Programa de recuperación y reciclaje de refrigerantes
EPA-Approved Section 609 program, required if you service mobile A/C systems and need to buy automotive refrigerant.
Section 609: EPA Refrigerant Handling Training and Certification
Overview
Technicians who service motor vehicle air conditioners must be trained and tested through a U.S. EPA-authorized organization, such as ASE. Training programs cover the use of recycling equipment, industry standards, regulatory requirements, refrigerant containment, and environmental impact. To become certified, technicians must review the training material and pass a test demonstrating their knowledge.
ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Review and Test
The ASE review and test is an EPA-approved program that meets Section 609 requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. It is intended only for technicians servicing motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) systems and does not meet Section 608 requirements, which apply to other types of air conditioning systems. Some state and local jurisdictions may also require additional credentials; check with your state or local authorities for details.
If you are unsure whether your air conditioning work is covered under Section 609, review the U.S. EPA application fact sheet.
The lifetime certificate earned by passing the refrigerant quiz is recognized only as EPA certification and is not equivalent to ASE technical certification. To pass the quiz and earn credentials, you must answer at least 24 out of 30 questions correctly.
You can take the ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program two different ways:
Online Test: $23
The most convenient and fastest test method is online Go to the ASE Campus website. At the completion of the quiz, you will find out immediately whether you passed or failed. If you pass the quiz, you may immediately print a 60-day temporary credential.Paper Test by Mail: $27
Using a printed booklet, mail your completed quiz and $27 payment to ASE (quizzes are not accepted via fax). It normally takes several weeks for mailed quizzes to be graded and to receive your credentials. Request ASE Materials by mail.ASE is required to collect sales tax on applicable purchases in various states. For sales tax details, see below.
Test Content and Training Materials
Includes R-1234yf (Alternative Refrigerants)
The ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program provides a self-paced, comprehensive overview of everything you need to comply with EPA requirements and a 30-question test.
What's Covered
- Air conditioning to thermal management
- Understanding Refrigerants and their impact on health and the environment
- EPA regulations as they apply to service technicians
- Alternative refrigerants (including R-1234yf, R-744 and R-152a)
- Responsible refrigerant management
Training Booklet
The latest ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program uses a quiz with matching training booklet that must be used to complete the quiz. Previous training booklets may not be used for this quiz. Download the latest training booklet.
Test Fee and Registration
ASE está obligada a cobrar el impuesto sobre las ventas en las compras aplicables en AZ, CO, HI, MD, ME, NJ, NM, NY, OH, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA y WV.
Online Test Fee: $23
To take the online quiz, you can pay with one of four major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. The fee for the quiz is $23. The online program also features a special voucher payment feature, where multiple vouchers can be bought at once. This is a convenient way to administer the program to individuals in a group of quiz takers. After successfully paying and registering, you will receive an e-mail confirmation and receipt, along with any vouchers purchased.
Paper Test by Mail Fee: $27
If you prefer to use the printed booklet, you can order copies at no cost. Printed booklets include a copy of the quiz. You only pay when you send in a completed quiz for scoring. Please note that each quiz returned for scoring must bear original marks on the answer sheet. Photocopies and faxes of completed sheets will not be accepted. Contact ASE to request a booklet.
Test Registration
Register to take the refrigerant program on the ASE Campus website.
Attention registered myASE users: The ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program is delivered on the ASE Campus site, not through myASE. Therefore, you must create a profile on the ASE Campus site before you can register to take the refrigerant program.
Registration Dates
Inscripción de invierno
January 10, 2026 - March 31, 2026
Inscripción de primavera
April 10, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Inscripción de verano
July 10, 2026 - September 30, 2026
Inscripción de otoño
October 10, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Testing FAQs
ASE Certification tests are written in workshops by a national panel of seasoned automotive industry professionals, including working technicians, automobile manufacturers, aftermarket manufacturers, and educators. Not by any single person at ASE.
Exams are segmented by sub-specialty such as automobile, medium/heavy truck, school bus, collision repair, and more. There are over 50 tests, each designed to discern the automotive service technician’s knowledge of job-related skills.
Purchasing and scheduling a test can be done by logging in to your myASE account. To purchase a test, select the test you want to take and pay the applicable fees. A registration fee is charged per order in addition to the test fee. Once you have purchased a test, you will have 90 days from the original date of purchase to schedule an appointment and take your test. Visit myASE to get started.
Certification credentials are valid for five years. If it has been five years or more since you took a test, it’s time to take the corresponding Recertification Test. The five-year requirement ensures certified professionals are current in this rapidly changing industry. You can find your expiration dates on your certificates or in myASE.
Puede presentarse a las pruebas de recertificación aunque sus credenciales hayan caducado. Simplemente debe haber sido certificado previamente en esa área de especialidad. Si tiene algunas certificaciones que caducan pronto y otras que aún son válidas por algún tiempo, puede hacer los Exámenes de Recertificación para cualquiera de ellas o para todas. Si se recertifica antes de tiempo, no se le acreditará el tiempo restante de su certificación original. La nueva fecha de caducidad se produce cinco años después de la fecha de su recertificación.
If you wish to change your test date or time, you must first cancel the existing appointment before you can schedule a new one. No changes are allowed within three days of your scheduled appointment. To make changes, use the Cancel Selected Appointment(s) option in myASE. For assistance by phone, call ASE Customer Care at 800-390-6789 from 8AM – 5PM Eastern Monday – Friday.
If you wish to cancel a test, you must first cancel any existing appointment for that test AND then cancel the test. Use the Cancel Test option in myASE. If you are within three days of your testing appointment, you cannot cancel the appointment or test. You can only cancel a test and receive a refund for a test that you purchased. For assistance by phone, call ASE Customer Care at 800-390-6789 from 8AM – 5PM Eastern Monday – Friday.
Para obtener la certificación ASE, debe aprobar un examen ASE y tener experiencia laboral práctica a tiempo completo (o una combinación de formación formal y experiencia). La cantidad de experiencia laboral requerida puede variar según el examen.
It is best to submit your work experience form for review after you have created a myASE account. It does not have to be submitted before you take your test, but your certificate for a passed test will be delayed until your work experience information is reviewed and approved. See the work experience requirements here and complete the work experience form online.