The meaning of the EPA test?!

[grasshopper]

I am sorry but an EPA certification means nothing to me anymore.

I visited a friend who is an instructor while he was teaching a class and getting ready to proctor the test recently, and it is only on a 12 page workbook. The review class is 6 hrs over 2 days with the test on the 3rd day. They give you all the answers during the class, all you have to do is remember them for a day. What a joke. If you cannot memorize 2 pages of their fluff per hr in a classroom for a day then you belong in a hospital! The book I got to study from 10 yrs ago was like 75-80 pages and the review class was only 1 hr. Its been so long now but I think we tested either through the ACCA or RSES. You had to learn the book on your own and know far more about equipment and refrigerant. I helped a friend(a co-worker) study for his "retest" back in 2000 and his book from VGI was 45-50 pages. I asked my friend(the instructor) about 3 or more catagories of material I did not even see in the book(from Esco) at all anymore that I was tested on. He said its not on the test anymore?! How can they not even have to know which refrigerants are flamable or what their safty rating(ASHRAE standard 34) is anymore? Holy cow!

I used to think the test meant something. I thought it did when I took it. I just hope I don't laugh to hard to his face when the next "kid" comes up to me and says I am EPA certified.

[Edited by grasshopper on 08-24-2004 at 03:17 AM]

[T Martin]

I cant agree more, to prove anyone can pass the EPA test, our company sent two of our office secretaries who know nothen about A/C or refrigeration, they are both EPA universal certified now. The test means nothen.

[dschwab9]

Originally posted by T Martin
I cant agree more, to prove anyone can pass the EPA test, our company sent two of our office secretaries who know nothen about A/C or refrigeration, they are both EPA universal certified now. The test means nothen.

At least you have backup now when all your service techs get busy http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/images/icons/icon10.gif

[mattm]

I heard the same thing. When I took it back when it 1st got instituted most was no brainer stuff but your right the book was about 100 pages and full of dates and we had no rehash time you went in and took the test. A friend of mine that has no skills whatsoever told me how it was so easy they just gave you all the answers. What a waste.

[top-notch-tek]

when I took it several years ago... :confused:

Our study guide was like 35 pages long.

But you still had to study your butt off and today I feel that I benefit from understanding the laws...

Besides, I think people might be forgetting the point of the EPA test (it's not the NATE TEST)...

This test is not to prove that you are a genius or that you are an excellent technician.

It is basically a waiver saying I have been exposed to the laws, I understand the laws, and if I break the laws ... I can be held legally liable.

Drrr...

[Edited by top-notch-tek on 08-24-2004 at 08:03 AM]

[stevehvac]

It's a test to make sure you are aware of the harmful effects of freon. How many pages should it be? There shouldn't even be a test for it in the first place. There's no test for handling Gasoline or oil.

[Yuma]

It also should be up-dated. When has any one bought R-11?
It will be a joke if it is not updated.

My two cents.

Yuma,

[will 2]

But really burns me is the # they put on the card for the whole stinking world to see.