EPA 608 Questions and Answers: Section-by-Section Q&A with Detailed Explanations
Sample questions organized by section with correct answers, regulatory citations, and explanations of why each wrong answer is wrong.
EPA 608 exam questions test specific regulatory facts — exact dates, exact thresholds, exact legal distinctions. Studying questions with explanations produces better retention than reviewing the right answer alone. This Q&A bank organizes sample questions by section, each with the correct answer, regulatory source, and explanation of why each wrong answer was wrong. Use the 608 Core practice test and 608 Type II practice test for full timed practice sessions.
How to Use This Q&A Bank
Answer all questions in a section before checking any answers. Then review each explanation — including why the wrong answers were wrong. This sequence (attempt → review) builds better retention than reading Q&A simultaneously.
EPA 608 Core Section Questions and Answers
Q: On what date were CFCs and HCFCs first prohibited from intentional venting during service?
Correct: B — July 1, 1992
Source: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Why A is wrong: January 1, 1990 was no specific refrigerant prohibition milestone. Why C is wrong: November 15, 1995 is when HFCs were added to the prohibition — not the original ban date. Why D is wrong: The prohibition had already been in place for 8 years by 2000.
Source: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
Why A is wrong: January 1, 1990 was no specific refrigerant prohibition milestone. Why C is wrong: November 15, 1995 is when HFCs were added to the prohibition — not the original ban date. Why D is wrong: The prohibition had already been in place for 8 years by 2000.
Q: What is the current civil penalty for knowingly venting regulated refrigerants?
Correct: D — Exceeds $44,539 per day per violation
Source: 40 CFR Part 82, inflation-adjusted penalty schedule.
Why C is wrong: $37,500 was the pre-inflation-adjustment figure. It appears in older study guides and will produce a wrong answer on current exams. Always use the current adjusted figure on exams administered in 2025–2026.
Source: 40 CFR Part 82, inflation-adjusted penalty schedule.
Why C is wrong: $37,500 was the pre-inflation-adjustment figure. It appears in older study guides and will produce a wrong answer on current exams. Always use the current adjusted figure on exams administered in 2025–2026.
Q: Recycled refrigerant (cleaned with oil separation and filter-drier) may be sold to:
Correct: C — The original owner's equipment only
Source: Section 608 regulatory definitions.
Why D is wrong: Certification level does not expand the restriction on recycled refrigerant. Only reclaimed refrigerant (ARI-700 purity, certified facility) may be sold to a different owner. Recycled refrigerant — regardless of how many times it was filtered — is restricted to the original owner.
Source: Section 608 regulatory definitions.
Why D is wrong: Certification level does not expand the restriction on recycled refrigerant. Only reclaimed refrigerant (ARI-700 purity, certified facility) may be sold to a different owner. Recycled refrigerant — regardless of how many times it was filtered — is restricted to the original owner.
EPA 608 Type I Section Questions and Answers
Q: A window AC unit was manufactured with 3 lbs of R-22. A field technician has since overcharged it to 6 lbs. Is this appliance still a Type I small appliance?
Correct: B — Yes, still Type I
Source: Type I classification rules (manufactured charge, not current charge).
Why A and D are wrong: The classification is based on the manufactured charge — the charge at time of factory sealing. Field modifications do not change the classification.
Source: Type I classification rules (manufactured charge, not current charge).
Why A and D are wrong: The classification is based on the manufactured charge — the charge at time of factory sealing. Field modifications do not change the classification.
Q: What recovery threshold is required for a Type I small appliance when the compressor IS operating?
Correct: C — 90%
Source: 40 CFR Part 82 Type I recovery requirements.
Why B is wrong: 80% is the threshold when the compressor is NOT operating. The distinction: operating compressor → higher requirement (90%). Non-operating → lower requirement (80%).
Source: 40 CFR Part 82 Type I recovery requirements.
Why B is wrong: 80% is the threshold when the compressor is NOT operating. The distinction: operating compressor → higher requirement (90%). Non-operating → lower requirement (80%).
EPA 608 Type II Section Questions and Answers
Q: A comfort cooling system contains 75 lbs of R-410A and is found to have an annual leak rate of 12%. What is required?
Correct: B — Repair within 30 days
Source: Three-tier mandatory leak repair system, 40 CFR Part 82.
Why A is wrong: 20% is the commercial refrigeration threshold, not comfort cooling. Comfort cooling threshold is 10% — and 12% exceeds it. Why C is wrong: The 60-day extension is a one-time option applied in writing for situations where repair cannot be completed in 30 days — it is not automatic.
Source: Three-tier mandatory leak repair system, 40 CFR Part 82.
Why A is wrong: 20% is the commercial refrigeration threshold, not comfort cooling. Comfort cooling threshold is 10% — and 12% exceeds it. Why C is wrong: The 60-day extension is a one-time option applied in writing for situations where repair cannot be completed in 30 days — it is not automatic.
Q: What recovery vacuum is required for a Type II system containing exactly 200 lbs of refrigerant (post-1993 recovery equipment)?
Correct: B — 15 inches Hg
Source: Type II recovery vacuum requirements.
Why A is wrong: 10 inches Hg applies to systems with LESS than 200 lbs. Systems with 200 lbs or more require 15 inches Hg. At exactly 200 lbs, the system meets the ≥200 lbs threshold → 15 inches Hg. This boundary question appears frequently — memorize which side of 200 lbs each vacuum level applies to.
Source: Type II recovery vacuum requirements.
Why A is wrong: 10 inches Hg applies to systems with LESS than 200 lbs. Systems with 200 lbs or more require 15 inches Hg. At exactly 200 lbs, the system meets the ≥200 lbs threshold → 15 inches Hg. This boundary question appears frequently — memorize which side of 200 lbs each vacuum level applies to.
EPA 608 Type III Section Questions and Answers
Q: Where does the purge unit of a low-pressure centrifugal chiller draw non-condensable gases from?
Correct: B — Top of the condenser
Source: Type III chiller system mechanics.
Why A is wrong: Non-condensable gases (primarily air) are lighter than refrigerant vapor. They float to the top of the condenser, not the bottom. The purge unit draws from the highest point where non-condensables accumulate.
Source: Type III chiller system mechanics.
Why A is wrong: Non-condensable gases (primarily air) are lighter than refrigerant vapor. They float to the top of the condenser, not the bottom. The purge unit draws from the highest point where non-condensables accumulate.
Q: Which of the following is a Type III (low-pressure) refrigerant?
Correct: C — R-123
Source: Type III refrigerant classification.
Why A is wrong: R-12 is a high-pressure refrigerant (Type II). This is the most common trap — R-12's "12" number makes candidates assume low-pressure, but R-12 has a positive operating pressure and is a Type II refrigerant. Low-pressure refrigerants: R-11, R-113, R-123, R-1233zd.
Source: Type III refrigerant classification.
Why A is wrong: R-12 is a high-pressure refrigerant (Type II). This is the most common trap — R-12's "12" number makes candidates assume low-pressure, but R-12 has a positive operating pressure and is a Type II refrigerant. Low-pressure refrigerants: R-11, R-113, R-123, R-1233zd.
Questions and Answers FAQ
What is the most effective way to use this Q&A bank?
Answer all questions in a section before checking any answers. Then review each explanation — including why the wrong answers were wrong. This sequence (attempt → review) builds better retention than reading Q&A simultaneously.
How many questions are on the EPA 608 exam?
25 per section. Universal = 100 questions total. Each section requires 18 of 25 (72%) to pass.
Are the official EPA 608 exam questions released publicly?
No. Certifying organizations do not release actual exam questions. Practice questions based on 40 CFR Part 82 regulatory content accurately represent topic distribution and difficulty.
Practice Questions
Q1: What is the most effective way to use an EPA 608 questions and answers study bank?
A) Memorize the symbols and abbreviations only B) Read the answer first, then the question to save time C) Attempt a section completely, then check all answers with detailed explanations D) Only review the Type I section — it's the most straightforward
A) Memorize the symbols and abbreviations only B) Read the answer first, then the question to save time C) Attempt a section completely, then check all answers with detailed explanations D) Only review the Type I section — it's the most straightforward
Correct Answer: C — Attempt a section completely, then check all answers with detailed explanations
The attempt-then-review sequence produces better retention. Answering questions without checking produces retrieval practice — a stronger learning mechanism than reading Q&A simultaneously. When you review, focus on why each wrong answer was wrong, not just which answer was right. This prevents the same mistake from recurring on similar exam questions.
The attempt-then-review sequence produces better retention. Answering questions without checking produces retrieval practice — a stronger learning mechanism than reading Q&A simultaneously. When you review, focus on why each wrong answer was wrong, not just which answer was right. This prevents the same mistake from recurring on similar exam questions.
Q2: How many questions are on the full EPA 608 Universal exam?
A) 25 questions B) 50 questions C) 75 questions D) 100 questions
A) 25 questions B) 50 questions C) 75 questions D) 100 questions
Correct Answer: D — 100 questions
The Universal exam contains 100 questions — 25 per section across four sections (Core + Type I + Type II + Type III). Each section is scored independently. Passing requires 18 of 25 (72%) per section. Failing one section does not void the others.
The Universal exam contains 100 questions — 25 per section across four sections (Core + Type I + Type II + Type III). Each section is scored independently. Passing requires 18 of 25 (72%) per section. Failing one section does not void the others.
Q3: Why do detailed answer explanations improve EPA 608 study outcomes compared to answer keys alone?
A) Explanations make the study session longer — more exposure means better retention B) Explanations reveal why wrong answers are wrong, preventing recurring mistakes on numbers-based content C) Explanations are required by the EPA for all study materials D) Explanations reduce test anxiety by showing that questions are easy
A) Explanations make the study session longer — more exposure means better retention B) Explanations reveal why wrong answers are wrong, preventing recurring mistakes on numbers-based content C) Explanations are required by the EPA for all study materials D) Explanations reduce test anxiety by showing that questions are easy
Correct Answer: B — Explanations reveal why wrong answers are wrong
EPA 608 tests specific numbers and regulatory distinctions that have plausible-sounding wrong answers. Understanding WHY 80% is wrong (because it's the non-operating compressor threshold, not the operating threshold) prevents future confusion on similar questions. Answer keys alone only confirm the right answer — they don't explain the conceptual error that caused the wrong answer choice.
EPA 608 tests specific numbers and regulatory distinctions that have plausible-sounding wrong answers. Understanding WHY 80% is wrong (because it's the non-operating compressor threshold, not the operating threshold) prevents future confusion on similar questions. Answer keys alone only confirm the right answer — they don't explain the conceptual error that caused the wrong answer choice.
Q4: Which of the following is the correct passing threshold for each section of the EPA 608 proctored exam?
A) 15 of 25 (60%) B) 17 of 25 (68%) C) 18 of 25 (72%) D) 20 of 25 (80%)
A) 15 of 25 (60%) B) 17 of 25 (68%) C) 18 of 25 (72%) D) 20 of 25 (80%)
Correct Answer: C — 18 of 25 (72%)
18 correct of 25 questions = 72% passing threshold per section for all proctored EPA 608 exams. The 84% threshold (21 of 25) applies only to the Type I open-book mail-in format. Values of 70% and 75% are incorrect; the exact passing score is 18/25 = 72%.
18 correct of 25 questions = 72% passing threshold per section for all proctored EPA 608 exams. The 84% threshold (21 of 25) applies only to the Type I open-book mail-in format. Values of 70% and 75% are incorrect; the exact passing score is 18/25 = 72%.
Q5: Are the official EPA 608 exam questions publicly released for study?
A) Yes — the EPA publishes all exam questions annually B) Yes — ESCO Institute releases them after each exam cycle C) No — certifying organizations do not release actual exam questions; practice questions are based on 40 CFR Part 82 regulatory content D) Yes — but only for Universal certification candidates
A) Yes — the EPA publishes all exam questions annually B) Yes — ESCO Institute releases them after each exam cycle C) No — certifying organizations do not release actual exam questions; practice questions are based on 40 CFR Part 82 regulatory content D) Yes — but only for Universal certification candidates
Correct Answer: C — No, certifying organizations do not release actual exam questions
EPA-approved certifying organizations (ESCO, Mainstream Engineering, HVAC Excellence) do not publicly release actual exam questions. Practice questions are developed from the regulatory content in 40 CFR Part 82 — the same source the exam questions are based on. Well-developed practice questions from this regulatory source accurately represent the exam's difficulty level and topic distribution.
EPA-approved certifying organizations (ESCO, Mainstream Engineering, HVAC Excellence) do not publicly release actual exam questions. Practice questions are developed from the regulatory content in 40 CFR Part 82 — the same source the exam questions are based on. Well-developed practice questions from this regulatory source accurately represent the exam's difficulty level and topic distribution.
Q6: Which section's questions require the most careful attention to wrong answer explanations due to similar-sounding regulatory values?
A) Core only — all numbers are unique B) Type II — leak rates and recovery vacuums have multiple similar-sounding thresholds C) Type III — all answers involve vacuum measurements D) Type I — the open-book format makes wrong answers less important
A) Core only — all numbers are unique B) Type II — leak rates and recovery vacuums have multiple similar-sounding thresholds C) Type III — all answers involve vacuum measurements D) Type I — the open-book format makes wrong answers less important
Correct Answer: B — Type II
Type II has the highest density of similar-sounding numerical thresholds: comfort cooling = 10%, commercial refrigeration = 20%, industrial process = 35% (all close together); recovery vacuum 10" vs 15" Hg (assigned by system weight); 500 microns (system evacuation, separate concept). Wrong answer explanations prevent the most common Type II errors — swapping 10% and 20%, and swapping 10" and 15" Hg by applying them to the wrong system size.
Type II has the highest density of similar-sounding numerical thresholds: comfort cooling = 10%, commercial refrigeration = 20%, industrial process = 35% (all close together); recovery vacuum 10" vs 15" Hg (assigned by system weight); 500 microns (system evacuation, separate concept). Wrong answer explanations prevent the most common Type II errors — swapping 10% and 20%, and swapping 10" and 15" Hg by applying them to the wrong system size.
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