Applying and exam day
Certificate of Fitness exam day: what to expect
What the FDNY's General Notice of Exam says about applying, what to bring, the exam room at 9 MetroTech, results and renewal. It was checked on September 29, 2026. The FDNY can change these rules without notice, so read the current General Notice of Exam and your certificate's own booklet before you go.
Who can apply
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a reasonable understanding of English.
- Some certificates have extra requirements, listed in their own booklet. For example, the S-95 and C-14 booklets require an employer recommendation letter.
Applying and paying
- The application fee is $25. Cash is not accepted at FDNY Headquarters.
- You can apply and pay online before you go, which the FDNY recommends because it avoids waiting in line. It says this takes about 30 minutes. A 2% convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
- Most certificates can also be applied for in person. A few (not the ones we cover) must be applied for, paid and scheduled online.
- Exams can be taken by appointment. Most exams run Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, except legal holidays.
What to bring if you apply in person
- At least one form of ID, including a government-issued photo ID such as a state driver's license or non-driver ID, an NYC ID or a passport.
- A letter of recommendation from your employer on official letterhead, with your full name, experience and the address where you will work. It is valid for 6 months. If you are self-employed or the principal of the company, the FDNY asks for a notarized letter instead.
- A completed application form (the FDNY's A-20 form).
- If you are not employed yet, you can still take the exam without the documents. If you pass, the FDNY gives you a temporary letter with your picture to use while job seeking, and issues the card once you are employed and bring the documents.
At 9 MetroTech
- The exam is at FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. Enter through the Flatbush Avenue entrance, between Myrtle Avenue and Tech Place.
- Every exam is taken on a touch-screen computer and has a time limit based on the number of questions. You need at least 70% to pass.
- You may bring your own paperback dictionary if it is clean, with no writing in it. Electronic dictionaries are not allowed.
- Turn off your phone and all electronic devices when you enter the exam room. You may not use them, remove exam material, or copy from another test taker or a test. The FDNY says people caught cheating can be barred from exams for up to six months and may face criminal or civil action.
Results and retakes
- If you pass and meet all the requirements, the certificate is issued the same day.
- If you fail, you get a failure report. To retake, you submit a new application and pay again.
- If you applied online, you can see your pass/fail status within one or two business days.
Renewal
- Most certificates must be renewed every three years, and the renewal fee for most is $15. Some certificates have different renewal periods, so check your booklet.
- The FDNY emails a courtesy notice 90 days before expiration, but renewing on time is your responsibility.
- Renewing 91 days to one year late adds a $25 penalty. A certificate more than one year past expiration can't be renewed and you must take the exam again.
- You can renew online (preferred), by mail or in person. The FDNY can also require a new exam when you renew.
Practice before you go
Every certificate page has free sample questions, and the full banks include timed mocks at the real length.
Fire Guard Test is an independent practice resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), the City of New York, or any accredited school or training provider. "FDNY" is a trademark of the City of New York and is used here only to describe the exams our practice material helps you prepare for. Every question here is original, written from the study material the FDNY publishes free of charge; none is a real exam question, and our mock exams are not identical to the real exam. Exam rules, fees and study material can change without notice, so always check the current official study material and Notice of Exam on nyc.gov before your test. Practicing here does not guarantee that you will pass or be issued a Certificate of Fitness, and nothing on this site is legal or fire-safety compliance advice.
Source: FDNY, General Notice of Exam for Certificate of Fitness Examinations, revised 07/2023, checked September 29, 2026.