F-03 Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the F-03 exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

F-03 exam key facts

The FDNY F-03 Certificate of Fitness exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. Source
Applicants have 38 minutes to complete the FDNY F-03 Certificate of Fitness exam. Source
A passing score of at least 70% is required to earn the FDNY F-03 Certificate of Fitness. Source
Each F-03 testing opportunity requires a separate application and payment, and retesting on the same calendar day is not permitted. Source
The FDNY F-03 Certificate of Fitness must be renewed every three years. Source

Start the Timed F-03 Mock Exam →

📋 F-03 Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

38 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

Take a Full F-03 Exam Simulation →

📚 F-03 Topics to Study (77)

Certificate of Fitness (C of F) Regulations and Renewal · 12 cards Procedures and Guidelines · 12 cards Fire Alarm Systems and Notification Procedures · 7 cards Fire Alarm Systems and Notification Procedures · 7 cards Certificate of Fitness (C of F) Regulations and Renewal · 6 cards Combustible Waste Removal · 6 cards Combustible Waste Removal · 6 cards Combustible Waste Removal · 6 cards Communication with FDNY · 6 cards Communication with FDNY · 6 cards Communication with FDNY · 6 cards Construction Site Fire Prevention Planning · 6 cards Construction Site Fire Prevention Planning · 6 cards Construction Site Fire Prevention Planning · 6 cards Decorations and Combustible Materials · 6 cards Emergency Procedures on Construction Sites · 6 cards Emergency Procedures on Construction Sites · 6 cards Emergency Procedures on Construction Sites · 6 cards FDNY Inspection and Compliance · 6 cards FDNY Inspection and Compliance · 6 cards FDNY Inspection and Compliance · 6 cards Fire Extinguisher Requirements on Construction Sites · 6 cards Fire Extinguisher Requirements on Construction Sites · 6 cards Fire Extinguisher Requirements on Construction Sites · 6 cards Flammable and Combustible Materials Storage · 6 cards Flammable and Combustible Materials Storage · 6 cards Flammable and Combustible Materials Storage · 6 cards Hot Work Permits and Fire Watch · 6 cards Hot Work Permits and Fire Watch · 6 cards Hot Work Permits and Fire Watch · 6 cards

See all 77 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample F-03 Questions & Answers

1. A worker on a construction site leaves an open gasoline can near a temporary heater. What should the F-03 fire guard do?

✓ Immediately require the can to be closed and moved at least 25 feet from any ignition source

An open gasoline container near a heat source is an immediate fire hazard — the fire guard must require immediate correction.

2. Where must the maximum occupant load be posted in a place of assembly?

✓ In a conspicuous location near the main entrance

The FDNY and NYC Building Code require that the maximum occupant load be posted on a sign in a conspicuous location near the main entrance. This ensures fire guards, staff, and patrons can readily see and enforce the limit.

3. What is the minimum distance a combustible waste dumpster must be positioned from a building under construction?

✓ 10 feet

Combustible waste dumpsters must be at least 10 feet from the building structure to prevent fire spread from a burning dumpster to the building.

4. During the post-event check, a fire guard discovers a small area of smoldering material in a trash container. What should they do?

✓ Extinguish it immediately using water or an appropriate extinguisher

Smoldering material must be extinguished immediately. The fire guard should use water or an appropriate extinguisher, then monitor the area to ensure the material doesn't reignite.

5. At the end of an event, what should the fire guard's final logbook entry include?

✓ Event end time, final patrol observations, any outstanding issues, and shift end time

The final entry should document the event end time, results of the final walkthrough/patrol, any unresolved issues for building management, and the time the fire guard's shift ended.

6. A sprinkler head activates during an event. What should the fire guard do?

✓ Begin evacuation, notify FDNY, and do not shut off sprinklers unless directed by FDNY

Sprinkler activation indicates a fire condition. The fire guard should evacuate occupants and call 911. Sprinklers should not be shut off unless directed by FDNY, as they may be suppressing a fire.

🎯 Free F-03 Practice Tests

Procedures and Guidelines · 12 questions Certificate of Fitness (C of F) Regulations and Renewal · 12 questions Fire Alarm Systems and Notification Procedures · 7 questions Fire Alarm Systems and Notification Procedures · 7 questions Logbook and Detailed Record Keeping · 6 questions Occupant Load and Overcrowding · 6 questions Pre-Event, During-Event, and Post-Event Safety Checks · 6 questions Place of Assembly Permits and Required Signage · 6 questions Fire Extinguisher Requirements on Construction Sites · 6 questions Pre-Event, During-Event, and Post-Event Safety Checks · 6 questions

📖 F-03 Guides & Articles

Your F-03 Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 F-03 Flashcards (472)🏆 F-03 Exam Simulation

What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for F-03

An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:

A timed, full-length F-03 mock exam — 20 questions in 38 minutes with a 70% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
A fixed F-03 question bank: the same test every attempt, so your score is comparable from one try to the next instead of changing with every regenerated quiz.
Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
A printable F-03 cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
F-03 flashcards built from the same question bank.
Free F-03 practice tests with the correct answer shown after each question.

Start the Timed F-03 Mock Exam →

Was this helpful?

How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

nyc.gov — Test delivery, exam format, passing score, retake policy, time limit, exam information · verified Nov 2026
nyc-business.nyc.gov — Eligibility, renewal, score release, score validity · verified Oct 2026