Do you need to be EPA certified to handle/use refrigerant, while in a HVAC class at a community college?

Question

I'm just curious because I know you do have to be EPA certified to use refrigerant, so how does that work with students at a HVAC class in college studying to be hvac techs.

Answer 1

The kinds of refrigerants you will handle in your first classes and labs will not be the kinds for which a certification is required. I can go to my local auto parts store and purchase R134A over-the-counter and 'handle' it any way I please. There are plenty of things you can learn in class and the labs with other non-regulated refrigerants, without having to be certified.

The C.C. probably even offers a certification class, for more advanced HVAC work. If they don't, then your teacher/professor can tell you where to go to get certified.

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