How to Get an F-01 Fire Guard Certificate in NYC

The F-01 Certificate of Fitness, "Fire Guard for Impairment (Citywide)," is the card New York City fire guards carry when they patrol a building whose sprinklers, standpipes, fire alarm or other fire protection system is out of service. Getting it comes down to one computer exam at FDNY Headquarters in Brooklyn, but there are several steps around that exam that trip people up: applying online first, paying the right way, bringing the right papers and knowing what happens after you pass or fail.

This guide walks through the whole path in order. Every rule below comes from two free FDNY documents: the F-01 study booklet (its Notice of Exam section, revised January 2026) and the General Notice of Exam for all Certificates of Fitness (revised July 2023). Both are linked in the sources at the end. The FDNY changes these rules without notice, so check the current versions before you go.

Step 1: Check that the F-01 is the certificate you need

The F-01 booklet describes the certificate as citywide: once you hold it, you can work as an impairment fire guard in different buildings and occupancies, not just one address. It is the certificate for fire watch while a required fire protection system is impaired.

Some fire guard jobs call for a different card. Shelters use the F-02, places of assembly use the F-03 or F-04, and torch work uses the F-60. The F-01 booklet also notes that existing F-92 certificates remain valid and renewable, and that the F-03, F-04 and F-92 are separate tests. If you are not sure, ask your employer, and see which certificate you need.

Step 2: Make sure you meet the basic requirements

The General Notice of Exam sets the baseline for every Certificate of Fitness:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a reasonable understanding of English.

The F-01 booklet lists no special requirements beyond that: no course, no experience minimum. It also says there is no alternative issuance procedure for the F-01. The only way to get it is to pass the computer exam at FDNY Headquarters.

If you work for a New York City agency, the General Notice adds that you are responsible for getting written permission from the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board.

Step 3: Gather your documents

The General Notice lists what applicants need for the certificate itself:

• Identification. At least one form, and at least one must be government-issued photo ID, such as a state driver's license or non-driver ID, an NYC ID or a passport.
• An employer letter of recommendation on official letterhead, giving your full name, your experience and the address where you will work. The General Notice says the letter is valid for 6 months from its date. Self-employed applicants and company principals submit a notarized letter about their qualifications instead. The FDNY publishes sample letters on nyc.gov.

No job yet? This is the most useful rule for new fire guards. The General Notice says applicants who are not currently employed may take the exam without the required documents. If they pass, the FDNY issues a temporary letter with their picture for job-seeking purposes. The actual card is not issued until they are employed and provide all the required documents.

Step 4: Apply and pay online before you go

The F-01 booklet is direct about this: all applicants are required to apply and pay online before arriving at the FDNY, and it estimates about 30 minutes to complete. (The older General Notice still describes in-person applications for most certificates; the F-01 booklet is the newer, certificate-specific document, so follow it.)

1. Create an NYC.ID account and log in to the FDNY's online business portal (the booklet links to it at fires.fdnycloud.org).
2. Follow the FDNY's simplified instructions for individuals applying for a Certificate of Fitness, linked from the booklet.
3. Submit the application and pay the fee in the same session. The booklet says the fee must be paid with the online submission.
4. Keep your confirmation and application number.

The fee and how to pay

The General Notice sets the application fee at $25. The F-01 booklet does not repeat the amount, so check the portal for the current figure when you pay. Accepted payment methods, per the booklet:

• Credit or debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa). A 2% convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
• Personal or company check, or money order, payable to the New York City Fire Department.

Cash is not accepted at FDNY Headquarters. Fee waivers exist only for government employees who will use the certificate for their work, and they need a letter on agency letterhead plus a copy of their agency ID.

Step 5: Plan your trip to 9 MetroTech

The exam is given at FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. The booklet says to enter through the Flatbush Avenue entrance, between Myrtle Avenue and Tech Place. The General Notice says most Certificate of Fitness exams run Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, except legal holidays, and that all exams can be taken by appointment through the FDNY's online scheduler.

On what you can bring into the exam room, the General Notice allows a clean paperback dictionary with no writing in it. Electronic dictionaries are not allowed, and phones and all other electronic devices must be switched off. The F-01 booklet adds that study material and booklets are not allowed during the exam. If an exam needs reference material, exam room staff provide it and the computer will prompt you. Our exam day guide covers the room rules in more detail.

Step 6: Take the exam

Per the F-01 booklet's exam information:

Item	F-01 exam
Questions	20, multiple choice
Format	Touch-screen computer
Time limit	30 minutes
Passing score	At least 70% (14 of 20 correct)
What it covers	The entire booklet, including any tables

Thirty minutes for 20 questions is a minute and a half per question, which is enough if you have studied, but not enough to puzzle out rules you are seeing for the first time. The booklet's own sample questions also make two practical points: FDNY staff cannot help you with the content of a question, but you should tell the examiner in the room if your computer has a problem.

The booklet recommends knowing 2022 Fire Code Sections 401.3, 408, 901 and 906, and NFPA 25 Chapter 14 (2002 edition), alongside the booklet itself. For a section-by-section guide to what the booklet covers, see F-01 exam topics explained.

Step 7: Results and your card

According to the General Notice:

• If you pass and meet all the requirements, the certificate is issued the same day.
• If you fail, you receive a failure report.
• Online applicants can see their pass/fail status and certificate expiration date online within one or two business days.

Once you have the card, the F-01 booklet says a certificate holder must keep it readily available for inspection by any FDNY representative at all times while performing the duties it covers. In practice, that means carrying it on shift.

Step 8: If you need to retake

The F-01 booklet says each testing opportunity requires a separate application and payment, and retesting on the same calendar day is not permitted. So a retake means applying and paying again and coming back on another day. Use the time in between to study the topics you were unsure about.

Step 9: Keep it current and renew on time

The F-01 booklet lists no special renewal requirements for the F-01 and strongly recommends renewing online. For the general rules it points to the General Notice, which says:

• Most certificates must be renewed every three years, and the renewal fee for most three-year certificates is $15. Certain certificates have different periods, so check the current booklet.
• The FDNY emails a courtesy renewal notice 90 days before expiration, but renewing is your responsibility.
• Renewing 91 days to one year after expiration adds a $25 late penalty on top of the renewal fee.
• A certificate more than one year past expiration cannot be renewed. You would have to take a new exam.
• The FDNY reserves the right to require a re-examination when you renew.
• You can renew online (preferred), by mail or in person. Online renewals are mailed within 10 days if all requirements are met; in-person renewals are issued the same day.

The General Notice also lists a $5 fee for changing your contact details, requesting a replacement card or changing your work location. A work location change requires uploading a new employer letter.

Where to ask questions

The booklet directs questions to the FDNY Business Support Team: call 311 and ask for the FDNY Customer Service Center, or email FDNY.BusinessSupport@fdny.nyc.gov. They are the authority on your application. This site is an independent practice resource and is not affiliated with the FDNY.

Getting ready for the exam

The exam is short, so each question carries weight: missing seven of 20 is a fail. If you want to check yourself against the booklet before you apply, the F-01 practice page has free sample questions written from the booklet, and the full question bank with timed 20-question mocks is on the pricing page. Practice helps you find gaps; it can't guarantee a result, so read the booklet itself too.