On some devices, yes, there is a way. I am not certain which specific devices this works on, but there are two methods you can try. The most platform agnostic way to do it is generally the following:

 1. Install a launcher that allows you to create shortcuts to Activities. [ADW Launcher][1] and [Launcher Pro][2] are both free and allow this.
 2. Long press on an empty space on your home screen and select `Shortcut->Activity`.
 3. Look for one of the following in the list of Activities. Either:

    A. A package named `com.android.hiddenmenu` which you can expand to reveal the RTN activity OR
    B. An activity simply named `com.android.RTN` (this is what I have on my Galaxy Nexus, CM9).

 4. Create a shortcut to the RTN activity. If given a choice between multiple ones, select the "View" activity.
 5. Launch RTN from the shortcut and look for the "Reconditioned Status" entry in the list. If it says "Yes" then it's a refurb. If it says "No" then it isn't (or it has not been properly noted as one for some reason).

![enter image description here][3]

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The less portable (manufacturer dependent) way of doing this is to open your dial pad and enter the dialer code `##786#`, which will also take you to RTN if the dialer code is supported. On some devices it may also work with `*#*#786#*#*`. 


  [1]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adw.launcher
  [2]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fede.launche
  [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/8V53o.png