How to Prepare for the F-02 Fire Guard Exam in NYC

Preparing for the FDNY F-02 fire guard exam starts with the current official study booklet, followed by practice that checks your understanding. This guide explains how to organize those steps and use Tribune’s course and practice resources.

Check that F-02 is the certificate you need

F-02 is the FDNY Fire Guard for Shelters Certificate of Fitness. Confirm the certificate code with your employer before choosing a course. If you are comparing roles, start with our FDNY Certificate of Fitness guide.

Use the current FDNY booklet

The official F-02 Notice of Exam and Study Materials, revised July 2026, lists 25 multiple-choice questions, 38 minutes and a passing score of at least 70%. It also states that applicants must apply and pay online before arriving, and that the certificate is obtained by passing the computer exam at FDNY Headquarters. Check the booklet again before your exam in case FDNY publishes a newer revision.

Build a study plan you can follow

  1. Read before testing yourself. Work through the booklet in short sessions and make a list of terms or instructions you cannot explain yet.
  2. Organize your notes by topic. Keep a page for responsibilities, another for equipment and another for procedures. Add the booklet page number beside each note so you can check the source quickly.
  3. Explain the reasoning. After studying a section, describe its main points in your own words. If you can recall a phrase but cannot explain it, revisit that section.
  4. Review weak areas. Keep a short error log. Return to the relevant part of the booklet before attempting another practice set.

How to use F-02 practice questions

Use Tribune’s Fireguard and FDNY practice exams as a study aid. For each missed question, identify the topic and check the official explanation in the study material. Practice questions are not a promise of the questions you will receive on the FDNY exam, and a practice score does not guarantee a pass.

Keep exam preparation and application planning separate

Maintain two checklists: one for studying and another for your application, identification, supporting documents and exam arrangements. Review the official FDNY F-02 certification page and the current Notice of Exam for instructions. Follow the current official requirements rather than an older checklist or social media post.

F-02 preparation with Tribune

Explore Tribune’s F-02 Fireguard Training for Shelters for current course details. Students who prefer Hindi can review the Hindi F-02 preparation course. Ask about the course format and included support before registering.

For help choosing a course, contact Tribune Training Academy. Course preparation and FDNY certification are separate steps.