F-Gas Category II (IE) exam-day guide
F-Gas Category II (IE) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring current photographic ID (passport or driving licence are the usual options). The name must match your booking exactly. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a second document is required.
Appointment confirmation and candidate number
Bring the booking confirmation, candidate number, and any assessment instructions the provider emailed you. Keep them printed as well as on your phone in case devices are not permitted in the assessment area.
PPE for the practical
Safety footwear, safety glasses (or prescription safety glasses if you need them), protective gloves suitable for refrigerant and oil work, and suitable work clothing. Confirm with the provider whether PPE is supplied on site or you must bring your own.
Hand tools
Manifold gauge set with hoses in good condition, spanners, torque wrench, tube cutter, deburring tool, flaring/swaging tools, screwdrivers, and a leak-detection torch or soap solution. Confirm with the provider which tools are provided at the rig and which you must supply.
Test instruments
Electronic refrigerant leak detector, clamp meter/multimeter, and thermometers. Check batteries the night before and bring spares. Confirm whether the centre provides calibrated instruments and whether your own may be used.
Vacuum and recovery knowledge plus any required records
Be ready to demonstrate evacuation to the required micron level and refrigerant recovery, and to complete a service/leak-check record correctly. If the provider requires a logbook or record template, confirm and bring it.
Calculator, pen, and notebook
For pressure-temperature and superheat/subcooling calculations, and for recording readings during the practical. Confirm whether notes and calculators are allowed in the theory element.
Refrigerant safety information
Know the safety data and handling precautions for the refrigerants used at the centre (for example R-410A, R-134a, R-407C, R-32). Do not bring printed notes into the assessment unless the provider confirms they are permitted.
Travel and arrival plan
Confirm the centre address, parking, and the reporting time, and plan to arrive with time to spare. Aim to be there well before your slot, as late arrival may mean refusal of entry.
Read the provider's candidate instructions
Read the assessment specification or joining instructions sent by the centre so you know the format, the tasks covered, and what is supplied.
Personal readiness
No loose jewellery, long hair tied back, and no loose clothing around rotating or hot equipment. Bring water and a snack if the session is long. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the assessment area.
Plan the day
Re-confirm the date, time, address, and ID requirements with the provider. Re-read the assessment specification and list every practical task you may be asked to perform (tightness testing, evacuation, charging, leak detection, recovery, record keeping, brazing if in scope) and practise each one on a training rig.
Inventory your tools and PPE, check hoses and seals for damage, test your leak detector and multimeter, and replace batteries. Anything missing should be sourced now, not on the morning.
Revise pressure-temperature relationships, superheat and subcooling, cylinder colour and identification markings, and the safety precautions for the refrigerants used. Confirm with the provider which refrigerants appear in the practical.
Pack the bag: ID, confirmation, PPE, tools, instruments, calculator, pen, and notebook. Confirm again whether tools and instruments are supplied so you are not carrying unnecessary equipment into a restricted area.
Check transport, parking, and journey time, and set an alarm with a buffer. Get a full night's sleep rather than last-minute cramming.
Eat properly, arrive early, and report to reception with your ID. Attend the briefing, listen for any site-specific safety rules, and ask clarifying questions before any task begins.
Work to a logical, safe procedure and state what you are doing and why. Record readings as you go, keep the work area tidy, and never skip a safety step to save time.
If equipment is faulty or a task is unclear, stop and tell the assessor rather than improvising. Before finishing, check that you have completed every required record and left the rig in a safe condition.
Rules to check
Bring photo ID that matches your booking name. If you cannot produce acceptable ID you may be refused entry, so confirm the accepted documents with the provider in advance.
Bring only permitted items into the assessment area. Phones, smart watches, and personal notes are usually excluded; confirm the provider's policy on devices, notes, and calculators before the day.
Follow the assessor's instructions and all site safety rules at all times. Unsafe or dangerous practice can result in the assessment being stopped, so confirm with the provider how safety-critical errors are treated.
Work independently. Do not accept help, prompting, or coaching from other candidates, and do not discuss or record the assessment content afterwards.
Check tools and instruments before use and report anything damaged or defective. Do not use equipment you have not been shown how to operate safely.
Breaks during a practical assessment vary by centre; confirm with the provider whether breaks are scheduled, whether you may request one, and whether the clock stops.
Scoring is against the provider's published assessment criteria, and candidates normally must satisfy both the theory and practical elements plus all critical safety criteria. Confirm the exact pass requirements, marking, and re-sit policy with the provider rather than assuming.