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.

Type I Certification
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.

Type II Certification
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 (High-Pressure R-12, R-114, R-134a, R-401A and R-500; Higher-Pressure R-22, R-502, R-402A, R-402B, R-404A, R-407A, R-407B, and R-407C; and Very-High-Pressure R-410A, R-410B, R-13, R-23, and R-503). Only Type II or Universal certified technicians can recover refrigerant from these units.

Type III Certification
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.

Universal Certification
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.

The EPA Test
When the technician is ready for testing, a local HVAC distributor is contacted and the test is taken at the distributor location. The test must by proctored by an individual designated by Mainstream Engineering. This has been arranged by your distributor and Mainstream. After the test is completed, the distributor mails the test to Mainstream for grading. Once an exam is received at Mainstream, it is graded within 2 business days. Test results are mailed to the technician and posted on-line at www.epatest.com the same day the exam is graded.

The EPA Certification Card is Mailed Directly to the Student