EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
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Since November 14, 1994, EPA-Approved Section 608 certification is needed to service building air conditioning and refrigeration systems. With 608 certification, you can purchase any refrigerant in containers greater that 20 pounds. Four types of certification are available. Only CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS can purchase refrigerants.Technicians receiving a passing grade on the Type I (small appliance) examination are certified to recover refrigerant during the maintenance, service or repair of packaged terminal air conditioners with 5 pounds or less or refrigerant. Only Type I or Universal certified technicians can recover refrigerant from these units. The Type I certification is available in an open-book exam, as well as the closed book format.
Technicians receiving a passing grade on the Type II (high-pressure and very high pressure) examination are certified to recover refrigerant during the maintenance, service or repair of high-pressure equipment (Medium-Pressure R-12, R-114, R-134a, R-401A, and R-500; High-Pressure R-22, R-402A, R-402B, R-404A, R-407A, R-407B, R-407C, R-410A and R-502; and Very-High-Pressure R-13, R-23, and R-503). Only Type II or Universal certified technicians can recover refrigerant from these units.
Technicians receiving a passing grade on the Type III (low-pressure appliance) examination are certified to recover refrigerant during the maintenance, service or repair of low-pressure equipment (CFC-11, HCFC-123). Only Type III or Universal certified technicians can recover refrigerant from these units.
Technicians receiving a Universal Certification are certified to recover refrigerant during the maintenance, service or repair of small appliances, high-pressure equipment and low-pressure equipment. That is, they are certified to work on any type of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment except motor vehicle air conditioning. Type I, II and III certification exams consist of 25 core questions and 25 specific Type I, II, or III questions, for a total of 50 multiple choice questions. The Universal certification exam consists of 25 Core questions, 25 Type I questions, 25 Type II questions, and 25 Type III questions, for a total of 100 multiple-choice questions. Technicians can take any of the certification exams as many times as necessary (passing grade per section is 72%, that is 18 of 25 correct in each section). When retaking the exam, only the sections failed need to be repeated. If a technician taking a Universal Exam fails to pass all sections, but passes the Core Sections and at least one other section, a certification card for the types passed will be issued. Proctored exams are all closed-book exams, with no notes or papers of any kind allowed in the test area. Calculators are not allowed.
For technicians using the Type I Open Book format only, the exam is open-book, but the passing grade is 84% instead of 72% and the core questions must be repeated in a proctored environment if other certifications are later desired. We suggest the closed book exam! Click here to find a proctor location in your area.
Currently, the certification has no expiration date. However, if EPA regulations change after a technician becomes certified, it is the technician's responsibility to comply with any future changes in the law.
Mainstream is approved by the EPA as a certifying agency for Section 608 Type I, II, III and Universal exams and Section 609 Motor Vehicle A/C certification.
Equipment Certification
The EPA has established a certification program for recovery and recycling equipment. Under the program, EPA requires that recovery equipment intended for use with small appliances must be tested under either the ARI 740-1993 protocol or Appendix C of the EPA Final Rule (May 14, 1993). The agency is requiring recovery efficiency standards that vary depending on the size and type of the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment being serviced, and since July 13, 1993, technicians have been required to evacuate air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment to established vacuum levels. For small appliances, when using recycling and recovery equipment manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, 90% of the refrigerant from the small appliance must be recovered if the compressor on the appliance is operational, and 80% of the refrigerant must be recovered if the compressor is not operational. When using recycling and recovery equipment manufactured before November 15, 1993, 80% of the refrigerant from the small appliance must be recovered.Click here for the EPA's outline of the Issues covered on the Universal exam.