Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
Cheat sheet

EPA 608 Cheat Sheet

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide

Core

25%of exam

Clean Air ActVentingODPThree RsSafety

Type I

25%of exam

Small AppliancesRecoveryPassive RecoveryAccess ValvesDisposal

Type II

25%of exam

High PressureLeak RepairEvacuationR-22Oil Change

Type III

25%of exam

Low PressurePurge UnitsChillers25 mm HgWater Intrusion

Quick Facts

Exam
EPA 608
Credential
Technician Certification
Sections
Core + I + II + III
Universal
All four tests
Validity
Does not expire
Provider
EPA-approved certifier
Law
40 CFR 82
Focus
Prevent releases

Three Rs

Recover, recycle, reclaim: no shortcuts

Recover: removeRecycle: cleanReclaim: AHRI 700Resale needs reclaim

Recover vs Recycle

Recover

  • Remove refrigerant
  • External container
  • No cleaning

Recycle

  • Clean refrigerant
  • Filter/oil separation
  • Same-owner reuse

Remove vs clean

Certification Picker

  1. Small appliance→Type I(5 lb max)
  2. High-pressure system→Type II
  3. Low-pressure chiller→Type III
  4. All stationary types→Universal
  5. Motor vehicle AC→Section 609
  6. Apprentice work→Supervised only

Core Rules

Section 608
Stationary equipment rules
Technician
Opens refrigerant circuit
Venting
Intentional release prohibited
De minimis
Good-faith release
Sales restriction
Certified buyers only
40 CFR 82
Subpart F rules
Certification
EPA-approved test
Universal
Core plus all types

Family ODP

CFC worst; HCFC less; HFC zero

CFC: high ODPHCFC: lower ODPHFC: zero ODPGWP still matters

Recycle vs Reclaim

Recycle

  • Basic cleaning
  • Same owner
  • Field equipment

Reclaim

  • AHRI 700
  • Certified reclaimer
  • Resale allowed

Reuse vs resale

Refrigerants

CFC
High ODP
HCFC
Lower ODP
HFC
Zero ODP
HFO
Low GWP option
Natural
Ammonia, CO2, hydrocarbons
R-12
CFC example
R-22
HCFC example
R-134a
HFC example
R-410A
HFC blend

Universal Path

Core + I + II + III

Core requiredType I smallType II highType III low

ODP vs GWP

ODP

  • Ozone damage
  • Chlorine matters
  • CFC high

GWP

  • Climate warming
  • HFC issue
  • CO2 baseline

Ozone vs climate

Ozone + Climate

ODP
Ozone damage
GWP
Climate warming
Chlorine
Destroys ozone
Stratosphere
Ozone layer
Montreal
ODS phaseout
AIM Act
HFC phasedown
2036
85% HFC cut

608 vs 609

608

  • Stationary equipment
  • HVAC/R systems
  • Types I-III

609

  • Motor vehicles
  • MVAC service
  • Separate program

Stationary vs vehicle

Cycle + Components

Compressor
Raises pressure
Condenser
Rejects heat
Metering device
Drops pressure
Evaporator
Absorbs heat
Receiver
Stores liquid
Accumulator
Protects compressor
Filter-drier
Removes moisture
Sight glass
Shows flow

De Minimis vs Venting

De minimis

  • Good-faith loss
  • Hose connection
  • Allowed release

Venting

  • Intentional release
  • Service shortcut
  • Prohibited act

Incidental vs intentional

Three Rs

Recover
Remove and store
Recycle
Clean for reuse
Reclaim
Process to AHRI 700
Same owner
Recovered reuse allowed
New owner
Reclaim first
Reclaimer
EPA-certified processor
Do not mix
Avoid contamination

Safety

PPE
Gloves and goggles
SCBA
Large leak protection
Frostbite
Liquid refrigerant
Asphyxiation
Oxygen displacement
Phosgene
Flame decomposition
80% fill
Cylinder limit
Nitrogen
Preferred pressure gas
Low-loss fittings
Reduce hose release

HFC + SNAP

SNAP
Substitute acceptability list
Acceptable
Legal for end-use
Unacceptable
Illegal substitute
Use conditions
Required restrictions
A2L
Mildly flammable
R-454B
Lower-GWP replacement
R-32
Lower-GWP replacement
HFC allowances
Phasedown mechanism

Type I Basics

Small appliance
Factory-sealed unit
Charge size
5 lb or less
Examples
Fridges, window AC
Working compressor
90% recovery
Dead compressor
80% recovery
Vacuum option
4 in Hg
Line tap
Temporary access
Passive recovery
System-dependent method

Azeotropic vs Zeotropic

Azeotropic

  • Acts single
  • No glide
  • Stable blend

Zeotropic

  • Temperature glide
  • Fractionation risk
  • Liquid charge

No glide vs glide

Evacuation Picker

  1. Small working compressor→90%(Type I)
  2. Small dead compressor→80%(Type I)
  3. Small vacuum option→4 in Hg(Type I)
  4. Very high-pressure→0 in Hg
  5. High under 200 lb→0 in Hg
  6. High 200 lb plus→10 in Hg
  7. Medium under 200 lb→10 in Hg
  8. Medium 200 lb plus→15 in Hg
  9. Low-pressure system→25 mm Hg(Absolute)
  10. Oil change→5 psig max

Type II Basics

High-pressure
Common field systems
Very high-pressure
0 in Hg
High <200 lb
0 in Hg
High >=200 lb
10 in Hg
15 lb limit
No passive above
Liquid recovery
Do first
Push-pull
Large charge speed
Oil change
5 psig max
Zeotropic
Charge as liquid

Leak Action

  1. ODS 50 lb leaks→Apply triggers
  2. Above trigger→Repair 30 days
  3. IPR shutdown needed→120 days
  4. Retire instead→Plan 30 days
  5. Repair delayed→Document extension
  6. HFC system→Check Part 84

Leak + Records

Full charge
50 lb or more
Comfort cooling
10% trigger
Commercial refrigeration
20% trigger
Industrial process
30% trigger
Repair window
30 days
IPR shutdown
120 days
Verification
Initial and follow-up
Mothballing
Pauses timelines

Pressure Memory

High pushes out; low pulls in

Type II: pressureType III: vacuumLow leaks inward

Type II vs Type III

Type II

  • High pressure
  • Field systems
  • Leaks push out

Type III

  • Low pressure
  • Centrifugal chillers
  • Leaks pull in

Pressure decides type

Type III Basics

Low-pressure
Operates in vacuum
Chiller
Common Type III unit
Recovery level
25 mm Hg absolute
Open service
Pressurize to 0 psig
Purge unit
Removes noncondensables
Rupture disc
15 psig relief
Tube leak
Water enters refrigerant
Eddy current
Finds tube defects
Oil heater
Prevents migration

Common Traps

Certification vs card

EPA approves tests ≠ EPA issues no cards

HFC vs ODS

HFC has zero ODP ≠ HFC can high GWP

Recycle vs reclaim

Recycle stays same owner ≠ Reclaim enables resale

Low-pressure leaks

Air leaks inward ≠ Purge frequency rises

Passive recovery limits

Allowed for small systems ≠ Not for low-pressure

Oil change pressure

Recover first ≠ Do not exceed 5 psig

Venting vs de minimis

Good-faith loss allowed ≠ Intentional release prohibited

Last Minute

  1. 1.Universal = Core plus all types
  2. 2.608 stationary; 609 vehicle
  3. 3.Venting is prohibited
  4. 4.HFC zero ODP, high GWP
  5. 5.Recover before opening systems
  6. 6.Small appliance: 5 lb max
  7. 7.Type I: 90% or 80%
  8. 8.Low-pressure: 25 mm Hg
  9. 9.Oil changes need 5 psig
  10. 10.Leak triggers: 10/20/30
  11. 11.Sales require matching certification
  12. 12.Do not mix refrigerants

EPA 608 Technician Certification

Practice QuestionsStudy GuideCheat SheetFlashcards
5 blogs

EPA 608 CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027: Complete Guide to EPA 608 Exam Prep, Refrigerant Handling, and HVAC Safety

$39.99 · Buy on Amazon

Take courses on Udemy