EPA 608 Core Practice Test

Core is the one section on every EPA 608 test, whatever type you're going for.

It's 25 questions on environmental impact, the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, Section 608 rules, refrigerants and oils, recovery, dehydration, safety and shipping (EPA test topics; Appendix D). You need 18 of 25 to pass. Start with 10 free questions below.

Free Core practice test: 10 questions

Core: 10 questions, instant feedback, and the rule each answer comes from.

Start the free 10-question testNo sign-up.

What's on the EPA 608 Core exam?

EPA's Core outline (EPA test topics) covers:

• Environmental impacts: ozone depletion, CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs
• The Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, including phaseout dates and the maximum penalty
• Section 608 rules: high- and low-pressure refrigerants, recovery equipment, the sales restriction, the venting ban
• Substitute refrigerants and oils
• Refrigeration basics and gauges
• The three Rs: recover, recycle, reclaim
• Recovery techniques and dehydration evacuation
• Safety and shipping

Core practice questions (free)

1. Rank these refrigerant families from highest to lowest ozone depletion potential (ODP).

   1. A All three have the same ODP
   2. B CFC, then HCFC, then HFC
   3. C HFC, then HCFC, then CFC
   4. D HCFC, then CFC, then HFC
   Show the answer

   B. CFC, then HCFC, then HFC

   CFCs have the highest ODP, HCFCs are lower, and HFCs have zero because they contain no chlorine.

   Source: EPA: Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics, Core: Environmental impacts

2. R-12 is which type of refrigerant?

   1. A HCFC
   2. B HFC
   3. C HFO
   4. D CFC
   Show the answer

   D. CFC

   EPA's test outline uses R-12 as the example CFC.

   Source: EPA: Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics, Core: identification of CFC, HCFC, HFC

3. R-22 is which type of refrigerant?

   1. A HFC
   2. B Hydrocarbon
   3. C HCFC
   4. D CFC
   Show the answer

   C. HCFC

   EPA's test outline uses R-22 as the example HCFC. It contains chlorine, so it depletes ozone, but less than CFCs.

   Source: EPA: Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics, Core: identification of CFC, HCFC, HFC

4. Why do HFCs such as R-134a have an ozone depletion potential of zero?

   1. A They are never released
   2. B They contain no chlorine or bromine
   3. C They are heavier than air
   4. D They are always flammable
   Show the answer

   B. They contain no chlorine or bromine

   HFCs don't contain chlorine or bromine, so they don't deplete ozone. Some still have a high global warming potential.

   Source: EPA: Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics, HFC glossary entry

5. Ozone depletion potential (ODP) is measured relative to which substance, defined as 1.0?

   1. A HFC-134a
   2. B Carbon dioxide
   3. C CFC-11
   4. D HCFC-22
   Show the answer

   C. CFC-11

   ODP compares a chemical's ozone damage to the same mass of CFC-11, whose ODP is defined as 1.0.

   Source: EPA: Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances, ODP definition

Core rules people miss

• Venting ban. No one servicing or disposing of an appliance may knowingly vent refrigerant, with a short list of exempt substitutes (82.154(a)).
• Sales restriction. Refrigerant may be sold only to certified techs or businesses that employ one, with limited exceptions (82.154(c)).
• Maximum penalty. The Clean Air Act penalty under 42 U.S.C. 7413(b) is $124,426 per violation for penalties assessed on or after January 8, 2025. EPA adjusts it every year (40 CFR 19.4).

Core study guide

Read the Core section of the study guide, then come back for another round. The cheat sheet has the numbers on one page.

Can I take Core open book?

Only as part of a mail-in Type I test, and that Core won't count toward Universal. Mail-in Type I needs 84% to pass (Appendix D (a), (e); EPA).

Next: practice your type

Type 2 practice test · Type 1 practice test · Type 3 practice test · Free mixed EPA 608 practice test