Passing The EPA 608 Certification Test In 2025 – It’s All About Refrigerants

I’m not an HVAC technician – just a growth marketer diving into the world our customers live and breathe every day. This was my hands-on crash course into refrigerants, regulations, and the terrifying reality of $44,000-a-day fines. Major respect to the real techs out there doing this work the right way.

Anyone planning to work in HVAC will likely need to pass a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved test to earn their Section 608 Technician Certification. This certification, required under the Clean Air Act (CAA), is mandatory for anyone working with refrigerants. It ensures technicians understand how to handle refrigerants safely and legally, protecting both human health and the environment.

What is the EPA 608 Technician Certification?

The Section 608 Technician Certification is required for any HVAC technician, or anyone who services, maintains, or disposes of appliances that contain regulated refrigerants. It is divided into four types:

• Type I – Small appliances
• Type II – High-pressure systems
• Type III – Low-pressure systems
• Universal – Covers all types

Do You Need All EPA 608 Type Tests?

You do not need to take all types individually if you take and pass the Universal Section 608 Technician Certification because the Universal includes all four types in a single exam.

What If I only Work With One Type?

If you work in the HVAC industry – especially as a tech who provides service, maintenance, or installation – passing the Universal certification makes you eligible for any refrigeration-related job, broadening your work prospects.

For example, even if your current job only requires Type II, having Universal certification ensures:

• You're prepared for future roles.
• You don’t need to re-test if your job scope changes.
• You stand out to employers.

Here is a table of types and what each allows:

EPA Refrigerant Venting/Leaking Penalties

According to the 2018 QwikStudy Guide, HVAC technicians who violate CAA regulations can face serious penalties, including fines of up to $44,539 per day for each violation, loss of certification, and even federal charges. For example, this means that with two violations over three days, you can be fined up to $267,234, according to SkillCat.

However, updated penalties for 2025 are not easily found online.

Are Refrigerant Penalties Really Enforced?

Yes. The EPA highlights a number of companies that have been fined, including these more recent ones:

Refrigerants: Names, Types, Fines, and Use Cases

Refrigerants are chemicals used in cooling systems like air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators. ASHRAE safety group classifications include:

• A = Low toxicity
• B = Higher toxicity
• 1 = No flame propagation
• 2 = Lower flammability
• 3 = High flammability

Refrigerant Table

How Refrigerants Have Changed Over Time

• 1930s-1980s (CFCs & HCFCs): Early refrigerants like R-12 (CFC-12) and R-22 (HCFC-22) were effective but damaged the ozone layer and had high global warming potential (GWP).
• 1990s-2010s (HFCs): Refrigerants like R-134a and R-410A were introduced. They don’t deplete ozone but have high GWP.
• 2020s-Present (HFOs & Natural Refrigerants): Today’s shift is toward low-GWP HFOs like R-1234yf and natural refrigerants like CO₂ (R-744) and propane (R-290).

Which Refrigerants Are Being Phased Out (and When)?

Refrigerant Phaseout Mandate:

• R-22 banned in 2020 (no new production/imports)
• R-134a prohibited in new vehicles by 2025
• R-410A being phased down starting in 2025 under the AIM Act
• HCFCs mostly phased out by 2030
• HFCs phase down of 85% by 2036 (AIM Act mandate)

The AIM Act of 2020 (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act) is accelerating the U.S. shift away from high-GWP HFCs to more climate-friendly alternatives.

Current HVAC Refrigerant Landscape

As of January 1, 2025, all newly manufactured residential and light commercial HVAC systems in the U.S. must use low-GWP refrigerants like R-454B and R-32. This industry-wide transition away from older refrigerants such as R-410A and R-22 is designed to support environmental sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

R-454B is a promising alternative, offering up to 78% less GWP than R-410A, no ozone depletion potential, and improved energy efficiency. Many top HVAC manufacturers have already adopted R-454B, and it has proven its performance in demanding conditions through programs like the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge.

Environmental Chemistry: Why Chlorine Is So Damaging

A single chlorine atom from a CFC or HCFC molecule can destroy up to 100,000 ozone (O₃) molecules before it is deactivated. This happens because UV light breaks apart CFCs in the upper atmosphere.

Released Cl atoms react with ozone:

• Cl + O₃ → ClO + O₂
• ClO + O → Cl + O₂

The Cl is regenerated and destroys more ozone, acting catalytically. This depletion allows more UV-B radiation to reach Earth, increasing cancer risk and harming ecosystems.

What’s on the EPA 608 Test?

The Universal Section 608 Technician Certification test is 100 multiple choice questions, and is quite difficult. Yes, it is hard, so be sure to study for it.

I spent about 10 hours studying the materials and still failed the first time I took the EPA 608 Test. Then, I spent about 10-15 more hours going through all of the SkillCat modules (which are very well done), and finally passed with a 73% (70% is required to pass).

There are many study guides out there, but the easiest way to study and pass it in 2025 – in my opinion – is with SkillCat. Even though you can sign up for an account on your desktop computer, it requires taking the test on your mobile device.

How Much Does It Cost to Study for and Take the EPA Universal Test?

SkillCat offers a free trial (normally $10 a month), so I was able to study and take the EPA 608 Certification for free.

SkillCat is still far cheaper than buying a study guide for $100+ and then paying $60 for each proctored test attempt (like I was quoted locally). In fact, free is the cheapest option if you can pass the test during the trial period.

Is There a Catch With SkillCat?

However, the catch is that I only received a digital certification card, not a paper one. SkillCat sells those EPA cards for $59.99 via their app.

I read on one website that a paper certificate is required to be fully certified, but it didn’t look like a legitimate site. I couldn’t find information to the contrary, and even called the EPA office to ask about it. An employee took my name and contact information and said they would route my inquiry, but I never heard anything back (as of 6/24/2025) about whether a paper card is required when working in the field.

Is The EPA 608 Universal Test Monitored/Proctored On SkillCat?

Yes, the test taker’s phone camera is activated to make sure the test taker doesn’t cheat or look around for assistance. So, do not look away from the screen to think or put your phone down to do anything else.

Where can you find the EPA 608 test answers? There isn't anywhere online where the answers are published. It could be because this test is required by the EPA, so it’s a pretty serious one. But there are sample test questions/answers out there to help test takers study, including:

Which refrigerant is a CFC?

• A) R-22
• B) R-134a
• C) R-12
• D) R-410A
• Answer: C

How does chlorine in refrigerants affect the ozone layer?

• A) Binds with nitrogen
• B) Absorbs UV directly
• C) Catalyzes ozone destruction
• D) Forms stable ozone
• Answer: C

Which refrigerant is considered flammable?

• A) R-134a
• B) R-290
• C) R-22
• D) R-123
• Answer: B

Which refrigerants are natural?

• A) R-744 (CO₂)
• B) R-1234yf
• C) R-410A
• D) R-32
• Answer: A

How Does Refrigerant Actually Work

In an air conditioner (cooling-only system) the goal is to remove heat from the inside and release it outside.

Refrigerant Flow in Cooling Mode:

• Indoor Evaporator Coil → Compressor → Outdoor Condenser Coil → Expansion Valve → back to Evaporator

Step-by-Step Process:

Evaporator Coil (Low Pressure Side – Inside)

Cold refrigerant evaporates (liquid → gas) as it absorbs heat from indoor air. A fan blows warm air over the coil, cooling it.

Compressor (Outside)

Pulls in low-pressure vapor and compresses it into a high-pressure, hot vapor.

Condenser Coil (High Pressure Side – Outside)

The hot refrigerant vapor releases its heat into outdoor air, condensing back into a liquid.

Expansion Valve

Reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant so it cools and re-enters the evaporator.

In a Heat Pump (Heating and Cooling System)

A heat pump works like an air conditioner in reverse during heating. It uses a reversing valve to change the direction of refrigerant flow.

In Heating Mode:

• Outdoor Coil = Evaporator (low pressure, absorbs heat)
• Indoor Coil = Condenser (high pressure, releases heat)

What Changes?

• The refrigerant absorbs heat from cold outdoor air.
• It’s compressed, increasing the temperature and pressure.
• The hot refrigerant flows to the indoor coil and releases heat into the home.

Passing the EPA 608 exam is not just a legal requirement – it ensures you understand the past, present, and future of refrigerants. With new regulations phasing out high-GWP chemicals and advancing safer alternatives, staying informed is key.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory standards or technical details. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, refrigerant regulations and EPA guidelines are subject to change. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult the official EPA website and other authoritative sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding Section 608 certification, refrigerant handling, and environmental compliance.

For official guidance, please visit the EPA's Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning page:

References:

EPA: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act

AIM Act Information: EPA AIM Act Overview

IPCC/UNEP: Effects of Ozone Depletion

2024 EPA Civil Penalty Guidelines