United States Clean Air Act

MACS Section 609 Refrigerant Recycling and Recovery Certification Program

Section 609 Frequently Asked Questions
(Please read before going any further on this page)

• Section 609 certification is a requirement of the United States Clean Air Act of 1990. It is a requirement for purchasing R-12 refrigerant and recovering R134a refrigerant.
  The state of Wisconsin has additional requirements for technicians working with mobile A/C systems.
• The cost for a MACS home study Section 609 test is $20 per test. Payment must be made before a test will be issued online or for home study.
• Section 609 certification is good for life under current U.S. law and no recertification is currently required for Section 609.
• If credentials are lost they may be replaced for a $10 fee provided MACS has the individual’s certification record on file. MACS maintains records for both MACS and IMACA Section 609 Certification. Click here to follow the procedure for replacing your credentials.
• Tests are available in English and Spanish.
• Please allow 10-14 days for processing and mail delivery.

Click Here to Download the Study Manual in English.

If you are taking the online test it is strongly suggested you view the step by step instructions by clicking here!
Click Here to Download the MACS Section 609 Study Manual in Spanish .


Please Read the Following Page Thoroughly

 

Since 1990, more than 600,000 technicians have already completed the MACS Worldwide Section 609 certification program. The MACS Worldwide program has been approved by the U.S. EPA to meet technician certification requirements under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. It is designed to help you comply with the law, protect the environment and conserve the supply of CFC-12 for future service. The technician is the key to the successful implementation of on-site refrigerant recovery and recycling. This program is designed to encourage proper equipment use and service procedures. The MACS certification program includes information on HFC-134a refrigerant recovery and recycling procedures, so that all technicians certified by MACS for CFC-12 are also considered certified for HFC-134a by the federal EPA. The cost per test is $20. Section 609 once achieved is a lifetime certification.

 

 

Just the Facts: EPA Section 609 Requirements and You

Click here for a downloadable copy of this brief overview of recovery and recycling requirements excerpted from entries on the U.S. EPA web site. Extensive information on alternate refrigerants, approved equipment, and other topics are at http://www.epa.gov/ozone.

 

How the MACS Section 609 Program Works:

You have the options of taking the certification test online here at the MACS website, or you may order a hard copy of the test to take at home. MACS can also provide onsite classes for Section 609 certification. To learn more about setting up a class call 215/631-7020 and dial "0" or e-mail macsworldwide@macsw.org

1. To order the Section 609 test from MACS online click here. You may order an online test or a hard copy test.

2. To order by phone using a credit card call 215/631-7020 and dial "0".

3. To order by fax using a credit card or to send a check by mail. Use the following appropriate order forms:

 

Click Here to Download the Section 609 Certification Application in English

 

Click Here to Download the Section 609 Certification Application in Spanish

 

The testing fee is $20 for each technician. Please submit the name and mailing address for each person taking the test when ordering.

If you are taking the online test it is strongly suggested you view the step by step instructions by clicking here!
MACS will supply you with a copy of the Self-Study Certification Training Manual for Refrigerant Recycling & Service Procedures (downloadable by clicking on the above highlighted type)for Automotive Air Conditioning Technicians. If you order by mail, phone or fax, you will receive the manual and test by U.S. mail. If you order an online certification test, you will be sent verification by e-mail that your payment has been received, along with instructions for the download of the manual and a link to take the online test. You must wait for the e-mail containing the link to the test before you can take it.

For users of the home study test: after studying the manual, your test must be completed and returned to our independent test scoring company within 90 days, either in the return envelope provided by mail, or through our online testing procedure. Please include your name and mailing address.

In accordance with protocol tests are scored by a third party. The test scoring company will advise MACS of your score. If a passing score is attained, MACS will mail certification credentials, including a wall certificate and laminated wallet card. Techs taking the test online will have their tests graded automatically after the test has been submitted for grading the results sent via email. Once you've successfully passed the certification test online, MACS will mail your certification credentials in the mail. In the meantime, a temporary certificate will be available for you to print out from your computer.

Persons not attaining a passing score on the first test will receive one re-test at no additional charge. Again, if you have ordered the test originally via phone, fax or mail, your second test will be sent via U.S. mail. If you ordered your original test online, your second test will also be online.

 

Take the test online or order a home study copy