Certificate of Fitness for Residential Sprinkler Systems (S-11)

You need a Certificate of Fitness from the City Fire Department. This is for people who inspect, test and maintain sprinkler systems in residential buildings or structures classified as R-2 occupancies. It is for buildings up to six stories high. These buildings can have up to 30 sprinkler heads or a compactor sprinkler system.

This Certificate of Fitness is only good for one place and one person.

• You can only get this Certificate of Fitness by passing a written exam. Review the Notice of Exam and Study Materials before applying.
  S-11 Notice of Exam and Study Materials (PDF)

• Apply in person and bring these documents:

  • A completed Certificate of Fitness Application Form (PDF)
  • A letter of employment. You can use a Sample Employer Recommendation Letter (PDF) or a Sample Self-Employment Letter (PDF)
  • Two forms of ID. One must be a government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license or passport

In-person applications:

• If you pass the test, you will get your certificate right away.
• If you do not pass the test, you will get a report that says you failed. To take the test again, you need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.

• Stay updated: The New York City Fire Code changes often. You must read and know the latest Study Materials.

• Renewal process: You need to renew this certificate every three years.

  • The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) will send a Renewal Notice 90 days before your certificate expires. This letter will have your certificate number, expiration date and renewal fee.
  • You must renew your certificate within 364 days of the expiration date.
  • If your certificate is more than one year past its expiration date, you will need to apply again.
  • FDNY may ask you to take a re-examination when you renew.
  • No certificate will be renewed without the required certification form or a retake of the exam.

• Change of mailing address: Submit the following in person or by mail to the NYC Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A letter requesting the change of mailing address
  • A copy of your certificate with the old address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York"

• Change of work location: Submit the following in person or by mail to NYC Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A letter from your current employer (on company letterhead) confirming that you are an employee and stating your new work location. If self-employed, a letter requesting a change to your work location
  • A copy of your certificate with the old address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York"

• Request a replacement certificate: Submit the following in person or by mail to the NYC Fire Department (FDNY), Cashier's Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201:

  • A government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport). The name on the ID must match the name on the certificate
  • Your Social Security number
  • Your mailing address
  • A personal check or money order for $5.00 made payable to the "Fire Department City of New York"

• Gather electronic copies of your supporting documents.
• Pay the $25 application fee online by credit card, debit card, or E-Check.
• A convenience fee applies to credit card payments. The application fee is non-refundable.
• City employees may request a fee exemption by uploading a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead confirming that they are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of their work-related responsibilities.
• If you are an individual, you can only submit your own application.
• If you are submitting applications on behalf of a company's employees, you must be authorized by the company to act as a Designated Coordinator, and the company must be approved by FDNY. To request approval, email pubcert@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Access ID: If you are an individual, have your 12-digit Certificate of Fitness Access ID. This is on your Renewal Notice. If you do not have your Renewal Notice, your Access ID is your eight-digit Certificate of Fitness number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you are renewing for a company's employees, the company must be approved by FDNY and have an eight-digit Company Code. To request approval, email pubrenew@fdny.nyc.gov.

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee online by one of these methods:

  • Credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa)
  • Debit card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • E-check
    
    Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49 percent will be added to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is non-refundable. You cannot request a fee exemption if you renew online.

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be mailed out within 10 days.

• Renewal process: To renew a certificate, click on the Renew Online button. If you are an individual, you can only renew your own certificate.

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of these methods:

  • Cash
  • Credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa)
  • Debit card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • Personal or company check (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
  • Money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
    
    Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. A convenience fee of 2.49 percent will be added to all credit card payments. The renewal fee is non-refundable. City employees may request a fee exemption if they submit a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead to confirm that they are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of their work-related responsibilities.

• Submitting documents: Submit your Renewal Notice (or if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate), and if applicable, your fee payment and supporting documents to:

  NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Cashier's Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
  Hours: Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed on public holidays.

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be issued immediately.

• Payment: Pay the $15 renewal fee by one of these methods:

  • Personal or company check (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
  • Money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department)
    
    Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will have a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. The renewal fee is non-refundable. City employees may request a fee exemption if they mail a copy of their employee ID and a letter from their City agency on official letterhead to confirm that they are a current employee and that the Certificate of Fitness will be used as part of their work-related responsibilities.

• Mailing documents: Mail your Renewal Notice (or if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate), and if applicable, your fee payment and supporting documents to:
  
  NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Cashier's Unit
  9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor
  Brooklyn, NY 11201

• Certificate issuance: If all the requirements are met, a certificate will be mailed out within four to six weeks.