FDNY Certificate of Fitness (COF) Exams Group Discussion

A Certificate of Fitness (COF) is issued by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) to people who carry out certain dangerous occupations under the New York City Fire Code, such as fire guards, torch operators and the people who inspect sprinkler systems. Most certificates are obtained by passing a multiple-choice exam taken on a touch-screen computer at FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. Every exam is time-limited, with the time based on the number of questions, and needs a score of at least 70% to pass. The FDNY publishes a free Notice of Exam and study booklet for each certificate; the study booklet may not be used during the exam. For example, the F-60 Fire Guard for Torch Operations exam has 25 questions in 38 minutes, the G-60 Torch Use of Flammable Gas exam 35 questions in 53 minutes, and the S-12 Citywide Sprinkler Systems exam 75 questions in about 135 minutes. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a reasonable understanding of English. Most certificates must be renewed every three years.