EPA 608
EPA Section 608 & Certification Types
The law behind the exam and the four types of 608 certification.
What Section 608 Is
EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act regulates the handling of refrigerants. Anyone who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant into the atmosphere must be EPA 608 certified.
It is illegal to knowingly vent (release) refrigerants during service, maintenance, repair, or disposal.
The Four Certification Types
• TYPE I — small appliances (sealed systems with 5 lbs or less of refrigerant, e.g. household fridges, window AC units). • TYPE II — high-pressure appliances (e.g. residential AC, heat pumps, supermarket racks). • TYPE III — low-pressure appliances (e.g. centrifugal chillers). • UNIVERSAL — all of the above (pass Types I, II, and III).
There is also a Core section everyone must pass plus the type-specific section(s).
The Core Section
Every candidate must pass the CORE exam, which covers ozone depletion, the Clean Air Act, refrigerant management, recovery techniques, safety, and shipping. You then pass one or more type sections.
To earn Universal certification you must pass Core + Type I + Type II + Type III.
📖 Key Terms
- Section 608
- The Clean Air Act provision regulating stationary refrigerant handling.
- Venting
- Knowingly releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere — illegal during service/disposal.
- Type I
- Certification for small appliances containing 5 lbs or less of refrigerant.
- Universal certification
- Passing Core plus Types I, II, and III.
💡 Exam Tips
- ▸Type I = small appliances (≤5 lbs). Type II = high-pressure. Type III = low-pressure.
- ▸Everyone must pass the Core section.
- ▸Knowingly venting refrigerant is illegal under Section 608.
- ▸Universal = Core + Type I + II + III.