Certificate of Fitness for Commercial Cooking Exhaust System Cleaning Technician (W-64)

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) says that commercial cooking exhaust systems must be cleaned by someone with a Certificate of Fitness (W-64/P-64). This person must work for an FDNY-approved company.

These systems are found in places like:

• Restaurants
• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Schools
• Employee cafeterias
• Other food-service locations

The systems must be checked and cleaned every three months. The Certificate of Fitness is only good for the person it is given to and can be used anywhere in New York City.

• Pass the written exam: You need to pass a written exam to get this Certificate of Fitness. Review the Notice of Exam and Study Materials before you apply.
  F-64 / W-64 Notice of Exam and Study Materials (PDF)

• Apply in person: Bring these documents when you apply in person:

  • 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, like a driver's license or passport

In-person applications:

• If you pass the test, you will get your certificate right after you finish.
• If you do not pass the test, you will get a report that says you did not pass. To take the test again, you need to send a new application and pay the fee again.

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

  • Renewal process: 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 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.

• 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 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 you are 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."

• Request a 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 (like 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."

• Access ID: If you are an individual, you need 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 eight-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 eight-digit Company Code. To request approval, email pubrenew@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Payment: 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 2percent convenience fee will be added to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is non-refundable. 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.

• Renew online: To renew a certificate, go to the Renew Online page. If you are an individual, you can only renew your own certificate.

• Payment: 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 2 percent convenience fee will be added to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is non-refundable. City employees may request a fee exemption if they submit a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead to confirm that they are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of their 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:

  • 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 non-refundable. City employees may request a fee exemption if they mail a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead to confirm that they are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of their 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.