Certificate of Fitness for Non-Production Chemical Laboratories (C-14)

You need a permit to store, handle or use dangerous materials in a lab if you have more than 1 gallon (3.8L) of flammable liquid, more than 1 gallon (3.8L) of combustible liquid and more than 75 SCF (2.12 m3) of flammable gas.

A Certificate of Fitness holder must watch over lab work that needs a permit. A non-production chemical lab is a place where chemicals or gases are stored, handled or used for testing, research, experimenting or education. At least one C-14 Certificate of Fitness holder must be on each floor where these activities happen. All labs must follow the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) rules.

This Certificate of Fitness is for a specific location and person.

• Review exam and study materials: You can get this Certificate of Fitness by passing a written exam or qualifying for an exemption based on your education and experience. You need to review the C-14 Notice of Exam and Study Materials.

• Documents for exam applicants: If you need to take the exam, apply in person and bring these documents:

  • A completed Certificate of Fitness Application Form
  • A letter of employment:
    Sample Employer Recommendation Letter
    Sample Self-Employment Letter
  • Two forms of ID, which include one government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport

• Documents for exemption: If you qualify for the exemption, review the C-14 Alternative Issuance Procedure Information. Apply online and provide this information:

  • Your name, mailing address, phone number, email, gender, Social Security number, date of birth, weight, height and work location
  • A completed Applicant Affirmation Form, which must be notarized
  • An electronic copy of your diploma or license
  • If needed, a notarized statement confirming you have two years of post-baccalaureate experience in operating a chemical lab
  • A recent ID photo (2x2 color headshot) in JPG or JPEG format

Online applications:

• If your application meets all New York City Fire Department (FDNY) rules, you will get your certificate in the mail within five business days.
• If FDNY has questions about your application, they will contact you within two business days. If you do not respond within 10 days, your application will be canceled. You will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again to reapply.

In-person applications:

• If you pass the exam, you will get your certificate right after you finish the test.
• If you do not pass the exam, you will get a failure report after you finish the test. To retake the exam, you will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.

• The New York City Fire Code changes often: You must read and know the latest Study Materials.

• You need to renew this certificate every three years: The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will send you a Renewal Notice 90 days before your certificate expires. This letter includes your certificate number, expiration date and renewal fee. You must renew your certificate within 364 days of the expiration date.
  
  If your certificate is more than one year past its expiration date, you will need to apply again. FDNY may require you to take a re-examination when you renew. No certificate will be renewed without the required certification form or a retake of the exam.

• Review the Renewal Form: C-14 Renewal Form (PDF)

• To change your mailing address: You must submit the following in person or by mail to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A letter requesting the change of mailing address
  • A copy of your certificate with the old address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the Fire Department City of New York

• To change your work location: You must submit the following in person or by mail to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A letter from your current employer (on company letterhead) confirming that you are an employee and stating your new work location; if self-employed, a letter requesting a change to your work location
  • A copy of your certificate with the old address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the Fire Department City of New York

• To request a replacement certificate: You must submit the following in person or by mail to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport), with the name on the ID matching the name on the certificate
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your mailing address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the Fire Department City of New York

• Gather documents: Collect electronic copies of your supporting documents.

• Pay the application fee: Pay the $25 application fee online using one of these methods:

  • Credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa)
  • Debit card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • E-check
    A 2 percent convenience fee applies to all credit card payments. The application fee is nonrefundable. If you are a City employee, you can request a fee exemption by uploading a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your City agency on official letterhead confirming that the Certificate of Fitness will be used for work-related responsibilities.

• Submit your application: Click the Apply Online button to submit your application. If you are an individual, you can only submit your own application. If you are submitting applications for a company's employees, you must be authorized by the company as a Designated Coordinator and the company must be approved by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). To request approval, email pubcert@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Go to the Public Certification Unit: Arrive at the Public Certification Unit ready to submit your application form and supporting documents, pay the application fee, and take the exam. No appointment is needed.
  
  NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
  Public Certification Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
  Hours: Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed on public holidays.

• Submit your documents: Submit your completed application form and supporting documents.

• Pay the application fee: Pay the $25 application fee using one of these methods:

  • Cash
  • Credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa)
  • Debit card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • Personal or company check (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
  • Money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
    
    A 2 percent convenience fee applies to all credit card payments. The application fee is nonrefundable. If you are a City employee, you can request a fee exemption by submitting a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your City agency on official letterhead confirming that the Certificate of Fitness will be used for work-related responsibilities.

• Take the exam: Take the exam.

• Receive your certificate: If you pass the exam, your Certificate of Fitness will be issued immediately. If you do not pass, you will need to submit a new application, pay the application fee again and retake the exam.