EPA 608 Universal Practice Test

Updated October 27, 2026

1. To earn Universal certification, which sections must you pass?
   A.Core onlyB.Core, Type I, Type II and Type IIIC.Type I, Type II and Type III onlyD.Core and Type II only
2. (Core) Which refrigerant has an ozone depletion potential of zero?
   A.R-12B.R-22C.R-134aD.R-11
3. (Core) A recovery cylinder should be filled to no more than what share of its capacity by liquid volume?
   A.60%B.70%C.80%D.90%
4. (Type I) A small appliance is defined as factory-made, charged and hermetically sealed equipment with:
   A.5 pounds of refrigerant or lessB.15 pounds of refrigerant or lessC.50 pounds of refrigerant or lessD.Any amount of refrigerant, if it plugs into a wall outlet
5. (Type I) With recovery equipment made after November 15, 1993, how much refrigerant must be recovered from a small appliance whose compressor does not run?
   A.50%B.70%C.80%D.90%
6. (Type II) A comfort cooling appliance with 60 pounds of R-22 must have leaks repaired when its annual leak rate exceeds:
   A.10%B.20%C.30%D.35%
7. (Type III) Why is a purge unit needed on a low-pressure chiller?
   A.Air and moisture leak into the system because parts of it run below atmospheric pressureB.To add oil to the compressorC.To release refrigerant when pressure is too highD.To cool the condenser water
8. (Type III) A low-pressure appliance must be evacuated to what level before it is opened?
   A.0 inches of mercury vacuumB.10 inches of mercury vacuumC.15 inches of mercury vacuumD.25 mm Hg absolute
9. (Core) What does reclaiming refrigerant require that recycling does not?
   A.Using a vacuum pumpB.Reprocessing to new-product purity (AHRI 700) and verifying it by chemical analysisC.Mixing it with other refrigerantsD.Venting the non-condensables
10. (Core) Why must refrigerant cylinders never be heated with an open flame?
    A.It changes the refrigerant's colorB.It makes the refrigerant lose its chargeC.Pressure can rise until the cylinder ruptures, and refrigerant in a flame breaks down into toxic productsD.It voids the refrigerant's warranty
11. (Type I) Small appliances using hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R-290 require:
    A.No special precautionsB.Venting the refrigerant outdoorsC.A Type III certificationD.Avoiding ignition sources and using equipment rated for flammable refrigerants
12. (Type II) Under EPA's definitions, R-134a appliances are classified as:
    A.Medium-pressureB.Low-pressureC.High-pressureD.Very high-pressure
13. (Type II) After evacuating a system, which reading shows the system is dry and holds vacuum?
    A.A compound gauge reading 0 psigB.A micron gauge reading that reaches a low level and holds steadyC.A rising suction pressureD.Frost on the suction line
14. (Type III) What is usually the first sign of a leak in a low-pressure chiller?
    A.Oil spraying from the compressorB.The rupture disc burstingC.The purge unit running more often than normalD.High suction superheat only
15. (Type III) When a low-pressure chiller in a deep vacuum is charged, why is vapor introduced first?
    A.Because liquid refrigerant can't enter a chillerB.To test the rupture discC.To speed up the purge unitD.To prevent the water in the tubes from freezing as liquid refrigerant flashes at very low pressure