The C-14 is a Certificate of Fitness exam from the Fire Department of the City of New York, Bureau of Fire Prevention. This page lists the official exam facts we could verify, such as format, fee, passing score and time limit. It also gives free practice sets by topic and worked explanations. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions.
The C-14 has 50 questions, takes about 76 minutes and costs $25[1][2] (Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), Bureau of Fire Prevention, verified Oct 22, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
According to Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), Bureau of Fire Prevention, “The C-14 exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions, administered on a “touch screen” computer monitor.”[1]
The C-14 is a Certificate of Fitness issued by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), Bureau of Fire Prevention. You sit the exam in person on a touch-screen computer at FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and you have 76 minutes to finish. A score of at least 70% is required to receive the certificate.
The application fee is $25 and is non-refundable. Most Certificate of Fitness exams run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, except legal holidays. If you pass and meet all other requirements, the certificate is issued the same day, and your status shows online within 1-2 business days.
If you fail, you receive a failure report. To retake the exam you must submit a new application and payment. The certificate is valid for 3 years. Renewal costs $15, a late renewal adds a $25 penalty, and the certificate lapses after 1 year, so read the renewal page for the exact timing.
Eligibility requirements and the study materials can change. Check the official FDNY notice of examination and the NYC Business application page before you apply.
The content areas below are copied from the official C-14 content outline published by Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), Bureau of Fire Prevention. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Checklist[1] | C-14 Handling & Contamination Prevention Practise working through a step-by-step list of handling and prevention items, and spotting the step that was skipped. |
| Core fire safety requirements[1] | C-14 Safety Protocols & Regulations Practise the safety rules and regulations that apply to storage and use, and which rule fits which situation. |
| Definition[1] | C-14 Core Concepts & Fundamentals Practise the key terms until you can tell similar definitions apart without guessing. |
| Safety guide of two most common hazards[1] | C-14 Radiological Safety & Regulatory Comp... Practise recognising the main hazards and the precautions and responses the official guide ties to each. |
Prepare for the C-14 - C-14 Radioisotope Certification exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: How should best practices be adapted when applied to new situations?
Answer: A. Evaluate the specific context and modify as needed while maintaining core principles
Explanation:
The correct answer is to evaluate the specific context and modify as needed while keeping the core principles. Best practices come from experience, but a new situation may differ from the one they were written for, so judgment is required. Applying them exactly as written ignores real differences and can produce a poor or unsafe result. Abandoning them and inventing new methods each time throws away what has already been learned. Using them only when a regulation requires it treats them as optional, when they are useful whether or not a rule demands them. The general rule: keep the principle, adjust the method to fit the situation.
Question: Which of the following represents a conflict of interest for a C-14 professional?
Answer: A. Having a financial stake in a vendor while being responsible for vendor selection
Explanation:
The correct answer is having a financial stake in a vendor while being responsible for vendor selection. A conflict of interest exists when a personal interest could improperly influence a professional decision, and here the money could shape which vendor is chosen. Attending professional development conferences, mentoring junior colleagues and serving on a certification board are normal professional activities. None of them gives you a personal gain that competes with your duty in a specific decision. The general rule: ask whether a private benefit could affect a decision you are responsible for. If it could, disclose it or step aside.
Question: What is the primary purpose of data analysis in professional practice?
Answer: A. To transform raw data into actionable insights for decision-making
Explanation:
The correct answer is to transform raw data into actionable insights for decision-making. Analysis exists so that people can decide and act on evidence rather than guesses. Creating complex charts is only a way to present results and does not make the analysis useful. Justifying decisions that were already made reverses the order, since the data should inform the decision. Fulfilling annual reporting requirements only is too narrow, because analysis is useful throughout the year. The general rule: good analysis starts with a question and ends with a decision someone can act on.
Start with the official FDNY study materials for the C-14. They set the real scope, and our sets are general practice written by us, so they do not replace them. Read the outline once, then note the content areas listed in the table above.
Before you go, confirm the exam hours and bring what the notice asks for.
The C-14 exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, given on a touch-screen computer. You have 76 minutes to complete it. A score of at least 70% is required to receive the Certificate of Fitness.
The application fee is $25 and is non-refundable. It is paid online by credit card, debit card or E-Check. Renewal costs $15, and a late renewal adds a $25 penalty. Check the NYC Business pages for current payment details.
You take it in person at FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, and enter through the Flatbush Avenue entrance. Most Certificate of Fitness exams run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, except legal holidays.
You receive a failure report. To retake the exam you must submit a new application and payment, so the fee applies again. Use the report and the official study materials to decide which areas to review before you reapply.
If you pass and meet all other requirements, the certificate is issued the same day. Your status is also available online within 1-2 business days. Contact FDNY through its official channels if your status does not update.
The certificate is valid for 3 years, and you need to renew it every 3 years. Renewal costs $15, and a late renewal adds a $25 penalty. The certificate lapses after 1 year, so check the official renewal page for the exact timing.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.