EPA 608 Flashcards: Interactive Study Decks for All Four Sections
Active recall flashcards organized by section — Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III. Each card includes the correct value and why the common wrong answers are wrong.
EPA 608 flashcards organized by section for active recall study. Each deck covers one certification section — flip the card to reveal the value, regulation source, and why the wrong answers are wrong. Use Core deck first. Work through type sections in order: I → II → III.
How to Use These Flashcards
Study one deck at a time. Flip each card and check your answer before revealing. Set aside cards you get wrong and revisit them until you answer correctly twice in a row. Move to practice tests when you can answer every card in a deck without hesitation.
EPA 608 Core Flashcard Deck
C-01 When were CFCs and HCFCs prohibited from intentional venting?
July 1, 1992. This covers R-12, R-22, R-113. HFCs were added separately on November 15, 1995.
C-02 When were HFCs added to the venting prohibition?
November 15, 1995. Common trap: answers that say 1992 (that's the CFC/HCFC date).
C-03 What is the current Section 608 civil penalty?
Exceeds $44,539 per day per violation. The $37,500 figure in older study guides is outdated — wrong answer on current exams.
C-04 What is the de minimis exemption under Section 608?
Recovery not required for releases of 0.1 ounce or less. Any release above 0.1 oz requires recovery equipment.
C-05 What is recycled refrigerant restricted to?
Recycled refrigerant may ONLY be returned to the original owner's equipment. Reclaimed refrigerant (ARI-700 purity, certified facility) may be sold to a new owner.
C-06 What is the passing score for the EPA 608 proctored exam?
18 of 25 correct (72%) per section. Type I open-book: 21 of 25 (84%).
EPA 608 Type I Flashcard Deck
I-01 What two conditions must be met for Type I small appliance classification?
(1) Hermetically sealed at the factory AND (2) manufactured with 5 lbs or less of refrigerant. Both must be true. The 5-lb limit is on the MANUFACTURED charge — not current charge.
I-02 Recovery threshold — compressor IS operating (Type I)?
90% recovery minimum. Memory tip: operating compressor = higher requirement.
I-03 Recovery threshold — compressor is NOT operating (Type I)?
80% recovery minimum. Memory tip: non-operating = lower requirement.
I-04 What is system-dependent recovery?
Uses the appliance's own compressor to draw refrigerant into the recovery cylinder. Requires a functioning compressor. Used when compressor is operating.
I-05 What is self-contained recovery?
Has its own compressor; operates independently of the appliance. Required when the appliance compressor is NOT functioning.
I-06 What is a process stub?
A short copper tube left pinched off during factory sealing of a small appliance. Technician attaches a piercing valve to this stub to access the refrigerant circuit. Must be re-sealed after service.
EPA 608 Type II Flashcard Deck
II-01 Annual leak rate threshold for comfort cooling equipment (≥50 lbs)?
10% per year. The three-tier system: comfort cooling = 10%, commercial refrigeration = 20%, industrial process = 35%.
II-02 Annual leak rate threshold for commercial refrigeration (≥50 lbs)?
20% per year. Common wrong answer: 10% (that's comfort cooling) or 15% (doesn't appear in regulation).
II-03 Annual leak rate threshold for industrial process refrigeration (≥50 lbs)?
35% per year. Common approximation error: 30% — the regulatory value is 35%.
II-04 Recovery vacuum — system with LESS than 200 lbs of refrigerant?
10 inches Hg vacuum (post-November 15, 1993 recovery equipment).
II-05 Recovery vacuum — system with 200 lbs OR MORE of refrigerant?
15 inches Hg vacuum (post-November 15, 1993 recovery equipment).
II-06 What vacuum must a system reach before adding refrigerant charge?
500 microns — system evacuation standard before charging. Measured with a micron gauge, not a manifold gauge set. Separate from the recovery vacuum requirement.
II-07 When was R-22 production for new equipment prohibited?
January 1, 2010. All R-22 production and import banned January 1, 2020. After 2020, only reclaimed R-22 may be used in existing equipment.
EPA 608 Type III Flashcard Deck
III-01 What is the Type III recovery standard (post-November 15, 1993 equipment)?
25 mm Hg absolute pressure. This is measured in absolute pressure — very different from Type II's inches Hg vacuum readings.
III-02 Where does the purge unit draw from in a low-pressure chiller?
Top of the condenser. Non-condensable gases (air + moisture from leaks) are lighter than refrigerant vapor — they accumulate at the highest point. Common wrong answer: bottom of condenser.
III-03 What happens when a low-pressure chiller leaks?
Air and moisture infiltrate IN (opposite of high-pressure where refrigerant escapes OUT). The system gains non-condensable gases. The purge unit removes them.
III-04 Why can't refrigerant be used to pressurize a low-pressure chiller for leak testing?
Pressurizing with refrigerant would push it out through leaks — constituting illegal venting. Only dry nitrogen at 0 psig is permitted for leak testing.
III-05 What are Type III low-pressure refrigerants?
R-11, R-113, R-123, R-1233zd. NOT R-12 — R-12 is high-pressure (Type II). Common trap: R-12 is listed as a distractor.
Flashcard Study FAQ
Are online EPA 608 flashcards effective?
Flashcards are effective for EPA 608 because the exam tests specific numbers and dates that must be retrieved quickly under timed conditions. Active recall via flashcards is more efficient than re-reading study guides for this type of content.
Where can I find free EPA 608 flashcards?
Free EPA 608 flashcards organized by section are available on this page — Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III decks. Each card covers one testable fact in a front (question/label) / back (value + context) format.
Do flashcards cover the 2026 AIM Act changes?
Yes — the Type II deck includes A2L refrigerant transition content (R-454B replacing R-410A under the AIM Act) as well as the updated civil penalty amount and 2020 R-22 production ban.
Practice Questions
Q1: Which study tool is best for memorizing recovery vacuum levels for the EPA 608 exam?
A) Reading the regulation manual once through B) Using interactive flashcards with active recall C) Watching a general HVAC video D) Listening to audio descriptions of the equipment
A) Reading the regulation manual once through B) Using interactive flashcards with active recall C) Watching a general HVAC video D) Listening to audio descriptions of the equipment
Correct Answer: B — Using interactive flashcards with active recall
Active recall via interactive flashcards is the most effective method for memorizing specific numbers and dates — the primary content type tested on EPA 608. Reading once is passive; flashcards require retrieval, which strengthens memory more effectively for recall under timed exam conditions.
Active recall via interactive flashcards is the most effective method for memorizing specific numbers and dates — the primary content type tested on EPA 608. Reading once is passive; flashcards require retrieval, which strengthens memory more effectively for recall under timed exam conditions.
Q2: In what order should EPA 608 flashcard decks be studied?
A) Type III first — hardest section should be tackled early B) Core first, then Type I, Type II, and Type III in order C) Any order — all sections have equal weight D) Type II first — most common real-world equipment
A) Type III first — hardest section should be tackled early B) Core first, then Type I, Type II, and Type III in order C) Any order — all sections have equal weight D) Type II first — most common real-world equipment
Correct Answer: B — Core first, then Type I, Type II, and Type III in order
Study Core first because it establishes the legal framework all type sections reference. Core vocabulary (venting prohibition, recovery obligation, penalty structure) makes Type I, II, and III content comprehensible. After Core: Type I (shortest), Type II (most common), Type III (most time needed for physics).
Study Core first because it establishes the legal framework all type sections reference. Core vocabulary (venting prohibition, recovery obligation, penalty structure) makes Type I, II, and III content comprehensible. After Core: Type I (shortest), Type II (most common), Type III (most time needed for physics).
Q3: What is the most effective way to use EPA 608 flashcards?
A) Read all cards once in sequence without stopping B) Flip each card, check your answer, set aside wrong cards, revisit until answered correctly twice in a row C) Memorize only the front (question) side of each card D) Skip cards for content you already know from field experience
A) Read all cards once in sequence without stopping B) Flip each card, check your answer, set aside wrong cards, revisit until answered correctly twice in a row C) Memorize only the front (question) side of each card D) Skip cards for content you already know from field experience
Correct Answer: B — Flip, check, isolate, revisit
The most effective flashcard method: flip and check before revealing, isolate wrong-answer cards for focused review, and require consecutive correct answers before moving on. Skipping familiar content is risky for EPA 608 because exam questions frequently test the precise distinction between similar values (e.g., 90% vs 80% recovery, 10" vs 15" Hg).
The most effective flashcard method: flip and check before revealing, isolate wrong-answer cards for focused review, and require consecutive correct answers before moving on. Skipping familiar content is risky for EPA 608 because exam questions frequently test the precise distinction between similar values (e.g., 90% vs 80% recovery, 10" vs 15" Hg).
Q4: Which EPA 608 flashcard deck should include recovery vacuum levels (10 and 15 inches Hg)?
A) Core deck B) Type I deck C) Type II deck D) Type III deck
A) Core deck B) Type I deck C) Type II deck D) Type III deck
Correct Answer: C — Type II deck
Recovery vacuum levels for high-pressure systems (10 inches Hg for <200 lbs; 15 inches Hg for ≥200 lbs) are Type II content. Type III uses a completely different unit — 25 mm Hg absolute pressure. Type I uses percentage recovery thresholds (90%/80%), not vacuum levels. Core covers legal requirements, not equipment-specific procedures.
Recovery vacuum levels for high-pressure systems (10 inches Hg for <200 lbs; 15 inches Hg for ≥200 lbs) are Type II content. Type III uses a completely different unit — 25 mm Hg absolute pressure. Type I uses percentage recovery thresholds (90%/80%), not vacuum levels. Core covers legal requirements, not equipment-specific procedures.
Q5: What is the "Reverse Reveal" technique in flashcard study?
A) Reading the card back to front to find patterns B) Seeing the answer first and guessing the technical concept C) Covering the answer and guessing after a time delay D) Studying cards in reverse alphabetical order
A) Reading the card back to front to find patterns B) Seeing the answer first and guessing the technical concept C) Covering the answer and guessing after a time delay D) Studying cards in reverse alphabetical order
Correct Answer: B — Seeing the answer first and guessing the technical concept
The Reverse Reveal shows the value/answer first (e.g., "35% annual leak rate") and asks the student to identify what it applies to (industrial process refrigeration). This mirrors how technicians encounter problems on-site: you see a reading or threshold and need to know what it means. It's highly effective for EPA 608 regulatory content.
The Reverse Reveal shows the value/answer first (e.g., "35% annual leak rate") and asks the student to identify what it applies to (industrial process refrigeration). This mirrors how technicians encounter problems on-site: you see a reading or threshold and need to know what it means. It's highly effective for EPA 608 regulatory content.
Q6: Which Core section flashcard should be studied most carefully due to the outdated value in many study guides?
A) The venting prohibition date card (July 1, 1992) B) The de minimis exemption card (0.1 oz) C) The civil penalty card ($44,539+ vs outdated $37,500) D) The passing score card (72% vs 70%)
A) The venting prohibition date card (July 1, 1992) B) The de minimis exemption card (0.1 oz) C) The civil penalty card ($44,539+ vs outdated $37,500) D) The passing score card (72% vs 70%)
Correct Answer: C — The civil penalty card
The civil penalty card is the highest risk because many study guides and online resources still cite $37,500 — the outdated pre-inflation-adjustment figure. The current civil penalty exceeds $44,539 per day per violation. A candidate who studied from older materials will answer $37,500 and get a wrong answer. This makes the civil penalty card the one to triple-check before exam day.
The civil penalty card is the highest risk because many study guides and online resources still cite $37,500 — the outdated pre-inflation-adjustment figure. The current civil penalty exceeds $44,539 per day per violation. A candidate who studied from older materials will answer $37,500 and get a wrong answer. This makes the civil penalty card the one to triple-check before exam day.
Ready to Validate Your Retention?
After mastering the flashcard decks, test your retention with the 608 cheat sheet — all key numbers in one reference.
Then validate under exam pressure with the 608 Core practice test.