Certificate of Fitness for the Storage, Handling, Use and Refilling of Non-Flammable Gas Cylinders (G-46)

You need a Certificate of Fitness to store, handle, use or refill non-flammable gas cylinders. These cylinders are often used in health care places. Non-flammable gases include:

• Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Nitrous oxide
• Carbon dioxide

This Certificate of Fitness is valid only for the person it is issued to and can be used anywhere in New York City.

• 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. Make sure to review the Notice of Exam and Study Materials.
  G-46 Notice of Exam and Study Materials (PDF)

• 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 (PDF)
  • A letter of employment:
    Sample Employer Recommendation Letter (PDF)
    Sample Self-Employment Letter (PDF)
  • Two forms of identification, which include one government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport

• Documents for exemption applicants: if you qualify for the exemption, review the G-46 Alternative Issuance Procedure Information (PDF). Apply online and provide the following:

  • 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 required, a notarized statement confirming two years of post-baccalaureate experience
  • A recent ID photo (2x2 color head shot) in JPG or JPEG format

Online applications

• Getting your certificate: If your application meets all requirements, you will get your certificate in the mail in five business days.
• Questions from FDNY: If FDNY has questions, they will call you in two business days. If you do not answer in 10 days, your application will be canceled. You will need to apply again and pay the fee.

In-person applications

• Passing the exam: If you pass the test, you will get your certificate right away.
• Failing the exam: If you do not pass the exam, you will get a report that says you did not pass. You will need to apply again and pay the fee to retake the test.

• 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 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 Fire Department City of New York

• 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 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 you are an employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used for your 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 FDNY. To request approval, email pubcert@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Visit the Public Certification Unit: arrive at the Public Certification Unit ready to submit your application and supporting documents, pay the fee and take the exam. 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.

• Submit your documents: submit your completed application 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 uploading a copy of your employee ID and a letter from your City agency on official letterhead confirming that you are an employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used for your work-related responsibilities.

• 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 fee again and retake the exam.

• 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.