EPA Section 609 MVAC Technician Certification PreparationApproved ProgramsMVAC Requirements
Certification & scope

Section 609 Rules

Who must be certified, payment or barter, MVAC versus stationary equipment, venting, and 608/609 overlap.

Paid MVAC work triggers certification

Anyone who repairs or services a motor vehicle air-conditioning system for payment or barter must be trained and certified by an EPA-approved Section 609 program.

Refrigerant type does not remove the rule

Section 609 applies to paid MVAC service whether the vehicle uses R-12, R-134a, R-1234yf, R-744, or another approved refrigerant.

608 and 609 cover different equipment

Section 608 covers stationary refrigeration and air conditioning. Section 609 covers motor vehicle air conditioners.

MVAC-like equipment has a special route

Technicians servicing qualifying farm, construction, mining, and other non-road MVAC-like equipment may qualify through Section 609 or Section 608 Type II.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming 608 Universal replaces 609 for car A/C
  • Thinking barter is outside the rule
  • Treating R-744 as exempt from all Section 609 duties
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