Certificate of Fitness for Storage, Handling and Use of Hazardous Materials (C-91)

You need a Certificate of Fitness to store, handle and use hazardous materials.

Hazardous materials include:

• Corrosive chemicals
• Flammable chemicals
• Toxic and highly toxic solid chemicals
• Ozone gas generators
• Organic peroxides
• Oxidizers
• Pyrophoric materials
• Pyroxylin plastics
• Unstable (reactive) materials
• Water-reactive solids and liquids

A certificate holder must be on duty when hazardous materials are used. This Certificate of Fitness is for a specific location and person.

• You need to pass a written test to get this Certificate of Fitness. Review the C-91 Notice of Exam and Study Materials before you apply.

• 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

In-person applications:

• If you pass the test, you will get your certificate right away.
• If you do not pass the test, you will get a failure report. To retake the test, you 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 NYC Fire Department (FDNY) will send a Renewal Notice 90 days before your certificate expires. This letter includes the 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 ask 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.

• To change your mailing address: You must submit the following in person or by mail to the NYC 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 NYC 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 NYC 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

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

2. Submit your documents:
   Hand in your completed application form and supporting documents.

3. Pay the application fee:
   The fee is $25. You can pay by:

   • 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)

   Note: A 2 percent fee applies to all credit card payments. The application fee is nonrefundable. If you are a City employee, you can request a fee waiver 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.

4. Take the exam.

5. If you pass the test, you will get your Certificate of Fitness right away. If you do not pass the test, you will need to apply again, pay the fee and retake the test.

• Certificate of Fitness Access ID: Make sure you have your 12-digit Certificate of Fitness Access ID. This is on your Renewal Notice. If you do not have your Renewal Notice, your Access ID is your 8-digit Certificate of Fitness number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you are renewing for a company's employees, the company must be approved by FDNY and have an 8-digit Company Code. To request approval, email pubrenew@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Renewal fee: Pay the $15 renewal fee online by one of the following methods:

  • Credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa)
  • Debit card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • E-check

• Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49 percent will be applied to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is nonrefundable. You cannot request a fee exemption if you renew online.

• If all the requirements are met: A certificate will be mailed out within 10 days.

• To renew a certificate: Click on the Renew Online button. If you are an individual, you can only renew your own certificate.

• Renewal fee: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of the following 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)

• Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49 percent will be applied to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is nonrefundable. If you are a City employee, you may request a fee exemption if you submit a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your city agency on official letterhead to confirm that you are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of your work-related responsibilities.

• Submission address: your documents: Submit your Renewal Notice (or if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate) and, if applicable, your fee payment and supporting documents to:
  NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Cashier's Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201 Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed on public holidays.

• If all the requirements are met: A certificate will be issued immediately.

• Renewal fee: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of the following methods:

  • Personal or company check (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
  • Money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)

• Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. The renewal fee is nonrefundable. If you are a City employee, you may request a fee exemption if you mail a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your City agency on official letterhead to confirm that you are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of your work-related responsibilities.

• Mailing address: Mail your Renewal Notice (or if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate), and, if applicable, your fee payment and supporting documents to:
  NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Cashier's Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201

• If all the requirements are met: A certificate will be mailed out within four to six weeks.