The test is closed book, with no time limit for completion. (The average technician completes one section in about 20 minutes and finishes the test in 1 to 1-1/2 hours.) Some personal informa- tion is required for the examination. The techni- cian should be prepared to present: • Picture identification. • Social Security number. • Home address, including zip code. • Employer’s name, address, zip code. EPA-approved testing organizations are located throughout the United States. Check with a local air conditioning and refrigeration parts supplier to obtain information about the testing organization(s) in the area. Most EPA-approved testing organizations provide the technician with a preparatory manual before taking the test. Some manuals are quite extensive and elaborate, while others are brief and simple. EPA certification means you have the required knowledge in refrigerant recovery techniques and agree to abide by the EPA regulations prohib- iting venting of refrigerants to the atmosphere. EPA certification does not mean you are qualified or knowledgeable in the proper repair, service, and installation of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Job certification skills training is offered by industry organizations. However, not all contractors and service companies require job certification. 15.8.4 Equipment Certification The EPA requires recovery units manufactured on or after November 15, 1993, be tested by an EPA-approved testing organization to ensure the equipment will achieve the required vacuum levels shown in the third column of Figure 15-8. Recovery units manufactured before November 15, 1993, including home-made equip- ment, are exempt (grandfathered) if the equipment meets the standards shown in the second column of Figure 15-8. The EPA requires that persons servicing or disposing of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment certify to the EPA that they have acquired (built, bought, or leased) recovery equip- ment and are complying with the applicable require- ments. The certification must be signed by the owner of the equipment or another responsible officer and sent to the appropriate EPA regional office. in a factory with five pounds or less of refrigerant. This includes Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) with five pounds or less of refrigerant. Persons recovering refrigerant during maintenance, service, or repair of small appliances (except motor vehicle air conditioning systems) must be certified as either Type I Technician or Universal Technician. Some EPA-approved organizations are offering Type I certification only, as an open- book, mail-in test. The mail-in test requires a passing score of 84%. Type II. Technicians maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of high-pressure or extremely high-pressure (R-12, R-134a, R-22, R-502, R-503) appliances (except small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning systems) must be certi- fied as Type II Technician or Universal Technician. Type III. Technicians maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of low-pressure (R-11 and R-123) appliances must be certified as Type III Technician or Universal Technician. Type IV (Universal). Technicians maintaining, servicing, or repairing low- and high-pressure equipment, including small appliances (except motor vehicle air conditioning systems) must be certified as Universal Technician. 15.8.3 Test Format Most certification tests contain all four sections (Core, I, II, III), and each section contains 25 multiple-choice questions. A minimum passing score of 70% (18 out of 25 correct) is required in each section (or group). A technician is certified in each group where a passing score is achieved. However, a technician must achieve a minimum passing score in the Core Section to receive any type of certification. A minimum passing score in all four sections earns a technician Type IV (Universal) certification. Core Section covers general knowledge about stratospheric ozone depletion, rules and regula- tions of the Clean Air Act, the Montreal Protocol, the “three Rs,” recovery devices, substitute refrig- erants and oils, recovery techniques, dehydration, recovery cylinders, safety, and shipping. Section I contains questions pertaining to Type I certification. Section II contains questions pertaining to Type II certification. Section III contains questions pertaining to Type III certification. 266 Heating and Cooling Essentials Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.