Choosing your exam
Which Certificate of Fitness do I need?
Find the job that matches yours. Your employer or the job listing usually names the certificate, and that is what counts: if you are unsure, ask them before you apply. The descriptions below come from each certificate's official FDNY booklet.
Fire watch in a building while its sprinklers, standpipes, fire alarm or other fire protection system is out of service
F-01: Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment →
The citywide fire guard certificate for impairments. Most fire guard jobs ask for this one.
Fire guard duties inside a homeless shelter
F-02: Fire Guard for Shelters →
The F-02 booklet says F-02 holders can do F-01 fire guard duties inside shelters only, without a separate F-01.
Safety staff at a specific venue with a Place of Assembly permit, such as a theater, TV studio, stadium or terminal
F-03: Place of Assembly Safety Personnel (indoor and temporary) →
Take the F-03. The booklet says F-03 passers can pay an extra $25 to get the F-04 without taking the F-04 exam.
Safety staff only at temporary events (with a temporary place of assembly permit) at different locations
F-04: Place of Assembly Safety Personnel (indoor and temporary) →
Take the F-04. It covers the same booklet as the F-03 except the section on theaters.
Fire watch during and after torch work, such as torch-applied roofing, cutting or welding
F-60: Fire Guard for Torch Operations →
The fire guard certificate for torch operations.
Supervising a building's fire alarm system: responding to signals at the panel and keeping the log
S-95: Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems →
Needs an employer recommendation letter. Holders of some other certificates (F-89, T-89, F-80, F-53) are exempt for the same premises.
Supervising a non-production chemical laboratory, such as a research, testing, school or hospital lab
C-14: Supervision of Chemical Laboratories (non-production) →
Needs an employer recommendation letter and a qualifying degree, college credits, teaching certification or lab technology license. See the C-14 page.
Not listed here?
The FDNY issues well over a hundred kinds of Certificate of Fitness. We cover the six above. For every other certificate, see the FDNY's full list on nyc.gov. Some, such as the Fire and Life Safety Director, require an accredited course before the exam.
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.
Sources: the official FDNY Notice of Exam and study booklets for F-01, F-02, F-03 / F-04, F-60, S-95, C-14, checked September 29, 2026.