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Study Guide: ESCO 608

ESCO 608 overview

To work in the HVAC industry, technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of refrigerant-containing equipment must be certified under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Mainstream Engineering is a certifying agency for Section 608 Type I, II, III, and Universal certifications. 

A step-by-step guide to ESCO 608 registration

To take this test at TSTC:

  1. Visit tstc.edu/admissions/testing.  
  2. Scroll down to Schedule an Exam and click on the location closest to you.
  3. On the following page, use the dropdown menus  to choose a group, an exam, your preferred date and time, and your contact information.
    • If you plan on taking the test virtually, make sure to use the links at the top of the page.

    • Be sure to read the More Information section on the right for information on fees, registration, and retaking the test.

  4. Read the Exam Guideline Acknowledgement in the scroll box.
  5. Check the box under to acknowledge the guidelines. 
  6. Completed the Needed Information and then click Add to Cart.
  7. Complete the credit card fields and click Purchase Exams.
  8. Click Complete Registration.
    • Your confirmation email will appear on the screen.  You may print a copy for your records.
  9. Check your email and print your Confirmation Receipt. 
BE ADVISED: You must present a valid (curent) form of photo identification to be admitted to the test.  

What's on the test?

You can expect multiple-choice questions for each certification exam. This format includes four possible answers. The EPA 608 certification relies on a random assortment of questions pulled from a pool of roughly 350 potential questions. You can rely on Mainstream Engineering’s study materials to best prepare you for the test.

  • The EPA Section 608 Universal exam is a closed-book proctored exam.
  • No calculator is allowed during test taking.
  • You have a maximum of three hours to complete the test.
  • The EPA Section 608 Universal exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions:
    • 25 Core Questions
    • 25 Type I Questions
    • 25 Type II Questions
    • 25 Type III Questions
  • The passing grade for each section is 72%, meaning you have to get 18 out of 25 questions correct.
  • If you fail to pass all sections of the EPA Section 608 Universal exam but pass the core and at least one "Type" section, you will receive a certification card according to the types you passed.
  • For any retake exams, you only take the section(s) you did not previously pass in a closed-book proctored environment.