Certificate of Fitness for Citywide Fire Guard For Impairment (F-01)
In any occupancy where a required fire protection system is out of service, a fire watch shall be maintained by one or more persons holding a Certificate of Fitness.
For the initial four hours of a planned or an unplanned out of service condition when the effected area does not exceed 50,000 square feet, the impairment coordinator or a trained and knowledgeable person who is capable of performing fire watch duties and is designated by the building owner may perform the fire watch duties. After four hours of an out of service condition, such patrols shall only be conducted by fire guards holding a Certificate of Fitness.
This Certificate of Fitness is valid only for the specific person to whom it is issued and can be used anywhere within New York City.
This Certificate of Fitness can only be obtained by passing a written exam. All applicants should review the Notice of Exam and Study Materials.
Applicants who need to take the exam must apply in person and bring the following 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, at least one must be a government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or a passport.
In Person Applications:
- Applicants who pass the exam will receive their certificate immediately after completing the exam.
- Applicants who fail the exam will receive a failure report after completing the exam. To retake the exam, applicants will need to submit a new application and pay the application fee again.
To change your 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 in the amount of $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York."
To change your 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, 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 in the amount of $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York."
To 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 identification (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 in the amount of $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York."
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Pay the $25 application fee by one of the following 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 convenience fee of 2% will be applied to all credit card payments. The application 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.
Pay the $15 renewal fee online by one of the following 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 incur a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49% will be applied to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is non-refundable. You cannot request a fee exemption if you renew online.
Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of the following 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 incur a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49% will be applied 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.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Closed on public holidays.
Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of the following 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 incur 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.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Closed on public holidays.
