If you work security in New York City, sooner or later a job posting will ask for a fire guard certification — F-01, F-02, F-03, or F-04. These are FDNY Certificates of Fitness, and holding one can be the difference between qualifying for a post and watching it go to someone else. Here is what each one actually means, who needs it, and how to get certified.
What is a Certificate of Fitness?
A Certificate of Fitness is issued by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and certifies that the holder has passed an exam on specific fire-safety duties. Buildings and venues in NYC are required by the fire code to have certified fire guards on site in many situations — which is why employers actively look for guards who already hold one.
F-01 — Fire Guard for Impairment
The F-01 is the most commonly requested fire guard certificate. It qualifies you to perform fire watch duties in buildings where a fire protection system — like a sprinkler or fire alarm system — is out of service or impaired. F-01 holders conduct patrols, keep inspection records, and know exactly how to notify the Fire Department in an emergency. If you are starting out, this is usually the certificate to get first.
F-02 — Fire Guard for Shelters
The F-02 is specific to shelter facilities. New York City shelters are required to have certified fire safety personnel on duty, which makes F-02 holders consistently in demand — shelter security is one of the steadiest sources of security work in the city, and postings frequently require this certificate by name.
F-03 and F-04 — Places of Assembly
The F-03 (Indoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel) and F-04 (Temporary Place of Assembly Safety Personnel) cover venues where crowds gather: theaters, event spaces, concerts, and temporary events. If you want to work event security in NYC, these certificates open those doors.
How to Get Certified
You take the exam at the FDNY, but passing on the first try comes down to preparation. Star Security Training offers self-paced online exam prep for the F-01, F-02, and F-03/F-04 at $35 per course — covering fire codes, patrols, inspection records, notification procedures, protection systems, and practice exams. You can enroll online and start studying the same day.
Career tip: our Gold Package ($300) bundles both required NYS security guard courses with one fire guard prep course of your choice — the fastest way to enter the industry with a fire guard credential already on your resume.