FDNY Z-51 Refrigeration Exam 2026/2027
Q&A – NYC Fire Code and Refrigerating
Systems – A+ Graded Latest Update This Year
COF RSOE Certificate
Section 1: Exam Logistics & Certificate of Fitness
1. What is the passing score required for the FDNY Z-51 computer-based exam?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Answer: C
Rationale: The FDNY Notice of Exam specifies a minimum passing score of 70% on the Z-51 exam.
2. How many multiple-choice questions are on the Z-51 exam?
A) 50
B) 75
C) 100
D) 110
Answer: D
Rationale: The Z-51 exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions, including building operation and
recordkeeping items.
3. How much time is allowed to complete the Z-51 exam?
A) 90 minutes
B) 120 minutes
C) 150 minutes
,D) 193 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Candidates are given 193 minutes to complete the 110-question test.
4. What is the Z-51 exam the first part of?
A) The C-14 Fire Alarm license
B) The Q-01 Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (RSOE)
C) The S-12 Sprinkler license
D) The P-99 Boiler license
Answer: B
Rationale: Z-51 is the written fundamentals exam that is Part I of the Q-01 RSOE certificate; Z-52 is the
practical portion.
5. Which document must an applicant upload when applying for the Z-51 exam?
A) A valid driver's license only
B) A completed Z-51 application form and required documents
C) A letter from the building owner only
D) No documents are required
Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must upload the Z-51 application form and all required materials before
scheduling.
6. Which certification is required by EPA regulations for individuals performing RSOE duties?
A) OSHA 30
B) Universal Technician Certification (EPA Section 608)
C) NICET Level I
D) Certified Pool Operator
Answer: B
2
,Rationale: EPA regulations require Universal Technician Certification for those performing refrigerating
system operating engineer duties.
7. Effective July 1, 2026, what is the new title for the written portion of the RSOE exam?
A) Refrigerating System Operating Engineer Exam Part I (RSOE Fundamentals)
B) Z-51 Basic Refrigeration Test
C) Q-01 Written Examination
D) FDNY Refrigeration Certification Exam
Answer: A
Rationale: The FDNY renamed the written exam effective July 1, 2026, to RSOE Fundamentals.
8. What is the minimum education requirement for the Z-51/Q-01 application?
A) Associate degree
B) High school diploma or GED
C) Bachelor's degree
D) No education requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: A high school diploma or GED is a general requirement for the Certificate of
Fitness/Qualification application.
9. How many content categories will the revised RSOE exam have starting July 1, 2026?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 10
D) 17
Answer: C
Rationale: The revised exam consolidates content from 17 categories into 10 categories, including 5 new
ones.
3
, 10. Which of the following is NOT one of the new RSOE exam categories effective July 1, 2026?
A) Machine Room Safety
B) Refrigerants
C) Steam Turbine Theory
D) Cooling Tower Operations & Requirements
Answer: C
Rationale: The new categories include Math and Theory, Plant Operations, Machine Room Safety, Fire
and Mechanical Code, Refrigerants, and Cooling Towers, among others.
11. Where is the Z-51 computer exam administered?
A) Any FDNY firehouse
B) FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY
C) New York City Department of Buildings
D) Albany, NY
Answer: B
Rationale: The exam site is FDNY Headquarters at 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY.
12. How many forms of identification must a candidate bring to the Z-51 exam?
A) One
B) Two, with at least one government-issued photo ID
C) Three
D) None
Answer: B
Rationale: Candidates must bring two forms of ID, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID.
13. If a candidate fails the Z-51 computer exam, what must they do to retake it?
4
Q&A – NYC Fire Code and Refrigerating
Systems – A+ Graded Latest Update This Year
COF RSOE Certificate
Section 1: Exam Logistics & Certificate of Fitness
1. What is the passing score required for the FDNY Z-51 computer-based exam?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Answer: C
Rationale: The FDNY Notice of Exam specifies a minimum passing score of 70% on the Z-51 exam.
2. How many multiple-choice questions are on the Z-51 exam?
A) 50
B) 75
C) 100
D) 110
Answer: D
Rationale: The Z-51 exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions, including building operation and
recordkeeping items.
3. How much time is allowed to complete the Z-51 exam?
A) 90 minutes
B) 120 minutes
C) 150 minutes
,D) 193 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Candidates are given 193 minutes to complete the 110-question test.
4. What is the Z-51 exam the first part of?
A) The C-14 Fire Alarm license
B) The Q-01 Certificate of Qualification for Refrigerating System Operating Engineer (RSOE)
C) The S-12 Sprinkler license
D) The P-99 Boiler license
Answer: B
Rationale: Z-51 is the written fundamentals exam that is Part I of the Q-01 RSOE certificate; Z-52 is the
practical portion.
5. Which document must an applicant upload when applying for the Z-51 exam?
A) A valid driver's license only
B) A completed Z-51 application form and required documents
C) A letter from the building owner only
D) No documents are required
Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must upload the Z-51 application form and all required materials before
scheduling.
6. Which certification is required by EPA regulations for individuals performing RSOE duties?
A) OSHA 30
B) Universal Technician Certification (EPA Section 608)
C) NICET Level I
D) Certified Pool Operator
Answer: B
2
,Rationale: EPA regulations require Universal Technician Certification for those performing refrigerating
system operating engineer duties.
7. Effective July 1, 2026, what is the new title for the written portion of the RSOE exam?
A) Refrigerating System Operating Engineer Exam Part I (RSOE Fundamentals)
B) Z-51 Basic Refrigeration Test
C) Q-01 Written Examination
D) FDNY Refrigeration Certification Exam
Answer: A
Rationale: The FDNY renamed the written exam effective July 1, 2026, to RSOE Fundamentals.
8. What is the minimum education requirement for the Z-51/Q-01 application?
A) Associate degree
B) High school diploma or GED
C) Bachelor's degree
D) No education requirement
Answer: B
Rationale: A high school diploma or GED is a general requirement for the Certificate of
Fitness/Qualification application.
9. How many content categories will the revised RSOE exam have starting July 1, 2026?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 10
D) 17
Answer: C
Rationale: The revised exam consolidates content from 17 categories into 10 categories, including 5 new
ones.
3
, 10. Which of the following is NOT one of the new RSOE exam categories effective July 1, 2026?
A) Machine Room Safety
B) Refrigerants
C) Steam Turbine Theory
D) Cooling Tower Operations & Requirements
Answer: C
Rationale: The new categories include Math and Theory, Plant Operations, Machine Room Safety, Fire
and Mechanical Code, Refrigerants, and Cooling Towers, among others.
11. Where is the Z-51 computer exam administered?
A) Any FDNY firehouse
B) FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY
C) New York City Department of Buildings
D) Albany, NY
Answer: B
Rationale: The exam site is FDNY Headquarters at 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY.
12. How many forms of identification must a candidate bring to the Z-51 exam?
A) One
B) Two, with at least one government-issued photo ID
C) Three
D) None
Answer: B
Rationale: Candidates must bring two forms of ID, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID.
13. If a candidate fails the Z-51 computer exam, what must they do to retake it?
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