• Technicians must keep a copy of their proof of certification at their place of business.
• Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 Technician Certification.
• The EPA has developed four types of technician certifications.

Recordkeeping

EPA regulations under section 608 include recordkeeping requirements that are specific to different persons or companies involved with stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

• Technicians must keep a copy of their proof of certification at their place of business. Technicians servicing appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant must provide the owner with an invoice that indicates the amount of refrigerant added to the appliance. This requirement also applies to HFC and other non-exempt substitute refrigerants. Technicians must provide records of leak inspections and tests performed to verify repairs of leaking appliances. Technicians disposing of appliances containing between five and 50 pounds of refrigerant must keep records of the disposal.
• Owners or operators of appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of ozone-depleting refrigerant must keep servicing records documenting the date and type of service, as well as the quantity of refrigerant added. This requirement also applies to HFC and other non-exempt substitute refrigerants. Owners or operators will also be required to maintain records of leak inspections and tests performed to verify repairs of leaking appliances and must submit a report to the EPA for any appliance containing 50 or more pounds of refrigerant that leaks 125 percent or more of the full charge in a calendar year. This report must describe efforts to identify leaks and repair the appliance.
• Reclaimers must maintain records of the names and addresses of persons sending them material for reclamation and the quantity of material sent to them for reclamation. This must be maintained on a transactional basis. Reclaimers must report to the EPA by the first of February annually the total quantity of refrigerant sent to them the previous year for reclamation, the mass of refrigerant reclaimed that year, and the mass of waste products generated that year.

Technician certification

Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 Technician Certification. The tests are specific to the type of equipment the technician seeks to work on. Tests must be administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.

A technician is an individual who performs any of the following activities:

• Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from an appliance to measure pressure within the appliance.
• Adding refrigerant to or removing refrigerant from an appliance.
• Any other activity that violates the integrity of a motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC)-like appliance or small appliance (other than disposal).

Apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided they are closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.

The EPA has developed four types of certifications:

1. For servicing small appliances (Type I).
2. For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II).
3. For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III).
4. For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).