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PODCAST

Trades Exam Prep

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Trades Exam Prep is a free, daily podcast by OpenExamPrep covering the most in-demand skilled trades licensing and certification exams — including EPA 608 (HVAC refrigerant), FAA Part 107 (drone), Master Electrician, Plumber, General Contractor, ASE automotive, NATE, OSHA 10/30, Welder Certification, and more. Each 5-minute episode breaks down one exam topic with concrete examples, common exam traps, code references, and field-ready memory tricks to help you pass on your first attempt. No fluff, no

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All Episodes

03:15

EPA 608 Prep 28, Type III — Low-Pressure Refrigerants...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/06

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - How to identify Type III appliances and their associated low-pressure refrigerants like R-11 and R-123. - The critical concept that low-pressure systems operate in a

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03:18

EPA 608 Prep 27, Recovery of High-Pressure...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/05

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - To use the push-pull method for rapid liquid recovery from large systems and standard vapor-liquid recovery for smaller ones. - The critical difference between the 0

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03:28

EPA 608 Prep 26, POE Oil and the Moisture Problem in...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/04

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Why R-410A systems mandate the use of synthetic POE (polyolester) oil. - How the hygroscopic nature of POE oil leads to the formation of corrosive acids and sludge

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03:07

EPA 608 Prep 25, Why R-410A Cannot Replace R-22 in...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/03

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Why R-410A's operating pressure is 50-70% higher and poses a rupture risk to R-22 components. - The critical incompatibility between R-22's mineral oil and R-410A's

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03:18

EPA 608 Prep 24, Very High-Pressure Refrigerants —...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/02

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - R-744 (CO2) is the primary very-high-pressure refrigerant on the EPA 608 exam, with operating pressures far exceeding traditional systems. - Servicing R-744 systems

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02:49

EPA 608 Prep 23, Type II — High-Pressure Refrigerants...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/08/01

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - That Type II certification covers high-pressure (R-22, R-410A) and very-high-pressure (R-744 CO2) appliances. - Why R-410A's higher operating pressures require

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02:59

EPA 608 Prep 22, Small Appliance Refrigerants —...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/31

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - The critical 1995 manufacturing year that distinguishes R-12 (CFC) systems from R-134a (HFC) systems on the exam. - The environmental trade-offs between R-12 (high

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04:17

EPA 608 Prep 21, Heating Recovery Cylinders and Safe...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/30

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Why heating a recovery cylinder creates a pressure differential to speed up refrigerant recovery. - The only safe, EPA-approved heating methods, such as warm water

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02:31

EPA 608 Prep 20, Recovery Cylinders and the 80...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/29

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Recovery cylinders must never be filled beyond 80% of their capacity by weight to allow for thermal expansion. - Always use a scale and know the cylinder's tare

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03:14

EPA 608 Prep 19, Self-Contained Recovery on Small...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/28

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Self-contained recovery machines must be certified to recover 90% of the refrigerant from a small appliance if its compressor is operational. - The 80% recovery

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03:28

EPA 608 Prep 18, System-Dependent Recovery on Small...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/27

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - That system-dependent (passive) recovery is only permissible for small appliances with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant. - The two critical recovery standards for

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02:43

EPA 608 Prep 17, Type I Open-Book Exam and the...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/26

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - That the EPA 608 Type I exam is the only section that can be administered in an open-book format. - The different passing scores: 84% for the open-book Type I exam

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02:43

EPA 608 Prep 16, Type I — Small Appliances and the...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/25

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The precise three-part definition of a Type I small appliance: factory-manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant. - Why

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02:45

EPA 608 Prep 15, Reclaimers and EPA-Authorized Recycling

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/24

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.In this episode you will learn: - Only EPA-certified reclaimers can purify used refrigerant to AHRI 700 standards for resale to a new owner. - Recycling is a less intensive cleaning process that

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03:09

EPA 608 Prep 14, Refrigerant Sales Restrictions and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/23

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Why only EPA 608 certified technicians are legally allowed to purchase refrigerants for stationary equipment. - The specific responsibilities of the seller to verify

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03:12

EPA 608 Prep 13, Recordkeeping — What Technicians and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/22

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The mandatory 3-year record retention period for refrigerant handling activities. - Key documentation required from owners of appliances with 50 or more pounds of

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03:44

EPA 608 Prep 12, Leak Detection Methods — Bubble,...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/21

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The specific applications and limitations of four primary leak detection methods: soap bubble, electronic, UV dye, and nitrogen. - Why you must only use dry nitrogen

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02:39

EPA 608 Prep 11, Periodic Leak Inspections — When and...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/20

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The specific leak rate thresholds that trigger mandatory periodic inspections for different appliance types. - How to distinguish between the quarterly and annual

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03:53

EPA 608 Prep 10, Leak Repair Requirements and the...

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/19

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The 50-pound charge threshold that triggers mandatory EPA 608 leak repair requirements for ozone-depleting substances. - The specific annual leak rate thresholds for

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03:41

EPA 608 Prep 9, Recover Before Opening — The 0 psi Rule

Trades Exam Prep ·

2026/07/18

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Before opening any high-pressure refrigerant system for service or disposal, you must recover the refrigerant until the pressure reaches a minimum of 0 psig. -

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138 results

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