# Free EPA 608 Practice Tests

The EPA 608 exam has four sections: Core, which everyone takes, plus Type I for small appliances, Type II for high-pressure systems like residential AC, and Type III for low-pressure chillers. Pass Core and one type to be certified for that equipment, or all four for Universal. Each section is 25 questions, and the proctored test passes at 70%.

## Key takeaways

- Everyone takes Core. Then pick the type that matches the equipment you'll work on, or all three for Universal.
- Residential and light commercial HVAC techs need at least Type II.
- Take the 20-question diagnostic below to see which section needs the most work.
- 125 original questions across five practice tests, each with explanations and a source.

> **Independent practice questions**
>
> BRIX wrote these EPA 608 questions from EPA's public Section 608 pages and the federal regulation. They are not real exam questions. BRIX is not affiliated with EPA, ESCO, Mainstream or any other certifying organization, and passing this practice test doesn't certify you. Only an EPA-approved certifying organization can.

The diagnostic draws 5 questions from each section. It's too short to predict a pass, but your score by topic shows which full practice test to start with.

## Which EPA 608 section should you take?

Pick by the equipment you'll open, not your job title. The regulation ties each certification type to a class of equipment ([40 CFR 82.161](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.161)), and working outside your type is a violation even if you're certified for something else.

**Match your work to an EPA 608 type**

| If you work on… | You need | Practice test |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refrigerators, freezers, window and portable ACs, PTACs, dehumidifiers, vending machines (factory-sealed, 5 lb or less) | Core + Type I | [Type I](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-1) |
| Split systems, heat pumps, rooftop units, walk-ins, supermarket refrigeration (R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-404A…) | Core + Type II | [Type II](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-2) |
| Centrifugal chillers on R-123, R-11, R-113 or R-245fa | Core + Type III | [Type III](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-3) |
| A mix, or you don't know yet | Universal (all four) | [Universal](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/universal) |

_Equipment classes from 40 CFR 82.152 and 82.161, verified 2026-10-24. Motor vehicle AC falls under a different program (Section 609, 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart B)._

If you're a residential HVAC apprentice and only want one type, Type II is the one. Field-charged split systems aren't small appliances, so Type I won't cover a mini-split even if it holds 3 pounds.

## What does each section test?

All four follow EPA's [official test-topic list](https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-test-topics). The flavor of each is different, so they're worth studying differently.

- **[Core](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/core)** (36 questions): the rules everyone needs. Ozone depletion, the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, the venting ban, recover vs. recycle vs. reclaim, recovery equipment, cylinders, shipping and safety. Mostly facts and definitions.
- **[Type I](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-1)** (28 questions): small appliances. The 80% / 90% / 4-inch-vacuum recovery rule, passive recovery on a dead compressor, piercing valves, and what scrap yards must do. Mostly hands-on scenarios.
- **[Type II](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-2)** (33 questions): high- and medium-pressure equipment. The evacuation table, leak repair thresholds and deadlines, leak detection, recovery speed. The most numbers to memorize.
- **[Type III](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-3)** (28 questions): low-pressure chillers. Purge units, hot-water leak testing, 25 mm Hg absolute, recharging vapor before liquid, heating oil before removal. Mostly cause and effect.
- **[Universal](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/universal)** (125 questions): everything combined, with a 100-question exam mode drawn 25 per section like the real Universal test.

## How the real EPA 608 test works

**EPA 608 test format (official rules)**

| Rule | What it says |
| --- | --- |
| Questions per test | At least 25 Core plus 25 for each type you're certifying for; Universal is 100 |
| Passing score | 70% on closed-book Type I, II, III and Universal tests; 84% on mail-in Type I |
| Format | Type II, III and Universal must be closed-book and proctored in a secure setting; Type I-only programs may use mail-in |
| Who gives it | EPA-approved certifying organizations, not EPA itself |
| Results and card | Results within 30 days; wallet card within 30 days of the test |
| Expiration | None. Section 608 credentials don't expire |

_Sources: 40 CFR 82.161 and Subpart F Appendix D; EPA certification requirements page. Verified 2026-10-24._

EPA keeps the official question bank private and releases it only to approved programs ([40 CFR 82.161(c)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.161)). Any site claiming to have the "real" questions is guessing or copying. Every question here was written by BRIX from the regulation and EPA's public pages, and each one cites its source.

## How to use these practice tests

1. **Run the diagnostic** Twenty questions, five per section. Note which topics come back red.
2. **Start with Core** Every test includes Core, and it's the easiest section to bank points on. Clear 70% there first.
3. **Do your type in study mode** Read every explanation. Each one cites the rule or EPA page it comes from, so you can read the original.
4. **Switch to exam mode** Twenty-five random questions, scored at the end, like the real section. Repeat until you clear 70% three rounds in a row.
5. **Book the real test** Choose a program from EPA's [list of certifying programs](https://www.epa.gov/section608/certification-programs-section-608-technicians). It shows which offer on-site, remote or mail-in testing.

Want the bigger picture first? Read the [EPA 608 certification guide](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608) for who needs certification, how to replace a lost card and what's changing with A2L refrigerants.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which EPA 608 test should I take first?

Take Core first or alongside your type, because every certification test includes 25 Core questions. Then choose Type I, II or III based on the equipment you'll work on, or all three for Universal. Residential HVAC work needs at least Type II.

### Is the EPA 608 practice test free?

Yes. All 125 BRIX questions are free with no sign-up, in study mode or exam mode, and progress saves in your browser. The real test is given by EPA-approved certifying organizations, which set their own fees.

### How many questions are on the EPA 608 exam?

Each certification test includes at least 25 Core questions plus 25 for each type, so a single-type test is 50 questions. The Universal test is 100 questions: 25 Core and 25 each for Types I, II and III.

### Are these the actual EPA 608 exam questions?

No. EPA releases its question bank only to approved certifying programs. BRIX wrote these questions from the federal regulation and EPA's public pages, and isn't affiliated with EPA or any certifying organization.

### Can I take the EPA 608 test online?

Some EPA-approved programs list remote testing, and a few are online-only, according to EPA's list of certifying programs. Type II, Type III and Universal must still be closed-book and proctored.

## Related

- [Free EPA 608 Core Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/core)
- [Free EPA 608 Type 1 Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-1)
- [Free EPA 608 Type 2 Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-2)
- [Free EPA 608 Type 3 Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/type-3)
- [Free EPA 608 Universal Practice Test](https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608/universal)
- [EPA 608 Certification: Who Needs It and How to Get It](https://www.brix.so/certifications/epa-608)
- [How to Start an HVAC Business in 2026 (Costs, Licenses and First Customers)](https://www.brix.so/start/hvac)
- [HVAC Software That Answers the Phone, Books the Tech and Keeps the Books](https://www.brix.so/for/hvac)
- [BTU Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/btu-calculator)
- [AC Tonnage Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/hvac-tonnage-calculator)

## Sources

- [EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements](https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-requirements) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics](https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-test-topics) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [EPA — Certification Programs for Section 608 Technicians (updated 2026-10-20)](https://www.epa.gov/section608/certification-programs-section-608-technicians) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [eCFR — 40 CFR 82.152 Definitions](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.152) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [eCFR — 40 CFR 82.161 Technician certification](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.161) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [eCFR — 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix D (test standards)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F) (checked 2026-10-24)

Talk to BRIX: call or text (518) 588-1122, email eeharris2004@gmail.com, or book a 15-minute call at https://cal.com/ethanharris/15min.

---
Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-24.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/practice/epa-608