✅EPA 608 Universal Exam | Actual Exam
with All 160 Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers with Rationales |
2025/2026 Edition
2025/2026 Study Version – Detailed Rationales Included
1. Which refrigerant classification indicates “non-toxic
and non-flammable”?
A. A1
B. B2
C. A3
D. B1
Answer: A. A1
Rationale: EPA and ASHRAE classify refrigerants by toxicity (A = low, B = high) and
flammability (1 = no flame propagation). A1 is the safest category.
2. What is the primary purpose of Section 608 of the
Clean Air Act?
A. To regulate technician licensing only
B. To reduce ozone depletion and emissions of refrigerants
C. To set equipment manufacturing standards only
D. To mandate refrigerant price controls
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 608 focuses on preventing refrigerant emissions to protect the ozone layer
and reduce greenhouse gases.
,3. Which instrument is required for detecting refrigerant
leaks under EPA regulations?
A. Thermal anemometer
B. Electronic leak detector
C. Digital voltmeter
D. Manometer
Answer: B
Rationale: Technicians must use EPA-certified electronic leak detectors or equivalent approved
methods.
4. Which refrigerant is considered an HCFC?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-744
Answer: C. R-22
Rationale: HCFCs (like R-22) contain chlorine and will be phased out due to ozone depletion
potential.
5. When working with liquid refrigerant in cylinders, what
is the safest storage method?
A. Horizontally in a toolbox
B. Upright and secured
C. Under direct sunlight to warm
D. Near a heat source
Answer: B
Rationale: Cylinders must be stored upright to prevent pressure hazards and accidental
discharge.
,6. What must be done before opening any system
containing a refrigerant charge?
A. Warm the compressor
B. Recover the refrigerant
C. Drain the oil first
D. Remove the expansion device
Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA requires full refrigerant recovery before opening a refrigeration circuit to
prevent emissions.
7. Which refrigerant is naturally occurring and classified
as a “carbon dioxide refrigerant”?
A. R-717
B. R-744
C. R-1234yf
D. R-600a
Answer: B (R-744)
Rationale: R-744 is CO₂, a natural refrigerant used in low-temperature and commercial
systems.
8. What is the color code for R-410A recovery cylinders?
A. Light blue
B. Pink
C. Gray with yellow top
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: All recovery cylinders have gray bodies with yellow tops regardless of refrigerant
type.
, 9. A system in a deep vacuum may cause what
dangerous condition?
A. Compressor overheating
B. Oxygen contamination leading to combustion
C. Excessive system pressures
D. Oil freezing
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulling systems below atmospheric pressure risks drawing in air and oxygen, which
can cause combustion with some refrigerants/oils.
10. What is “azeotropic refrigerant blend”?
A. A blend that changes composition when boiling
B. A blend with zero temperature glide
C. A blend with very high flammability
D. A natural refrigerant only
Answer: B
Rationale: Azeotropes act like a single refrigerant and boil at a constant temperature without
glide.
11. Which section of the EPA 608 exam focuses on small
appliances (≤5 lbs refrigerant)?
A. Core
B. Type I
C. Type II
D. Type III
Answer: B (Type I)
Rationale: Type I certification covers small appliances like window AC units and mini
refrigerators.
with All 160 Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers with Rationales |
2025/2026 Edition
2025/2026 Study Version – Detailed Rationales Included
1. Which refrigerant classification indicates “non-toxic
and non-flammable”?
A. A1
B. B2
C. A3
D. B1
Answer: A. A1
Rationale: EPA and ASHRAE classify refrigerants by toxicity (A = low, B = high) and
flammability (1 = no flame propagation). A1 is the safest category.
2. What is the primary purpose of Section 608 of the
Clean Air Act?
A. To regulate technician licensing only
B. To reduce ozone depletion and emissions of refrigerants
C. To set equipment manufacturing standards only
D. To mandate refrigerant price controls
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 608 focuses on preventing refrigerant emissions to protect the ozone layer
and reduce greenhouse gases.
,3. Which instrument is required for detecting refrigerant
leaks under EPA regulations?
A. Thermal anemometer
B. Electronic leak detector
C. Digital voltmeter
D. Manometer
Answer: B
Rationale: Technicians must use EPA-certified electronic leak detectors or equivalent approved
methods.
4. Which refrigerant is considered an HCFC?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-744
Answer: C. R-22
Rationale: HCFCs (like R-22) contain chlorine and will be phased out due to ozone depletion
potential.
5. When working with liquid refrigerant in cylinders, what
is the safest storage method?
A. Horizontally in a toolbox
B. Upright and secured
C. Under direct sunlight to warm
D. Near a heat source
Answer: B
Rationale: Cylinders must be stored upright to prevent pressure hazards and accidental
discharge.
,6. What must be done before opening any system
containing a refrigerant charge?
A. Warm the compressor
B. Recover the refrigerant
C. Drain the oil first
D. Remove the expansion device
Answer: B
Rationale: The EPA requires full refrigerant recovery before opening a refrigeration circuit to
prevent emissions.
7. Which refrigerant is naturally occurring and classified
as a “carbon dioxide refrigerant”?
A. R-717
B. R-744
C. R-1234yf
D. R-600a
Answer: B (R-744)
Rationale: R-744 is CO₂, a natural refrigerant used in low-temperature and commercial
systems.
8. What is the color code for R-410A recovery cylinders?
A. Light blue
B. Pink
C. Gray with yellow top
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: All recovery cylinders have gray bodies with yellow tops regardless of refrigerant
type.
, 9. A system in a deep vacuum may cause what
dangerous condition?
A. Compressor overheating
B. Oxygen contamination leading to combustion
C. Excessive system pressures
D. Oil freezing
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulling systems below atmospheric pressure risks drawing in air and oxygen, which
can cause combustion with some refrigerants/oils.
10. What is “azeotropic refrigerant blend”?
A. A blend that changes composition when boiling
B. A blend with zero temperature glide
C. A blend with very high flammability
D. A natural refrigerant only
Answer: B
Rationale: Azeotropes act like a single refrigerant and boil at a constant temperature without
glide.
11. Which section of the EPA 608 exam focuses on small
appliances (≤5 lbs refrigerant)?
A. Core
B. Type I
C. Type II
D. Type III
Answer: B (Type I)
Rationale: Type I certification covers small appliances like window AC units and mini
refrigerators.
