Previous EPA 608 Core Practice Test 25 Next EPA 608 Type I Practice Test 7

EPA 608 NEC 2023

EPA 608 Type I Practice Test 6

This test focuses on brazing and soldering safety on hermetically sealed systems: why refrigerant must be recovered and evacuated before applying a torch, the risk of toxic byproducts like phosgene gas, and the added precautions needed on flammable-refrigerant systems.

TOPICS COVERED

epa 608 practice tests

How this test works

Read each question carefully

Look for absolute words like always / never — they often distinguish the right answer.

Manage your time

You have 25 min for 25 questions. Skip tough ones and come back.

Progress is auto-saved

Your answers are saved locally — a page refresh won't lose your work.

Review your answers

After submitting you'll see every explanation and your NEC references.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — completely free with no account needed.

The EPA 608 certification is required by law for any technician who purchases or handles refrigerants. It covers safe handling, leak detection, recovery, and environmental regulations.

Type I covers small appliances (≤5 lbs refrigerant), Type II covers high-pressure systems, Type III covers low-pressure systems, and Universal covers all three. Most HVAC technicians pursue Universal certification.

You must score at least 70% on each section of the exam. The Universal exam has four parts: core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.

Type I Exam Tip: Never braze a line with refrigerant still inside. Heat from an open flame can break refrigerant down into toxic byproducts like phosgene gas. On flammable-refrigerant systems, confirm the system is fully evacuated before applying the torch.

25

Questions

25 min

Time

70%

Pass

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

EPA 608 Type I Practice Test 6 — Question List

Question 1: What must happen before a technician brazes a line on a hermetically sealed small appliance?

The refrigerant must be recovered and the system evacuated
The appliance must be repainted first
The compressor must be running
Nothing extra is required

Question 2: What toxic gas can form if refrigerant left in a line is exposed to an open flame during brazing?

Phosgene gas
Helium gas
Nitrogen gas
Oxygen gas

Question 3: Why does refrigerant left in a sealed line pose a toxic gas risk during brazing?

The refrigerant expands and bursts the line
The refrigerant simply evaporates with no risk
The heat of the open flame can break the refrigerant down into toxic byproducts
The refrigerant cools the flame and prevents brazing

Question 4: On a system using flammable R-600a refrigerant, what extra step must be confirmed before brazing begins?

That the appliance is painted a warning color
That the appliance is still plugged in
That the refrigerant is dyed red
That the system is fully evacuated or purged

Question 5: A technician skips recovery and starts brazing a line that still has refrigerant in it. What is the main danger?

Exposure to toxic byproducts, like phosgene gas, released by the heated refrigerant
The joint will look less shiny
The appliance warranty is voided
The brazing rod will not stick to the metal

Question 6: True or False: If a gauge reads zero pressure on a sealed system, that alone means it is safe to braze without doing a proper recovery and evacuation.

True, zero pressure always means it is safe to braze
True, as long as the gauge is accurate
True, because pressure and refrigerant content are the same thing
False, a zero reading does not replace a proper recovery and evacuation

Question 7: While brazing a line, a technician notices an unusual sharp odor. What should the technician do?

Keep brazing until the joint is finished
Ignore it, odors are normal during brazing
Stop immediately, move away from the fumes, and ventilate the area
Add more flux to cover the smell

Question 8: What basic precautions should a technician take while brazing, beyond recovering the refrigerant?

Wear eye protection and work in a well-ventilated area
No precautions are needed once refrigerant is recovered
Only ear protection is required
Brazing should always be done in a sealed, unventilated closet

Question 9: True or False: An open flame from a torch can break refrigerant down into a toxic gas.

True, an open flame can break refrigerant down into toxic gas
False, refrigerant is unaffected by heat
False, only cold temperatures affect refrigerant
True, but only for R-134a

Question 10: Which type of small-appliance refrigerant system needs extra confirmation of full evacuation before brazing, because of ignition risk?

A system using non-flammable R-134a refrigerant
A system using flammable R-600a refrigerant
Any system built after 2015
Any system with a plastic housing

Question 11: A technician has met the required recovery efficiency (90% or 80%, depending on the method used) on a small appliance. Is it automatically safe to braze the lines at this point?

Yes, meeting the recovery efficiency requirement always means it is safe to braze
Not necessarily. The system should also be confirmed fully evacuated before brazing
No, brazing is never allowed on any recovered system
Yes, but only if the refrigerant was R-12

Question 12: Besides the risk of toxic gas, what other danger does brazing a live flammable-refrigerant system create?

The metal will become permanently magnetized
A fire or ignition risk from the flammable refrigerant
The compressor will run backward
The refrigerant will change color permanently

Question 13: What is good practice right before applying a torch to a recovered sealed system?

Ventilate the area and remove ignition sources nearby
Close all windows and doors tightly
Turn the appliance back on
Add extra refrigerant before starting

Question 14: What refrigerant charge limit applies to Type I small appliances?

10 pounds
5 pounds or less
20 pounds
2 pounds exactly, no more or less

Question 15: What passing score applies to the open-book Type I exam?

70%
60%
84%
50%

Question 16: What recovery efficiency is required using system-dependent recovery on a working compressor?

70%
80%
100%
90%

Question 17: What recovery efficiency is required using self-contained recovery equipment on a dead compressor?

90%
80%
50%
65%

Question 18: Which refrigerant is non-flammable and common in older household refrigerators?

R-600a
R-134a
Propane
Ethane

Question 19: True or False: A small appliance with only 1 pound of refrigerant is exempt from the recovery-before-disposal rule because the charge is so small.

True, charges under 2 pounds are exempt
True, only appliances over 3 pounds require recovery
False, there is no small-charge exception to the recovery rule
True, but only for R-134a systems

Question 20: Who is legally allowed to buy Class I and Class II refrigerants used in small appliances?

Only certified technicians
Any adult with cash
Only welding supply stores
Only appliance manufacturers

Question 21: What is the difference between recycling and reclaiming refrigerant?

They are exactly the same process
Recycling cleans refrigerant on-site for reuse by the same owner, while reclaiming allows resale after processing at a certified facility
Recycling requires a certified facility and reclaiming does not
Reclaiming is always illegal

Question 22: What protective gear should a technician wear any time refrigerant is being recovered, before any brazing begins?

No protection is needed
Eye and skin protection
A raincoat only
Steel-toe boots only

Question 23: Since what date has it been illegal to knowingly vent HFC refrigerants into the atmosphere?

July 1, 1992
November 15, 1995
January 1, 1990
November 15, 1993

Question 24: A technician with only a Type I certification is asked to braze a line on a central split-system air conditioner. Is this technician certified to do this job?

Yes, Type I covers all brazing work
Yes, as long as the refrigerant charge is under 5 pounds
Yes, brazing has no certification requirement
No, Type I only covers small-appliance work

Question 25: Who is required to hold Type I certification?

Anyone who services, maintains, repairs, or disposes of small, hermetically sealed appliances that could release refrigerant
Only technicians who never touch a torch
Only appliance store clerks
Only technicians working on central chillers

Study Tip: The EPA 608 exam is closed book. Memorize: recovery is required before opening any refrigerant system. Venting refrigerant is illegal. Know the ODP and GWP values for R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-32, and R-454B.

EXAM CARD EPA 608

Questions25

Time limit25 min

Pass score70%

RegulationEPA Section 608

DifficultyIntermediate

Last reviewedJun 2026

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

Source: EPA Section 608 (40 CFR Part 82)