EPA 608 TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION COURSE
Offered through approved Educators and Proctors working with the Grit Game
Become EPA Certified and Advance Your HVAC Career
Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants to be certified. The EPA 608 Technician Certification course prepares you to meet this federal requirement and work confidently with refrigerants in compliance with environmental regulations.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
- Legal Compliance: It’s a federal requirement under the Clean Air Act for anyone who handles refrigerants.
- Job Eligibility: Many HVAC jobs require EPA 608 certification as a minimum qualification.
- Higher Earning Potential: Certified technicians often qualify for better-paying roles and promotions.
- Learn How: To safely recover, recycle, and dispose of refrigerants.
- Understand: leak detection, repair protocols, and environmental regulations.
- Gain Expertise in Servicing: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure systems), and Type III (low-pressure systems).
- No expiration: once certified, it’s valid for life.
- Avoid Fines: Avoid fines of up to $45,000 per day for non-compliance
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Core principles of refrigerant handling and environmental safety
- Best practices for leak detection, recovery, recycling, and disposal of refrigerants
- Helps reduce ozone depletion and greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring proper refrigerant handling.
- Regulations for servicing small appliances (Type I), high-pressure systems (Type II), and low-pressure systems (Type III)
Who should enroll
The EPA 608 Technician Certification training is designed for professionals and newcomers who work with refrigerants and HVAC systems. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, this course is essential for:
- HVACR technicians and contractors
- HVAC technicians
- Refrigeration mechanics
- Maintenance professionals and personnel
- Appliance repair technicians
- Facilities managers
- Energy auditors and power engineers
- New entrants to the HVAC field
- Pool Operators
- Health Inspectors
If you handle refrigerants or service cooling systems, EPA 608 certification isn’t recommended, it’s required by law. This course ensures you’re compliant, confident, and ready to work.
Course Delivery Options
The EPA 608 Technician Certification course is led by experienced instructors and built around the latest EPA guidelines and industry’s best practices. Whether you’re working with small appliances or complex refrigeration systems, this course equips you with the knowledge and credentials to handle refrigerants safely and legally.
No matter the format, you get:
- Direct instruction from approved Educators and Proctors
- Ongoing help from your instructor and the Grit Game team
- Available in English and Spanish
1. IN-PERSON CLASSROOM TRAINING
- Includes hands-on instruction, study materials, and on-site proctored exams.
- Ideal for students who prefer face-to-face learning and practical demonstrations.
2. LIVE ONLINE WEBINARS
- Scheduled virtual sessions led by certified instructors.
- Includes interactive Q&A, downloadable study guides, and access to practice quizzes.
- Exams are typically proctored online immediately after the webinar or at a scheduled time.
3. SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSES
- 100% online modules that you can complete at your own pace.
- Includes video lessons, digital handbooks, and unlimited exam attempts
Certification Levels:
Core:
- Covers fundamental refrigerant handling and safety knowledge required for all certification types.
Type I:
- Required for servicing small appliances containing five pounds or less of refrigerant.
TYPE II:
- Required for working on high-pressure systems such as residential air conditioners and heat pumps.
TYPE III:
- Required for servicing low-pressure systems like chillers.
Universal:
- Combines all types, allowing technicians to work on any equipment covered under EPA 608.
IS EPA 608 Certification for you? (yes.)
- HVACR Technicians and Contractors Handle installation, maintenance, and repair of systems containing refrigerants. Certification is legally required to work with these substances.
- HVAC Technicians Regularly service air conditioning and refrigeration units. EPA 608 ensures they follow proper recovery and disposal procedures to protect the environment.
- Refrigeration Mechanics Work with commercial and industrial cooling systems. Certification allows them to legally manage refrigerant leaks, repairs, and replacements.
- Maintenance Professionals and Personnel Often oversee building systems that include HVAC and refrigeration. Certification ensures compliance when servicing or disposing of refrigerant-based equipment.
- Appliance Repair Technicians Repair refrigerators, freezers, and other cooling appliances. Type I certification is required for small appliance refrigerant handling.
- Facilities Managers Responsible for the upkeep of HVAC systems in commercial buildings. Certification helps them supervise compliant maintenance and repairs.
- Energy Auditors and Power Engineers Assess HVAC efficiency and environmental impact. Certification provides credibility and ensures they understand refrigerant regulations.
- New Entrants to the HVAC Field Starting a career in HVAC or refrigeration? EPA 608 is a foundational credential that opens doors to employment and advancement.
- Pool Operators If a pool operator works with or near HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, or pool heaters that use refrigerants, EPA 608 Certification is essential, not just beneficial.
- Health Inspectors Health inspectors who evaluate pool facilities can benefit by gaining the expertise to assess HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, and pool heaters that use regulated refrigerants. This added qualification enhances their ability to ensure environment compliance and strengthens their role in public health protection
Bottom line: The EPA Certification unlocks legal compliance, professional credibility, and environmental responsibility. It proves you’re qualified to handle refrigerants safely, opens doors to better jobs, and ensures you’re aligned with federal regulations. Whether you’re fixing AC units or inspecting public pools, EPA Certification sets you apart as a trusted, knowledgeable professional.
Meet your instructors
Steve Ely
Steve Ely has over 35 years of combined technical, mechanical, and multifamily operations experience, and brings a deep hands-on understanding of property maintenance, building systems, and workforce training. Steve’s career started with 13 years as an automotive mechanic, where he developed strong diagnostic, electrical, and mechanical skills. He then transitioned into the multifamily industry, where he spent the past 22 years supporting property operations, service teams, and large-scale maintenance programs.
For the last 7 years, Steve has specialized as a Technical Trainer, delivering high-quality instruction to maintenance professionals across multiple disciplines. He is a Certified Pool Operator Instructor, OSHA 10 & 30 Authorized Outreach Instructor, EPA 608 Proctor, and HVAC-Certified Technician, as well as a Certified Generator Technical Instructor. His training approach blends real-world experience with clear communication, hands-on demonstration, and industry-standard best practices.
Steve is committed to developing strong, confident maintenance teams and improving safety, compliance, and technical excellence across the multifamily industry.
Available course sessions
Events
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Natalie Hood started her aquatics journey as a lifeguard before becoming a competitive swimmer. She even pushed herself to Olympic trials—sidelined only by injury, proving the grit and determination that defines her career. From teaching little ones how to swim to shaping the industry itself, Natalie’s impact runs deep. At the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), she contributed to maintaining and updating the CPO® certification program, working closely with state and local jurisdictions as well as the CDC to keep it aligned with regulations. She also played a role in the design and updates of the official handbook, strengthening the program’s reach through collaboration with U.S., Canadian, and international partners.Now at The Grit Game, Natalie is dedicated to helping more pros find success—whether you’ve got questions about EPA 608 requirements, navigating Low GWP A2L refrigerants, or exploring Watershape University (WU) education opportunities. She also brings her myth-busting energy to the microphone every Wednesday as host of the Talking Pools Podcast, the #1 podcast in the aquatics industry, where she tackles misconceptions and delivers straight answers for pool professionals and homeowners alike.You can book time with Natalie below and pick her brain one-on-one, or fire off your questions using the form here to get real answers straight to your inbox. Either way—you’re not waiting on hold, you’re getting the good stuff, fast.