Skip to main content
EPA Section 608 (ESCO Institute)
Testing Center

EPA Section 608 (ESCO Institute)

In-person proctored

Federal refrigerant handling certification required by the EPA Clean Air Act. It is illegal to purchase or handle refrigerants without this certification. Elevate is a nationally authorized proctor site for both ESCO Group and Mainstream Engineering. Required for any HVAC technician who services, maintains, or disposes of equipment containing refrigerants.

Verified public price

Pricing policy

Owner-approved retail pricing, including Elevate markup, is resolved from the canonical provider pricing module. Verified 2026-08-25.

Available exams

Select the exact exam. Verified prices are shown per exam; unverified provider costs are confirmed before any payment is collected.

Core

Covers EPA regulations, refrigerant safety, environmental impact of ozone-depleting substances, and proper handling procedures. Required as part of every certification type. Must pass Core to earn any Section 608 certificate.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

$80

Pay $80 now

Type I — Small Appliances

Covers equipment containing 5 lbs or less of refrigerant — window AC units, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers. Focuses on safe recovery techniques for sealed systems.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

$80

Pay $80 now

Type II — High-Pressure

Covers high-pressure systems using refrigerants like R-22 and R-410A — residential and commercial AC, heat pumps, and refrigeration equipment. The most common certification for residential HVAC technicians.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

$80

Pay $80 now

Type III — Low-Pressure

Covers low-pressure systems using refrigerants like R-11 and R-123 — large commercial chillers found in office buildings, hospitals, and industrial facilities.

Typical duration: 20 minutes

$80

Pay $80 now

Universal (All Sections)

Passes all four sections — Core, Type I, Type II, and Type III — in a single sitting. Required for technicians who work across residential, commercial, and industrial systems. Most employers require Universal certification.

Typical duration: 80 minutes

$99

Pay $99 now

Testing cart

Add one or more exams, then pay the server-verified retail total. Scheduling stays locked until Stripe confirms payment.

Your cart is empty.

Testing location

120 E. Market St., Suite 930, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Appointment required. No walk-ins.

Credential authority

Credentials are issued by the named credentialing organization upon successful completion of its requirements; Elevate provides testing access and proctoring.

Provider information
EPA Section 608 (ESCO Institute) | Testing Center | Elevate for Humanity | Elevate for Humanity