MASSACHUSETTS REFRIGERATION LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1: Under Massachusetts regulations (248 CMR), which license class
permits the installation and servicing of commercial refrigeration systems
over 50 tons?
A. Restricted Refrigeration License
B. Journeyman Refrigeration License
C. Master Refrigeration License
D. Apprentice License
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Master Refrigeration License
Rationale: Massachusetts 248 CMR distinguishes license levels by scope of work. A
Master Refrigeration License allows supervision of work, system design, and installation
of large commercial systems. Journeyman licenses permit work under supervision;
restricted licenses cover specific equipment types.
Question 2: According to EPA Section 608, what is the required certification
type for technicians servicing high-pressure refrigeration systems using R-
134a?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Universal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Type II
Rationale: Type II certification covers servicing, maintenance, or repair of high-pressure
appliances (including R-134a). Type I is for small appliances; Type III for low-pressure;
Universal covers all types.
Question 3: What is the maximum allowable leak rate for commercial
refrigeration systems containing over 50 pounds of refrigerant under EPA
regulations?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 30% per year
D. 40% per year
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20% per year
,Rationale: EPA Section 608 mandates that commercial refrigeration systems with >50
lbs refrigerant must be repaired if the leak rate exceeds 20% of the charge per year.
Question 4: Which Massachusetts authority issues refrigeration licenses?
A. Department of Public Safety
B. Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
C. Department of Environmental Protection
D. Division of Professional Licensure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Rationale: Massachusetts 248 CMR places refrigeration licensing under the Board of
State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, which administers exams and issues
licenses.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a receiver in a refrigeration
system?
A. To compress refrigerant vapor
B. To store liquid refrigerant
C. To evaporate refrigerant
D. To measure pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To store liquid refrigerant
Rationale: The receiver stores condensed liquid refrigerant after the condenser,
ensuring a steady supply to the metering device during varying load conditions.
Question 6: Which refrigerant is classified as an HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon)?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-717
D. R-12
CORRECT ANSWER: B. R-134a
Rationale: R-134a is an HFC refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). R-
22 and R-12 are HCFCs/CFCs; R-717 is ammonia (natural refrigerant).
Question 7: What safety device shuts off a compressor when discharge
pressure exceeds safe limits?
A. Low-pressure control
B. High-pressure control
C. Oil failure control
D. Thermostat
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. High-pressure control
Rationale: High-pressure controls are safety devices that interrupt compressor
operation when discharge pressure exceeds a set limit, preventing equipment damage or
rupture.
Question 8: Under Massachusetts code, what is the minimum clearance
required around refrigeration equipment for service access?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 24 inches
Rationale: Massachusetts mechanical codes typically require at least 24 inches of
clearance around equipment for safe servicing, maintenance, and emergency access.
Question 9: Which component meters refrigerant flow into the evaporator?
A. Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Expansion device
D. Receiver
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Expansion device
Rationale: Expansion devices (TXV, capillary tube, fixed orifice) regulate refrigerant
flow into the evaporator based on load conditions.
Question 10: What is the EPA requirement for recovering refrigerant from a
small appliance?
A. 80% recovery
B. 90% recovery
C. 95% recovery
D. 100% recovery
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 80% recovery
Rationale: EPA Section 608 requires 80% recovery of refrigerant from small appliances
when using passive or self-contained recovery equipment.
Question 11: Which pressure-temperature relationship applies to saturated
refrigerant?
WITH VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1: Under Massachusetts regulations (248 CMR), which license class
permits the installation and servicing of commercial refrigeration systems
over 50 tons?
A. Restricted Refrigeration License
B. Journeyman Refrigeration License
C. Master Refrigeration License
D. Apprentice License
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Master Refrigeration License
Rationale: Massachusetts 248 CMR distinguishes license levels by scope of work. A
Master Refrigeration License allows supervision of work, system design, and installation
of large commercial systems. Journeyman licenses permit work under supervision;
restricted licenses cover specific equipment types.
Question 2: According to EPA Section 608, what is the required certification
type for technicians servicing high-pressure refrigeration systems using R-
134a?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Universal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Type II
Rationale: Type II certification covers servicing, maintenance, or repair of high-pressure
appliances (including R-134a). Type I is for small appliances; Type III for low-pressure;
Universal covers all types.
Question 3: What is the maximum allowable leak rate for commercial
refrigeration systems containing over 50 pounds of refrigerant under EPA
regulations?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 30% per year
D. 40% per year
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 20% per year
,Rationale: EPA Section 608 mandates that commercial refrigeration systems with >50
lbs refrigerant must be repaired if the leak rate exceeds 20% of the charge per year.
Question 4: Which Massachusetts authority issues refrigeration licenses?
A. Department of Public Safety
B. Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
C. Department of Environmental Protection
D. Division of Professional Licensure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Rationale: Massachusetts 248 CMR places refrigeration licensing under the Board of
State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, which administers exams and issues
licenses.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a receiver in a refrigeration
system?
A. To compress refrigerant vapor
B. To store liquid refrigerant
C. To evaporate refrigerant
D. To measure pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To store liquid refrigerant
Rationale: The receiver stores condensed liquid refrigerant after the condenser,
ensuring a steady supply to the metering device during varying load conditions.
Question 6: Which refrigerant is classified as an HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon)?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
C. R-717
D. R-12
CORRECT ANSWER: B. R-134a
Rationale: R-134a is an HFC refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). R-
22 and R-12 are HCFCs/CFCs; R-717 is ammonia (natural refrigerant).
Question 7: What safety device shuts off a compressor when discharge
pressure exceeds safe limits?
A. Low-pressure control
B. High-pressure control
C. Oil failure control
D. Thermostat
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. High-pressure control
Rationale: High-pressure controls are safety devices that interrupt compressor
operation when discharge pressure exceeds a set limit, preventing equipment damage or
rupture.
Question 8: Under Massachusetts code, what is the minimum clearance
required around refrigeration equipment for service access?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 24 inches
Rationale: Massachusetts mechanical codes typically require at least 24 inches of
clearance around equipment for safe servicing, maintenance, and emergency access.
Question 9: Which component meters refrigerant flow into the evaporator?
A. Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Expansion device
D. Receiver
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Expansion device
Rationale: Expansion devices (TXV, capillary tube, fixed orifice) regulate refrigerant
flow into the evaporator based on load conditions.
Question 10: What is the EPA requirement for recovering refrigerant from a
small appliance?
A. 80% recovery
B. 90% recovery
C. 95% recovery
D. 100% recovery
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 80% recovery
Rationale: EPA Section 608 requires 80% recovery of refrigerant from small appliances
when using passive or self-contained recovery equipment.
Question 11: Which pressure-temperature relationship applies to saturated
refrigerant?
