EPA 608 vs. 609 Certification: Which Do You Need?
Updated October 27, 2026
EPA Section 608 and Section 609 are both refrigerant certifications under the Clean Air Act, but they cover different equipment. Which one you need depends on what you work on.
The difference
| Section 608 | Section 609 | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Stationary refrigeration and air conditioning: residential and commercial AC, heat pumps, refrigerators, chillers | Motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC): cars, trucks and other vehicles |
| Who needs it | HVAC/R technicians who could release refrigerant from stationary equipment | Technicians who service motor vehicle air conditioners for pay |
| Certification types | Core plus Type I, II and III (all four for Universal) | One certification |
Do I need both?
Only if you work on both kinds of equipment. An HVAC technician working on homes and businesses needs Section 608. An auto technician servicing vehicle AC needs Section 609. A 608 certification doesn’t cover motor vehicle air conditioning, and a 609 certification doesn’t cover stationary equipment.
Does either expire?
EPA 608 certification doesn’t expire. Keep a copy of your certificate at your place of business.
Getting EPA 608 certified
The 608 exam has four sections of 25 questions each: Core, Type I, Type II and Type III. On the standard proctored exam you need 18 of 25 in each section you take. See the EPA 608 certification guide for how it works, and try the free Core and Universal practice tests.
Pass the EPA 608 exam on your first try
- All 168 questions across Core, Type I, Type II and Type III
- An explanation for every answer, with the rule or principle behind it
- Unlimited practice exams per section, scored like the real test (18 of 25 to pass)