How do I get certified under Section 609 of the EPA?
To be certified, technicians must be trained by an EPA-approved program and pass a test demonstrating their knowledge in these areas. The following companies and programs are approved by EPA to train and certify individuals under section 609 of the Clean Air Act. Please contact the programs directly for specific information.
What is Section 609 of the Clean Air Act?
Any person who repairs or services a motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) system for consideration (payment or bartering) must be properly trained and certified under section 609 of the Clean Air Act by an EPA-approved program. All technicians servicing MVAC-like appliances must be...
What are the requirements for Section 609 certification?
EPA-approved Section 609 training and certification programs must provide individuals (who have completed training and testing) with proof of certification with a unique number for each certified technician, including a certificate, a wallet-sized card, or a display card.
What information is required on a section 608 certification card?
Prior to January 1, 2018, section 608 technician certification cards were required to include: the name of the certifying program; the date the organization became an approved certifying program; the name of the person certified; the type of certification; a unique number for the certified person; and the following text:
How long is ASE 609 good for?
for 60 daysRemember, this is a temporary certificate that's only good for 60 days.
Does Universal EPA expire?
This certification is required to buy, transport, or work with most refrigerants. This certification does not expire.
How long is the EPA 608 certification good for?
Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire. Core tests taken as an open book exam cannot be used to get your Universal Certification. The core test must be taken as a proctored exam in order to attain Universal Certification.
What is the difference between EPA 608 and 609?
Section 608 technician certification is required to purchase ozone depleting or non-exempt substitute refrigerants, such as HFC refrigerants. Section 609 technician certification is required to purchase CFC-12 or EPA-approved substitutes for MVACs containing an ODS.
What is Type 3 EPA certification?
EPA Type 3 covers low-pressure appliances. Technicians working on a Type 3 appliance must be certified as either a Type 3 or a Universal technician. Recall that the EPA Type 1 covers Small Appliances like small refrigerators and air conditioners. EPA Type 2 covers high-pressure refrigeration appliances.
What is Type 2 EPA certification?
Type II - High-Pressure Appliances This EPA certification will enable you to service or dispose of medium to very high-pressure appliances, except in applications such as small appliances or air conditioners within motor vehicles.
Can I take the EPA core test online?
Can You Take EPA 608 Online? Yes! Since the Type I Certification is open book, you can study and take your test online right now. If the appliances you are working on exceed five pounds of refrigerant, the test will need to be proctored.
Do NATE certifications expire?
NATE certifications must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires either submitting 16 continuing education hours (CEHs) every two years, or retaking the specialty exam only, before the end of the two-year certification period.
What is a universal EPA certification?
A Universal certification means you have passed all four sections – it's another way to say you are certified as a Type I, II, & III technician. There is not a Universal section of the test. Each test section has 25 multiple choice questions drawn from a bank of test questions developed by the Federal Government.
What does the EPA section 609 act affect?
Because of the potential damage that refrigerants can do to the environment, Section 609 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) directs EPA to establish requirements to prevent the release of refrigerants during the servicing of MVACs and MVAC-like appliances and to require recycling of used refrigerants.
What certification do you need to buy refrigerant?
608Refrigerant can only be sold to technicians certified under the Section 608 or Section 609 technician certification programs, where individuals may only purchase refrigerant consistent with the appliances covered by their certification.
What certification do I need to buy R-134a?
Auto body shops wishing to buy the common 10- or 30-pound tanks of R-1234yf or R-134a refrigerant will need to have at least one air conditioning-certified technician by Jan. 1, 2018.
What is the EPA 608 type?
When in doubt ask the EPA. R134a and R404a are common in refrigeration and a EPA 608 Type I tech is permitted to work on appliances containing less than 5 lbs of refrigerant. They are also permitted to purchase said refrigerant.
What license is required for a high GWP refrigerant?
The state of California ARB however requires the federal license EPA 608 (don't know which type) to purchase and use high GWP refrigerants.
Is 608 I good?
having 608 I is as good as not having it with the exception for classic fridge techs.
Does a CFC card expire?
It does not expire, but type I is almost the same as not having it. Type I is for dinosaur appliances. I think this is what people mean when they say "CFC card", because, it is in practical sense.
Is an EPA certificate good for life?
All EPA Certs are good for life. You are required to stay abreast of changes in the law.
What is the difference between 608 and 609?
Section 609 certification is required for working on MVAC systems while Section 608 certification is required for working on non-motor vehicle air conditioning systems. Note that Section 608 certification is required for working on hermetically sealed refrigeration systems used on motor vehicles for refrigerated cargo or the air conditioning systems on passenger buses which use HCFC-22 refrigerant.
When did the EPA start certifying air conditioners?
Since January 1, 1993 , any person, repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioners shall certify, to the EPA that such person has acquired, and is properly using, approved equipment, and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained and certified under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act. 3.
Why does water freeze in the expansion valve?
Any water in the system will most likely freeze in the expansion valve because this is the point where refrigerant is cooled by the evaporation occurring as a result of the sudden pressure drop, and the expansion device also represents the smallest passageway in the overall system. It is this reason why filter/dryers are typically located just upstream of the expansion device.
How to designate a refrigerant?
(Note that the numbering system begins on the right.) First digit on the right = Number of fluorine atoms. Second digit from the right = Number of hydrogen atoms plus one.
When did the Clean Air Act stop venting?
No. Effective November 15, 1995 , section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits individuals from knowingly venting substitutes for CFC and HCFC refrigerants during the maintenance, service, repair and disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. A fact sheet explains this prohibition in much more detail.
When was the refrigeration numbering system invented?
The numbering system was released for general use in 1956 and has become an industry standard.
Which states require leaks to be fixed?
However states or municipalities can pass such laws requiring leaks to be fixed. For example the state of Wisconsin, the cities of Austin, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and parts of southern California have and may still require that A/C system leaks be fixed. .
What is a 609 certificate?
EPA-approved Section 609 training and certification programs must provide individuals (who have completed training and testing) with proof of certification with a unique number for each certified technician, including a certificate, a wallet-sized card, or a display card. Some early Section 609 certification cards do not have the unique identification number printed on the card, but these are still valid.
What is required on a 608 certificate?
After January 1, 2018, newly issued section 608 technician certification cards must include: the name of the certifying program; the date the certifying program received EPA approval; the name of the person certified; the type of certification; a unique number for the certified person (that does not include a technician's social security number), and the following text:
Why do you need to keep records for refrigerant sales?
Because the onus is on you, the person selling, distributing, or offering refrigerant for sale or distribution, to ensure compliance with the refrigerant sales restriction, EPA recommends that you keep sufficient records to establish that the purchaser of the refrigerant is going to resell it to certified technicians.
What does EPA mean for refrigerant?
By the “seller of the refrigerant” EPA means the person or entity selling, distributing, or offering refrigerant for sale or distribution. For transactions where there is more than one entity acting as the seller and/or distributor (for example one party handling sales and one party handling the distribution), all sellers ...
How long do you keep refrigerant records?
These records must be kept for three years from the date of sale. When advertising refrigerants online, clearly stating that the refrigerant is subject to a sales restriction and that only certified technicians can legally purchase the refrigerant can minimize the chance that an unqualified person will attempt to purchase the refrigerant.
How long do you need to keep invoices?
These records must be kept for three years from the date of sale.
Can a 608 certified technician use a company's account?
For example, an office manager for a company that employs section 608 certified technicians can use the company’s account to purchase refrigerant for the technicians to use.
EPA Section 609 MVAC FAQ
General Questions
- 1. Is Mainstream Engineering approved by the EPA to offer Clean Air Act Section 609 certification?
Yes, you can find Mainstream Engineering as an approved organization on the EPA’s website for Section 609 Technician Training and Certification Programs. Back to Top - 2. What is EPA Section 609 Certification?
Since January 1, 1993, any person, repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioners shall certify, to the EPA that such person has acquired, and is properly using, approved equipment, and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained and certified under Secti…
Certification Questions
- 1. When is Section 609 Certification required?
Section 609 certification is required for working on MVAC systems while Section 608 certification is required for working on non-motor vehicle air conditioning systems. Note that Section 608 certification is required for working on hermetically sealed refrigeration systems used on motor …
Technical Questions
- 1. Please explain how a basic (vapor-compression) refrigerator, air conditioner or heat pump wo…
The most basic vapor-compression refrigeration system consists of four major components: compressor, evaporator, condenser, and expansion device. As every technician knows, actual practical hardware contains many other critical components for reliable, trouble-free operation, … - 2. Please Explain the Refrigerant Numbering System
Because the chemical names of typical refrigerants are long and complex, a method of referring to refrigerants by number was developed by DuPont. The numbering system was released for general use in 1956 and has become an industry standard. A complete discussion of the numbe…