SkillCat EPA 608 – Newly Updated 2026/2027
Exam Questions & Answers, 100%
Guaranteed Pass || Complete A+ Guide
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of Section 608 of the Clean Air Act?
A) To set energy efficiency standards for new HVAC equipment
B) To prohibit the knowing release of refrigerants during maintenance, service, repair, or
disposal of appliances
C) To mandate the use of specific brands of recovery machines
D) To establish certification requirements for electrical safety in HVAC systems
Answer: B) To prohibit the knowing release of refrigerants during maintenance, service,
repair, or disposal of appliances
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act makes it illegal to knowingly vent ozone-depleting
substances and substitute refrigerants into the atmosphere. Violations can result in fines up to
$37,500 per day per violation . All technicians must be certified to handle refrigerants.
Question 2
What was the primary environmental concern that led to the Montreal Protocol?
A) Global warming from carbon dioxide emissions
B) Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer by chlorine-containing chemicals
C) Acid rain from sulfur dioxide
D) Water pollution from industrial waste
Answer: B) Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer by chlorine-containing chemicals
Rationale: The Montreal Protocol was established in 1987 to protect the ozone layer by phasing
out production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs. The chlorine in
these refrigerants was found to catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
Question 3
,Which refrigerant has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0?
A) R-12
B) R-22
C) R-410A
D) R-502
Answer: C) R-410A
Rationale: R-410A is an HFC refrigerant that contains no chlorine, giving it an ODP of 0. HFCs do
not deplete the ozone layer but do have Global Warming Potential (GWP). R-12 and R-502 are
CFCs with high ODP, and R-22 is an HCFC with moderate ODP.
Question 4
What does the term "reclaim" mean in refrigerant management?
A) Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it for future use on the same system
B) Removing refrigerant and processing it to meet ARI Standard 700 purity specifications
C) Cleaning refrigerant by passing it through a single-pass filter-drier
D) Using refrigerant as a solvent to clean system components
Answer: B) Removing refrigerant and processing it to meet ARI Standard 700 purity
specifications
Rationale: Reclaiming involves processing used refrigerant to meet the purity standards of ARI
Standard 700. This is the highest level of refrigerant processing and can only be performed by
EPA-certified reclaimers. Recycle refers to cleaning refrigerant for reuse in the same system.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable pressure for a DOT-approved recovery cylinder?
A) 250 psig
B) 400 psig
C) 500 psig
D) 600 psig
Answer: C) 500 psig
,Rationale: DOT-approved recovery cylinders have a maximum allowable pressure of 500 psig.
These cylinders are designed specifically for refrigerant recovery and must not be filled beyond
80% of their capacity to allow for thermal expansion.
Question 6
How much of a full charge must be recovered from a small appliance with a working
compressor?
A) 50%
B) 80%
C) 90%
D) 100%
Answer: C) 90%
Rationale: When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance (5 lbs or less) with a working
compressor, at least 90% of the refrigerant must be recovered before servicing or disposal .
Question 7
When must a technician be certified under Section 608?
A) Only when working on commercial refrigeration systems
B) When opening a system for repair, maintenance, or disposal, regardless of the appliance size
C) Only when handling refrigerants with ODP > 0
D) Only when working on equipment containing more than 50 lbs of refrigerant
Answer: B) When opening a system for repair, maintenance, or disposal, regardless of the
appliance size
Rationale: Any technician who opens a refrigeration or air conditioning system (including small
appliances) must be EPA Section 608 certified. This applies to all appliances and all refrigerants
covered under the rule.
Question 8
What is the phase-out date for the production and import of R-22 in the United States?
, A) 2003
B) 2010
C) 2015
D) 2020
Answer: D) 2020
Rationale: Under the Montreal Protocol and EPA regulations, production and import of R-22 (an
HCFC) was completely phased out in the United States on January 1, 2020. However, existing R-
22 equipment can continue to be serviced using recovered or stockpiled refrigerant .
Question 9
What is the primary safety concern when handling refrigerants?
A) Refrigerants are always toxic
B) Refrigerants are heavier than air and can displace oxygen in confined spaces
C) Refrigerants are explosive at all concentrations
D) Refrigerants must always be stored above 100°F
Answer: B) Refrigerants are heavier than air and can displace oxygen in confined spaces
Rationale: Most refrigerants are heavier than air and can accumulate in low-lying areas,
displacing oxygen and creating an asphyxiation hazard. Proper ventilation is essential when
working with refrigerants in confined spaces.
Question 10
How must used refrigerant be managed before disposal?
A) It must be vented to the atmosphere
B) It must be recovered and sent to a reclaimer or properly destroyed
C) It can be flushed down a drain
D) It can be mixed with waste oil for disposal
Answer: B) It must be recovered and sent to a reclaimer or properly destroyed
Rationale: All used refrigerant must be recovered and either reclaimed to ARI 700 standards or
destroyed by an approved method. Venting refrigerants is a violation of the Clean Air Act.
Exam Questions & Answers, 100%
Guaranteed Pass || Complete A+ Guide
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of Section 608 of the Clean Air Act?
A) To set energy efficiency standards for new HVAC equipment
B) To prohibit the knowing release of refrigerants during maintenance, service, repair, or
disposal of appliances
C) To mandate the use of specific brands of recovery machines
D) To establish certification requirements for electrical safety in HVAC systems
Answer: B) To prohibit the knowing release of refrigerants during maintenance, service,
repair, or disposal of appliances
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act makes it illegal to knowingly vent ozone-depleting
substances and substitute refrigerants into the atmosphere. Violations can result in fines up to
$37,500 per day per violation . All technicians must be certified to handle refrigerants.
Question 2
What was the primary environmental concern that led to the Montreal Protocol?
A) Global warming from carbon dioxide emissions
B) Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer by chlorine-containing chemicals
C) Acid rain from sulfur dioxide
D) Water pollution from industrial waste
Answer: B) Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer by chlorine-containing chemicals
Rationale: The Montreal Protocol was established in 1987 to protect the ozone layer by phasing
out production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs. The chlorine in
these refrigerants was found to catalytically destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
Question 3
,Which refrigerant has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0?
A) R-12
B) R-22
C) R-410A
D) R-502
Answer: C) R-410A
Rationale: R-410A is an HFC refrigerant that contains no chlorine, giving it an ODP of 0. HFCs do
not deplete the ozone layer but do have Global Warming Potential (GWP). R-12 and R-502 are
CFCs with high ODP, and R-22 is an HCFC with moderate ODP.
Question 4
What does the term "reclaim" mean in refrigerant management?
A) Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it for future use on the same system
B) Removing refrigerant and processing it to meet ARI Standard 700 purity specifications
C) Cleaning refrigerant by passing it through a single-pass filter-drier
D) Using refrigerant as a solvent to clean system components
Answer: B) Removing refrigerant and processing it to meet ARI Standard 700 purity
specifications
Rationale: Reclaiming involves processing used refrigerant to meet the purity standards of ARI
Standard 700. This is the highest level of refrigerant processing and can only be performed by
EPA-certified reclaimers. Recycle refers to cleaning refrigerant for reuse in the same system.
Question 5
What is the maximum allowable pressure for a DOT-approved recovery cylinder?
A) 250 psig
B) 400 psig
C) 500 psig
D) 600 psig
Answer: C) 500 psig
,Rationale: DOT-approved recovery cylinders have a maximum allowable pressure of 500 psig.
These cylinders are designed specifically for refrigerant recovery and must not be filled beyond
80% of their capacity to allow for thermal expansion.
Question 6
How much of a full charge must be recovered from a small appliance with a working
compressor?
A) 50%
B) 80%
C) 90%
D) 100%
Answer: C) 90%
Rationale: When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance (5 lbs or less) with a working
compressor, at least 90% of the refrigerant must be recovered before servicing or disposal .
Question 7
When must a technician be certified under Section 608?
A) Only when working on commercial refrigeration systems
B) When opening a system for repair, maintenance, or disposal, regardless of the appliance size
C) Only when handling refrigerants with ODP > 0
D) Only when working on equipment containing more than 50 lbs of refrigerant
Answer: B) When opening a system for repair, maintenance, or disposal, regardless of the
appliance size
Rationale: Any technician who opens a refrigeration or air conditioning system (including small
appliances) must be EPA Section 608 certified. This applies to all appliances and all refrigerants
covered under the rule.
Question 8
What is the phase-out date for the production and import of R-22 in the United States?
, A) 2003
B) 2010
C) 2015
D) 2020
Answer: D) 2020
Rationale: Under the Montreal Protocol and EPA regulations, production and import of R-22 (an
HCFC) was completely phased out in the United States on January 1, 2020. However, existing R-
22 equipment can continue to be serviced using recovered or stockpiled refrigerant .
Question 9
What is the primary safety concern when handling refrigerants?
A) Refrigerants are always toxic
B) Refrigerants are heavier than air and can displace oxygen in confined spaces
C) Refrigerants are explosive at all concentrations
D) Refrigerants must always be stored above 100°F
Answer: B) Refrigerants are heavier than air and can displace oxygen in confined spaces
Rationale: Most refrigerants are heavier than air and can accumulate in low-lying areas,
displacing oxygen and creating an asphyxiation hazard. Proper ventilation is essential when
working with refrigerants in confined spaces.
Question 10
How must used refrigerant be managed before disposal?
A) It must be vented to the atmosphere
B) It must be recovered and sent to a reclaimer or properly destroyed
C) It can be flushed down a drain
D) It can be mixed with waste oil for disposal
Answer: B) It must be recovered and sent to a reclaimer or properly destroyed
Rationale: All used refrigerant must be recovered and either reclaimed to ARI 700 standards or
destroyed by an approved method. Venting refrigerants is a violation of the Clean Air Act.
