EPA 608 study plan

Define ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) and rank CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and HFOs by each metric

State the Clean Air Act venting prohibition and name the four permitted exceptions for knowingly releasing refrigerant

Identify the Section 608 certification categories and the sale, purchase, and recordkeeping rules that apply to refrigerant and recovery equipment

Distinguish recovery, recycling, and reclamation and name where each may legally occur

Recognize the definition and examples of a small appliance (hermetic, factory-sealed, 5 lb charge or less) and the recovery-evacuation level that applies to it

Explain why high-pressure systems are recovered liquid first, then vapor, and describe the equipment setup for each phase

Apply recovery cylinder rules: the 80% fill limit, DOT marking, requalification intervals, and safe transfer procedures

Apply the evacuation level table by appliance type and charge size (0 psig, 10 in Hg vacuum, 25 mm Hg absolute)

Select the correct recovery machine, hoses, and cylinder for R-410A and other high-pressure blends

Describe the standing vacuum and vacuum-decay tests used to confirm a leak-free, moisture-free system

Calculate leak rates and match them to the 15%, 20%, and 35% thresholds for industrial process refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, and comfort cooling, including the applicable repair and verification deadlines

Determine when an appliance must be retrofitted or retired instead of repaired

Choose between charging by weight, by subcooling, and by superheat for a given system and explain why the other methods are wrong

Describe the handling differences for R-410A and A2L refrigerants in pressure, lubricant, and leak-detection behavior

List the documentation required when refrigerant is added to or removed from an appliance

Describe the operating characteristics of low-pressure centrifugal chillers, including evaporator pressures below atmospheric and the air/moisture ingress problem

Apply the 25 mm Hg absolute evacuation requirement to low-pressure appliances

Explain the purpose, operation, and efficiency testing of purge units

Describe rupture disc function, relief device settings, and the safe isolation of low-pressure vessels before service

Outline leak detection and charging methods for chillers, including charging refrigerant as a vapor and dehydrating a wet system

Compare low-pressure and high-pressure recovery and evacuation requirements side by side in a single table

Solve mixed scenarios in which the appliance type, charge size, and manufacture date all change the correct answer

Distinguish system-dependent from self-contained recovery equipment and identify when each is permitted

Explain the purity standards behind recycled versus reclaimed refrigerant and who may perform each

Combine Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III rules into single decisions on whole-system scenarios

Identify safety hazards and controls: frostbite, asphyxiation, oxygen displacement, cylinder hydrostatic testing, and overfilling

Recognize refrigerant cylinder markings, colors, DOT transport rules, and storage limits

Apply date-based and refrigerant-based distinctions, including appliances built before and after November 15, 1993, and very high-pressure systems

Rank weak topics by error frequency from the practice exam log

Re-drill the top three weak topics to 90% accuracy or better

Memorize the numeric threshold table (5 lb, 200 lb, 15/20/35%, 0 psig, 10 in Hg, 25 mm Hg) using spaced recall

Answer 25 questions in 20 minutes to build exam pacing

Complete two full-length timed Universal practice exams under test-day conditions

Write a one-line rationale for every flagged or guessed item

Re-verify the numeric thresholds and venting exceptions one final time without notes

Confirm test-day logistics: appointment, identification, and certification paperwork