EPA 608 Certification Practice
Exam 2025/2026
Universal | Type I, II, III, & Core
Type I: Small Appliances (Q1-20)
Systems containing 5 lbs or less of refrigerant
Q1: When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance (like a household refrigerator) for
disposal, you must:
A. Recover 80% of the refrigerant
B. Achieve and verify a 4-inch Hg vacuum [CORRECT]
C. Recover 90% of the refrigerant
D. Achieve a 0 psig pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 40 CFR §82.156, for small appliances being disposed of, technicians must
recover refrigerant to a 4-inch Hg vacuum (approximately 0 psia). The percentage-based
recovery requirements (80% for system-dependent recovery, 90% for self-contained) apply to
systems being serviced and returned to operation, not disposal. Zero psig is not a vacuum
measurement—atmospheric pressure is approximately 0 psig, while 4" Hg vacuum equals
roughly -2 psig or 12.7 psia.
Q2: You are servicing a window A/C unit containing R-410A. The compressor is inoperative.
To recover the refrigerant, you should:
A. Use the system's compressor to pump the refrigerant out
B. Use a self-contained (active) recovery machine [CORRECT]
C. Vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere and then evacuate
D. Use a system-dependent (passive) recovery device
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 40 CFR §82.156 requires that when a small appliance's compressor is inoperative,
you must use a self-contained (active) recovery device with its own compressor and
condenser. System-dependent (passive) recovery relies on the appliance's compressor or
system pressure and cannot function without an operating compressor. Venting (C) violates
Section 608's prohibition on knowingly venting ozone-depleting substances and their
substitutes.
Q3: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a domestic refrigerator using a
system-dependent (passive) recovery device. The minimum recovery efficiency required by
EPA is:
A. 65% of the refrigerant
B. 80% of the refrigerant [CORRECT]
C. 90% of the refrigerant
D. 95% of the refrigerant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 40 CFR §82.156, system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment used on
small appliances must be capable of recovering 80% of the refrigerant charge. Self-contained
(active) recovery equipment must achieve 90% recovery. These percentages apply when the
appliance is being serviced and returned to use, not when being disposed of (which requires
4" Hg vacuum).
Q4: Before disposing of a small appliance, the final step in refrigerant recovery must include:
A. Cutting the compressor electrical leads
B. Verifying the recovery equipment is EPA-certified
C. Ensuring the system has been evacuated to the required vacuum level and making a record
of the recovery [CORRECT]
D. Removing the service valve Schrader cores
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EPA requires verification that the 4-inch Hg vacuum level was achieved during
disposal recovery. Technicians must also maintain records of refrigerant recovered from
,disposed appliances (40 CFR §82.166). While proper equipment certification (B) is required,
the specific procedural requirement for disposal is achieving and documenting the vacuum
level.
Q5: You are servicing a small appliance and need to check for leaks. Which leak detection
method is NOT practical for hermetically sealed small appliances?
A. Electronic leak detector
B. Ultraviolet (UV) dye detection [CORRECT]
C. Bubble solution
D. Standing pressure test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UV dye detection requires introducing fluorescent dye into the system, which is
impractical and not recommended for hermetically sealed small appliances where access is
limited and the charge is small. Electronic detectors, bubble solutions, and standing pressure
tests are standard methods. For small appliances, visual inspection and electronic detection
are most common.
Q6: The color code for a cylinder containing R-134a is:
A. Light green
B. Light blue
C. Light blue or white [CORRECT]
D. Orange
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per AHRI Guideline K and industry standards, R-134a cylinders are color-coded light
blue or white. R-410A is rose (pink), R-404A is orange, R-22 is light green, and R-123 is
blue-gray. Proper color coding prevents dangerous cross-contamination.
Q7: When using a system-dependent recovery device on a small appliance with a functioning
compressor, you should:
A. Run the compressor and recovery device simultaneously until the system is empty
, B. Run the compressor to pump refrigerant into the recovery cylinder, monitoring for proper
operation [CORRECT]
C. Heat the compressor to increase pressure
D. Connect to the high side only for faster recovery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: System-dependent recovery relies on the appliance's compressor to pump
refrigerant into the recovery cylinder. The compressor creates pressure differential to move
refrigerant. Running both simultaneously (A) is incorrect—the appliance compressor does the
work. Heating (C) is dangerous and unnecessary for high-pressure appliances. Both high and
low side connections are typically used.
Q8: A technician is preparing to recover refrigerant from a small appliance. The recovery
cylinder currently contains 5 lbs of unknown refrigerant. The proper action is to:
A. Use the cylinder since 5 lbs is below the maximum capacity
B. Evacuate the unknown refrigerant in the cylinder to 0 psig before use
C. Use a different cylinder or have the unknown refrigerant reclaimed/recycled before use
[CORRECT]
D. Mix the refrigerants since they will be reclaimed anyway
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 40 CFR §82.164 prohibits mixing different refrigerants in recovery cylinders as this
contaminates both refrigerants, making reclamation difficult or impossible and potentially
dangerous. Unknown refrigerant must be reclaimed or the cylinder must be dedicated to that
refrigerant. Never mix refrigerants—cross-contamination can damage equipment and violate
EPA regulations.
Q9: For a small appliance using a capillary tube metering device, the typical refrigerant charge
is:
A. Determined by weighing the exact charge specified on the nameplate
B. Critical and must be charged precisely by weight [CORRECT]
C. Not critical and can be adjusted by superheat measurements
Exam 2025/2026
Universal | Type I, II, III, & Core
Type I: Small Appliances (Q1-20)
Systems containing 5 lbs or less of refrigerant
Q1: When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance (like a household refrigerator) for
disposal, you must:
A. Recover 80% of the refrigerant
B. Achieve and verify a 4-inch Hg vacuum [CORRECT]
C. Recover 90% of the refrigerant
D. Achieve a 0 psig pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 40 CFR §82.156, for small appliances being disposed of, technicians must
recover refrigerant to a 4-inch Hg vacuum (approximately 0 psia). The percentage-based
recovery requirements (80% for system-dependent recovery, 90% for self-contained) apply to
systems being serviced and returned to operation, not disposal. Zero psig is not a vacuum
measurement—atmospheric pressure is approximately 0 psig, while 4" Hg vacuum equals
roughly -2 psig or 12.7 psia.
Q2: You are servicing a window A/C unit containing R-410A. The compressor is inoperative.
To recover the refrigerant, you should:
A. Use the system's compressor to pump the refrigerant out
B. Use a self-contained (active) recovery machine [CORRECT]
C. Vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere and then evacuate
D. Use a system-dependent (passive) recovery device
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 40 CFR §82.156 requires that when a small appliance's compressor is inoperative,
you must use a self-contained (active) recovery device with its own compressor and
condenser. System-dependent (passive) recovery relies on the appliance's compressor or
system pressure and cannot function without an operating compressor. Venting (C) violates
Section 608's prohibition on knowingly venting ozone-depleting substances and their
substitutes.
Q3: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a domestic refrigerator using a
system-dependent (passive) recovery device. The minimum recovery efficiency required by
EPA is:
A. 65% of the refrigerant
B. 80% of the refrigerant [CORRECT]
C. 90% of the refrigerant
D. 95% of the refrigerant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 40 CFR §82.156, system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment used on
small appliances must be capable of recovering 80% of the refrigerant charge. Self-contained
(active) recovery equipment must achieve 90% recovery. These percentages apply when the
appliance is being serviced and returned to use, not when being disposed of (which requires
4" Hg vacuum).
Q4: Before disposing of a small appliance, the final step in refrigerant recovery must include:
A. Cutting the compressor electrical leads
B. Verifying the recovery equipment is EPA-certified
C. Ensuring the system has been evacuated to the required vacuum level and making a record
of the recovery [CORRECT]
D. Removing the service valve Schrader cores
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EPA requires verification that the 4-inch Hg vacuum level was achieved during
disposal recovery. Technicians must also maintain records of refrigerant recovered from
,disposed appliances (40 CFR §82.166). While proper equipment certification (B) is required,
the specific procedural requirement for disposal is achieving and documenting the vacuum
level.
Q5: You are servicing a small appliance and need to check for leaks. Which leak detection
method is NOT practical for hermetically sealed small appliances?
A. Electronic leak detector
B. Ultraviolet (UV) dye detection [CORRECT]
C. Bubble solution
D. Standing pressure test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UV dye detection requires introducing fluorescent dye into the system, which is
impractical and not recommended for hermetically sealed small appliances where access is
limited and the charge is small. Electronic detectors, bubble solutions, and standing pressure
tests are standard methods. For small appliances, visual inspection and electronic detection
are most common.
Q6: The color code for a cylinder containing R-134a is:
A. Light green
B. Light blue
C. Light blue or white [CORRECT]
D. Orange
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per AHRI Guideline K and industry standards, R-134a cylinders are color-coded light
blue or white. R-410A is rose (pink), R-404A is orange, R-22 is light green, and R-123 is
blue-gray. Proper color coding prevents dangerous cross-contamination.
Q7: When using a system-dependent recovery device on a small appliance with a functioning
compressor, you should:
A. Run the compressor and recovery device simultaneously until the system is empty
, B. Run the compressor to pump refrigerant into the recovery cylinder, monitoring for proper
operation [CORRECT]
C. Heat the compressor to increase pressure
D. Connect to the high side only for faster recovery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: System-dependent recovery relies on the appliance's compressor to pump
refrigerant into the recovery cylinder. The compressor creates pressure differential to move
refrigerant. Running both simultaneously (A) is incorrect—the appliance compressor does the
work. Heating (C) is dangerous and unnecessary for high-pressure appliances. Both high and
low side connections are typically used.
Q8: A technician is preparing to recover refrigerant from a small appliance. The recovery
cylinder currently contains 5 lbs of unknown refrigerant. The proper action is to:
A. Use the cylinder since 5 lbs is below the maximum capacity
B. Evacuate the unknown refrigerant in the cylinder to 0 psig before use
C. Use a different cylinder or have the unknown refrigerant reclaimed/recycled before use
[CORRECT]
D. Mix the refrigerants since they will be reclaimed anyway
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 40 CFR §82.164 prohibits mixing different refrigerants in recovery cylinders as this
contaminates both refrigerants, making reclamation difficult or impossible and potentially
dangerous. Unknown refrigerant must be reclaimed or the cylinder must be dedicated to that
refrigerant. Never mix refrigerants—cross-contamination can damage equipment and violate
EPA regulations.
Q9: For a small appliance using a capillary tube metering device, the typical refrigerant charge
is:
A. Determined by weighing the exact charge specified on the nameplate
B. Critical and must be charged precisely by weight [CORRECT]
C. Not critical and can be adjusted by superheat measurements
