health and wellness | May 15, 2026

How do I get certified to purchase 134a?

How Can I Get Certified for R-134a? In order to be able to handle these super gases you need to be section 609 certified with the Environmental Protection Agency. This section 609 comes straight from the Clean Air Act of 1990. Today there are more than one million people certified under this section 609.

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Then, do you have to be certified to buy r134a?

However, as of January 1st, 2018 you WILL need to be certified to purchase HFC refrigerants such as 410A, 134a, and 404A. No longer can the do-it-yourselfers purchase thirty pound cylinders of R-134a. No, now in order to purchase you have to be 609 certified with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Likewise, how do you get a license to buy Freon? Requirements to Obtaining Your License To work on stationary air conditioners and refrigeration systems, you must be certified under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. Please note that the purchase R-410a and R-134a do not require EPA certification as they do not have any ozone depleting substances.

Similarly, it is asked, what certification do you need to buy refrigerant?

Only Section 608 certified technicians can purchase refrigerants intended for use with stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. Section 609 certified technicians cannot purchase refrigerants that are intended for use with stationary equipment, regardless of container size.

How do I get my car AC certified?

To be certified, technicians must be trained by an EPA-approved program and pass a test demonstrating their knowledge in these areas. The following companies and programs are approved by EPA to train and certify individuals under section 609 of the Clean Air Act.

Related Question Answers

How much is r134a per pound?

3 pounds of refrigerant * $5.33 per pound = $15.99 for a complete fill up.

How much does 134a Freon cost?

$7.33 per pound of refrigerant * 3 pounds = $21.99 for a fill up of your car's 134a refrigerant.

Can I buy r22 without a license?

Are you required to have a license or to be certified to handle and purchase R-410A? You are required to have an EPA Section 608 Type II or Universal certification license to handle R-410A but no license is legally necessary for purchase.

Can you take the 609 certification online?

Online Testing/Certification The 609 examination is an open book test that can be taken online for $20 with immediate results. Persons who pass the open book exam are awarded: a wallet ID card and a wall certificate. Click here to download a copy of the free study guide. Click here to take the exam now!

How much 134a does a car take?

Most newer passenger car A/C systems do not hold much refrigerant (only 14 to 28 oz.), so you don't want to add too much if the system is low. One can of R134a typically holds 12 oz. of refrigerant.

How much is refrigerant per pound?

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Costs Per Pound – R-410A That's just $4 per pound of refrigerant. Eight pounds of refrigerant will cost you just $32 to refill a two-ton system.

How much is Freon for a car?

Freon is one of the core components in the air conditioning systems of many older cars, and will need to be replaced on a regular basis to keep the AC functioning properly. Freon replacements costs between $187 – $261 at most garages, with the freon itself costing between $57 – $120.

Does Section 609 certification expire?

Section 609 certification is good for life under current U.S. law and no re-certification is currently required. If credentials are lost they may be replaced for a $10 fee provided MACS has the individual's certification record on file.

How long does it take to get EPA certified?

Certifications used to last for five years, and those issued before January 2014 will still be good for their five-year period. However, new certifications last only two years. To renew the certification, you undergo 16 continuing-education hours and apply for recertification. The previous requirement was 60 hours.

Do I need a license to buy 410a Freon?

ANYONE can purchase and handle 410a. NO certification or license needed. Therefore, section 608 technician certification is not required in order to purchase HFC refrigerant substitutes that do not contain an ozone-depleting substance.

Can anyone buy r22?

R22 can be bought at HVAC supply stores, HVAC service companies, and online. Of course to buy R22 a EPA certification card will be needed (or a letter of intent to resale whatever that means) but this isn't as hard as it seems. There are four types of certification Type I, Type II, Type III, and universal.

Is it legal to buy r12 refrigerant?

As I've said, R12 is a nasty ozone-destroying chemical and should never be released to the environment under any circumstances, so in addition to being illegal to vent it, you have a moral obligation not to vent it. R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well.

What is a 608 and 609 certification?

Section 608 technician certification is required to purchase ozone depleting or non-exempt substitute refrigerants, such as HFC refrigerants. Section 609 technician certification is required to purchase CFC-12 or EPA-approved substitutes for MVACs containing an ODS.

Can I sell refrigerant?

Under the regulations, wholesalers “may sell refrigerant to the purchaser or his authorized representative” if the purchaser provides evidence that he employs at least one certified technician.

How do I get a 608 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.

Can I buy Freon with Type 1 certification?

According to the site where you take the test, "If you get a 608 certification (Type I, Type II, Type II, or Universal), you can buy any refrigerant sold in an HVAC/R store in containers of 20 pounds or more." Link and more in the post.

What is a EPA certificate?

EPA Certification. It specifies that all persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of appliances that contain regulated refrigerants be certified in proper refrigerant handling techniques by passing a proctored EPA 608 examination.

Is it illegal to buy Freon?

As it turns out, Freon (aka, 'R22' a HCFC) is not ILLEGAL in the U.S., though it is being GRADUALLY PHASED OUT per the Environmental Protection Agency () because it is a chemical substance known to deplete the ozone. So, you can no longer purchase a central air-conditioning unit that uses HCFC-22.

How much freon is in a 12 oz can?

The industry also saw the use of 14 ounce refrigerant cans until the mid-1980's. Today when we speak of 1 pound of refrigerant that amount is equal to 16 ounces. When we speak of 1 can of refrigerant that is an amount that is equal 12 ounces.