10 year Job Growth
Avg. Starting Salary1
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Issuing Authority

MedCerts Program for EPA 608 Certification

Issuing Authority EPA

The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is a United States federal agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment. It was established in 1970 in response to growing concerns about environmental pollution and degradation. The EPA develops and enforces regulations, conducts environmental research, sponsors voluntary partnerships with industry and communities, and educates the public about environmental issues. Its goals include reducing air and water pollution, ensuring safe handling of hazardous waste, and promoting sustainable practices to preserve natural resources for future generations.
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EPA 608 EPA 608 Eligible Certification Detail


The EPA 608 Universal Certification, required by the Clean Air Act, mandates that HVAC technicians who handle refrigerants be certified. This certification involves passing an EPA-approved test, which is permanent and covers four sections: Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.

Core Section

Topics: Environmental impacts, Clean Air Act, Section 608 regulations, refrigerants, recovery techniques, safety.

Focus: Industry regulations, environmental safety, technician responsibilities.

Type I (Small Appliances)

Focus: Recovery techniques and safety for small appliances like residential refrigerators and small air conditioners.

Type II (High-Pressure)

Focus: Leak detection, repair, and recovery techniques for medium to very-high-pressure appliances.

Type III (Low-Pressure)

Focus: Leak detection, repair, and recovery techniques for low-pressure systems, which operate in a vacuum.

To receive the Universal Certification, technicians must pass the Core exam and all three types.

EPA 608 Certification Skills Gained

  • Examinations required for certification in handling refrigerants.
  • Overview of the refrigeration cycle.
  • Environmental impact and and consequences of refrigerant release.
  • Identification of refrigerants with high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP).
  • Laws and regulations under the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol regarding refrigerants.
  • Understanding properties and applications of refrigerant blends.
  • Methods for detecting leaks and techniques for refrigerant recovery.
  • Types of refrigerant cylinders and safety requirements for handling.
  • General safety precautions when working with refrigerants.
  • Explanation and demonstration of using a Temperature Pressure Chart for the EPA 608 Exam.
  • Explanation and demonstration of using a Leak Repair Chart for the EPA 608 Exam.
  • Provision of practice tests tailored for the EPA 608 Exam to aid in certification preparation.

EPA 608 Career PathwaysAttainable Jobs

highest Paying

HVAC Technician

$ - $
Estimated Salary1

highest Paying

HVAC Installer

$ - $
Estimated Salary1

highest Paying

HVAC Helper

$ - $
Estimated Salary1
1All available job and salary information is from Burning Glass Labor Insights and is updated annually to reflect industry changes.