EPA 608 Flashcards
(192 Verified Cards)
Master all 21 official subtopics across Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III evacuation levels, 2026 AIM Act leak repair thresholds, and refrigerant safety rules.
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
A measure of a substance's ability to destroy stratospheric ozone relative to CFC-12 (R-12) and CFC-11 (R-11), which are defined as 1.0. HFCs and HFOs have an ODP of zero.
How to Study with These 192 Flashcards
Flashcards work best when you combine active recall with spaced repetition. Read the prompt on the front of the card, state the exact number, date, or pressure value out loud before flipping, and then verify your answer against the back.
Filter by one of the 21 EPA 608 categories above to focus on 10 to 15 cards per study block instead of cramming all 192 cards in one sitting.
Recall First
Select a category filter and read the term on the front. State the exact regulatory number before flipping.
Verify Cutoffs
Flip the card and compare your answer. Watch for pre-1993 vs. post-1993 equipment cutoffs and 15-lb vs. 50-lb rules.
Shuffle the Deck
Use Shuffle Cards to test yourself across all 192 cards without relying on category order.
What Each Flashcard Section Covers
Core Section (8 Categories)
The Core section is required for every EPA 608 certification level. These flashcards cover stratospheric ozone depletion science, Clean Air Act Title VI regulations, the Montreal Protocol and AIM Act HFC phasedown, ASHRAE 34 refrigerant safety groups and POE vs. mineral oils, the Three R's (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim to AHRI 700), venting prohibitions, recordkeeping, and cylinder safety.
Type I: Small Appliances (4 Categories)
Type I covers factory-manufactured, hermetically sealed appliances containing 5 pounds or less of refrigerant (domestic refrigerators, window ACs, PTACs, vending machines, water coolers). Cards cover post-1993 recovery efficiency (90% with an operating compressor, 80% with a non-operating compressor) vs. pre-1993 equipment (80% or 4 in. Hg), passive vs. self-contained recovery, piercing valves, and small-appliance disposal recordkeeping.
Type II: High-Pressure Systems (5 Categories)
Type II applies to high-pressure and very-high-pressure appliances (R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-404A, R-454B, R-32). The flashcards cover mandatory annual leak repair rates (10% comfort cooling, 20% commercial refrigeration, 30% industrial process refrigeration), both the traditional 50+ lb Section 608 ODS threshold and the January 1, 2026 AIM Act 15+ lb threshold for HFCs/substitutes with GWP > 53, Table 1 evacuation levels (0 / 10 / 15 in. Hg), and 500-micron deep-vacuum dehydration.
Type III: Low-Pressure Systems (4 Categories)
Type III covers low-pressure centrifugal chillers (R-11, R-113, R-123) that operate with the evaporator under a vacuum. Flashcards cover high-efficiency purge units, 15 psig rupture discs, 10 psig nitrogen leak testing, water-tube freeze prevention, vapor-first charging above 32°F saturation, and low-pressure evacuation targets (25 mm Hg absolute post-1993; 25 in. Hg vacuum pre-1993).
Tips for Memorizing EPA 608 Numbers & Dates
- Lock in the key numbers first: 80% maximum cylinder fill by weight, 125°F max cylinder temperature, 70% passing score per section (25 questions each), 30-day leak repair window (120 days for IPR shutdown), and both the 50-lb (legacy ODS) and 15-lb (2026 AIM Act GWP > 53) leak repair thresholds.
- Do not confuse recycling and reclaiming: Recycling happens on-site with oil separation and filter-driers for reuse in the same owner's equipment. Reclaiming requires offsite processing and chemical analysis to AHRI Standard 700 purity before refrigerant can be sold to a new owner.
- Know your regulatory timeline: July 1, 1992 (CFC/HCFC venting ban), Nov 15, 1993 (recovery equipment cutoff), Nov 14, 1994 (certification & sales restriction), Nov 15, 1995 (HFC/substitute venting ban), Jan 1, 2018 (HFC sales restriction), Jan 1, 2020 (R-22 production ban), Jan 1, 2025 (AIM Act GWP ≤ 700 equipment transition), and Jan 1, 2026 (AIM Act 15-lb leak repair rule).
- Watch 400-series vs. 500-series blends: 400-series refrigerants (R-407C, R-410A, R-454B) are zeotropic blends with temperature glide that must be charged as a liquid. 500-series refrigerants (R-500, R-502) are azeotropic blends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flashcards are included in the WorkerGear EPA 608 deck?
The WorkerGear study deck includes 192 verified flashcards organized across all 21 official EPA Section 608 exam subtopics covering Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III certification.
What passing score is required on the EPA 608 exam?
Technicians must score at least 70% (18 out of 25 questions correct) on the Core section plus each specialty section (Type I, Type II, Type III) independently to earn Universal certification.
Pair Your Flashcards with Our EPA 608 Study Guides
Interactive EPA 608 Study Cheat Sheet →
Explore the interactive recovery rig diagram, Table 1 vacuum chart, and leak rate tables.
How to Pass the EPA 608 Exam on Your First Try →
Full breakdown of all 100 Universal exam questions, fees, and study strategies.
Free EPA 608 Practice Test & Question Bank →
Practice with realistic Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III exam questions.
EPA 608 Leak Rate Thresholds & Evacuation Chart →
Deep dive into the 10%, 20%, and 30% leak triggers and 2026 AIM Act 15-lb rules.