Page 1 of 76
EPA 608 CERTIFICATION EXAM | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | 200+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW |
STUDY GUIDE.
Table of Contents
1. Core: Ozone Science, Refrigerant Classification, and Environmental Impact
2. Core: EPA Regulations, Clean Air Act, and Technician Responsibilities
3. Core: Recovery, Recycling, Reclamation, and Cylinder Safety
4. Core: Safety Protocols, Leak Detection, and System Servicing
5. Type I: Small Appliance Servicing and Recovery Requirements
6. Type II: High-Pressure Appliance Leak Repair and Recovery
7. Type III: Low-Pressure Appliance Systems, Purge Units, and Safety
8. Universal: 2026 AIM Act Updates, A2L Refrigerants, and Exam Strategies
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Question 1: Which refrigerant classification has the highest ozone depletion potential (ODP)?
A) HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon)
B) HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon)
C) CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
D) Natural refrigerants
Correct Answer: C) CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
CFC refrigerants contain chlorine atoms that are highly destructive to stratospheric ozone.
When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down under UV radiation, releasing
chlorine that catalytically destroys thousands of ozone molecules. CFCs have ODP values
ranging from 0.6 to 1.0, with R-11 and R-12 having an ODP of 1.0, the highest reference
value. HCFCs have lower ODP (0.01–0.1), while HFCs have zero ODP because they contain
no chlorine.
Question 2: Under EPA Section 608 regulations, what is the maximum allowable annual leak
rate for commercial refrigeration equipment containing 50 pounds or more of an ozone-
depleting refrigerant?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: D) 30%
Under Section 608 leak repair regulations, commercial refrigeration equipment containing
50 pounds or more of an ozone-depleting refrigerant has a maximum allowable annual leak
rate of 30%. If the leak rate exceeds this threshold, repairs must be completed within 30 days
or a retrofit/retirement plan must be developed. Comfort cooling equipment has a stricter
10% threshold, while industrial process refrigeration maintains 30%.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a purge unit on a low-pressure centrifugal chiller?
A) To remove oil from the refrigerant circuit
B) To remove non-condensable gases and air from the system
C) To increase system pressure during operation
D) To filter moisture from the refrigerant
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Correct Answer: B) To remove non-condensable gases and air from the system
Low-pressure chillers operate below atmospheric pressure, which can allow air and moisture
to infiltrate through small leaks. The purge unit automatically removes these non-
condensable gases from the condenser to maintain efficient heat transfer and prevent
corrosion. High-efficiency purge units are designed to minimize refrigerant loss during this
process, returning recovered refrigerant to the system.
Question 4: Which of the following is TRUE regarding the recovery of refrigerant from a
small appliance with an inoperative compressor using passive recovery equipment?
A) Only the high-side access valve is required
B) The compressor must be operated during recovery
C) Both high and low-side access valves should be installed
D) Recovery is not required for inoperative compressors
Correct Answer: C) Both high and low-side access valves should be installed
When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance with an inoperative compressor using
system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment, EPA regulations require installation of both
high and low-side access valves. This allows refrigerant to be recovered from both sides of
the system. Additionally, applying heat to the compressor and sharply striking it may help
release refrigerant trapped in the oil.
Question 5: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a system that contains R-22. The
recovery cylinder currently has a mixture of R-22 and a small amount of R-410A from a
previous job. What is the proper procedure?
A) Recover the R-22 into the same cylinder; the small amount of R-410A will not affect
system performance
B) Use a separate, dedicated recovery cylinder for R-22 to prevent cross-contamination
C) Recover the refrigerant and then vent the mixture to atmosphere before recharging with
pure R-22
D) Add more R-410A to the cylinder to create a usable blended refrigerant
Correct Answer: B) Use a separate, dedicated recovery cylinder for R-22 to prevent
cross-contamination
EPA Section 608 regulations prohibit mixing different refrigerants in recovery cylinders (40
CFR 82.155). Cross-contamination creates an unusable mixture that cannot be reclaimed and
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must be destroyed at significant cost. Each refrigerant type requires dedicated recovery
cylinders clearly labeled with the refrigerant type. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere violates
Clean Air Act prohibitions against knowingly venting ozone-depleting substances and their
substitutes.
Question 6: Which refrigerant has the highest Global Warming Potential (GWP) among the
following options?
A) R-134a (GWP = 1,430)
B) R-404A (GWP = 3,922)
C) R-410A (GWP = 2,088)
D) R-22 (GWP = 1,810)
Correct Answer: B) R-404A (GWP = 3,922)
R-404A has the highest GWP at 3,922 (IPCC AR4 100-year values). This nearly pure HFC
blend (R-125/143a/134a) is being phased down under EPA's Allocation Rule (40 CFR 84)
and AIM Act implementation. R-134a (1,430), R-410A (2,088), and R-22 (1,810, plus ODP of
0.055) all have lower GWPs. The 2026/2027 regulations emphasize transition to lower-GWP
alternatives like R-448A (GWP 1,273), R-449A (GWP 1,282), and natural refrigerants.
Question 7: Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a low-pressure refrigerant
under EPA 608 Type III certification?
A) R-134a
B) R-410A
C) R-123
D) R-32
Correct Answer: C) R-123
R-123 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant specifically classified as a low-
pressure refrigerant used primarily in centrifugal chillers. EPA 608 Type III certification
covers servicing of low-pressure appliances containing refrigerants such as R-11, R-123, R-
1233zd, and R-245fa. R-134a, R-410A, and R-32 are high-pressure refrigerants covered
under Type II certification.
Question 8: What is the EPA-mandated evacuation level for recovery or recycling equipment
used on low-pressure appliances?
EPA 608 CERTIFICATION EXAM | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | 200+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW |
STUDY GUIDE.
Table of Contents
1. Core: Ozone Science, Refrigerant Classification, and Environmental Impact
2. Core: EPA Regulations, Clean Air Act, and Technician Responsibilities
3. Core: Recovery, Recycling, Reclamation, and Cylinder Safety
4. Core: Safety Protocols, Leak Detection, and System Servicing
5. Type I: Small Appliance Servicing and Recovery Requirements
6. Type II: High-Pressure Appliance Leak Repair and Recovery
7. Type III: Low-Pressure Appliance Systems, Purge Units, and Safety
8. Universal: 2026 AIM Act Updates, A2L Refrigerants, and Exam Strategies
, Page 2 of 76
Question 1: Which refrigerant classification has the highest ozone depletion potential (ODP)?
A) HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon)
B) HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon)
C) CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
D) Natural refrigerants
Correct Answer: C) CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)
CFC refrigerants contain chlorine atoms that are highly destructive to stratospheric ozone.
When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down under UV radiation, releasing
chlorine that catalytically destroys thousands of ozone molecules. CFCs have ODP values
ranging from 0.6 to 1.0, with R-11 and R-12 having an ODP of 1.0, the highest reference
value. HCFCs have lower ODP (0.01–0.1), while HFCs have zero ODP because they contain
no chlorine.
Question 2: Under EPA Section 608 regulations, what is the maximum allowable annual leak
rate for commercial refrigeration equipment containing 50 pounds or more of an ozone-
depleting refrigerant?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: D) 30%
Under Section 608 leak repair regulations, commercial refrigeration equipment containing
50 pounds or more of an ozone-depleting refrigerant has a maximum allowable annual leak
rate of 30%. If the leak rate exceeds this threshold, repairs must be completed within 30 days
or a retrofit/retirement plan must be developed. Comfort cooling equipment has a stricter
10% threshold, while industrial process refrigeration maintains 30%.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a purge unit on a low-pressure centrifugal chiller?
A) To remove oil from the refrigerant circuit
B) To remove non-condensable gases and air from the system
C) To increase system pressure during operation
D) To filter moisture from the refrigerant
, Page 3 of 76
Correct Answer: B) To remove non-condensable gases and air from the system
Low-pressure chillers operate below atmospheric pressure, which can allow air and moisture
to infiltrate through small leaks. The purge unit automatically removes these non-
condensable gases from the condenser to maintain efficient heat transfer and prevent
corrosion. High-efficiency purge units are designed to minimize refrigerant loss during this
process, returning recovered refrigerant to the system.
Question 4: Which of the following is TRUE regarding the recovery of refrigerant from a
small appliance with an inoperative compressor using passive recovery equipment?
A) Only the high-side access valve is required
B) The compressor must be operated during recovery
C) Both high and low-side access valves should be installed
D) Recovery is not required for inoperative compressors
Correct Answer: C) Both high and low-side access valves should be installed
When recovering refrigerant from a small appliance with an inoperative compressor using
system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment, EPA regulations require installation of both
high and low-side access valves. This allows refrigerant to be recovered from both sides of
the system. Additionally, applying heat to the compressor and sharply striking it may help
release refrigerant trapped in the oil.
Question 5: A technician is recovering refrigerant from a system that contains R-22. The
recovery cylinder currently has a mixture of R-22 and a small amount of R-410A from a
previous job. What is the proper procedure?
A) Recover the R-22 into the same cylinder; the small amount of R-410A will not affect
system performance
B) Use a separate, dedicated recovery cylinder for R-22 to prevent cross-contamination
C) Recover the refrigerant and then vent the mixture to atmosphere before recharging with
pure R-22
D) Add more R-410A to the cylinder to create a usable blended refrigerant
Correct Answer: B) Use a separate, dedicated recovery cylinder for R-22 to prevent
cross-contamination
EPA Section 608 regulations prohibit mixing different refrigerants in recovery cylinders (40
CFR 82.155). Cross-contamination creates an unusable mixture that cannot be reclaimed and
, Page 4 of 76
must be destroyed at significant cost. Each refrigerant type requires dedicated recovery
cylinders clearly labeled with the refrigerant type. Venting refrigerant to atmosphere violates
Clean Air Act prohibitions against knowingly venting ozone-depleting substances and their
substitutes.
Question 6: Which refrigerant has the highest Global Warming Potential (GWP) among the
following options?
A) R-134a (GWP = 1,430)
B) R-404A (GWP = 3,922)
C) R-410A (GWP = 2,088)
D) R-22 (GWP = 1,810)
Correct Answer: B) R-404A (GWP = 3,922)
R-404A has the highest GWP at 3,922 (IPCC AR4 100-year values). This nearly pure HFC
blend (R-125/143a/134a) is being phased down under EPA's Allocation Rule (40 CFR 84)
and AIM Act implementation. R-134a (1,430), R-410A (2,088), and R-22 (1,810, plus ODP of
0.055) all have lower GWPs. The 2026/2027 regulations emphasize transition to lower-GWP
alternatives like R-448A (GWP 1,273), R-449A (GWP 1,282), and natural refrigerants.
Question 7: Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a low-pressure refrigerant
under EPA 608 Type III certification?
A) R-134a
B) R-410A
C) R-123
D) R-32
Correct Answer: C) R-123
R-123 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant specifically classified as a low-
pressure refrigerant used primarily in centrifugal chillers. EPA 608 Type III certification
covers servicing of low-pressure appliances containing refrigerants such as R-11, R-123, R-
1233zd, and R-245fa. R-134a, R-410A, and R-32 are high-pressure refrigerants covered
under Type II certification.
Question 8: What is the EPA-mandated evacuation level for recovery or recycling equipment
used on low-pressure appliances?
