What is the EPA 608 Core Exam?
The Core section is the foundation of the EPA 608 certification. You cannot get certified without passing the Core. It covers the environmental laws and safety regulations that apply to all HVAC equipment.
Before you book your exam, try our free EPA 608 Core practice test simulation below to see where you stand.
Interactive Practice Questions
Select an answer to see if you're ready.
Key Topic 1: Ozone Depletion
Understanding why the EPA exists is 50% of the battle. You need to know the chemistry behind ozone depletion.
Exam Tip: Memorize that Chlorine is the element in refrigerants that causes ozone depletion. One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules.
Key Topic 2: The Three R's
The EPA defines Recover, Recycle, and Reclaim very specifically. Mixing these up is the most common reason for failing the EPA 608 Core practice test.
Visualizing the 3 R's process is essential for the exam.
Recover
Remove refrigerant in any condition and store it in an external container.
Recycle
Clean refrigerant for reuse by oil separation and single or multiple passes through filter-driers.
Reclaim
Process refrigerant to new product specifications (ARI 700). Requires chemical analysis.
Key Topic 3: The Montreal Protocol
This international treaty regulates the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. You need to know the key dates:
- July 1, 1992: Illegal to knowingly vent CFCs or HCFCs.
- November 15, 1993: Recovery equipment must be certified by an EPA-approved laboratory.
- November 14, 1994: Sale of CFC and HCFC refrigerants restricted to certified technicians.
- December 31, 1995: CFCs (like R-12) phased out of production.
Key Topic 4: Safety & Shipping
The Core exam also covers basic safety standards (ASHRAE Standard 34) and Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping rules. A good EPA 608 Core practice test will always quiz you on cylinder colors.
- Oxygen + Oil = Explosion: Never use oxygen or compressed air to pressurize a system for leak checking.
- Cylinder Colors: Recovery cylinders must be painted yellow tops and gray bodies.
- Filling Limit: Never fill a recovery cylinder more than 80% full (to allow for expansion).
Core Exam FAQs
You must answer 18 out of 25 questions correctly (70%) to pass the Core section.
There is no strict time limit per section, but most proctored sessions (online or in-person) give you about 2-3 hours for the complete exam.
It is considered one of the easier sections because it focuses on memorizing dates and definitions rather than complex system physics.
You will not be certified. You cannot hold a Type I, II, or III certification without also passing Core. You must retake Core.
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Our EPA 608 Core practice test covers all these topics with detailed explanations. Stop guessing and start passing.
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