Certificate of Fitness to Supervise the Storage and Handling of Chemicals in NYC K-12 School Laboratories (D-15)

The D-15 Certificate of Fitness to Supervise the Storage and Handling of Chemicals in NYC K-12 School Laboratories is required for eligible science teachers and laboratory specialists who supervise the storage and handling of chemicals in New York City K-12 school laboratories.

This certificate is issued to an individual and is valid only at the specific school location listed on the certificate. D-15 is issued through an Alternative Issuance Procedure to eligible NYC public-school science teachers and laboratory specialists who meet the applicable education, employment, training, and documentation requirements. Applicants who do not qualify for D-15 must obtain the appropriate C-14 Certificate of Fitness through the FDNY examination process.

• D-15 can only be obtained through an Alternative Issuance Procedure by applicants who meet the required education, employment, training, and documentation requirements.

• D-15 is issued to eligible science teachers and laboratory specialists employed by NYC public schools.

• Applicants should review the D-15 Notice of Exam and Study Materials and the D-15 Alternative Issuance Procedure before applying.

• Gather the required supporting documents, including:

  • A completed D-15 Applicant Affirmation Form
  • Applicable New York State teacher certification or NYC Department of Education laboratory specialist certification
  • Documentation on NYC Department of Education letterhead confirming completion of DOE Science Safety training
  • A recent 2-by-2-inch color ID photo in JPG or JPEG format
  • A copy of your employee ID

• Applicants who do not qualify for the D-15 Alternative Issuance Procedure must take the FDNY examination required to obtain a C-14 Certificate of Fitness.

• FDNY will review your application and supporting documentation.
• If FDNY has questions about your application, you will be contacted within two business days.
• If your application meets all FDNY requirements, your certificate will be mailed within five business days.
• If FDNY requests additional information and you do not respond within 10 days, your application may be canceled and you may need to apply again.

• The New York City Fire Code and FDNY requirements may change. Certificate of Fitness holders must review and be familiar with the latest Study Materials.
• This certificate must be renewed every three years.
• FDNY will send a Renewal Notice approximately 90 days before the expiration date.
• It is the certificate holder's responsibility to renew the certificate within 364 days of the expiration date.
• Certificates that are more than one year past their expiration date cannot be renewed, and a new application may be required.
• FDNY reserves the right to require re-examination or additional certification documentation as part of the renewal process.
• To change your mailing address or work location, or to request a replacement certificate, use the FDNY Business online portal.
• Review the Certificate of Fitness Update Instructions for required documentation and processing steps.

• Gather electronic copies of all required supporting documents.
• The application fee is waived for eligible NYC Department of Education public-school teachers and laboratory specialists applying for D-15.
• Upload the required supporting documentation as part of your online application.
• If you are an individual, you can only submit your own application.
• If an application is being submitted on behalf of a science teacher, the submitter must be authorized by NYC DOE to act as a Designated Coordinator and must be approved by FDNY. To request approval, email pubcert@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Renew your Certificate of Fitness through the FDNY Business online portal.

• Review the Certificate of Fitness Renewal Instructions before submitting your renewal.

• If you are an individual, make sure you have:

  • Your 8-digit Certificate of Fitness number
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number
  • An email address

• D-15 renewal fees are waived for eligible certificate holders.

• Supporting documentation confirming continued eligibility or employment may be required.

• If all renewal requirements are met, FDNY will issue the renewed certificate.