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Quick answer
The FDNY F-03 (indoor place of assembly) exam has 25 multiple-choice questions in 38 minutes, and the F-04 (temporary place of assembly) exam has 20 in 30 minutes. Both need 70 percent and are taken on a touch-screen computer at FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn. The application fee is $25, and an F-03 holder can add the F-04 for another $25 without a second exam.
About the exam
FDNY F-03 / F-04 Place of Assembly Safety Personnel Exam
Theaters, clubs, banquet halls, arenas and other places of assembly in New York City need trained safety personnel who hold an FDNY Certificate of Fitness. The F-03 (Indoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel) is tied to premises that hold a Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation, and covers any approved event there. The F-04 (Temporary Place of Assembly Safety Personnel, Citywide) covers temporary events with a TPA permit anywhere in the city. FDNY may require at least one safety person where the Certificate of Occupancy shows 75 or more people indoors or 200 or more outdoors.
Both exams are written from one free FDNY booklet, the Consolidated Study Material for F-03 and F-04, revised January 2026. The F-03 exam covers the whole booklet; the F-04 exam skips Section 2 on theaters. The booklet covers pre-event checks (the ESCAPE reminder), keeping exits clear, theater and temporary event rules, fire alarms, sprinklers and extinguishers, lithium-ion battery safety, and what to do in a fire, a medical emergency or an active shooter incident. It also uses case studies of real disasters at public gatherings.
This practice bank has 164 questions written from that booklet, and each one cites the section it comes from. Theater questions are F-03 only, so F-04 candidates can skip that topic in Practice mode.
Exam format
FDNY F-03 / F-04 Place of Assembly: questions, time and pass mark
| Item | Official exam | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | F-03: 25 multiple choice. F-04: 20 multiple choice. | Verified Oct 2026 (FDNY booklet, Jan 2026) |
| Time limit | F-03: 38 minutes. F-04: 30 minutes. | Verified Oct 2026 (FDNY booklet) |
| Pass mark | At least 70 percent on either exam. Unanswered questions count as wrong, and there is no penalty for guessing. | Verified Oct 2026 (FDNY booklet) |
| Delivery | Touch-screen computer at FDNY headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. Booklets are not allowed in the exam room. | Verified Oct 2026 (FDNY booklet) |
| Scope | F-03: the entire booklet. F-04: the booklet except Section 2 (theaters). | Verified Oct 2026 (FDNY booklet) |
| Validity | 3 years; renewal fee $15. | Verified Oct 2026 for F-03 (NYC Business) |
The practice test above draws 25 questions with a 38-minute timer and a 70% pass mark. Practice mode lets you work one topic at a time with explanations after every answer, and the cheat sheet view lists every question and answer for review.
Cost and booking
Fees, where to take it and retakes
Apply and pay online before you go to FDNY headquarters. The exam application fee is $25 and is not refunded. If you pass the F-03, you can pay an additional $25 to get the F-04 without taking its exam. FDNY waives the fee only for government employees who use the certificate for their work. A small card convenience fee applies when you pay by card.
Every attempt needs its own application and payment, and you cannot retest on the same day. The certificate is valid for three years and renews for $15.
What’s covered
160+ practice questions, by topic
Written from FDNY F-03 / F-04 Consolidated Study Material (revised January 2026). Every explanation cites its section.
- Certificates, Occupancies and Requirements32
- Pre-Event Checks and Means of Egress33
- Theaters, Temporary Events and Prohibitions28
- Fire Protection Systems, Extinguishers and Lithium-Ion Safety45
- Emergency Procedures and Notification26
Official sources
Facts on this page were checked against these pages in October 2026.
Why people fail
The mistakes that cost people the FDNY F-03 / F-04 Place of Assembly
- Reading the booklet once and skipping the case studies. Questions about lessons from past disasters at public gatherings come straight from them.
- Mixing up thresholds such as 75 people indoors and 200 outdoors, or the lithium-ion charging limits and when a dedicated charging room is needed.
- Not knowing what happens when a fire protection system is out of service before an event: extra fire guards, a watch line, or cancellation.
- Forgetting what the F-03 holder may not do, such as acting as an F-01 fire guard at the same time.
- Rushing. 25 questions in 38 minutes is about 90 seconds each, enough time to read every option carefully.
A study plan that works
- Download the January 2026 FDNY study booklet and read it twice, including the tables and case studies.
- Learn the ESCAPE pre-event check letter by letter and the steps for a fire alarm, a medical call and an active shooter.
- Run this quiz in Practice mode by category. F-04 candidates can skip the theater questions.
- Take timed Tests (25 questions, 38 minutes) until you pass with 85 percent or better several times in a row.
- Apply and pay online, then bring your confirmation and ID to FDNY headquarters.
Try a few
Sample FDNY F-03 / F-04 Place of Assembly practice questions
Six questions pulled straight from the bank, with the answer shown. For the timed, no-peeking version, use the quiz above.
Why: The booklet gives 75 or more indoors. The 200 figure is the outdoor threshold, which is the tempting wrong answer.
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), Introduction, Requirements I, p. 2
Why: Applicants who pass the F-03 exam may pay an additional $25 to obtain the F-04 without taking its exam (fee as of October 2026).
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), Exam Specific Information, p. I
Why: If an issue such as a sprinkler or standpipe impairment cannot be resolved, additional fireguards, an FDNY watch line or cancellation may be needed.
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), §1.2, p. 16
Why: The five issues are overcrowding and crowd control, too few exits, blocked or non-functioning exits and signs, poor medical preparedness and poor emergency response communication.
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), Disasters at public gatherings, p. 6
Why: Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles like wood, paper and cloth. Class B involves flammable liquids and gases.
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), §6, p. 44
Why: Call 911, secure entrances, notify building personnel, relocate occupants in affected areas and prevent them from evacuating into the threat.
Source: FDNY F-03/F-04 Consolidated Study Material (rev. Jan 2026), §5.6, p. 37
FAQ
FDNY F-03 / F-04 Place of Assembly questions, answered
How many questions are on the FDNY F-03 exam?
25 multiple-choice questions in 38 minutes, and you need at least 70 percent to pass. The F-04 exam has 20 questions in 30 minutes, also with a 70 percent pass mark.
What is the difference between the F-03 and the F-04?
The F-03 is for indoor places of assembly with a Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation. The F-04 is for temporary place of assembly events with a TPA permit, citywide. The F-04 exam leaves out the booklet's theater section.
Can I get the F-04 without taking its exam?
Yes. If you pass the F-03 exam, you can pay an additional $25 for the F-04 without taking the F-04 exam, according to the FDNY booklet.
How much does the F-03 exam cost?
The application fee is $25 and is not refunded. Renewal every three years costs $15. FDNY waives the fee only for government employees who use the certificate for work.
Where do I take the FDNY F-03 or F-04 exam?
At FDNY headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center in Brooklyn (Flatbush Avenue entrance), on a touch-screen computer. Apply and pay online first.
Can an F-03 holder also act as a fire guard?
Not at the same time. The booklet says that if you also hold an F-01 Certificate of Fitness, you cannot perform both duties at once.
Is this the official FDNY exam?
No. ExamStates is an independent practice site. The questions are original and written from the FDNY F-03 / F-04 study booklet, with the section cited for every answer.