Section 608 Technician Certification
Do I need to be EPA 608 Certified?
The US Federal Government requires all technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment with refrigerants must be EPA 608 certified. Equipment containing refrigerants often includes air conditioning, heating and refrigeration appliances. Technicians must pass an examination to earn EPA 608 Certification. The examination must be performed in-person by a licensed proctor (instructor), in an approved method and setting. Not all institutions are recognized by the United States Government to provide this federal certification. A Technician is an individual who: Attaches and detaches hoses/gauges to an appliance; adds or removes refrigerant from an appliance; performs an activity that may lead to a release of refrigerants. If you perform any of the above activities then you must be certified to do so. Source: Clean Air Act section 608 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F |
Four Different EPA 608 Certifications Type I - Small appliances; including residential refrigerators, small commercial ice makers, small window air conditioners, most things available to consumers at retail stores. Type II - High-pressure appliances; residential and commercial split air conditioning systems, rooftop commercial package units, medium to large commercial refrigeration systems, mini-split systems. Type III - Low-pressure appliances; including but not limited to chillers. Universal - This includes Types I, II and III. |
How to get EPA 608 Certified
1. Sign up for the online test by clicking here. 2. An approved vendor* will email you details to assist you at the chosen date and time. 3. When you and the proctor are ready, go to "Start Test." *Vendors have been pre-approved by the US EPA to provide this certification online properly. You may request a copy of their proof of US EPA documentation when assigned to your session. |
Who is EPA 608 Certified?
Technicians have been obtaining the EPA 608 Certification since 1992 and some specialized organizations requiring it several years before. A physical, credit card-sized certification card is required to be sent by an accredited certifying institution to the technician. Home-printed or digital versions of EPA 608 Certification cards are NOT recognized. The EPA 608 Certification Program is a Federally regulated program and, just like Driver's Licenses, require special printing. Some faulty website may offer "specialized" or "on-your-own-time" certification testing but these may not be properly administered and certification will not be recognized. All certifications must be performed by an individual authorized by the EPA to proctor the exam. Recording AI or other online venues not utilizing real proctors for testing are not recognized by the U.S. EPA. It is your responsibility to be certified properly and by an accredited institution in the proper method. |
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