Certificate of Fitness for Citywide Fire Guard For Impairment (F-01)

If a required fire protection system is not working in a building, a fire watch is needed. A person with a Certificate of Fitness must do the fire watch.

First four hours: If the area is less than 50,000 square feet, the building owner can choose a trained person to do the fire watch.

After four hours: Only fire guards with a Certificate of Fitness can do the fire watch.

This Certificate of Fitness is for one specific person. It can be used anywhere in New York City.

• Before you submit your application:
  You need to pass a written exam to get this Certificate of Fitness: Review the F-10 Notice of Exam and Study Materials.

• You need to apply in person and bring these documents:

  • A completed Certificate of Fitness Application Form (PDF)

  • A letter of employment:
    Sample Employer Recommendation Letter (PDF)
    Sample Self-Employment Letter (PDF)

  • Two forms of ID, which include one government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport

In-person applications:

• If you pass the test, you will get your certificate right after you finish the test.
• If you do not pass the test, you will get a failure report after you finish the test. To take the test again, 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.
• Renewal frequency: 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 will have 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 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 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 New York City Fire Department City of New York

• To change your work location: You must submit the following in person or by mail to 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 New York City Fire Department

• To request a replacement certificate: You must submit the following in person or by mail to 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 New York City Fire Department

• Visit the Public Certification Unit: Go to the Public Certification Unit to submit your application form and supporting documents, pay the fee and take the test. You do not need an appointment.
  
  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 application form and documents.

• Pay the $25 application fee using:

  • 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 exemption by submitting a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your City agency on official letterhead confirming your employment and that the Certificate of Fitness is for work-related responsibilities.

• Take the exam.

• Receive your certificate: 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 these 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 added to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is nonrefundable. You cannot request a fee exemption if you renew online.

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be mailed out within 10 days.

• Renewal process: To renew a certificate, click 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 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)
    
    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 added 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.

• Submit 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:
  
  New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
  Cashier’s 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.

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be issued immediately.

• Renewal fee: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of these 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.

• Mail your documents: 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:
  
  New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
  Cashier’s Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be mailed out within four to six weeks.