Conditioning Certification Practice Exam

EPA Section 609 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the purpose of the EPA Section 609 certification?
• To allow technicians to sell refrigerants
• To allow technicians to service motor vehicle air conditioners
• To regulate air conditioning prices
• To regulate automotive repairs unrelated to AC

Answer: B. To allow technicians to service motor vehicle air conditioners

Rationale: EPA Section 609 certification is required for anyone who handles

refrigerants in motor vehicle air conditioning systems to ensure proper handling and reduce environmental damage.

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• Which of the following is considered an ozone-depleting substance?
• R-134a
• R-1234yf

C. R-12

D. R-744

Answer: C. R-12

Rationale: R-12 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that depletes the ozone layer;

R-134a and R-1234yf are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with no ozone depletion potential.

• What does an A/C system recovery machine do?
• Adds refrigerant to the system
• Recovers, recycles, or reclaims refrigerant
• Measures system pressure only
• Cleans the AC condenser

Answer: B. Recovers, recycles, or reclaims refrigerant

Rationale: Recovery machines are used to remove refrigerant from a system

safely, then either recycle it or reclaim it according to EPA regulations.

• Which type of oil is commonly used in R-134a systems?
• Mineral oil
• Polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oil 2 / 4

C. SAE 30

• Hydraulic oil

Answer: B. Polyalkylene glycol (PAG) oil

Rationale: R-134a systems use PAG or polyolester (POE) oils because mineral

oil used in R-12 systems is not compatible with HFCs.

• What is the main function of the condenser in an A/C system?
• Compress the refrigerant
• Absorb heat from inside the vehicle
• Release heat from the refrigerant to the outside air
• Filter the refrigerant

Answer: C. Release heat from the refrigerant to the outside air

Rationale: The condenser cools the high-pressure refrigerant gas, turning it

into a liquid by releasing heat to the surrounding air.

• What is the main purpose of the receiver-drier in a fixed orifice A/C

system?

• To compress refrigerant
• To store liquid refrigerant and remove moisture
• To regulate cabin temperature
• To filter oil 3 / 4

Answer: B. To store liquid refrigerant and remove moisture

Rationale: The receiver-drier temporarily stores liquid refrigerant and

contains a desiccant to remove moisture from the system.

• When should you wear safety goggles while servicing an A/C system?
• Only when charging refrigerant
• Anytime refrigerant is handled
• Only when recovering refrigerant
• Only during system evacuation

Answer: B. Anytime refrigerant is handled

Rationale: Refrigerants can cause eye and skin injury; OSHA and EPA

recommend eye protection whenever handling them.

• What is the first step in recovering refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system?
• Open the high-side service port
• Turn off the engine
• Connect the recovery machine to both high and low sides
• Remove the compressor

Answer: C. Connect the recovery machine to both high and low sides

Rationale: Connecting the recovery machine properly ensures complete and

safe refrigerant removal from the system.

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