EPA 608 Core Practice Test

📌 Want quick access for next time? Bookmark now — Desktop: Ctrl/Command + D. Mobile: Menu (⋮ or Share) → Add to Bookmarks/Home.

This section of the EPA 608 Core practice test contains 90 questions designed to cover important material such as refrigerant safety, environmental impacts, regulations, and proper handling procedures.

The core test relates to all types of certification; therefore, scoring well is important regardless of which path you take. Use this quiz to check your knowledge, and build confidence before finishing the final section of the test.

90 Questions

1. What color is typically used for recovery cylinder tops?

 
 
 
 

2. Which section of the Clean Air Act specifically deals with refrigerant handling and technician certification?

 
 
 
 

3. Which appliance category has the lowest EPA leak rate threshold?

 
 
 
 

4. Who is allowed to perform refrigerant reclamation?

 
 
 
 

5. When retrofitting a system to use a new refrigerant, what must always be done?

 
 
 
 

6. What should be done if a system repeatedly fails to hold a vacuum?

 
 
 
 

7. What international agreement led to the CFC phaseout?

 
 
 
 

8. Which part of Earth’s atmosphere contains the protective ozone layer?

 
 
 
 

9. What is a key reason retrofitting old systems to use modern refrigerants can be challenging?

 
 
 
 

10. Which term describes refrigerant cleaned for reuse on-site without meeting purity standards?

 
 
 
 

11. What do AHRI-700 standards define?

 
 
 
 

12. What is the best method to charge refrigerant into a system under a deep vacuum?

 
 
 
 

13. What is the primary purpose of system evacuation before charging with refrigerant?

 
 
 
 

14. Which refrigerant is most harmful to the ozone layer among these?

 
 
 
 

15. Which document outlines EPA’s authority under Section 608?

 
 
 
 

16. Which records must be kept by technicians?

 
 
 
 

17. What does Section 608 certification allow a technician to do?

 
 
 
 

18. What should be done before opening any sealed refrigeration system?

 
 
 
 

19. Why is it dangerous to heat a refrigerant cylinder with an open flame?

 
 
 
 

20. Which of the following is an ozone-depleting refrigerant regulated under the Clean Air Act?

 
 
 
 

21. Why must mineral oil be replaced when converting a system from R-22 to R-410A?

 
 
 
 

22. What should be done with unusable contaminated refrigerant?

 
 
 
 

23. What is the main environmental concern with HFCs?

 
 
 
 

24. When must initial leak verification be completed after repair?

 
 
 
 

25. What must be attached before transporting recovery cylinders?

 
 
 
 

26. What should be clearly labeled on all refrigerant recovery cylinders?

 
 
 
 

27. Which refrigerant has zero ozone depletion potential and low GWP?

 
 
 
 

28. What does refrigerant recycling involve?

 
 
 
 

29. What is meant by refrigerant recovery?

 
 
 
 

30. What is the leak rate limit for commercial refrigeration systems?

 
 
 
 

31. Which of the following is a valid use of a recovery machine?

 
 
 
 

32. What happens when ozone in the upper atmosphere is reduced?

 
 
 
 

33. Which systems must maintain leak inspection records?

 
 
 
 

34. What is the penalty for knowingly venting regulated refrigerants under the Clean Air Act?

 
 
 
 

35. Which international agreement supports the Clean Air Act’s refrigerant regulations?

 
 
 
 

36. Which agency enforces Section 608 regulations?

 
 
 
 

37. What element in CFCs and HCFCs damages the ozone layer?

 
 
 
 

38. Which gas is commonly used to pressurize systems for leak checking and is considered safe?

 
 
 
 

39. Why is moisture in a refrigeration system a problem?

 
 
 
 

40. What safety equipment should always be worn when opening a system under pressure?

 
 
 
 

41. Why was the Clean Air Act amended in 1990 with respect to refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

42. What safety concern is most associated with using hydrocarbon refrigerants like R-290?

 
 
 
 

43. What is the main U.S. law that regulates refrigerant emissions?

 
 
 
 

44. What does AHRI Standard 700 refer to?

 
 
 
 

45. What is the purpose of refrigerant recovery?

 
 
 
 

46. What should be done before using a recovery cylinder?

 
 
 
 

47. Recovered refrigerant can only be reused in which situation?

 
 
 
 

48. What is required if a system cannot be repaired within the allowed timeframe?

 
 
 
 

49. What is a key requirement under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act?

 
 
 
 

50. Which of the following refrigerants is considered a substitute for R-22 in retrofitted systems?

 
 
 
 

51. What happens if refrigerant is charged into a system too quickly as liquid?

 
 
 
 

52. What should be avoided when transferring refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

53. When did the EPA begin enforcing technician certification under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act?

 
 
 
 

54. What is the goal of refrigerant reclamation?

 
 
 
 

55. How is annual leak rate calculated?

 
 
 
 

56. What is the EPA leak rate threshold for comfort cooling appliances before repair is required?

 
 
 
 

57. What should a technician do if a small refrigerant leak is suspected but not visible?

 
 
 
 

58. Which of the following refrigerants is classified as an HFO (Hydrofluoroolefin)?

 
 
 
 

59. What happens if a technician violates Section 608 regulations?

 
 
 
 

60. What is the primary purpose of the Clean Air Act in relation to refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

61. Which refrigerant group has the highest ozone depletion potential (ODP)?

 
 
 
 

62. Which component is typically used to remove moisture from refrigerant in a system?

 
 
 
 

63. Who can legally reclaim refrigerant?

 
 
 
 

64. Under the Clean Air Act, which government agency is authorized to regulate refrigerant emissions?

 
 
 
 

65. When is EPA Section 608 certification legally required?

 
 
 
 

66. Which part of the Clean Air Act established refrigerant recovery requirements?

 
 
 
 

67. When should a filter-drier be replaced?

 
 
 
 

68. What tool is commonly used to detect refrigerant leaks?

 
 
 
 

69. What type of lubricant is commonly used with HFC refrigerants like R-410A?

 
 
 
 

70. What is the primary purpose of using safety goggles when working with refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

71. Section 608 applies to which types of refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

72. Which container is required for storing recovered refrigerant?

 
 
 
 

73. What tool is used to measure a system’s vacuum level during evacuation?

 
 
 
 

74. When working with refrigerants, what type of gloves are recommended?

 
 
 
 

75. Which refrigerant is a natural hydrocarbon and flammable, requiring special handling?

 
 
 
 

76. Which method verifies that a leak has been properly repaired?

 
 
 
 

77. What documentation must technicians provide under the Clean Air Act when disposing of an appliance with more than 5 lbs of refrigerant

 
 
 
 

78. Which substitute refrigerant has low GWP and is used in newer automotive systems?

 
 
 
 

79. When must refrigerant be sent to a reclaimer?

 
 
 
 

80. Why should oxygen never be used to pressurize HVAC systems?

 
 
 
 

81. After discovering a leak above the EPA threshold, how many days are allowed to repair it?

 
 
 
 

82. Why should refrigerant cylinders never be stored in direct sunlight or high heat?

 
 
 
 

83. What is the purpose of technician certification under Section 608?

 
 
 
 

84. Which term describes a refrigerant’s contribution to climate change?

 
 
 
 

85. Which type of UV radiation is most harmful but mostly blocked by ozone?

 
 
 
 

86. Section 608 of the Clean Air Act covers which of the following?

 
 
 
 

87. What is the primary benefit of using low-GWP refrigerants?

 
 
 
 

88. What micron level should a system be evacuated to for most EPA standards?

 
 
 
 

89. What is one sign that moisture is present in a refrigeration system?

 
 
 
 

90. What is the main difference between recycling and reclaiming refrigerant?

 
 
 
 


Each technician obtaining EPA 608 certification must complete the Core section first. Therefore, the Core section is an essential starting point to HVAC knowledge. The EPA 608 Core practice test ensures that you feel adequate with the rules, safety protections, and environmental stewardship as required by the EPA.

Since you have to answer all of the questions, be sure to review the explanation given with each question as many of the explained details are positive learning reinforcement. When you are finished and ready, go to the Type I practice test to begin your focus on small appliance systems.

Next: EPA 608 Type 1 Practice Test
Mark A. Fletcher
Latest posts by Mark A. Fletcher (see all)