11.15 - Regulatory Verification and Update Procedure

Module: Standalone Reference Appendices and Instructor Resources
Purpose: Define a repeatable maintenance procedure for keeping the EPA Section 608 course technically current, internally consistent, traceable, and safe to merge into the project repository
Procedure verification date: August 14, 2026
Primary maintenance principle: Never change one regulatory value in isolation. Trace every substantive change through instruction, tables, figures, practice questions, answer explanations, quick references, mocks, instructor resources, and source-control records.
Required review frequency: Before each course offering; before the project maintainer takes the official examination; whenever EPA publishes a relevant rule or guidance update; and at least annually
Source hierarchy: Latest explicit project instruction → project_rules.md → current official EPA/eCFR requirements → current official certifying-provider instructions → project_outline.md → secondary teaching references
Repository note: Important regulatory updates, corrected values, revised questions, and major restructuring must be recorded in CHANGELOG.md. If the file does not yet exist, create it before the first regulated-content update is merged.

Purpose of This Procedure

The course contains information that ages at different rates. Refrigeration-cycle fundamentals are relatively stable, while EPA thresholds, HFC/AIM requirements, provider procedures, civil penalties, safety classifications, and property data can change.

A complete maintenance cycle is:

SOURCE CHECK
→ CHANGE IDENTIFICATION
→ IMPACT ANALYSIS
→ CONTENT REVISION
→ QUESTION / ANSWER REVISION
→ QUICK-REFERENCE REBUILD
→ HISTORICAL LABELING
→ CHANGELOG
→ QA
→ GIT REVIEW
→ MERGE

1. Required Review Frequency

1.1 Before Every Course Offering

At minimum review:

• Current 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F.
• Current EPA Section 608 guidance used by the course.
• Current EPA Test Topics.
• Current EPA-approved certification-program list.
• Current instructions for the selected testing provider.
• Current Part 84 provisions used by the course.
• Current refrigerant-safety classifications/addenda used in class.
• Current P-T/property sources used in reference tables.
• Verification dates that claim current status.

1.2 Before the Project Maintainer Takes the Official Examination

Recheck:

• Certification types and scope.
• EPA Test Topics.
• Venting prohibition.
• Refrigerant sales.
• Recovery equipment.
• Service-practice evacuation.
• Small-appliance recovery.
• ODS leak-repair rules.
• Current-versus-historical distinctions.
• Current provider procedure, including scoring wording, attempts, waiting period, ID, device, proctoring, and allowed materials.

1.3 Whenever EPA Publishes a Relevant Rule or Guidance Update

A targeted review is triggered by material changes to:

• Part 82, Subpart F.
• Part 84 refrigerant-management requirements.
• Test Topics.
• Technician certification.
• Approved providers.
• Sales.
• Recovery equipment.
• Leak repair.
• Safe disposal.
• Reclamation.
• Recordkeeping/reporting.
• Civil penalties.

A page timestamp changing does not by itself prove the substance changed. Compare the actual text.

1.4 At Least Annually

Perform a full review even when no known regulatory update occurred. The annual review catches quiet wording changes, provider changes, new effective dates, ASHRAE addenda, property-source updates, broken links, and internal inconsistencies.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

One person may perform several roles, but high-impact changes should still be reviewed as separate tasks.

3. Source Hierarchy for Verification

3.1 Current Federal Regulatory Text

For federal requirements:

CURRENT eCFR
→ PRIMARY CONTROLLING SOURCE

Use current:

• 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F.
• Applicable appendices to Subpart F.
• 40 CFR Part 84 provisions used by the course.
• 40 CFR Part 19 when current civil penalties are taught.

If an EPA summary conflicts with current regulatory text, current regulatory text controls.

3.2 Current EPA Guidance

Use current EPA pages to explain regulations, identify Test Topics, identify approved programs, locate regulatory history, and confirm technician-facing implementation guidance.

3.3 Current Provider Instructions

For testing logistics:

CURRENT PROVIDER INSTRUCTIONS
→ CONTROL PROVIDER PROCEDURE

Examples include time limits, attempts, waiting periods, proctoring, ID, allowed materials, credential delivery, and fees.

Provider procedure is not automatically federal law.

3.4 Safety Classification

For refrigerant designation and safety class:

CURRENT ANSI/ASHRAE STANDARD 34
+
CURRENT PUBLISHED ADDENDA

3.5 P-T and Property Data

Prefer current manufacturer technical data, NIST/authoritative property sources where applicable, and an independent cross-check. For blends, verify bubble/liquid and dew/vapor conventions.

4. Required Official Source Inventory

4.1 Section 608 Regulatory Core

Maintain current links to:

§82.152 → Definitions
§82.154 → Prohibitions
§82.155 → Safe disposal
§82.156 → Proper evacuation / service practices
§82.157 → Appliance maintenance and leak repair
§82.158 → Recovery/recycling equipment standards
§82.161 → Technician certification

Also review relevant appendices when the course relies on reclamation standards, recovery-equipment test standards, or certifying-program requirements.

4.2 EPA Section 608 Pages

Maintain links to:

• Section 608 Technician Certification.
• Technician Certification Requirements.
• Test Topics.
• Certification Programs for Section 608 Technicians.
• Regulatory Updates.
• Refrigerant Sales Restriction.
• Stationary Refrigeration Service Practice Requirements.
• Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification.
• Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements.
• Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements.
• Stationary Refrigeration Safe Disposal Requirements.
• Refrigerant Reclamation Requirements.
• Questions and Answers for Section 608 Certified Technicians.

4.3 HFC / AIM Act Sources

Review current:

40 CFR PART 84

with special attention to provisions the course uses, including:

§84.102 → definitions
§84.106 → leak repair

and any other Part 84 Subpart C provision used in field-practice instruction.

If a future effective date in the course has arrived, recheck the final current rule and reclassify the material from future to current only when justified.

4.4 Civil Penalties

If a current monetary penalty is taught:

40 CFR §19.4
→ RECHECK

Do not preserve an old amount merely because it appeared in an earlier EPA 608 source.

5. Regulatory Verification Record

Create a record for each substantive current-rule review.

## Regulatory Verification Record

- **Topic:**
- **Reviewer:**
- **Review date:**
- **Primary regulatory source:**
- **Primary source URL:**
- **EPA guidance source:**
- **Provider source, if applicable:**
- **Prior course wording/value:**
- **Current verified wording/value:**
- **Changed?** Yes / No
- **Effective date:**
- **Historical transition date, if relevant:**
- **Current versus historical classification:**
- **Affected modules/files:**
- **Affected questions:**
- **Affected answers/explanations:**
- **Affected figures/tables:**
- **Affected quick references:**
- **CHANGELOG entry added:** Yes / No
- **Git branch/commit:**
- **Reviewer notes:**

A no-change verification is useful because it proves the value was actually reviewed.

6. Change-Severity Classification

6.1 Critical Regulatory Change

Examples:

• Threshold changed.
• Certification scope changed.
• Recovery endpoint changed.
• Rule effective date reached.
• A current statement became obsolete.
• A keyed answer became wrong.
• A safety classification changed enough to affect service guidance.

Response:

STOP USE OF AFFECTED MATERIAL
→ IDENTIFY ALL DEPENDENCIES
→ UPDATE BEFORE RELEASE

6.2 Major Instructional Change

Examples:

• EPA Test Topics reorganized.
• New field-practice requirement.
• Major provider exam change.
• Course table requires restructuring.

6.3 Minor Maintenance Change

Examples:

• Broken link.
• Page-title change.
• Clarified wording with no technical change.
• Verification date refresh after a real no-change review.

6.4 No-Change Verification

If current authority confirms the course value:

NO TECHNICAL EDIT
→ UPDATE VERIFICATION RECORD

7. Step 1 - Review Official EPA Section 608 Pages

This is the first required procedure step.

7.1 Start With eCFR

Do not begin with a blog, cached screenshot, search snippet, or old PDF. Establish the current regulatory baseline first.

7.2 Review by Topic

Definitions

Verify:

• Appliance.
• Technician.
• Small appliance.
• MVAC/MVAC-like.
• Low/medium/high/very-high pressure.
• Recover/recycle/reclaim.
• Self-contained/system-dependent equipment.
• Major maintenance/service/repair.
• Verification-test definitions.

Prohibitions

Verify:

• Venting.
• Sales restrictions.
• Used-refrigerant sale/reclamation.
• Current exceptions.

Service Practice

Verify:

• Table 1.
• Equipment-date conditions.
• Charge thresholds.
• Small-appliance recovery.
• Non-major opening.
• Leak exception.
• Oil-change provision.
• System-dependent equipment restriction.
• Disposal-record range.

Leak Repair

Verify:

• Refrigerant scope.
• Full-charge threshold.
• Trigger rates.
• Repair timing.
• Initial/follow-up verification.
• Inspection frequency.
• Chronic-leaker reporting.
• Records.

Recovery Equipment

Verify:

• Certification/testing pathways.
• Manufacture/import date ranges.
• Low-loss fittings.
• Flammable-refrigerant equipment pathway.

Technician Certification

Verify:

• Type I.
• Type II.
• Type III.
• Universal.
• Apprentice/lab provisions where used.
• MVAC/MVAC-like boundaries.
• Disposal certification exceptions.

7.3 Review EPA Test Topics

Compare the current EPA Test Topics page with:

• project_outline.md
• 11.14 - Question Bank Blueprint and Coverage Matrix.md

Ask whether every current topic is taught and assessed. If a topic is added, removed, or reorganized, update instruction, questions, and 11.14 mapping.

8. Step 2 - Review Current Approved-Provider Test Instructions

8.1 Confirm EPA Approval

Confirm the selected provider is still on EPA’s current approved-program list.

Do not infer approval from an old certificate, prior course offering, or provider marketing page.

8.2 Provider Procedure Checklist

Record current:

• Provider name.
• EPA approval status.
• Online/in-person availability.
• Exam types.
• Question counts.
• Time limits.
• Open/closed-book status.
• Proctoring rules.
• Passing-score wording.
• Attempts.
• Waiting period.
• ID requirements.
• Camera/microphone/device requirements.
• Result/proctor-review time.
• Digital certificate procedure.
• Physical card option/fee.
• Pricing/subscription.
• Language options if relevant.

8.3 If Provider Sources Conflict

1. Prefer current help-center/exam-agreement instructions over marketing articles.
2. Prefer the current in-app exam agreement when available.
3. Record the conflict.
4. Do not invent a compromise rule.

Use:

CURRENT IN-APP EXAM AGREEMENT
→ FINAL PROVIDER-PROCEDURE CHECK

A provider change affects exam logistics, not automatically federal technical tables.

9. Step 3 - Compare Current Values With Course Tables

Start with the files that intentionally repeat high-priority values:

• 10.1 - Universal Certification Comparison Tables.md
• 10.2 - High-Priority Numbers and Thresholds.md
• 10.4 through 10.7 memorization sheets
• 10.16 - Final Quick Reference.md
• 11.4 through 11.12 master references
• 11.17 and 11.18 when completed

9.1 High-Risk Search Terms

Classification

5 lb
45 psia
170 psia
355 psia
104°F
small appliance
medium-pressure
high-pressure
very-high-pressure

Recovery / Evacuation

November 15, 1993
80%
90%
4 in. Hg
10 in. Hg
15 in. Hg
25 mm Hg absolute
15 lb
200 lb
0 psig
5 psig

Leak Repair / Records

50 lb
30%
20%
10%
125%
March 1
30 days
120 days
10 days
500 lb
3 years

Historical Leak Values

35%
15%

Review every occurrence. These can be correct historical values, correct unrelated values, or an outdated current statement.

AIM / HFC

15 lb
84.106
AIM
HFC
regulated substance
GWP >53
January 1, 2026

Disposal / Reclamation

more than 5
less than 50
same owner
same person
reclaim
final processor
102 mm Hg

Safety

A1
A2L
A2
A3
B1
B2L
B2
B3
R-32
R-454B
R-1234yf
R-290
R-600a
R-717

Penalties

$37,500
penalty
per day
40 CFR 19.4

10. Repository Search Commands

Examples:

git grep -n "35%"

git grep -n -E "35%|15%|30%|20%|10%"

git grep -n "Verification date"

git grep -n -i -E "SkillCat|proctored|attempt|waiting period|passing score"

git grep -n -E "in\. Hg|mm Hg|micron|psig|psia"

A search result is a review candidate, not automatically an error.

11. Step 4 - Review Separate Current HFC / AIM Act Provisions

Do not merge:

SECTION 608 ODS RULE
+
AIM HFC RULE

11.1 Review Part 84 Scope

For current Part 84 material used by the course, verify:

• Applicability.
• Full-charge threshold.
• Refrigerant/substitute scope.
• Exclusions.
• Trigger rates.
• Repair timing.
• Verification tests.
• Inspection frequency.
• Chronic-leaker reporting.
• Records.
• Effective dates.

11.2 Compare With §82.157

Use a side-by-side table during review.

Do not copy a value across because the numbers happen to be similar.

11.3 Future Effective Dates

Maintain:

FUTURE RULE
→ EFFECTIVE DATE
→ FILES TO RECLASSIFY

When the date arrives, recheck the final rule before changing “future” to “current.”

12. Step 5 - Update Verification Dates

A verification date means the claim was actually rechecked.

It does not mean the file was merely edited.

Update a date only after:

• Current controlling source was opened.
• Wording/value was confirmed.
• Effective date was checked.
• Conflicts were resolved.

Use separate dates where appropriate for:

• Federal regulation.
• Provider policy.
• P-T/property data.
• Safety classification.

Do not mass-replace verification dates.

13. Step 6 - Revise Questions Affected by the Change

Use 11.14 to locate affected questions by module, subsection, certification section, EPA topic, error category, and verification date.

Also search the repository for the old value/wording.

For each affected MCQ review:

1. Stem.
2. Options A-D.
3. Correct key.
4. Explanation of all four choices.

A question may become invalid even when its answer letter does not change because an old distractor may become newly correct.

Update:

• Regulatory source.
• Verification date.
• Historical/current wording.
• 11.14 mapping if topic classification changed.

Preserve mock independence when replacing questions.

14. Answer-Key Synchronization Procedure

Treat:

QUESTION FILE
↔
ANSWER FILE

as one maintenance unit.

Check:

• Question number.
• Correct letter.
• Correct option text.
• Correct explanation.
• Every distractor explanation.
• Source/date.
• Topic/error category.
• Recommended remediation link.

For mocks, compare compact key, full explanations, question order, section counts, and option ordering.

Never update only the compact key.

15. Step 7 - Update CHANGELOG.md

15.1 Minimum Changelog Entry

Recommended entry:

## YYYY-MM-DD

### Regulatory Update

- **Topic:**
- **Source:**
- **Previous course value/wording:**
- **Current verified value/wording:**
- **Effective date:**
- **Files revised:**
- **Questions revised:**
- **Answer keys revised:**
- **Historical material retained:**
- **Verification completed by:**

Record:

• Regulatory updates.
• Corrected values.
• Current/historical reclassification.
• Major question revisions.
• Provider changes affecting exam preparation.
• Major P-T corrections.
• Safety-classification changes.
• Major technical figure changes.
• Project-rule changes.

16. Step 8 - Mark Obsolete Material

Use one of three treatments.

Remove

Use when old information has no instructional value and only causes confusion.

Retain as Historical

Example:

35% / 15%
→ HISTORICAL
→ NOT CURRENT

State prior value, current value, transition date if known, why students may still see it, and current source.

Retain as Current Date-Conditioned

Example:

PRE-NOV. 15, 1993
RECOVERY-EQUIPMENT COLUMN
→ STILL CURRENT WHEN CONDITION MATCHES

Do not label a current date-conditioned rule obsolete.

Use 11.12 as the master current-versus-historical reference.

17. Step 9 - Rebuild Quick References and Answer Keys

After a substantive update, review:

• 10.1
• 10.2
• 10.3
• 10.4 through 10.7
• 10.9
• 10.12
• 10.14
• 10.15
• 10.16
• 11.1
• 11.4 through 11.14
• 11.16
• 11.17 and 11.18 when completed

Quick references must introduce no new content.

Use:

PRIMARY INSTRUCTION
→ VERIFY
→ DERIVED QUICK REFERENCE

Do not create a new rule only in a summary sheet.

18. Step 10 - Perform Git Review Before Merging

18.1 Create a Branch

Example:

git switch -c regulatory-update-YYYYMMDD

18.2 Review Status

git status

Confirm only intended files changed.

18.3 Review Diff

git diff

After staging:

git diff --cached

Review carefully:

• <, ≤, >, ≥
• before versus on or after
• psig versus psia
• in. Hg vacuum versus mm Hg absolute
• ODS versus HFC/AIM scope
• historical/current labels
• answer letters
• verification dates

18.4 Search Old and New Values

git grep -n "OLD_VALUE"

Review every remaining occurrence.

Then:

git grep -n "NEW_VALUE"

Confirm it appears only where appropriate.

18.5 Check Whitespace / Formatting

git diff --check

18.6 Commit

Example:

git add .
git commit -m "Update EPA 608 leak-repair rules and dependent questions"

18.7 Merge Gate

Do not merge until:

• Regulatory source check passed.
• Technical review passed.
• Questions/answers synchronized.
• Quick references updated.
• Historical labels correct.
• CHANGELOG.md updated.
• No unresolved high-priority issue remains.

19. Regulatory Impact Matrix

20. Question-Bank Impact Procedure

Use 11.14 as the question index.

1. Filter by affected EPA topic/module/subsection.
2. Search stems/options/explanations by old and new values.
3. Review mocks for independence.
4. Update verification dates.
5. Recalculate coverage if questions were deleted.
6. Confirm no learning outcome became unassessed.

Question count alone is not proof of coverage.

21. P-T and Refrigerant-Property Update Procedure

For 11.9, 11.17, and 11.18:

1. Identify refrigerant.
2. Identify authoritative source.
3. Confirm temperature units.
4. Confirm pressure units/reference.
5. Confirm bubble/dew convention.
6. Confirm critical-point limitations.
7. Cross-check independent source.
8. Check representative temperatures.
9. Check physically appropriate monotonic trend.
10. Check 104°F value when used for pressure classification.
11. Resolve discrepancies rather than averaging them.
12. Update data-verification date.
13. Update affected calculations/questions.
14. Record substantive corrections in CHANGELOG.md.

22. Refrigerant Safety-Classification Update Procedure

For 11.4 and 11.17:

1. Check current Standard 34 edition.
2. Check current published addenda.
3. Verify R-number/designation.
4. Verify safety group.
5. Verify composition if listed.
6. Search project for old classification.
7. Update tools/safety guidance if affected.
8. Update questions.
9. Retain old classification only where historically useful in 11.12.

23. Figure Update Procedure After a Regulatory Change

Search affected Suggested Content for Figure specifications and image files.

Review:

• Labels.
• Numbers.
• Dates.
• Arrows.
• Outcomes.
• Certification names.
• Units.
• Safety notes.

If a figure must change:

1. Update Markdown specification.
2. Update/regenerate image.
3. Inspect.
4. Compare line-by-line.
5. Perform technical and visual QA.
6. Preserve number/filename when replacing the same figure.
7. Record major technical figure changes in CHANGELOG.md.

Do not fix the PNG without updating its governing Markdown specification.

24. Link and Reference QA

At least annually:

• Open official links.
• Replace dead links.
• Prefer stable EPA/eCFR URLs.
• Confirm page title.
• Confirm current versus archived status.
• Update access/verification dates.
• Confirm citations still support the exact claim.

25. Current-versus-Historical QA

For each high-risk statement ask:

CURRENT?
HISTORICAL?
CURRENT DATE-CONDITIONED?
FUTURE?
PROVIDER-SPECIFIC?

Historical values must not leak into quick-reference files as current facts.

Current date-conditioned rules must not be deleted simply because their dates are old.

26. Provider-Procedure Update Workflow

Provider procedure is maintained separately from EPA technical law.

If a provider changes:

• Attempt limits.
• Waiting period.
• Exam time.
• Open/closed-book status.
• Proctoring.
• Passing-score wording.
• Pricing.
• Credential/card process.

update only the files that use those logistics, such as:

• Module 1 exam overview.
• Module 10 readiness checklist.
• Module 11 instructor notes.
• Module 11 completion checklist.
• README if it includes current testing procedure.

Do not change regulatory technical tables unless the federal source changed.

27. Emergency Regulatory Hotfix

Use this path when a serious error is discovered shortly before teaching or testing.

27.1 Hotfix Triggers

Examples:

• Wrong evacuation value.
• Wrong certification type.
• Wrong leak threshold.
• Wrong current answer key.
• Unsafe pressure/safety statement.
• Provider no longer approved.

27.2 Hotfix Procedure

1. IDENTIFY CONTROLLING CURRENT SOURCE
2. CONFIRM ERROR
3. STOP USE OF AFFECTED MATERIAL
4. FIND ALL OCCURRENCES
5. CORRECT PRIMARY INSTRUCTION
6. CORRECT QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
7. CORRECT QUICK REFERENCES
8. MARK HISTORICAL MATERIAL IF NEEDED
9. ADD CHANGELOG ENTRY
10. REVIEW GIT DIFF
11. RELEASE CORRECTED VERSION
12. COMPLETE FULL FOLLOW-UP AUDIT

Do not postpone a confirmed safety/regulatory correction merely to preserve a planned release schedule.

28. Hypothetical Change Walk-Through

The following is hypothetical and demonstrates process only.

Suppose a future final rule changes a regulatory threshold from:

OLD VALUE

to:

NEW VALUE

28.1 Verify

• Confirm current final eCFR text.
• Confirm effective date.
• Read EPA implementation guidance.
• Determine whether change affects Part 82, Part 84, or both.

28.2 Search

git grep -n "OLD VALUE"

Search both number and concept name.

28.3 Update Primary Instruction

Revise the detailed instructional section first.

28.4 Update Master References

Revise applicable Module 11 tables and 11.12.

28.5 Update Assessments

Review stems, choices, keys, explanations, mocks, and 11.14 metadata.

28.6 Rebuild Derived Files

Recheck high-priority number sheets, memorization sheets, and final quick reference.

28.7 Preserve History

If students may encounter the old value:

OLD VALUE
→ HISTORICAL
→ EFFECTIVE-DATE NOTE

28.8 Source Control

Add CHANGELOG.md entry and review Git diff before merge.

29. Verification Status Labels

Use consistent labels in maintenance notes.

VERIFIED CURRENT
→ current controlling source checked

VERIFIED HISTORICAL
→ historical status intentionally retained

CURRENT DATE-CONDITIONED
→ old date remains part of current rule

PROVIDER-SPECIFIC
→ current testing-provider procedure

FUTURE EFFECTIVE DATE
→ final rule exists but provision is not yet applicable

PROPOSED
→ not a current final rule

NEEDS VERIFICATION
→ do not present as current fact

30. Proposed Rules and Pending Changes

A proposed rule is not a current requirement.

If EPA publishes a relevant proposal:

1. Record it in maintainer notes if useful.
2. Do not rewrite current student answers as though proposal is final.
3. Identify potentially affected files.
4. Monitor for final rule.
5. Update only when final controlling requirement/effective date justifies it.

PROPOSED
≠
CURRENT

31. Source Conflict Procedure

If sources appear inconsistent:

1. Identify source type: eCFR, current EPA guidance, archived guidance, provider instruction, manufacturer data, standards source, or secondary source.
2. Compare dates and applicability.
3. Check units and definitions.
4. Apply project precedence.
5. Document meaningful conflict in Source-Control Notes.

For federal law:

CURRENT eCFR
→ CONTROLS

For provider logistics:

CURRENT PROVIDER EXAM AGREEMENT
→ CONTROLS PROVIDER PROCEDURE

For safety classification:

CURRENT STANDARD 34 + ADDENDA
→ CONTROLS

32. File-Level Update Order

For a major change, update in this order:

1. PROJECT GOVERNANCE / OUTLINE
   if scope or rules change
2. PRIMARY INSTRUCTIONAL SECTION
3. MODULE QUICK REFERENCE
4. MODULE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
5. MODULE ANSWERS / EXPLANATIONS
6. UNIVERSAL TABLES / MEMORIZATION SHEETS
7. MOCK EXAMS / ANSWERS
8. MODULE 11 MASTER REFERENCES
9. INSTRUCTOR NOTES / COMPLETION CHECKLIST
10. 11.14 COVERAGE MATRIX
11. CHANGELOG
12. GIT REVIEW

This prevents a quick-reference sheet from becoming the accidental source of a new rule.

33. Regulatory Review Checklist by Module

Module 1

Verify certification types, who must be certified, apprentice/lab conditions, 608/609 boundary, and provider procedure.

Module 2

Verify venting, sales, enforcement, recordkeeping, and historical/current distinctions.

Module 3

Verify current refrigerant regulatory/status statements and current safety/designation sources where used.

Module 4

Verify numerical P-T data, units, and refrigerant-specific charts used in examples.

Module 5

Verify recover/recycle/reclaim definitions, recovery-equipment standards, cylinder regulatory statements, evacuation, and exceptions.

Module 6

Verify safety statements tied to current standards/rules, nitrogen test-topic statements, cylinder transport, and safe disposal.

Module 7

Verify small-appliance definition, recovery percentage/vacuum values, equipment-date condition, and disposal.

Module 8

Verify pressure definitions, current ODS leak repair, AIM distinction, recovery/evacuation, major/non-major definitions, and safety.

Module 9

Verify low-pressure endpoint, current Type III Test Topics, traditional exam-prep numeric labels, and machinery-room/safety context.

Module 10

Rebuild after Modules 1-9 are current.

Module 11

Rebuild master references after primary instruction is current.

34. Annual Review Record

# EPA 608 Annual Regulatory Review - YYYY

- **Review started:**
- **Review completed:**
- **Reviewer:**
- **Current Part 82 checked:** Yes / No
- **Current Part 84 checked:** Yes / No
- **Current Part 19 checked where used:** Yes / No
- **EPA Test Topics checked:** Yes / No
- **Approved provider list checked:** Yes / No
- **Selected provider instructions checked:** Yes / No
- **Standard 34 / addenda checked:** Yes / No
- **P-T sources checked:** Yes / No
- **Broken links checked:** Yes / No
- **Current/historical audit completed:** Yes / No
- **Question-bank regulatory dates reviewed:** Yes / No
- **Changes found:**
- **No-change topics:**
- **Files changed:**
- **Questions changed:**
- **Figures changed:**
- **CHANGELOG updated:** Yes / No
- **Git review completed:** Yes / No
- **Merged commit:**
- **Open follow-up items:**

35. Course-Offering Preflight Record

# Course-Offering Regulatory Preflight

- **Course start date:**
- **Instructor:**
- **Review date:**
- **EPA certification requirements current:** Yes / No
- **EPA Test Topics current:** Yes / No
- **Provider approval confirmed:** Yes / No
- **Provider instructions current:** Yes / No
- **Recovery/evacuation values current:** Yes / No
- **Leak-repair values current:** Yes / No
- **AIM/HFC distinctions current:** Yes / No
- **Safe-disposal rules current:** Yes / No
- **Safety classifications current:** Yes / No
- **Current/historical quick check completed:** Yes / No
- **Known unresolved issue:** None / [describe]
- **Approved to teach current version:** Yes / No

If a regulatory item is not verified, do not teach it as current.

36. Official Examination Preflight Record

# Official Examination Preflight

- **Date:**
- **Selected provider:**
- **EPA approval confirmed on current list:** Yes / No
- **Exam type selected:**
- **Current question count checked:** Yes / No
- **Current time limit checked:** Yes / No
- **Current proctoring checked:** Yes / No
- **Current open/closed-book rule checked:** Yes / No
- **Current passing-score wording checked:** Yes / No
- **Current attempt limit checked:** Yes / No
- **Current retake waiting period checked:** Yes / No
- **ID requirements checked:** Yes / No
- **Device/camera/microphone checked:** Yes / No
- **Credential/card procedure checked:** Yes / No
- **Current regulatory values rechecked:** Yes / No
- **Two closed-book readiness attempts completed:** Yes / No
- **22/25 or higher in each section on both:** Yes / No
- **Unresolved P1 errors:** None / [list]

The 22/25 criterion is the project readiness target, not the federal/provider passing rule.

37. Pre-Merge Regulatory QA Checklist

Source Verification

• Current eCFR checked.
• Current EPA guidance checked.
• Effective date checked.
• Provider instructions checked if applicable.
• Separate AIM/HFC rule checked if applicable.
• Safety standard/addendum checked if applicable.
• P-T/property source cross-check completed if applicable.

Technical Content

• Definition correct.
• Number correct.
• Unit correct.
• Boundary condition correct.
• Applicability correct.
• Exceptions included.
• Historical/current status correct.
• No unsupported claim remains.

Assessment

• All affected questions found.
• All affected choices reviewed.
• Keys reviewed.
• Explanations reviewed.
• Verification dates updated.
• Mock independence preserved.
• Coverage matrix updated if needed.

Derived Material

• Quick references updated.
• Memorization sheets updated.
• Final quick reference updated.
• Glossary updated if needed.
• Instructor notes updated if needed.
• Completion checklist updated if needed.

Source Control

• CHANGELOG.md updated.
• Historical material marked.
• References updated.
• Source-Control Notes updated.
• git status reviewed.
• git diff reviewed.
• Old value searched.
• New value searched.
• No unintended files staged.
• Commit message describes change.
• No unresolved high-priority issue remains.

38. Regulatory Verification Stop Conditions

Do not mark an update complete if:

• Primary sources were not checked.
• Only search-engine snippets were used.
• Current and historical rules remain mixed.
• An answer key contradicts revised instruction.
• A question has two defensible answers after the update.
• Quick references still contain the obsolete current value.
• Provider logistics are represented as federal law.
• Part 82 and Part 84 scopes were merged.
• Units are uncertain.
• Effective date is uncertain.
• A future rule is taught as already effective.
• A proposed rule is taught as final.
• Safety classification relies only on an old chart.
• P-T data cannot be traced to a verified source.
• Git diff was not reviewed.

39. Current Source Set Verified for This Procedure

As of August 14, 2026, the maintenance framework was checked against current:

• EPA Section 608 technician-certification pages.
• EPA Test Topics.
• EPA approved-program information.
• Current 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F.
• Current Part 84 refrigerant-management framework used by the course.
• Current EPA recovery-equipment, sales, leak-repair, recordkeeping, safe-disposal, and technician Q&A pages.
• Current ASHRAE Standard 34 resources/addenda used for classification maintenance.

This list is not permission to reuse August 2026 values indefinitely. The procedure exists specifically so the sources are reopened during each review.

40. Change Propagation by Dependency Layer

When one current value changes, review these layers:

LAYER 1
PRIMARY INSTRUCTION

LAYER 2
MASTER REFERENCE TABLE

LAYER 3
QUICK REFERENCE / MEMORY SHEET

LAYER 4
PRACTICE QUESTIONS / MOCKS

LAYER 5
ANSWER KEYS / EXPLANATIONS

LAYER 6
MAINTENANCE METADATA
→ 11.12
→ 11.14
→ CHANGELOG
→ verification dates

A change is complete only after every relevant layer is checked.

41. Maintaining 11.14 After Regulatory Changes

After a change:

• Update affected question verification dates.
• Update EPA topic mapping if the official categories changed.
• Update correct-answer metadata.
• Update error category where needed.
• Update quiz/mock use when questions are removed/replaced.
• Recalculate coverage if questions are deleted.
• Confirm no major learning outcome became unassessed.

High question count does not guarantee complete coverage.

42. Maintaining 11.12 After Regulatory Changes

Whenever a current rule changes:

1. Move the prior value into historical treatment if educationally useful.
2. Add current value.
3. Add effective date.
4. Explain why difference matters.
5. Update controlling source.
6. Update verification date.
7. Search repository for old value.

This makes 11.12 the project’s regulatory-transition memory.

43. Maintaining 11.13 After Regulatory Changes

Review instructor notes when changes affect:

• Certification.
• Recovery equipment.
• Nitrogen testing.
• Cylinder handling.
• Leak rules.
• Disposal.
• Provider procedure.
• Safety classification.

A physical demonstration should not preserve an obsolete procedure simply because the same prop is still available.

44. Maintaining 11.17 and 11.18

After these files are completed:

11.17

Recheck composition, family, ODP/GWP basis, safety class, pressure category, status, application, service warning, and P-T cross-reference.

11.18

Recheck source version, units, pressure reference, bubble/dew convention, critical limits, independent cross-check, range, and rounding.

Regulatory updates and property-data updates are different maintenance events, but both require traceability.

45. Recommended CHANGELOG.md Initial Structure

If absent, create:

# Changelog

Important technical, regulatory, assessment, figure, and project-governance changes are recorded here.

## Unreleased

### Regulatory

### Technical Corrections

### Assessments

### Figures

### Project Rules

### References / Verification

---

## YYYY-MM-DD

### Regulatory
- ...

### Assessments
- ...

Use:

CHANGELOG
→ PROJECT-LEVEL HISTORY

and:

SOURCE-CONTROL NOTES
→ FILE-LEVEL PROVENANCE

46. Recommended Git Review Commands

git status

git diff --name-only

git diff

git diff --cached

git grep -n "search term"

git log --oneline -10

git diff -- "path/to/file.md"

git diff --check

The maintainer should understand every regulatory line in the diff before merge.

47. Recommended Commit Scope

Prefer one coherent regulatory update per commit when practical.

Good examples:

Update Section 608 evacuation table references

Separate AIM leak rules from Section 608 ODS rules

Refresh EPA provider procedure and readiness checklist

Avoid vague messages such as:

updates

48. Teaching-Version Gate

Do not treat a working branch as ready for teaching/exam preparation when:

• Regulatory review is incomplete.
• Answer keys are being revised.
• Quick references are unsynchronized.
• Provider procedure is uncertain.
• P-T table verification is incomplete.
• A high-priority safety issue remains open.

The teaching version should identify its verification date.

49. Compact Regulatory Update Checklist

• Current eCFR opened.
• Current EPA guidance opened.
• Exact change identified.
• Effective date identified.
• Current/historical status identified.
• Provider impact checked.
• AIM/Part 84 impact checked.
• Primary instructional files updated.
• Master tables updated.
• Questions updated.
• Answer explanations updated.
• 11.14 mappings updated.
• Quick references rebuilt.
• 11.12 updated.
• Verification dates updated.
• References/Source-Control Notes updated.
• CHANGELOG.md updated.
• Old value searched.
• New value searched.
• git diff reviewed.
• git diff --check passed.
• No unresolved high-priority issue remains.
• Merge approved.

50. Compact Annual Review Checklist

• §82.152 checked.
• §82.154 checked.
• §82.155 checked.
• §82.156 checked.
• §82.157 checked.
• §82.158 checked.
• §82.161 checked.
• Relevant Part 82 appendices checked.
• EPA Test Topics checked.
• Approved provider list checked.
• Selected provider instructions checked.
• Relevant Part 84 provisions checked.
• Part 19 penalty table checked if penalties are taught.
• Standard 34/addenda checked.
• P-T/property sources checked.
• Broken links checked.
• Historical/current audit completed.
• Question-bank audit completed.
• Quick references checked.
• Instructor notes checked.
• Completion checklist checked.
• CHANGELOG.md updated.
• Git review completed.

51. Final Working Principle

The course should never depend on:

"WE CHECKED THIS LAST YEAR"

or:

"THAT NUMBER LOOKS FAMILIAR"

The maintainable standard is:

CURRENT SOURCE
+
VERIFICATION DATE
+
CLEAR APPLICABILITY
+
DEPENDENCY REVIEW
+
QUESTION / ANSWER SYNCHRONIZATION
+
HISTORICAL LABELING
+
CHANGELOG
+
GIT DIFF REVIEW

A regulatory correction is not complete until every student-facing and instructor-facing dependency has been checked.

52. Cross-Reference Guide

References

Current Federal Regulatory Sources

1. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F - Recycling and Emissions Reduction, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F

2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.152 - Definitions, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.152

3. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.154 - Prohibitions, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.154

4. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.155 - Safe Disposal of Appliances, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.155

5. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.156 - Proper Evacuation of Refrigerant from Appliances, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.156

6. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.157 - Appliance Maintenance and Leak Repair, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.157

7. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.158 - Standards for Recovery and/or Recycling Equipment, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.158

8. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 82.161 - Technician Certification, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-82/subpart-F/section-82.161

9. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 84, Subpart C - Refrigerant Management, accessed August 14, 2026.
   https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-84/subpart-C

10. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 84.106 - Leak Repair, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-84/subpart-C/section-84.106

11. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR § 19.4 - Statutory Civil Monetary Penalties, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-19/section-19.4

Current EPA Section 608 Sources

12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification

13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Section 608 Technician Certification Requirements, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-requirements

14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Test Topics, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/test-topics

15. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Certification Programs for Section 608 Technicians, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/certification-programs-section-608-technicians

16. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regulatory Updates: Section 608 Refrigerant Management Regulations, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/regulatory-updates-section-608-refrigerant-management-regulations

17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Refrigerant Sales Restriction, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/refrigerant-sales-restriction

18. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment Certification, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/refrigerant-recovery-and-recycling-equipment-certification

19. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Stationary Refrigeration Leak Repair Requirements, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/stationary-refrigeration-leak-repair-requirements

20. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements for Stationary Refrigeration, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/recordkeeping-and-reporting-requirements-stationary-refrigeration

21. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Questions and Answers for Section 608 Certified Technicians, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.epa.gov/section608/epas-refrigerant-management-program-questions-and-answers-section-608-certified

Safety Classification Maintenance Sources

22. ASHRAE, Refrigeration Resources - Standards 15 and 34, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/ashrae-refrigeration-resources

23. ASHRAE, Standards Addenda, accessed August 14, 2026.
    https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/standards-and-guidelines/standards-addenda

Provider Procedure

24. The selected EPA-approved provider’s current exam agreement, help center, and testing instructions, rechecked immediately before each testing event.

Provider instructions are intentionally not treated as permanent federal regulatory requirements.

Project Governance

25. project_rules.md, current project governance.

26. project_outline.md, current project scope and required procedure.