Free EPA 608 Study Guide

This study guide follows EPA's own outline of what's on the test (EPA test topics), section by section, and every rule in it links to the regulation it comes from.

Read Core first, since every test includes it, then the type you're taking. Each section ends with a link to a free quiz, because reading alone won't tell you whether it stuck.

Print this guide or save it as a PDF

How to use this EPA 608 study guide

Read one section, then take a practice set for it. Review what you missed before you move on. Going for Universal? Plan on Core, then Type II, then Type I and Type III.

Core study guide

• Ozone. Chlorine from CFCs and HCFCs destroys stratospheric ozone. CFCs have a higher ozone-depletion potential than HCFCs, and HFCs have none (EPA test topics).
• Venting ban. You may not knowingly vent refrigerant while servicing or disposing of an appliance. A short list of substitutes, such as CO₂, nitrogen, water and some hydrocarbons in specific uses, is exempt (82.154(a)).
• Sales restriction. Refrigerant may be sold only to certified techs or businesses that employ one, with limited exceptions (82.154(c)).
• The three Rs. Recover: remove refrigerant and store it in an external container without testing or processing it. Recycle: clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner. Reclaim: reprocess it to the AHRI 700 purity specs and verify that it meets them (82.152).
• Safety. Use nitrogen, never oxygen or compressed air, for leak testing, with a pressure regulator and relief valve. Don't fill a cylinder more than 80% full. Never refill a disposable cylinder (EPA test topics).
• Recovery cylinders. EPA's outline says to know the yellow-and-gray color code of reusable recovery cylinders and that they must be DOT-approved (EPA test topics). The outline doesn't say which part is which. The car A/C rule does: containers for used refrigerant "must be gray with a yellow top" (40 CFR 82 Subpart B, Appendix F, 6.3.1).
• Penalty. The maximum Clean Air Act civil penalty under 42 U.S.C. 7413(b) is $124,426 per violation for penalties assessed on or after January 8, 2025 (40 CFR 19.4).

Quiz yourself: Core practice test.

Type II study guide

• Leak repair. For 50 lb or more of CFC or HCFC: 20% commercial refrigeration, 30% industrial process, 10% comfort cooling; repair within 30 days (82.157). For HFCs and other substitutes with GWP above 53 at 15 lb or more, the same rates apply since Jan 1, 2026, excluding residential and light-commercial A/C (84.106).
• Evacuation levels. They depend on pressure, charge size and the date the recovery equipment was made. Full table on the cheat sheet (82.156, Table 1).
• System-dependent recovery may not be used on appliances over 15 lb unless it's a permanent pump-out unit (82.156(e)).
• Leak test gas. Nitrogen alone is best; nitrogen with a trace of R-22 is next (EPA test topics).
• PT charts. Add 14.7 to a psig reading to get psia (EPA test topics).

Quiz yourself: Type 2 practice test.

Type I study guide

• Small appliance: factory-sealed with 5 lb or less of refrigerant (82.152).
• Recovery: 80% with equipment made before Nov 15, 1993; with newer equipment, 90% if the compressor works and 80% if not; or 4 inches of mercury vacuum (82.156(b)).
• Passive recovery: with an inoperative compressor, install access valves on both the high and low side; with a working compressor, run it (EPA test topics).
• Fittings: remove solderless access fittings when you finish (EPA test topics).

Quiz yourself: Type 1 practice test.

Type III study guide

• Low-pressure: below 45 psia at 104 °F, such as R-11 and R-123 (82.152).
• Evacuation: 25 mm Hg absolute (82.156, Table 1).
• Leak testing: pressurize with hot water or a device such as Prevac first, nitrogen second (EPA test topics).
• Recovery: recover liquid first, then vapor; heat the oil to 130 °F before removing it; circulate or drain the water to prevent freezing (EPA test topics).
• Recharging: vapor before liquid, through the evaporator charging valve (EPA test topics).

Quiz yourself: Type 3 practice test.

Is there a free EPA 608 study guide PDF?

Yes: print this page or save it as a PDF with the button at the top. The print version keeps the sources and the site address. ESCO publishes a paid preparatory manual. We don't copy it or any other commercial prep material.

EPA 608 flashcards

The app's spaced-repetition review works like flashcards that come back just before you'd forget them. The first 10 questions in each section are free; Standard ($19) unlocks all of them.

What's the best way to study for the EPA 608?

Read a section, take 25 questions, review what you missed, repeat. Take a timed full exam the day before your test. Format details: the EPA 608 exam.

EPA 608 cheat sheet

All the numbers on one page: EPA 608 cheat sheet. Then try the free EPA 608 practice test.