All Certificate of Fitness (COF) transactions must be done online.
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:
See list of Certificates of Fitness below for Study Materials and exam specific information.
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 taking an exam must complete Certificate of Fitness (COF) application and payment online before coming to FDNY Headquarters.
The following COFs require an appointment before taking the exam at FDNY Headquarters: F80, F89, Q01, S56, S98.
You must have a COF application ID before scheduling the appointment.
Groups of ten (10) applicants or more should contact the FDNY COF unit to schedule an appointment.
The FDNY Certificate of Fitness Unit provides reasonable testing accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants seeking testing accommodations must complete and submit this Test Accommodation Request Form (PDF).
COF applications for exam must be completed and paid online. Check below for the link and reference guide for online COF applications.
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.
COF’s must be renewed online and by mail.
Online renewal can be processed by the following methods:
(1) Simplified COF Renewal: Renewal the COF without creating a NYC ID
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 must 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.
If you have remaining balance after you renew your COF online, you can pay it online too. Click the instruction below to learn how to pay the remaining balance.
COF holder must request a replacement of lost COF card online. All changes such as company name, work location, mailing address and activating certificates must be done online.
Click the instruction below to learn how to request a replacement or an update.
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.
The following is a list of Certificates of Fitness offered by the FDNY. It is listed in alphabetical order.
