How to Get EPA 608 Certified in 2026: Step by Step

Do you need it?

Under 40 CFR 82.161, anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment in a way that could release refrigerant must be certified. In practice: if you open the refrigerant circuit of a fridge, an AC system or a chiller, you need Section 608.

• Buying refrigerant. Since January 1, 2018, refrigerant, HFCs included, is sold only to certified technicians. The main exception is small cans (2 lbs or less) of car AC refrigerant with a self-sealing valve.
• Car air conditioning is covered by a different program, Section 609.
• Scrap and recycling yards that only recover refrigerant from small appliances before disposal don't need technician certification, but their recovery equipment must meet EPA standards.

Step 1: pick your type

Every technician passes Core, plus the type that matches the equipment they work on. Each section is 25 multiple-choice questions.

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Not sure? Read Type I vs II vs III. If you're new to the trade, Universal keeps every job open.

Step 2: choose a certifying organization

EPA approves certifying programs and lists them on its Section 608 pages; trade schools, unions, supply houses and online training companies run them. Prices, scheduling and study material vary, so compare a few. Whichever you pick, the certification is the same: an EPA 608 card is valid nationwide, whoever issued it.

Step 3: decide how you'll take the test

• In person. Many supply houses, community colleges and union halls host proctored sessions. It's the classic route.
• Online, with a remote proctor. Some organizations proctor the exam over your webcam. You'll usually need a laptop or desktop with a camera and microphone, a quiet room and a clear desk; phones and tablets often aren't accepted.
• Type I by mail. Some organizations offer an at-home Type I test. It needs 84% (21 of 25) instead of 70%, and it can't be used toward Universal.

Universal requires every section, Core included, to be passed in a closed-book, proctored setting.

Step 4: study the way the test is built

You need 70% in each section on its own: 18 of 25. A great Type II score won't rescue a weak Core. Most techs study Core first, since everyone takes it and it holds the rules the other sections build on.

1. Read the Core exam guide and take the free 10-question test to see where you stand.
2. Learn the numbers that change by section: recovery percentages for Type I, evacuation levels for Type II and III, and the 2026 leak repair rules.
3. Drill each section in 25-question blocks, then take full timed mock exams.

Step 5: exam day

• Bring a government-issued photo ID. Ask your organization which IDs it accepts before the day.
• The test is closed book: no notes, phone or study app.
• You can take all four sections in one sitting or spread them out; with most organizations, sections you pass stay passed.

After you pass

The organization issues your certification card, showing your name, the types you passed and who certified you. Section 608 certification never expires, so there's no renewal. Keep the card handy: supply houses will ask for it before they sell you refrigerant. If you lose it, ask the organization that certified you for a replacement.

Failed a section? Most organizations let you retake just that section; check the policy and any fee before you sign up.

Get ready before you book

The EPA 608 Exam Prep app covers Core, Type I, Type II and Type III with explanations after every answer, a timed Mock Exam that grades each section at 70% like the real test, and a Readiness score that shows which section needs work. Core is free, and it all works offline.