COMPREHENSIVE EPA 608 CERTIFICATION EXAM STUDY
GUIDE: 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a CFC and is
known to have the highest ozone depletion potential?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-11
D. R-410A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: R-11 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that contains chlorine and
has a high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). R-22 is an HCFC, while R-
134a and R-410A are HFCs with zero ODP.
2. When recovering refrigerant from a system, what is the maximum
allowable level of moisture and acidity before it is considered
contaminated?
A. 0 ppm moisture and 0 ppm acidity
B. 10 ppm moisture and 0.05 ppm acidity
C. 20 ppm moisture and 0.05 ppm acidity
D. 50 ppm moisture and 0.1 ppm acidity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to EPA standards, refrigerant is considered
contaminated if it exceeds 20 ppm moisture or 0.05 ppm acidity. It must
be recycled or reclaimed before reuse.
,3. Which safety hazard is associated with the use of flammable
hydrocarbon refrigerants if they are not handled properly?
A. Asphyxiation
B. Fire or explosion
C. Chemical burns
D. Frostbite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, such as propane or
isobutane, can ignite or explode if they accumulate in sufficient
concentration and come into contact with an ignition source.
4. What is the primary purpose of the EPA's Section 608 certification?
A. To regulate the price of refrigerants
B. To ensure technicians handle refrigerants in an environmentally
responsible manner
C. To mandate the use of natural refrigerants
D. To provide tax incentives for HVAC companies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires technicians to be
certified to ensure they are knowledgeable about refrigerant handling,
recovery, and recycling to prevent ozone depletion and global warming.
5. Which of the following is considered a "drop-in" replacement for R-
22 according to EPA SNAP regulations?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-407C
D. There are no direct drop-in refrigerant substitutes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The EPA has not approved any refrigerant as a direct "drop-
,in" replacement for R-22. All replacements require system
modifications, such as changing lubricants or components.
6. Which refrigerant is commonly used in new residential air
conditioning systems and has zero ozone depletion potential?
A. R-22
B. R-410A
C. R-12
D. R-123
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: R-410A is an HFC blend with zero ODP and is widely used in
new residential and light commercial air conditioning systems.
7. What is the process of cleaning refrigerant for immediate reuse by
oil separation and single or multiple passes through filter driers
called?
A. Reclaiming
B. Recycling
C. Recovering
D. Recharging
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recycling refers to the process of cleaning refrigerant for
immediate reuse by oil separation and filtration. Reclaiming involves
processing to a higher standard, while recovering is simply removing it.
8. Which of the following refrigerants contains chlorine and is an
HCFC?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-410A
, D. R-32
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: R-22 is an HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) that contains
chlorine. R-134a and R-410A are HFCs, and R-32 is an HFC.
9. When working with flammable refrigerants, what must be present
for a fire or explosion to occur?
A. A sufficient concentration of refrigerant and an ignition source
B. High humidity and low pressure
C. A vacuum and a spark
D. Oxygen and nitrogen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a fire or explosion to occur with flammable refrigerants,
there must be a sufficient concentration of the refrigerant in the air and
an ignition source, such as a spark or open flame.
10. What is the removal of refrigerant from a system and storing it in a
container without testing or processing it called?
A. Recycling
B. Reclaiming
C. Recovering
D. Reusing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Recovering is the act of removing refrigerant from a system
and storing it in an external container without necessarily testing or
processing it.
11. Which of the following is a requirement for the sale of ozone-
depleting refrigerants under EPA regulations?
A. The buyer must be a certified technician
GUIDE: 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a CFC and is
known to have the highest ozone depletion potential?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-11
D. R-410A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: R-11 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that contains chlorine and
has a high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). R-22 is an HCFC, while R-
134a and R-410A are HFCs with zero ODP.
2. When recovering refrigerant from a system, what is the maximum
allowable level of moisture and acidity before it is considered
contaminated?
A. 0 ppm moisture and 0 ppm acidity
B. 10 ppm moisture and 0.05 ppm acidity
C. 20 ppm moisture and 0.05 ppm acidity
D. 50 ppm moisture and 0.1 ppm acidity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to EPA standards, refrigerant is considered
contaminated if it exceeds 20 ppm moisture or 0.05 ppm acidity. It must
be recycled or reclaimed before reuse.
,3. Which safety hazard is associated with the use of flammable
hydrocarbon refrigerants if they are not handled properly?
A. Asphyxiation
B. Fire or explosion
C. Chemical burns
D. Frostbite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, such as propane or
isobutane, can ignite or explode if they accumulate in sufficient
concentration and come into contact with an ignition source.
4. What is the primary purpose of the EPA's Section 608 certification?
A. To regulate the price of refrigerants
B. To ensure technicians handle refrigerants in an environmentally
responsible manner
C. To mandate the use of natural refrigerants
D. To provide tax incentives for HVAC companies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act requires technicians to be
certified to ensure they are knowledgeable about refrigerant handling,
recovery, and recycling to prevent ozone depletion and global warming.
5. Which of the following is considered a "drop-in" replacement for R-
22 according to EPA SNAP regulations?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-407C
D. There are no direct drop-in refrigerant substitutes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The EPA has not approved any refrigerant as a direct "drop-
,in" replacement for R-22. All replacements require system
modifications, such as changing lubricants or components.
6. Which refrigerant is commonly used in new residential air
conditioning systems and has zero ozone depletion potential?
A. R-22
B. R-410A
C. R-12
D. R-123
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: R-410A is an HFC blend with zero ODP and is widely used in
new residential and light commercial air conditioning systems.
7. What is the process of cleaning refrigerant for immediate reuse by
oil separation and single or multiple passes through filter driers
called?
A. Reclaiming
B. Recycling
C. Recovering
D. Recharging
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Recycling refers to the process of cleaning refrigerant for
immediate reuse by oil separation and filtration. Reclaiming involves
processing to a higher standard, while recovering is simply removing it.
8. Which of the following refrigerants contains chlorine and is an
HCFC?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-410A
, D. R-32
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: R-22 is an HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) that contains
chlorine. R-134a and R-410A are HFCs, and R-32 is an HFC.
9. When working with flammable refrigerants, what must be present
for a fire or explosion to occur?
A. A sufficient concentration of refrigerant and an ignition source
B. High humidity and low pressure
C. A vacuum and a spark
D. Oxygen and nitrogen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a fire or explosion to occur with flammable refrigerants,
there must be a sufficient concentration of the refrigerant in the air and
an ignition source, such as a spark or open flame.
10. What is the removal of refrigerant from a system and storing it in a
container without testing or processing it called?
A. Recycling
B. Reclaiming
C. Recovering
D. Reusing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Recovering is the act of removing refrigerant from a system
and storing it in an external container without necessarily testing or
processing it.
11. Which of the following is a requirement for the sale of ozone-
depleting refrigerants under EPA regulations?
A. The buyer must be a certified technician
