EPA 608 Type II Exam: Practice Questions and Key Topics
The EPA 608 Type II exam covers high-pressure refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A. Here are sample questions and the 5 topics every HVAC tech must know cold.
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This guide solves the next-step problem for HVAC candidates: it explains what matters, then gives you a direct way to test that knowledge with practice questions instead of guessing what to study next.
What the EPA 608 Type II Exam Covers
Type II certification applies to high-pressure appliances — systems using refrigerants with atmospheric boiling points above -50°F (-46°C). This includes R-22 (the dominant refrigerant in legacy residential AC), R-410A (now the standard in most new residential systems), R-134a (automotive and commercial refrigeration), R-404A, R-407C, and R-32. The Type II exam is 25 multiple-choice questions with a 70% passing score (18 correct). All candidates must also pass the Core section (25 questions covering environmental law, ozone depletion, and safe refrigerant handling). Type II plus Core gives you Type II certification. Passing Core, Type I, II, and III earns Universal certification, which most HVAC employers require.
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Sample Type II Practice Questions
Here are representative questions matching the actual exam format. (1) Which refrigerant is classified as high-pressure under EPA 608 Type II? A) R-11 B) R-123 C) R-410A D) R-113 — Answer: C. (2) When recovering refrigerant from a high-pressure system with a non-operational compressor, technicians must use: A) System-dependent recovery equipment B) Self-contained recovery equipment C) Either type D) Recovery is not required — Answer: B. (3) The maximum allowable leak rate for a commercial refrigeration system containing R-22 before mandatory repair is required is: A) 10% per year B) 15% per year C) 35% per year D) No threshold exists — Answer: B (15% annually for commercial refrigeration). (4) Recovery cylinders for high-pressure refrigerants must be colored: A) Yellow with gray collar B) Gray with yellow collar C) Green D) Blue — Answer: B.
Recovery Requirements: The Most-Tested Topic
Recovery efficiency requirements for high-pressure systems (Type II) vary by system manufacture date and refrigerant charge size. For systems manufactured before November 15, 1993 with a charge under 200 lbs: recover to 90% efficiency. For systems manufactured on or after November 15, 1993 with a charge under 200 lbs: recover to 80% efficiency. Systems with 200 lbs of refrigerant or more require 90% recovery regardless of manufacture date. For systems with a non-operational or leaking compressor, self-contained recovery equipment must be used and must achieve the applicable efficiency standard. Recovery equipment itself must also meet EPA certification standards — only EPA-certified equipment can be used for refrigerant recovery on stationary systems.
Leak Detection and Repair Requirements
The EPA requires refrigerant leak repairs when annual leak rates exceed specific thresholds: 15% per year for commercial refrigeration appliances (supermarket cases, walk-in coolers), 35% per year for industrial process refrigeration, and 10% per year for comfort cooling (HVAC systems) in appliances containing 50 lbs or more of refrigerant. Once a leak exceeds the threshold, the owner must repair it within 30 days. Technicians are required to document refrigerant purchases, recovery quantities, and disposal — records must be kept for 3 years. Acceptable leak detection methods include electronic detectors (halide torch for older methods), UV dye, nitrogen pressure testing, and soap bubble testing. On the exam, know both the percentage thresholds and the refrigerant charge minimums that trigger reporting requirements.
How to Study for Type II in One Week
The Type II exam rewards memorization of specific rules more than conceptual understanding. Focus your study on: (1) refrigerant classification — know which common refrigerants are Type I, II, and III by their boiling points; (2) recovery efficiency percentages by manufacture date and charge size — this appears on almost every exam; (3) cylinder color coding — gray body with yellow collar for recovery cylinders, never fill recovery cylinders above 80% of rated capacity by weight; (4) leak rate thresholds by application type; (5) what 'recover,' 'recycle,' and 'reclaim' mean — these terms are frequently tested and have distinct regulatory definitions. The HVAC Prep web practice has 400+ EPA 608 practice questions covering all four certification types, with separate Type II drill sets organized by topic.
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