The exam
EPA Section 608 exam
Format, content areas and how the refrigerant and HVAC certifications compare.
About the exam
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Sections | Core, Type I, Type II, Type III (Universal covers all four) |
| Questions per section | 25 |
| Universal | 100 questions in four 25-question sections |
| Passing score | 18 of 25 (72%) in each section |
| Core for Universal | Must be proctored; an open-book Core cannot be used toward Universal |
| Time limit and materials | Set by the certifying organization; confirm with yours |
Section 608 certification is administered by EPA-approved certifying organizations (ESCO, Mainstream, ICE and others), which set the exam logistics. The simulator is practice material and is not an official exam. Confirm current details with your certifier. EPA Section 608 page.
Content areas
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Core: Section 608 regulations, recovery procedures | 25 questions |
| Type I: small appliances (less than 5 lb of refrigerant) | 25 questions |
| Type II: high-pressure appliances | 25 questions |
| Type III: low-pressure appliances | 25 questions |
| Universal: all three types | 100 questions (four sections) |
Study categories in the question bank
- Refrigerant Regulations
- Recovery & Recycling
- Leak Detection & Repair
- Equipment Service
- Safety & Handling
- Core
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Universal
Who certifies
Section 608 certification is administered by EPA-approved certifying organizations (ESCO, Mainstream, ICE and others). Other refrigerant and HVAC certifications have their own issuers:
- EPA Section 608 Type I
- EPA Section 608 Type II
- EPA Section 608 Type III
- EPA Section 608 Universal
- EPA Section 609 (Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning)
- AHRI Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Certification
- HVAC Excellence Professional Level
- NATE Advanced Certification
- RSES Refrigerant Compliance Certification
- HVAC Apprenticeship (DOL-Registered)
Compare certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Section 608 Type I | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via approved providers) | $40-$100 (exam only; course bundles $150-$300) | Lifetime (no expiration, but Type I/II/III technology updates may require continuing education) |
| EPA Section 608 Type II | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via approved providers) | $40-$100 (exam only; course bundles $150-$300) | Lifetime (no formal expiration) |
| EPA Section 608 Type III | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via approved providers) | $40-$100 (exam only; course bundles $150-$300) | Lifetime (no formal expiration) |
| EPA Section 608 Universal | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via approved providers) | $40-$150 (exam only; course bundles $200-$400) | Lifetime (no formal expiration) |
| EPA Section 609 (Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning) | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via approved providers) | $20-$50 (exam only) | Lifetime (no formal expiration) |
| AHRI Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Certification | Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) | $200-$500 (course + exam bundle) | 5 years |
| HVAC Excellence Professional Level | HVAC Excellence (now part of NATE) | $150-$300 (per specialty exam) | No formal expiration (continuing education recommended) |
| NATE Advanced Certification | North American Technician Excellence (NATE) | $150-$250 (per specialty) | No formal expiration (continuing education required every 2 years for renewal) |
| RSES Refrigerant Compliance Certification | Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) | $100-$400 (course + exam bundle) | No formal expiration |
| HVAC Apprenticeship (DOL-Registered) | U.S. Department of Labor + State Apprenticeship Agencies | Free (employer-sponsored) or $1,000-$5,000 (some programs) | Lifetime (journey-level certification does not expire) |
Costs and validity reflect each issuer's posted policy; verify with the issuer before you register.
The drill in the app
The in-app drill is 100 questions against a 120-minute clock that keeps running, even if you switch channels. Scoring is per category.
7 days free, then $9.99/month. Cancel anytime.