One of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s many duties is to oversee programs that protect the stratospheric ozone layer. Section 608 of the Clean Air Act enforces activities that protect the ozone layer as they apply to stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Under this program, certification is required to ensure that technicians measure up to a variety of EPA requirements on service practices and refrigerant reclamation. The RSES Educational Foundation is approved by the EPA to administer Section 608 certification testing.
RSES – An Industry Leader
RSES has one of the largest EPA programs in the industry. RSES training materials have been used to certify nearly 200,000 technicians in accordance with Section 608 of the U.S. Clean Air Act.
Who Needs to be Certified?
Any person who performs maintenance, service, repair or refrigerant disposal that could be reasonably expected to release refrigerants into the atmosphere needs certification. The definition of "technician" specifically includes certain activities as follows:
· Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance to measure pressure within the appliance
· Adding refrigerant to or removing refrigerant from the appliance
· Any other activity that violates the integrity of the MVAC-like appliances, and small appliances
In addition, apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
What are the Types of Certification?
The types of certification include:
Core A Technician must pass Core in order to earn any other certification.
Type–I For servicing small appliances.
Type–II For servicing or disposing of high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs.
Type–III For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances.
Universal The successful passing of all four sections of the examination.
Certification Preparation
RSES has the following publications, CDs and online training available to prepare individuals for the EPA Section 608 Certification examination:
Where Can I Take the Exam?
Need More Information?
For more information on EPA Section 608 certification training and testing, please call RSES at 800/297-5660 or 847/297-6464, or e-mail us at
certification@rses.org.