling (BLS).
Apprentices: the rule exempts apprentices who are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician while doing work that could release refrigerant. The supervising technician and the apprentice share responsibility for compliance.
The four types of certification
| Certification | What it covers (40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)) |
|---|---|
| Type I | Maintaining, servicing or repairing small appliances. |
| Type II | Medium-, high- and very-high-pressure appliances, except small appliances, motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) and MVAC-like appliances. |
| Type III | Low-pressure appliances. |
| Universal | All appliances covered by Types I, II and III. |
Technicians who service MVAC-like appliances must either hold Type II certification or be certified under the separate motor vehicle air conditioning rules (40 CFR part 82, subpart B). Persons who only dispose of small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified.
How the exam works
- Question count: each test has 25 questions from the Core group plus 25 from each relevant technical group. A Universal test has 100 questions.
- Passing score: 70 percent on the closed-book Type I, II, III and Universal tests. Type I tests in the mail-in format require 84 percent, and mail-in Type I results cannot count toward Universal certification.
- Format: Type II, Type III and Universal technicians must pass a closed-book, proctored test (or series of tests) in a secure environment. Universal tests can be taken all at once or by combining passing scores on separate Type I, II and III tests.
- Your card: the certifying program must issue a standard wallet-size identification card within 30 days of the test.
- Topics: EPA publishes the test topics for Core and each type. EPA does not review or approve training or study materials.
Where to take the exam
Only approved certifying programs can give the exam. EPA publishes the list of approved programs with addresses and notes such as remote testing, Spanish availability and nationwide locations. Many HVAC schools include the exam in their program (BLS); find an HVAC school near you. Exam fees are set by each program, so compare before you book.
Expiration and record keeping
The rule has no expiration or renewal requirement, but 40 CFR 82.161(a)(5) says EPA reserves the right to require recertification later through a Federal Register notice. Technicians must keep a copy of their certificate at their place of business and keep it until three years after they stop working as a technician. EPA can ask technicians to demonstrate proper recovery procedures at their place of business, and a revoked certificate means recertifying before servicing appliances again.
Frequently asked questions
What is EPA 608 certification?
It is the federal certification required under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act (40 CFR 82.161) for technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of appliances containing regulated refrigerants. You earn it by passing an exam from an EPA-approved certifying program.
What are the types of EPA 608 certification?
Type I covers small appliances. Type II covers medium-, high- and very-high-pressure appliances (except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning). Type III covers low-pressure appliances. Universal covers all of them.
How many questions are on the EPA 608 exam?
Each test has 25 questions from the Core group plus 25 questions from each relevant technical group. A Universal test has 100 questions: 25 Core plus 25 each for Types I, II and III.
What is the passing score for the EPA 608 exam?
The passing score for the closed-book Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal tests is 70 percent. Type I tests taken in the mail-in format require 84 percent.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
The federal rule contains no expiration or renewal requirement. EPA reserves the right to require recertification in the future by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. Technicians must keep a copy of their certificate at their place of business until three years after they stop working as a technician.
Can you take the EPA 608 exam online?
EPA's list of approved certifying programs notes that some programs offer remote or online testing. The rule still requires the Type II, Type III and Universal tests to be closed-book and proctored in a secure environment. Ask the program how it proctors remote tests.