• 87 questions

Certificate of Fitness A35 Practice Test

Pick an answer to see the rule and the part of the A-35 booklet it comes from.

Above what pressure does compressing air call for a Fire Department permit?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 20 questions, 30 minutes, 14 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the New York City Fire Department. Bank checked October 11, 2026.

Next step Another certificate? See every test in this set

All 87 questions

The exam and the permit 12

  • A Fire Department representative asks to see the holder's certificate. What does the booklet expect? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), study material and test description
  • A-35 candidates need at least what share of their answers right? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), exam information
  • The A-35 has no alternative issuance procedure. How is the certificate obtained? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), requirements for alternative issuance procedure
  • The A-35 takes in parts of which two older certificates? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), cover note
  • Above what pressure does compressing air call for a Fire Department permit? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, permits
  • How long does the booklet give a candidate to finish the A-35 test? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), exam information
  • How many questions does an A-35 candidate answer on the touch screen? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), exam information
Show all 87 questions (80 more)

The exam and the permit, continued

  • What does each attempt at the A-35 exam require? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), requirements for certificate of fitness application
  • What kind of supervision by a certificate holder does permitted air compressing need? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, introduction
  • Which air compressing needs no Fire Department permit, even past the pressure limit? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, permits
  • Which gases bring the permit rule into play once compressed past the limit? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, permits
  • Which office issues the permits for air compressors? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, permits

How a compressor works 14

  • A compressor has several pistons, and every cylinder discharges straight into the receiver. What is it? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • How high must a compressor be raised so that it does not draw in flammable gases? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors
  • One way to meet the height rule is to stand the air receiver on end. Where does the compressor go then? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors
  • What carries power from the electric motor to the moving parts of the unit? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • What is the air receiver sometimes called? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • What is the job of the intercooler? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • What is the most common power source for an air compressor? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors
  • What is the one real difference among reciprocating, centrifugal, rotary and scroll compressors? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors
  • What opens the spring-loaded discharge valve? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • When does the intake valve of the compression chamber open? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • Where does the compressed air go when the discharge valve opens? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • Which type of air compressor does the booklet call the most used? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors
  • Why are several compressors connected one after another in some systems? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, basic operation
  • Why do flammable gases gather near the floor of a service station or workshop? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 1, air compressors

Safety components 17

  • How are small and large compressors usually cooled? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • How can a pressure relief valve be operated by hand? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • On an older compressor the unloading valve may not be automatic. What does the booklet say to follow when starting it? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • The pressure switch stops working. What do the safety relief valves keep from happening? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What does the automatic control device attached to the receiver do? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What does the check valve prevent? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What does the low oil level indicator switch do? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What does the pressure gauge on the compression unit show? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What does the unloading valve do? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • What is the drain cock on the moisture separator used for? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • When does strain on the electric motor usually occur? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • When is a constant speed control switch fitted? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • Where is the filter and moisture separator assembly installed? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • Where must the tank check valve be installed? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • Which part controls air receiver pressure? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • Why does the air intake carry a filter? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components
  • With a constant speed control, what happens to compressed air that nobody needs? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 2, safety components

Maintenance schedule and tests 24

  • A compressor is built to run continuously. What does its pressure switch device do at the preset level? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • A relief valve opens short of the receiver's normal operating pressure. What does that point to? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • An overheating problem is found. What is checked? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • An undamaged air intake filter is replaced how often? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • The electrical connections show a defective part. Who must be notified? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How far above the compressor's operating pressure are relief valves set, at the least? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How is the low-level oil indicator switch tested? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How is the lubricating oil level checked each week? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How is the pressure relief valve tested? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How may a leaking air hose be repaired, short of replacing it? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often are all safety valves operated by hand? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often at least does the booklet recommend a pressure test of the air receiver tank? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often is the air intake filter inspected and cleaned? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often is the air receiver drained of water? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often is the automatic low-oil-level indicator switch tested? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • How often is the cooling system tested? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • In the belt tension test, how much movement means the flywheel may need adjusting? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • In the pressure switch test the compressor does not shut down above normal pressure, and adjusting the switch does not help. What then? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • What does the motor starter protect the compressor against? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • What is done first before the belts are inspected? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • What is the ceiling for a relief valve's setting? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • What must a compressor carry to show the pressure considered dangerous? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • When does the booklet say not to drain moisture from the compressor? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components
  • When is the lubricating oil replaced? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance for system components

Safe work and lockout 13

  • At what blast level can compressed air rupture an eardrum, by the booklet? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • Before repair work, what is done besides turning the compressor off? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • In which months are leaks more prominent? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • Under lockout/tagout, what must be true of the power sources before a repair starts? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, lockout/tagout
  • What does the booklet say to wear whenever an air compressor is operated? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • What does the certificate holder do before the compressor is started? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • What does the tag fixed to a lockout device tell people? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, lockout/tagout
  • What may be used to clean an air compressor or its storage tanks? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • What should the holder do once the compressor has started? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • Where does leakage most typically occur? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • Which federal standard does the booklet name for lockout/tagout? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, lockout/tagout
  • Which repairs may the certificate holder make? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures
  • Why are combustible materials never placed on the compressor? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), Part 3, maintenance and safety procedures

Extinguishers and emergencies 7

  • A fire or explosion occurs at the facility. What does the certificate holder do first? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications
  • After a hazardous incident, what does the holder do until the Fire Department arrives? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications
  • After the Fire Department has been phoned, what comes next? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications
  • The compressor work has created an unsafe condition. Whom should the supervising person notify? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications
  • How near, as a travel distance, must a portable extinguisher be to any point of the compressor's storage area? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), fire extinguishers
  • When firefighters arrive, what should the holder be ready to tell them? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications
  • Which equipment must the holder be able to find and operate at the facility? FDNY study material for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness (revised January 2026), notifications

How this list was compiled: Written from the study material the New York City Fire Department publishes for the A-35 Certificate of Fitness, Supervision of Air Compressors (Citywide), revised January 2026 and read 2026-10-11 (https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-a35-noe-study-materials.pdf), which the certificate's page links (https://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/business/all-certifications/cof-a35.page): the exam information and Parts 1 to 3, on permits, how a compressor works, its safety components, the maintenance schedule, lockout and tagout, fire extinguishers and notifications. Each question names the part it rests on. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the facts in the booklet and restate them in new words; no sample question or passage is copied. The booklet itself is copyright the City of New York.

How it works

This unofficial A-35 quiz has 87 questions on operating and maintaining air compressors. Its source is the New York City Fire Department's study booklet, revised January 2026 and still the posted version on October 11, 2026; answers cite their parts.

Read the full guide

Six topics from the booklet

The questions follow the booklet's three parts: the exam and the permit, how a compressor works, its safety components, the maintenance schedule and tests, safe work and lockout, then extinguishers and emergencies. Maintenance is the largest group, because the booklet gives it the most intervals to remember.

Exam mode follows the booklet

Exam mode takes its length, clock and pass mark from the A-35 exam information. The questions stay this site's work and are not the department's.

  • Outdoor compressing needs no permit, other than at a fair or festival (Part 1).
  • Weekly: clean the intake filter, check the oil by dipstick, work the safety valves by hand. Daily: drain the receiver (Part 3).
  • Relief valves sit at least 15 psi or 10 percent above operating pressure, whichever is greater (Part 3).

Questions and answers

What score passes the A-35 exam?

Seventy percent or higher on a computer test of 20 multiple-choice questions, for which the booklet allows 30 minutes. These come from the booklet revised January 2026; a newer booklet, if one is posted, takes their place.

Are these the real A-35 exam questions?

No. This site has never seen the department's exam and is not affiliated with the New York City Fire Department. Every question is new writing based on the A-35 booklet, and its two sample items do not appear. No certificate holder has reviewed them yet.

Who needs an A-35 certificate of fitness?

By the certificate's page, a permit is required for an air compressor that takes a non-flammable gas, air included, above 100 psi, and the compressing is done by or under the supervision of an A-35 holder.

Can you get the A-35 without taking the exam?

No. The booklet offers no alternative issuance procedure: the A-35 comes only from passing the computer exam at Fire Department headquarters in Brooklyn. Each attempt needs its own application and payment.

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