What Is the EPA Section 608 Certificate for HVAC? The Section 608 certification measures HVAC technicians’ knowledge of handling various refrigeration products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that technicians provide a safe and eco-friendly outcome when they’re working with air conditioning and refrigeration fluids.
Full Answer
What is Section 608 technician certification?
EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 Technician Certification.
Where can I get an EPA 608 certification?
Mainstream Engineering Corporation, at EPATest.com, is here to provide complete testing services and support for technicians seeking their EPA 608 certification in addition to certification programs. If you have questions or want to know more about our program, be sure to contact us online or fill out the form below.
What is the Clean Air Act Section 608?
EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.
What is the difference between EPA 608 type II and Type III?
The EPA 608 Type II Certification allows you to service high-pressure or very high-pressure systems, like residential HVAC systems. The EPA 608 Type III Certification allows you to service low-pressure systems, like chillers. The EPA 608 Universal Certification allows you to service all types of HVAC systems.
What is the purpose of Section 608?
Ensure the safe disposal of CFCs and HCFCs. Section 608 prohibits individuals from intentionally venting ODS refrigerants (including CFCs and HCFCs) and their substitutes (such as HFCs), while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air- conditioning or refrigeration equipment.
What does EPA 608 allow you to do?
This EPA certification enables you to service or dispose of medium to very-high-pressure appliances, except in applications such as small appliances or air conditioners within motor vehicles. The education and training focuses more on leak detection and properly testing equipment.
What can happen if I don't have refrigerant certification?
Selling refrigerant to an individual or company that is not complying with this requirement could result in enforcement action against you or your company. The seller of the refrigerant is responsible for verifying that the buyer either 1) is a certified technician, or 2) employs a certified technician.
How much does it cost to take the EPA 608 test?
$300 - This fee INCLUDES a recorded, recent, preparation webinar, study materials, & practice quizzes along with an online proctored final exam with unlimited attempts.
Is the EPA test open book?
It is an open-book exam, and you can use the free manual we provide as much as you would like during the exam. The test can be taken online, but you may not receive the help of any other persons while taking the exam.
How do you pass the EPA 608 test?
5 Tips for Studying for Your EPA Certification TestUse a Study Manual. ... Talk With an HVAC Professional. ... Make a Study Guide. ... Take a Practice Test. ... Watch Instructive Videos Online. ... Get Your Certification through Mainstream Engineering.
What is the highest level of HVAC technician?
HVAC Excellence Certification Technicians can become certified at the professional level or the master specialist level.
Can an individual buy R-410A refrigerant?
Are you required to have a license or to be certified to handle and purchase R-410A? You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A but no license is legally necessary for purchase.
Can you buy refrigerant with Type 1 certification?
What type of Certification do I need to purchase refrigerants? If you get a 608 certification (Type I, Type II, Type II, or Universal), you can by any refrigerant sold in an HVAC/R store in containers of 20 pounds or more.
What score do you need to pass EPA test?
A passing score in a proctored setting is 70%. Core & Type I can be taken in a non-proctored setting, where the passing score is 84%.
Does EPA 608 certification expire?
Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 Technician Certification. The tests are specific to the type of equipment the technician seeks to work on. Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.
Where can I take the EPA 608 test online?
Mainstream Engineering Offers EPA 608 Testing Mainstream Engineering is a certifying agency for Section 608 Type I, II, III, and Universal certifications. This online resource can help you explore certification options, study, practice, and take the test online!
Which of the following do Section 608 regulations apply to?
Section 608 regulates the use of refrigerant chemicals that contain chlorine to prevent ozone depletion. The regulatory requirements apply to CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants and to equipment that contain these refrigerants.
On what does Type III EPA certification allow a service technician to work?
Type III – Type III EPA 608 licenses allow HVAC workers to focus on low-pressure appliances. It requires expertise with leak detection and fixes, disposal of refrigerants, safety, and recovery techniques. Some low-pressure appliances use nitrogen, so technicians need to have extensive knowledge about this chemical.
On what does universal EPA certification allow a service technician to work?
On what does universal EPA certification allows a service technician to work? All types of systems and all types of refrigerant, except mobile air conditioning.
What is the difference between EPA 608 and 609?
Section 608 technician certification is required to purchase ozone depleting or non-exempt substitute refrigerants, such as HFC refrigerants. Section 609 technician certification is required to purchase CFC-12 or EPA-approved substitutes for MVACs containing an ODS.
What is the 608 EPA certification?
EPA regulations ( 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified.
Do 608 certifications expire?
Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.
What To Expect With The EPA 608 Certification
Improper handling of refrigerants can damage the systems you’re servicing, and the danger is even greater in multi-family, commercial and industrial HVAC systems as the systems are designed with extremely high pressure.
How to Prepare for the EPA 608 Certification
Whether you are working as an apprentice under a seasoned HVAC technician or you’re new to the industry, getting the EPA 608 Certification is vital for working with everything from home refrigerators to multi-family building maintenance. Luckily with Interplay Learning, preparing for the exam can be easy.
The EPA has developed four types of HVAC certifications
Type I Certification – For Small Appliances (5lbs or less of refrigerant)
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
Type I Certification – Can only work on Small Appliance (5lbs or less of refrigerant) Type II Certification – Can only work on Medium, High, and Very-High Pressure Appliances. Type III Certification – Can only work on Low-Pressure Appliances. Universal Certification – Someone who possesses Type I, Type II, and Type III Certifications
Type I - Servicing Small Appliances
Available online in an open-book format, the Type I EPA 608 certification enables you to service smaller appliances. This section includes proper recovery techniques and industry requirements for small appliances, including recovery in equipment made before and after November 15, 1993.
Type II - High-Pressure Appliances
This EPA certification will enable you to service or dispose of medium to very high-pressure appliances, except in applications such as small appliances or air conditioners within motor vehicles. This education and training focus is geared more toward leak detection and how to test equipment properly.
Type III - Low-Pressure Appliances
The proper servicing and disposal of low-pressure appliances require Type III certification; however, it is essential to know that this near-identical exam is different from Type II in that low-pressure systems work in a vacuum. Therefore, leak tests and proper pressurization are crucial components of low-pressure HVAC services.
Universal Certification
A technician that completes and passes all three certification exams will receive a Universal Certification. You will have to be tested on each of the three certification types in addition to the core exam. Expect to answer 100 questions in total.
Outlining the EPA Certification
The Section 608 Technician Certification is an official recognition notifying individuals that the contractor knows the official laws and regulations regarding refrigerant removal.
Why Do You Need an EPA Certification to Remove Refrigerant?
Technicians need the 608 certifications because refrigerant is an ozone-depleting substance (ODS). If a large amount gets released into the atmosphere, it can harm the environment and all living things. As a result, it damages the ozone layer and increases the impact of the sun’s UV rays on our skin, which can cause skin cancer.
What is the NATE certification?
One of the most common forms of the voluntary certification includes North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE offers four main categories for certification: Ready-to-Work, HVAC Support Technician, Core/Specialty, and Senior Level Efficiency Analyst. The Ready-to-Work certificate is for those entry-level HVAC technicians who have the least amount of education and training for the field. The HVAC Support Technician certificate is for HVAC technicians who have between 6 to 12 months of work experience in the field and mostly covers the fundamentals of HVAC. The Core and Specialty certification exams are generally obtained by HVAC workers who have at least 2 years of work experience and they must take 2 exams prior to receiving certification. The Senior Level Efficiency Analyst certification is the highest level of certification offered by NATE and HVAC technicians must hold both heating and cooling certification prior to obtaining it.
How long does it take to get HVAC certification?
The HVAC Support Technician certificate is for HVAC technicians who have between 6 to 12 months of work experience in the field and mostly covers the fundamentals of HVAC. The Core and Specialty certification exams are generally obtained by HVAC workers who have at least 2 years of work experience and they must take 2 exams prior ...
What is the difference between HVAC type I and type II?
Type I limits HVAC technicians to working on appliances that contain no more than five pounds of refrigerant. Type II permits HVAC technicians to perform work on high-pressure appliances whereas Type III limits HVAC technicians to working on low-pressure appliances.
What certifications are required for HVAC?
Common certifications include the EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, NATE certification, and HVAC Excellence certification. Each of these governing bodies offers multiple certification types which are ...
What certifications are available for HVAC technicians?
The three types of certification offered to HVAC technicians under HVAC Excellence include the Employment Ready certificate, the Professional Technician (PT) certificate, and the Master Specialist Hands-On (MS) certificate.
How much does it cost to get EPA certification?
In order to obtain EPA certification, HVAC technicians must take a 3-hour long multiple-choice exam and score at least 70% to pass. The exam usually costs $120 and there are four exam options for certification: Type I, Type II, Type III and Universal.
Does the 608 EPA certification expire?
The EPA Section 608 Technician certification is transferable among all states and does not expire.
What is a 608 technician?from epa.gov
EPA regulations ( 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. Technicians are required ...
How to submit a new technician application?from epa608.com
You can submit new technicians using the New TechnicianApplication obtained by emailing [email protected].
What is an MVAC apprentice?from epa.gov
Any other activity that violates the integrity of a motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC)-like appliance or small appliance (other than disposal). Apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
What is the purpose of attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from an appliance?from epa.gov
Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from an appliance to measure pressure within the appliance.
What is a govwebsite?from epa.gov
A .govwebsite belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Do apprentices need to be certified?from epa.gov
Apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
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Type I
The EPA 608 Type I Certification allows you to service small appliances, like refrigerators or window-units.
Type II
The EPA 608 Type II Certification allows you to service high-pressure or very high-pressure systems, like residential HVAC systems.
Type III
The EPA 608 Type III Certification allows you to service low-pressure systems, like chillers.
Universal
The EPA 608 Universal Certification allows you to service all types of HVAC systems.
What Is the EPA Section 608 Certificate for HVAC?
The Section 608 certification measures HVAC technicians’ knowledge of handling various refrigeration products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that technicians provide a safe and eco-friendly outcome when they’re working with air conditioning and refrigeration fluids.
How do I get certified under Section 608?
Technicians must pass an EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 certification. EPA-approved certifying organizations administer the test. The test is comprised of four parts with 25 multiple choice questions in each part. Apex Technical School encourages test takers to study before sitting for the exam.
Learn More About Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Now that you understand how to get the EPA certification for HVAC technicians, it’s time to take the next step in your journey by enrolling in hands-on skills training. Apex offers HVAC classes in the day or evening to fit your schedule. Learn more about the HVAC program at Apex, or contact us now to get answers to your questions.
