Certificate of Fitness for Operator of Central Station Signaling Systems (F-40)

If you work in a central station that reports fires in New York City, you need a Certificate of Fitness for Operator of Central Station Signaling Systems (F-40).

Central stations are run by companies that provide alarm signal monitoring services. These companies get signals from alarms and send the information to the right services, such as the NYC Fire Department (FDNY). Central stations help businesses or properties that use alarm monitoring services.

This Certificate of Fitness is only valid for a specific location and the person it is issued to.

• Review the 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. Make sure to review the F-40 Notice of Exam and Study Materials.

• Documents for the exam: If you need to take the exam, 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 identification - one must be a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport

• Exemption qualification: If you qualify for the exemption, review the F-40 Alternative Issuance Procedure Information (PDF). Apply online and provide the following 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 (PDF), which must be notarized
  • An electronic copy of your diploma or license
  • If needed, a notarized statement confirming two years of post-baccalaureate experience
  • 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 exam.
• If you fail the exam, you will get a failure report after you finish the exam.
• You will need to submit a new application and pay the fee again to retake the exam.

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

• Renewal: 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 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.

• Change of mailing address: 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"

• Change of work location: 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 from your current employer (on company letterhead) confirming that you are an employee and stating your new work location or 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"

• Replacement certificate: 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) - the name on the ID must match 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. City employees can request a fee exemption by uploading a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead confirming their employment and that the Certificate of Fitness is for work-related duties.

• 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 FDNY. To request approval, email pubcert@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Visit the Public Certification Unit: Arrive 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. City employees can request a fee exemption by submitting a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead confirming their employment and that the Certificate of Fitness is for work-related duties.

• Take the exam: Take the exam.

• Receive your certificate: If you pass the exam, you will get your Certificate of Fitness immediately. If you fail, you will need to submit a new application, pay the fee again and retake the exam.

• Access ID: If you are an individual, 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.

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee online by one of these methods: More info

  • 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 incur 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.

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

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

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of these methods: More info

  • 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 incur 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.

• Submitting 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
  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.

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of these methods: More info

  • 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 incur 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 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:
  
  NYC 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.