certificates-of-fitness

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Certificates of Fitness

Effective 5/17/2021, COF holders can apply, renew and make payments online to save time.

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) issues Certificates of Fitness (COF) for various types of dangerous occupations. We provide study materials, other guidance and tests to individual applicants to ensure they know how to safely use, store and handle dangerous materials in the workplace. Under the New York City Fire Code, a COF is needed to:

Manufacture, store, handle, use, maintain, inspect, test or transport certain materials.
Conduct certain operations.
Operate certain facilities.

See list of Certificates of Fitness below for Study Materials and exam specific information.

To obtain a Certificate of Fitness

COF exams can be taken at FDNY Headquarters. Most COF exams are walk-in exams.

FDNY Headquarters is open to the public Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. All applicants must bring a government issued photo ID, such as a State-issued Drivers’ License, Non-Driver’s License or a passport to enter the Headquarters.

Exam fees can be paid by credit/debit card, check or money order only. Cash is no longer accepted. Applicants who have completed application and payment online will have a shorter wait time.

The following COFs require an appointment before taking the exam at FDNY Headquarters: F89, F80, Q01, S56, S98.

You must have a COF application ID before scheduling the appointment.

To make a group appointment

Groups of ten (10) applicants or more should contact the FDNY COF unit to schedule an appointment.

Instruction for Group Appointment Guide (PDF)

Certificate of Fitness Application

COF applications can be completed online or in-person at the FDNY Headquarters. FDNY highly recommends COF candidates use the online application BEFORE coming to FDNY Headquarters.

Candidates who complete the online application and payment will be processed faster and have a shorter wait time to take the exam.

Online Certificate of Fitness Application (FDNY Business)

NOTE: If you do not have NYC.ID, you must “create account” first to obtain your NYC.ID. After your NYC.ID has been created, you can click log in to proceed with a COF application.

Certificate of Fitness Renewals

COFs can be renewed online, in-person, or by mail.

Online renewal can be processed by the following methods:

(1) Simplified COF Renewal: Renewal the COF without creating a NYC ID

Simplified Renewals

Fee Exempt COFs and COFs that require changes cannot be renewed via simplified COF renewal process.

NOTE: Fee Exempt applies to the NYC city agency employees who have submitted a recommendation letter with city agency letterhead.

(2) Comprehensive COF Renewal: Renewal COF with a NYC ID.

All COFs can be renewed online by logging in with a NYC ID, including Fee Exempt COFs. The FDNY strongly encourages you to create a NYC ID account and log in to view and/or renew all of your Certificates of Fitness information and expiration dates. You can also upload supporting documents (such as proof of employment) and change your mailing address online.

NOTE: Notices of Exam (NOEs), Study Guides and Small Business Services instructions (SBS) are currently being updated and may not contain instructions for online applications, renewals and payments. Please consult the user guide for online filing, renewal and payment details. Requests for address changes and replacement cards must still be filed via US Mail or in-person at 9MTC.

Quick Renewal Guide for FLSD, Expeditors or Fee Exempt Applicants

Certificate of Fitness Duplicate or Update

COF holders can request a replacement of a lost COF card online.

COF holders who change the company or work location can also request a new COF card with new company name and/or work address online.

Click the instruction below to learn how to request a replacement or an update.

Quick Reference Instruction for Certificate of Fitness Duplicate or Update

Additional Certificate of Fitness

With proper required documents, COF holders can apply the same Certificate of Fitness for additional work locations without taking the exam. Click the instruction below to learn how to request additional Certificate of Fitness card.

Quick Reference Instruction for Obtaining Additional Certificate of Fitness