EPA 608 / Practice test / Type II

EPA 608 Type II practice test

Servicing or disposing of medium-, high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners. 10 free questions. Pick an answer to see whether you're right, why, and which rule it comes from.

1. On an operating high-pressure system, which reading does EPA list as a sign that the system may be leaking refrigerant?
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Answer: A. Excessive superheat

EPA's Type II topics list excessive superheat (and, on hermetic systems, traces of oil) as signs of leakage in high-pressure systems. DOE defines superheat as the difference between the suction line refrigerant temperature and the vapor saturation temperature at the measured pressure. The other readings are not the leak signs EPA lists. A suspected leak still has to be located with a method that finds where the leak is.

Source: EPA Section 608 Test Topics, Type 2, https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics (accessed 2026-10-21); U.S. DOE Building America, Measure Guideline: Air Conditioner Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Replacement (2013), https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/measure_guide_air_cond_diagnostics.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)

2. When should a high-pressure appliance be leak tested in relation to charging?
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Answer: D. Before charging or recharging the equipment

EPA's Type II topics state the need to leak test before charging or recharging equipment. The leak repair rules follow the same logic. Under 40 CFR 82.152, an initial verification test is a leak test done after a repair "before refrigerant is added back to the appliance." For repairs that required evacuation, 82.157(e)(1)(ii) requires the test before any refrigerant is added. Choice A describes the timing of the later follow-up verification test, which does not replace testing before the charge goes in.

Source: EPA Section 608 Test Topics, Type 2, https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.152 "Initial verification test" and 82.157(e)(1), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

3. An office building's packaged rooftop air conditioner holds 80 pounds of R-22. Under 40 CFR 82.157, leaks must be repaired once its leak rate exceeds:
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Answer: B. 10 percent

40 CFR 82.152 defines comfort cooling to include packaged rooftop units that control heat and humidity in occupied buildings such as offices. 82.157(c)(2)(iii) sets a 10 percent leak rate for comfort cooling appliances and other appliances with 50 or more pounds not covered by the commercial or industrial process rates. 15 percent was the comfort-cooling rate in the old 82.156(i)(5), which applied only until January 1, 2019. 20 percent applies to commercial refrigeration.

Exam note: Pre-2019 materials use the old 82.156(i) rates (35% for commercial and industrial process refrigeration, 15% for comfort cooling); those applied only until 2019-01-01. Current rule: 30/20/10.

Source: 40 CFR 82.152 "Comfort cooling" and 82.157(c)(2)(iii), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.156(i)(5), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); EPA, Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements, https://www.epa.gov/section608/stationary-refrigeration-leak-repair-requirements (accessed 2026-10-21)

4. In 2026, a convenience store's walk-in cooler has a full charge of 30 pounds of an HFC refrigerant. Which leak repair requirement applies to it?
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Answer: C. 40 CFR 84.106, with a 20 percent leak rate for commercial refrigeration

Since April 10, 2020, 40 CFR 82.157 has applied only to appliances with 50 or more pounds of a class I or class II refrigerant, and not to appliances containing solely substitutes such as HFCs. HFC leak repair now sits in 40 CFR 84.106, which applies as of January 1, 2026 to appliances with 15 or more pounds of an HFC or other regulated substance (excluding residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pumps). 40 CFR 84.102 defines commercial refrigeration to include convenience stores, and 84.106(c)(2)(i) sets its leak rate at 20 percent. Choice A reflects the 50-pound threshold of 82.157. Choice D is the 84.106 rate for comfort cooling and other appliances.

Exam note: Older banks say 82.157 (50 lb) covers HFCs (2016 rule) or omit HFC leak repair. Since 2020-04-10, 82.157 is ODS-only; HFC leak repair is 40 CFR 84.106 (15 lb, from 2026-01-01). EPA proposed a transport refrigeration unit exemption in May 2026 (not final as of 2026-10-21).

Source: 40 CFR 82.157(a), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 84.102 "Commercial refrigeration" and 84.106(a), (c)(2), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

5. To speed up refrigerant recovery from a large high-pressure system, EPA's Type II topics recommend:
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Answer: D. Recovering liquid at the beginning of the recovery process

EPA's Type II topics state that recovering liquid at the beginning of the recovery process speeds it up. EPA's other methods for faster recovery are chilling the recovery vessel and heating the appliance or vessel being recovered from, so warming the recovery cylinder (Choice C) works against recovery. 40 CFR 82.156(a) also requires that all of the liquid refrigerant be removed before an appliance is opened or disposed of.

Source: EPA Section 608 Test Topics, Type 2, https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.156(a), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

6. A technician reaches the required recovery vacuum on a high-pressure system, isolates the recovery machine, and waits a few minutes. The system pressure rises. This most likely means:
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Answer: C. Liquid refrigerant is still in the system or in the oil, so recovery should continue

EPA's Type II topics state the need to wait a few minutes after reaching the required recovery vacuum to see if system pressure rises, which indicates that there is still liquid refrigerant in the system or in the oil. 40 CFR 82.156(a) requires the technician to verify that the required level has been reached before the appliance is opened, and that all liquid refrigerant be removed. So Choice B is wrong: the system is not ready to open. Choices A and D describe the recovery machine and its cylinder, which have been isolated from the system and cannot change the system's pressure.

Source: EPA Section 608 Test Topics, Type 2, https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.156(a), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

7. A 150-pound R-134a appliance (not a small appliance) is being opened for a major repair using recovery equipment manufactured in 2015. Under Table 1, it must be evacuated to:
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Answer: B. 10 inches of Hg vacuum

40 CFR 82.152 lists R-134a as an example of a medium-pressure refrigerant (liquid phase saturation pressure between 45 and 170 psia at 104 °F). Table 1 requires 10 inches of Hg vacuum for a medium-pressure appliance under 200 pounds with equipment made on or after November 15, 1993. 15 inches applies at 200 pounds or more. 0 inches is for high-pressure appliances under 200 pounds, and 25 mm Hg absolute is the low-pressure level. Medium-pressure appliances are serviced by Type II technicians (82.161(a)(1)(ii)).

Source: 40 CFR 82.152 "Medium-pressure appliance", eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.156(a), Table 1, eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(ii), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

8. Under 40 CFR 82.152, a repair counts as 'major' if it removes the compressor, condenser, evaporator, or auxiliary heat exchange coil, or if it uncovers an opening of:
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Answer: C. More than 4 square inches of flow area for more than 15 minutes

40 CFR 82.152 defines major maintenance, service, or repair as work that removes the compressor, condenser, evaporator, or auxiliary heat exchange coil, or that uncovers an opening of more than four (4) square inches of flow area for more than 15 minutes. The distinction matters because non-major repairs can use the 0 psig option in 82.156(a)(1), while major repairs require the Table 1 levels.

Source: 40 CFR 82.152 "Major maintenance, service, or repair", eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

9. A refrigerant's saturated liquid in an appliance reads 160 psig on a gauge at 104 °F. Using EPA's pressure classes in 40 CFR 82.152, the appliance is:
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Answer: C. High-pressure, because about 174.7 psia falls between 170 and 355 psia

The 82.152 pressure classes are based on absolute pressure (psia) at 104 °F. EPA's Type II topics warn that you must add 14.7 to convert psig to psia: 160 + 14.7 = 174.7 psia. A high-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 170 and 355 psia at 104 °F. Medium-pressure is 45 to 170 psia, so Choice B is the trap of forgetting to convert. Very high-pressure means above 355 psia, or a critical temperature below 104 °F.

Source: EPA Section 608 Test Topics, Type 2, https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics (accessed 2026-10-21); 40 CFR 82.152 "High-pressure appliance", "Medium-pressure appliance", "Very high-pressure appliance", eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21)

10. A technician will service a 120-pound R-134a chiller. Under 40 CFR 82.161, which certification covers this work?
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Answer: B. Type II

R-134a is listed as a medium-pressure refrigerant in 40 CFR 82.152. 82.161(a)(1)(ii) says persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of medium-, high-, or very high-pressure appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified as Type II technicians. Type III covers low-pressure appliances, such as R-123 chillers. Type I covers small appliances. Since January 1, 2018, the evacuation rules in 82.156 also apply to appliances containing non-exempt substitutes such as HFCs, so Choice D is wrong.

Exam note: EPA's Certification Requirements page says Type II covers 'high- or very high-pressure appliances' and leaves out medium-pressure. The CFR (82.161(a)(1)(ii)) includes medium-pressure, and the CFR controls.

Source: 40 CFR 82.152, 82.156 (applicability), 82.161(a)(1)(ii), eCFR as of 2026-10-19 (accessed 2026-10-21); EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements, https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-requirements (accessed 2026-10-21)

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