EPA Section 609 Exam 2025/2026 | Actual
Exam with Complete Questions and
Answers | Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning |
Environmental Protection Agency
Certification
EPA Section 609 – Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning | Original Practice
Questions 2025/2026
1. Which refrigerant type is most commonly used in modern motor vehicle air
conditioning systems?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-410A
Answer: B. R-134a
Solution: R-134a replaced R-12 due to environmental regulations under the Clean Air
Act, as it does not deplete the ozone layer.
2. What is the primary environmental concern addressed by EPA Section 609?
A. Fuel efficiency
B. Ozone depletion
C. Noise pollution
D. Engine emissions
Answer: B. Ozone depletion
Solution: Section 609 ensures technicians handle refrigerants properly to prevent
release of ozone-depleting substances.
3. Before servicing an A/C system, which safety equipment is most important?
A. Safety goggles and gloves
B. Earplugs
,C. Welding mask
D. Respirator for CO2
Answer: A. Safety goggles and gloves
Solution: Refrigerants are under high pressure and can cause frostbite or eye injuries if
released.
4. Recovery equipment must be certified under which standard?
A. SAE J1990
B. SAE J2210
C. SAE J1234
D. SAE J2841
Answer: B. SAE J2210
Solution: EPA requires all recovery/recycling equipment to be certified to SAE J2210 to
ensure safe handling of refrigerants.
5. What is the maximum allowable refrigerant leak rate for a certified A/C service station?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 30% per year
D. 50% per year
Answer: B. 20% per year
Solution: EPA regulations require systems with high leak rates (>20% per year) to be
repaired before additional refrigerant is added.
6. Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-1234yf
Answer: C. R-22
Solution: R-22 is an HCFC and is being phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties.
7. When recovering refrigerant, why is it important to evacuate the system before
opening it?
,A. To remove oil
B. To prevent moisture contamination
C. To prevent refrigerant release into the atmosphere
D. To check system pressure
Answer: C. To prevent refrigerant release into the atmosphere
Solution: Proper recovery prevents illegal venting of ozone-depleting substances.
8. Which document must technicians maintain for Section 609 compliance?
A. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
B. Refrigerant purchase logs
C. Technician certification record
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Solution: EPA requires records of refrigerant purchases, handling, and technician
certification.
9. How often must technicians renew their EPA Section 609 certification?
A. Every year
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Lifetime certification
Answer: B. Every 3 years
Solution: Certification is valid for 3 years; refresher training ensures up-to-date
knowledge of laws and best practices.
10. Which of the following is true about R-1234yf?
A. It is ozone-depleting
B. It has high global warming potential (GWP)
C. It is mildly flammable
D. It is an HCFC
Answer: C. It is mildly flammable
Solution: R-1234yf is a low-GWP HFO and mildly flammable, requiring proper handling
and recovery procedures.
, 11. When should a vacuum be pulled on an A/C system?
A. After recovery of refrigerant and before adding new refrigerant
B. Before recovering refrigerant
C. During operation
D. Only when the system leaks
Answer: A. After recovery of refrigerant and before adding new refrigerant
Solution: Pulling a vacuum removes air and moisture, preventing system contamination.
12. What is the main purpose of an A/C compressor oil?
A. Cool the engine
B. Lubricate system components
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Reduce noise
Answer: B. Lubricate system components
Solution: Oil circulates with the refrigerant to lubricate moving parts like the
compressor.
13. What color is typically associated with R-134a service ports?
A. Red and blue
B. Yellow and black
C. Red and yellow
D. Blue and red
Answer: D. Blue and red
Solution: Blue is low-pressure, red is high-pressure; yellow hoses are for
recovery/charging.
14. If refrigerant is accidentally vented, what is the proper course of action?
A. Ignore it
B. Report it to EPA and clean up
C. Vent more to dilute
D. Recycle it later
Answer: B. Report it to EPA and clean up
Solution: Venting is illegal; technicians must take corrective action and follow EPA
reporting.
Exam with Complete Questions and
Answers | Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning |
Environmental Protection Agency
Certification
EPA Section 609 – Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning | Original Practice
Questions 2025/2026
1. Which refrigerant type is most commonly used in modern motor vehicle air
conditioning systems?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-410A
Answer: B. R-134a
Solution: R-134a replaced R-12 due to environmental regulations under the Clean Air
Act, as it does not deplete the ozone layer.
2. What is the primary environmental concern addressed by EPA Section 609?
A. Fuel efficiency
B. Ozone depletion
C. Noise pollution
D. Engine emissions
Answer: B. Ozone depletion
Solution: Section 609 ensures technicians handle refrigerants properly to prevent
release of ozone-depleting substances.
3. Before servicing an A/C system, which safety equipment is most important?
A. Safety goggles and gloves
B. Earplugs
,C. Welding mask
D. Respirator for CO2
Answer: A. Safety goggles and gloves
Solution: Refrigerants are under high pressure and can cause frostbite or eye injuries if
released.
4. Recovery equipment must be certified under which standard?
A. SAE J1990
B. SAE J2210
C. SAE J1234
D. SAE J2841
Answer: B. SAE J2210
Solution: EPA requires all recovery/recycling equipment to be certified to SAE J2210 to
ensure safe handling of refrigerants.
5. What is the maximum allowable refrigerant leak rate for a certified A/C service station?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 30% per year
D. 50% per year
Answer: B. 20% per year
Solution: EPA regulations require systems with high leak rates (>20% per year) to be
repaired before additional refrigerant is added.
6. Which of the following refrigerants is classified as a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. R-1234yf
Answer: C. R-22
Solution: R-22 is an HCFC and is being phased out due to its ozone-depleting properties.
7. When recovering refrigerant, why is it important to evacuate the system before
opening it?
,A. To remove oil
B. To prevent moisture contamination
C. To prevent refrigerant release into the atmosphere
D. To check system pressure
Answer: C. To prevent refrigerant release into the atmosphere
Solution: Proper recovery prevents illegal venting of ozone-depleting substances.
8. Which document must technicians maintain for Section 609 compliance?
A. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
B. Refrigerant purchase logs
C. Technician certification record
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Solution: EPA requires records of refrigerant purchases, handling, and technician
certification.
9. How often must technicians renew their EPA Section 609 certification?
A. Every year
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Lifetime certification
Answer: B. Every 3 years
Solution: Certification is valid for 3 years; refresher training ensures up-to-date
knowledge of laws and best practices.
10. Which of the following is true about R-1234yf?
A. It is ozone-depleting
B. It has high global warming potential (GWP)
C. It is mildly flammable
D. It is an HCFC
Answer: C. It is mildly flammable
Solution: R-1234yf is a low-GWP HFO and mildly flammable, requiring proper handling
and recovery procedures.
, 11. When should a vacuum be pulled on an A/C system?
A. After recovery of refrigerant and before adding new refrigerant
B. Before recovering refrigerant
C. During operation
D. Only when the system leaks
Answer: A. After recovery of refrigerant and before adding new refrigerant
Solution: Pulling a vacuum removes air and moisture, preventing system contamination.
12. What is the main purpose of an A/C compressor oil?
A. Cool the engine
B. Lubricate system components
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Reduce noise
Answer: B. Lubricate system components
Solution: Oil circulates with the refrigerant to lubricate moving parts like the
compressor.
13. What color is typically associated with R-134a service ports?
A. Red and blue
B. Yellow and black
C. Red and yellow
D. Blue and red
Answer: D. Blue and red
Solution: Blue is low-pressure, red is high-pressure; yellow hoses are for
recovery/charging.
14. If refrigerant is accidentally vented, what is the proper course of action?
A. Ignore it
B. Report it to EPA and clean up
C. Vent more to dilute
D. Recycle it later
Answer: B. Report it to EPA and clean up
Solution: Venting is illegal; technicians must take corrective action and follow EPA
reporting.
