EPA 608 practice test: free Core, Type I, II and III questions with explanations
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Practise for the EPA Section 608 technician certification exam with original questions on Core, Type I (small appliances), Type II (high pressure) and Type III (low pressure). Start with 5 free questions, then take two full Universal-style tests of 100 questions (25 per section) in 2 hours each, with an explanation for every answer and your score per section against the 18-of-25 pass mark.
- 5 free questions
- 2 full tests, 200 questions
- 25 per section, like the real exam
- Score per section vs 18 of 25
- Practice certificate PDF
How many questions are on the EPA 608 test, and what is the passing score?
| EPA 608 exam | MyLevel practice test | |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | Core plus Type I, Type II and/or Type III; all four = Universal | All four in every full test |
| Questions | 25 per section (Universal: 100) | 25 per section, 100 in total |
| Passing | 70% per section, so 18 of 25; Core is required for every type | Your score per section against 18 of 25 |
| Format | Closed-book and proctored; Type I-only programs may offer a mail-in test (84% to pass) | Timed online practice |
| Time | Set by each certifying organization (one ESCO test site allows up to 3 hours for Universal) | 2 hours (MyLevel's limit) |
| Valid | Does not expire | Practice certificate, not official |
Sources: 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D (eCFR) and epa.gov/section608, checked 19 October 2026. You take the test with an EPA-approved certifying organization, not with EPA itself; EPA lists more than 80 approved programs. Each section is graded on its own: pass Core and Type II and you are Type II certified even if Type III failed, and you only retake the sections you missed. A Core section taken open-book does not count toward Universal.
What is on each section of the EPA 608 exam?
- Core: ozone depletion and global warming, the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, the venting ban, recover, recycle and reclaim, recovery cylinders (80% fill, gray with a yellow top), evacuation, leak testing with nitrogen, safety and shipping.
- Type I, small appliances (factory-sealed, 5 pounds or less): recovery levels of 90% or 80% or 4 inches of Hg vacuum, passive recovery, access valves, noncondensables.
- Type II, high and very high pressure (split systems, rooftop units, supermarket racks): leak rate thresholds and repair deadlines, the evacuation table, recovery technique, charging and safety.
- Type III, low pressure (centrifugal chillers with R-123, R-11 or R-1233zd(E)): purge units, leak testing at no more than 10 psig, recovery of liquid and vapor, 25 mm Hg absolute, charging without freezing the tubes.
EPA publishes these topics on its Section 608 test topics page. The rules behind the answers are in 40 CFR 82 Subpart F, and since 1 January 2026 the HFC leak repair rules in 40 CFR 84.106 also apply to appliances with 15 pounds or more.
The numbers you must know
| Rule | Number |
|---|---|
| Leak rate threshold: comfort cooling | 10% per year |
| Commercial refrigeration | 20% per year |
| Industrial process refrigeration | 30% per year |
| Applies to (ozone-depleting refrigerants) | 50 pounds or more (40 CFR 82.157) |
| Applies to (HFCs, GWP above 53, since 1 Jan 2026) | 15 pounds or more (40 CFR 84.106) |
| Repair deadline | 30 days (120 with an industrial shutdown) |
| Chronic leaker report | 125% of full charge in a year, by 1 March |
| High pressure, under 200 lb | 0 inches of Hg vacuum |
| High pressure, 200 lb or more | 10 inches (4 with recovery equipment from before 15 Nov 1993) |
| Medium pressure, under / over 200 lb | 10 / 15 inches (4 with older equipment) |
| Low pressure | 25 mm Hg absolute |
| Small appliances | 90% (compressor works) or 80% (dead), or 4 inches of Hg vacuum |
Source: eCFR, 40 CFR 82.156, 82.157 and 84.106, checked 19 October 2026.
How to pass the EPA 608 exam
- Pass Core first: without Core no type counts. It is mostly rules and dates, so it is the easiest 18 of 25 to secure.
- Learn the tables, not just the ideas: most missed questions ask for an exact number from the evacuation table or a leak rate threshold. Make one card with the table above.
- Watch the date of the recovery machine: the November 15, 1993 line changes the answer in both the small-appliance and the evacuation questions.
- Think pressure class: R-22, R-410A and R-134a are high pressure (Type II); R-11 and R-123 are low pressure (Type III). Low-pressure chillers run in a vacuum, so leaks pull air in.
- Practise each section under time: take a full 100-question test, then read every explanation and retake the section below 18.
The full pack with 2 timed tests costs $9.99, a one-time payment with no subscription, and also unlocks every other MyLevel job test.
MyLevel is independent and not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or any EPA-approved certifying organization such as ESCO Institute. All questions are original practice questions written by MyLevel from the public EPA test topics and 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F, not real exam questions. A practice score is not a Section 608 certification.
Sample question with explanation
How long is a Section 608 technician certification valid?
- 2 years
- It does not expire
- 5 years
- 10 years
Show the answer
Answer: B. It does not expire
EPA states that Section 608 technician certifications do not expire. Keep a copy at your place of business.
Frequently asked questions
Is this EPA 608 practice test free?
Yes, you can start with 5 free questions with explanations from Core, Type I, Type II and Type III. Two full 100-question timed tests cost $9.99 once, with no subscription.
How many questions are on the EPA 608 test?
Each section has 25 multiple-choice questions: Core, Type I, Type II and Type III. Universal certification means taking all four, 100 questions. Type I, II or III certification alone is Core plus that section, 50 questions.
What is the passing score for EPA 608, and how many can you miss?
70% in each section, which means 18 of 25 correct, so you can miss up to 7 per section. A mail-in Type I test needs 84%. Each section is scored separately, and you must pass Core for any certification.
Is the EPA 608 test open book?
No, the proctored test is closed-book. Some programs that certify Type I only may offer a mail-in Type I test, which needs 84%. A Core section taken open-book does not count toward Universal certification.
Are these the real EPA 608 test answers?
No. Real test questions belong to the certifying organizations and we never use them. These are original practice questions on EPA's published test topics and the rules in 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F.
Can I unlock only this test?
There is one option, so you never have to choose: the $9.99 job pack, one time. It unlocks the 2 full tests on this page and every other MyLevel job test, with no subscription and a full refund within 14 days if it does not help you.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. After a full practice test you can download a MyLevel practice certificate (PDF) with your score. It is a personal record of your practice, not an EPA Section 608 certification card.
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