EPA Section 608 certification

Who needs it

EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere to be certified ¹. In a residential HVAC shop, that means anyone who works on the refrigerant side of a system. Until a new hire is certified, keep them on work that doesn't touch the refrigerant circuit, apart from the apprentice exception below.

The four types

Certification means passing an EPA-approved test given by an EPA-approved certifying organization, and there are four types ¹:

EPA has described Type II as the certification for technicians who service high-pressure equipment such as unitary house air conditioners ², so it's the type typical residential cooling work calls for. If you'll work across equipment types, Universal saves a retest later.

The exam and the card

• Want Universal? Take the core test proctored. EPA says a core test taken open book can't be used toward Universal certification ¹.
• Prepare through a program. BLS notes that the EPA exam is typically part of completing a postsecondary HVACR program, and that many trade schools, unions and employer associations offer training to prepare for it ³.
• It doesn't expire, but keep a copy. Section 608 certification doesn't expire, and EPA requires certified technicians to keep a copy of their certification at their place of business ^{1 4}.
• A lost card can be replaced. EPA publishes the steps ⁵.

Buying refrigerant

The card also decides who can buy. Since January 1, 2018, EPA's sales restriction has covered HFCs and other substitute refrigerants, not only ozone-depleting ones ⁶. Wholesalers may sell refrigerant to certified technicians for the equipment their certification covers, and to employers that give them written evidence they employ at least one properly certified technician ⁶.

Apprentices

EPA exempts apprentices from certification only while they are closely and continually supervised by a technician certified for that type of equipment and currently registered as an apprentice with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship or a State Apprenticeship Council it recognizes. A person can be an apprentice for only two years from the date they first registered ¹.

Example: You register a new helper as an apprentice in April 2026. While that registration stays current, they can work on refrigerant circuits until April 2028, but only under close, continual supervision by a tech certified for that equipment. Then the exemption ends, so book their exam in the first year and leave time for a retake.

Common mix-ups

• It isn't a contractor license. Section 608 covers refrigerant work. Whether you need a state or local license for HVAC work is a separate question for your state licensing board and your city or county.
• A Section 609 card doesn't substitute. Section 609 covers motor vehicle air conditioning, and EPA says 609-certified technicians can't buy refrigerant intended for stationary equipment, whatever the container size ⁷.
• Certification isn't permission to vent. EPA prohibits intentionally venting refrigerant, HFCs and other substitutes included, while maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of equipment ⁸.

How it connects

When you dispatch refrigerant work, check that the tech's card covers the equipment. For building a shop around these rules, see how to start an HVAC business; for checking cards when you hire, see hiring your first HVAC technician. Other terms you'll meet on the same jobs: HVAC tonnage, SEER2 and Manual J load calculation.