EPA Section 609 Exam Questions
With Correct Answers
Course
EPA 609
1. What is the primary purpose of EPA Section 609 certification?
A. To regulate engine performance
B. To allow legal handling of MVAC refrigerants
C. To license vehicle sales
D. To approve brake repairs
Answer: B. To allow legal handling of MVAC refrigerants
Rationale:
Section 609 certifies technicians to service mobile air conditioning (MVAC) systems using
regulated refrigerants.
2. Which refrigerant is most commonly used in older vehicle air conditioning systems?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. Ammonia
Answer: B. R-134a
Rationale:
R-134a replaced R-12 in most vehicles manufactured after the early 1990s.
3. What is required before purchasing refrigerant for MVAC servicing?
A. ASE certification
B. EPA 609 certification
C. State driver’s license only
D. OSHA card
Answer: B. EPA 609 certification
Rationale:
Only certified technicians can legally purchase small containers of MVAC refrigerants.
,4. What is the ozone-depleting refrigerant most strictly phased out in automotive use?
A. R-1234yf
B. R-134a
C. R-12
D. R-410A
Answer: C. R-12
Rationale:
R-12 (CFC-12) was banned due to its high ozone depletion potential.
5. What must be done before opening an MVAC system containing refrigerant?
A. Add oil
B. Evacuate (recover) refrigerant using approved equipment
C. Replace compressor
D. Flush condenser
Answer: B. Evacuate (recover) refrigerant using approved equipment
Rationale:
Refrigerant must be recovered to prevent environmental release.
6. Which device is used to remove refrigerant from a vehicle system?
A. Vacuum pump
B. Recovery machine
C. Manifold gauge only
D. Compressor tester
Answer: B. Recovery machine
Rationale:
Recovery machines safely extract refrigerant for reuse or recycling.
7. What is the main environmental concern with refrigerants like R-12?
A. Acid rain formation
B. Ozone layer depletion
C. Soil contamination
D. Noise pollution
, Answer: B. Ozone layer depletion
Rationale:
CFC refrigerants release chlorine, which destroys stratospheric ozone.
8. After refrigerant recovery, what is typically done next before recharging?
A. System pressurization with oxygen
B. System evacuation (vacuum)
C. Adding dye only
D. Engine tuning
Answer: B. System evacuation (vacuum)
Rationale:
Evacuation removes air and moisture from the system.
9. Which refrigerant is commonly used in newer vehicles?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-1234yf
D. R-22
Answer: C. R-1234yf
Rationale:
R-1234yf is a low global warming potential refrigerant used in modern vehicles.
10. What is the correct practice when handling refrigerant cylinders?
A. Store in direct sunlight
B. Heat to increase pressure
C. Keep upright and secure in a cool place
D. Lay flat in vehicle trunk
Answer: C. Keep upright and secure in a cool place
Rationale:
Proper storage prevents leakage, rupture, and safety hazards.
11. What is the purpose of refrigerant recovery?
With Correct Answers
Course
EPA 609
1. What is the primary purpose of EPA Section 609 certification?
A. To regulate engine performance
B. To allow legal handling of MVAC refrigerants
C. To license vehicle sales
D. To approve brake repairs
Answer: B. To allow legal handling of MVAC refrigerants
Rationale:
Section 609 certifies technicians to service mobile air conditioning (MVAC) systems using
regulated refrigerants.
2. Which refrigerant is most commonly used in older vehicle air conditioning systems?
A. R-410A
B. R-134a
C. R-22
D. Ammonia
Answer: B. R-134a
Rationale:
R-134a replaced R-12 in most vehicles manufactured after the early 1990s.
3. What is required before purchasing refrigerant for MVAC servicing?
A. ASE certification
B. EPA 609 certification
C. State driver’s license only
D. OSHA card
Answer: B. EPA 609 certification
Rationale:
Only certified technicians can legally purchase small containers of MVAC refrigerants.
,4. What is the ozone-depleting refrigerant most strictly phased out in automotive use?
A. R-1234yf
B. R-134a
C. R-12
D. R-410A
Answer: C. R-12
Rationale:
R-12 (CFC-12) was banned due to its high ozone depletion potential.
5. What must be done before opening an MVAC system containing refrigerant?
A. Add oil
B. Evacuate (recover) refrigerant using approved equipment
C. Replace compressor
D. Flush condenser
Answer: B. Evacuate (recover) refrigerant using approved equipment
Rationale:
Refrigerant must be recovered to prevent environmental release.
6. Which device is used to remove refrigerant from a vehicle system?
A. Vacuum pump
B. Recovery machine
C. Manifold gauge only
D. Compressor tester
Answer: B. Recovery machine
Rationale:
Recovery machines safely extract refrigerant for reuse or recycling.
7. What is the main environmental concern with refrigerants like R-12?
A. Acid rain formation
B. Ozone layer depletion
C. Soil contamination
D. Noise pollution
, Answer: B. Ozone layer depletion
Rationale:
CFC refrigerants release chlorine, which destroys stratospheric ozone.
8. After refrigerant recovery, what is typically done next before recharging?
A. System pressurization with oxygen
B. System evacuation (vacuum)
C. Adding dye only
D. Engine tuning
Answer: B. System evacuation (vacuum)
Rationale:
Evacuation removes air and moisture from the system.
9. Which refrigerant is commonly used in newer vehicles?
A. R-12
B. R-134a
C. R-1234yf
D. R-22
Answer: C. R-1234yf
Rationale:
R-1234yf is a low global warming potential refrigerant used in modern vehicles.
10. What is the correct practice when handling refrigerant cylinders?
A. Store in direct sunlight
B. Heat to increase pressure
C. Keep upright and secure in a cool place
D. Lay flat in vehicle trunk
Answer: C. Keep upright and secure in a cool place
Rationale:
Proper storage prevents leakage, rupture, and safety hazards.
11. What is the purpose of refrigerant recovery?
