Is the EPA 608 Test Open Book? What EPA 608 Practice Test Users Need to Know
The closed-book rules, the one open-book exception, and how each format changes what you need to score to pass.
The EPA 608 exam is a closed-book, proctored exam — no notes, no textbooks, no reference sheets, and no phone. Our EPA 608 Practice Test platform answers this question every day: the standard Section 608 certification requires you to answer 18 out of 25 questions correctly from memory, scoring 72%, in a controlled testing environment. One narrow exception exists under federal regulation: the Type I certification can be taken in a non-proctored open-book format online, but that pathway requires a higher passing score of 84% — 21 out of 25 — and carries a significant limitation for anyone planning to pursue Universal certification later.
- • Standard proctored exam: closed book. No notes, no phone, no sheets.
- • Type I non-proctored online only: open book — but 84% required (21/25).
- • Online proctored exams (webcam) are still closed book.
The confusion comes from a simple assumption: online equals open book. It does not. Many EPA 608 testing providers — including SkillCat and ESCO Institute-affiliated centers — offer fully proctored online exams that use webcam monitoring, identity verification, and screen recording. Those exams are closed book in exactly the same way as in-person tests. Only the specific non-proctored pathway available through providers like Mainstream Engineering (EPATest.com) is genuinely open book, and it applies only to the Core and Type I sections. This page explains exactly where the line is.
The Short Answer: EPA 608 Practice Test Says Closed Book
The EPA Section 608 certification exam is closed book under 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F of the Clean Air Act. This is a federal regulation — it applies in all 50 states with no state-level variation. There are no exceptions based on geography, employer, or testing provider for the standard exam format.
The closed-book requirement applies to every certification type under Section 608: Core, Type I (proctored), Type II, Type III, and Universal. Every one of those sections requires you to answer questions entirely from memory — no reference materials of any kind are permitted in the testing room during a standard proctored exam.
The passing score for all proctored sections is 72% — 18 out of 25 correct. Many sources cite 70%; that is a rounded-down error. The mathematically correct figure is 72% (18 ÷ 25 = 0.72). Knowing the real threshold matters when you are preparing for exam day — aiming for the wrong number is an avoidable mistake. Use our free EPA 608 practice test tools to benchmark your readiness against the 72% line before you sit the real exam. There is one narrow exception — explained in full in the section below.
"72% (18/25) is the passing threshold for every proctored section. Closed book. No exceptions by state."
What "Closed Book" Means at the Testing Center
"Closed book" is not just a suggestion — it is enforced by a human proctor. Understanding exactly what is and is not permitted helps you arrive prepared and avoid disqualification.
What you CANNOT bring or use:
- Notes of any kind — study guides, handwritten notes, or cheat sheets
- Textbooks or reference manuals
- Mobile phones — must be turned off and stored away from the testing area, not left on the desk
- Smartwatches or wearable devices with information access
- Any reference sheet you created or brought yourself
What IS typically allowed (varies by provider — confirm with your testing center):
- Government-issued photo ID — required at all testing centers
- Temperature/pressure (T/P) chart — many providers supply one; some allow candidates to bring a standard chart; confirm with your provider
- Blank scratch paper — typically provided at the testing center
- Basic four-function calculator — policy varies by provider; confirm when registering
The time limit is two hours for all sections combined at most providers. There is no penalty for guessing — wrong answers are not penalized, so always answer every question even if you are unsure. For a complete list of what is and is not permitted on exam day, see our guide to what to bring to your exam.
The Type I Non-Proctored Exception: Open Book with Conditions
Federal EPA regulation (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) allows the Core section and Type I section to be taken together in a non-proctored online setting. This is the one genuine open-book pathway within the EPA 608 certification system.
Type I certification covers small appliances — factory-sealed systems containing 5 lbs of refrigerant or less. This includes domestic refrigerators, window air conditioners, PTACs (packaged terminal air conditioners), and vending machines.
In the non-proctored format, you may use reference materials and notes, the exam is taken online at your own pace, and no live proctor monitors your session. However, you may NOT receive assistance from other people — human help is explicitly prohibited even in the open-book format.
Passing score for the open-book format: 84% — 21 out of 25 correct per section. Not 72%. The higher threshold exists because reference materials are available; the EPA requires greater accuracy to offset that advantage. For a full breakdown of the 72% vs. 84% distinction and what it means per section, see our EPA 608 passing score guide.
Critical planning limitation: If you take the Core section as part of a non-proctored open-book exam, that Core result CANNOT be applied toward Universal Certification. Universal requires all four sections — Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III — to be passed under closed-book, proctored conditions. If you plan to pursue Universal at any point in your career, take the proctored exam from the start. Learn more about what Type I certification covers and whether it fits your career path.
Testing providers that offer the non-proctored open-book pathway include Mainstream Engineering (EPATest.com) and other EPA-approved certifying agencies. The table below summarizes both formats side by side:
| Certification Type | Format | Notes Allowed? | Passing Score | Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core (proctored) | Closed-book | No | 72% (18/25) | All certifications |
| Type I (proctored) | Closed-book | No | 72% (18/25) | Type I, Universal |
| Type II (proctored) | Closed-book | No | 72% (18/25) | Type II, Universal |
| Type III (proctored) | Closed-book | No | 72% (18/25) | Type III, Universal |
| Universal (proctored) | Closed-book | No | 72% each section | Universal only |
| Core + Type I (non-proctored) | Open-book | Yes* | 84% (21/25) | Type I only |
* No human assistance permitted even in the open-book format.
📝 Deciding between the Type I open-book path and a proctored exam? See what each requires — take a free Type I practice test or explore Universal certification practice to understand the full scope before you register.
What You CAN and Cannot Bring to a Proctored EPA 608 Exam
The rules below apply to standard proctored exams. Always confirm the exact policy with your specific testing provider when you register — policies can vary slightly between centers.
CAN bring (confirm with your provider):
- Valid government-issued photo ID — required at all testing centers
- Exam confirmation or registration number
- Temperature/pressure (T/P) chart — many centers supply one; check with your provider
- Blank scratch paper — typically provided by the testing center
- Basic four-function calculator — policy varies; confirm when registering
CANNOT bring:
- Personal notes, study guides, or handwritten reference sheets
- Textbooks or preparation manuals
- Mobile phones — must be off and stored away from the testing area
- Smartwatches or any wearable with information access
- Pre-printed reference sheets you created yourself
Arriving without your ID can disqualify you from testing that day. Rules can vary slightly between providers — see our overview of online and in-person testing options for provider-specific details.
Online EPA 608 Exams: Are They Open Book? (EPA 608 Practice Test Answer)
No — not automatically. This is the most common misconception about the EPA 608 exam format. Many candidates assume that taking the exam online means they can use notes. That assumption is wrong for the majority of online testing options.
Online proctored exams — offered by providers like SkillCat and ESCO Institute-affiliated testing centers — use live or automated webcam monitoring, identity verification (you show your ID to a camera before the exam begins), and screen recording or lockdown browser software. These exams are closed book in every meaningful sense. No reference materials are permitted, and violations can result in immediate session termination.
How to know which format you are taking:
- If you are required to show ID to a webcam and your screen is monitored — proctored, closed book, 72% required.
- If you self-administer at your own pace with no live proctor and no screen monitoring — non-proctored, open book, 84% required (Type I only).
When in doubt, ask your testing provider explicitly whether the exam is proctored or non-proctored before registering. If you are still deciding where to take your exam, our EPA 608 certification requirements page covers approved providers and testing pathways.
Why Closed Book Changes How You Need to Study for EPA 608 Practice Test
The closed-book format has a direct implication for how you prepare: everything must be memorized. You cannot look anything up during the exam — not a number, not a regulation, not a threshold. The goal of every study session should be moving knowledge from written notes into long-term recall.
Key facts that must be in your head when you sit the real exam — not in your notes:
- Passing score: 18 correct out of 25 (72%) for all proctored sections
- Recovery vacuum levels and refrigerant recovery requirements by equipment age and type
- Refrigerant leak rate thresholds for different system types (comfort cooling, commercial refrigeration, industrial process)
- Ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) values for common refrigerants
- Equipment certification cutoffs and regulatory dates under the Clean Air Act
- Evacuation levels by equipment age and type
Active recall through practice testing is far more effective when you prepare for exam conditions than re-reading notes. Practice tests force you to retrieve answers from memory — exactly what the real closed-book exam requires. Scoring 80% or higher consistently on practice tests before the real exam is the recommended readiness benchmark. That buffer protects you against harder question clusters on exam day and means you can pass your certification on the first attempt rather than paying to retake a section.
Regulatory note: because these rules are set by federal EPA regulation (40 CFR Part 82), they apply identically in all 50 states. There are no state-level variations in the closed-book requirement. For a structured memorization strategy built around the closed-book format, see our guide on how to study for EPA 608.
📚 Our free EPA 608 practice tests simulate closed-book exam conditions — timed, no notes, answer from memory using interactive practice questions. Start with Core or choose your section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EPA 608 test open book?
No, not in the standard proctored format. The EPA 608 exam is a closed-book exam — no notes, textbooks, or reference materials are allowed. The one exception is the Type I certification, which can be taken online in a non-proctored (open-book) format through approved providers. That pathway requires an 84% passing score — 21 out of 25 correct per section — rather than the standard 72% (18/25) required for proctored exams.
Can I bring a cheat sheet to the EPA 608 exam?
No. Cheat sheets, handwritten notes, and reference materials of any kind are not permitted at a proctored testing center. The materials typically allowed are a government-issued photo ID, a temperature/pressure (T/P) chart (often supplied by the center), blank scratch paper, and sometimes a basic four-function calculator — confirm the exact rules with your specific testing provider when you register.
Can I use my phone during the EPA 608 exam?
No. Phones must be turned off and stored away from the testing area — not left on your desk — before the exam begins. Using a phone during the exam is grounds for immediate termination of your testing session. Smartwatches and other wearable devices with information access are also prohibited.
If I take the Type I exam open-book online, can I use that to get Universal later?
No. If you take the Core section as part of a non-proctored open-book exam, that Core result cannot be applied toward Universal Certification. Universal requires all four sections — Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III — to be passed under closed-book, proctored conditions. If you plan to pursue Universal at any point in your career, take the proctored exam from the start.
Are online EPA 608 exams open book?
Not necessarily. Many online EPA 608 exams use webcam proctoring — they verify your identity on camera, monitor your screen, and are fully closed book. Only non-proctored online exams (no live or automated proctor watching) are open book, and that format is limited to the Type I pathway only. When registering, ask your provider directly whether the exam is proctored or non-proctored.
Why is the passing score higher for the open-book exam?
Because you have access to reference materials, the EPA requires a higher standard of accuracy. The open-book non-proctored passing threshold is 84% — 21 out of 25 correct per section — compared to 72% (18/25) for the standard closed-book proctored exam. In practice, many candidates find the higher threshold challenging even with notes, which means structured study matters regardless of which format you choose.
Practice Under Real Closed-Book Conditions
The EPA 608 exam tests what you can recall from memory — not what you can look up. Our free practice tests simulate the real closed-book format: timed, 25 questions per section, no materials. Use interactive practice questions to find your weak spots before exam day does. Pass your certification on your first attempt by knowing exactly where you stand.
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