Free exams
Your first city exam can be free.
Most city exams cost $68 to apply. The city waives that fee for first-time test takers and NYC high school students, and for a few other groups too. Here's who, and how to claim it.
Who takes the exam free.
The city's exam notice says it plainly:
The application fee may be waived for: New York City high school students, first-time test takers, veterans, unemployed individuals, and those receiving public assistance or supplementary security income.
From the Notice of Examination for Exam 7307 (911 Operator). Read the notice. Each exam's notice lists its own waivers.
- Never filed for a city exam? Pick the First Time Test Taker Fee Waiver when you pay. OASys checks your record automatically, all the way back: a filing from years before the law counts. "First" means the first exam you ever filed for, even a free one, or one you skipped. Not sure? Your OASys Dashboard lists every exam you've applied for.
- In an NYC high school? Public, charter, private or homeschool: pick the NYC High School Student Fee Waiver and upload a school ID, transcript, enrollment letter or class schedule by the last day of filing. Miss it and OASys deletes the application.
- Veteran? The Veteran Fee Waiver, with your DD-214 (long form) or a VA Statement of Service.
- On full benefits (cash, Medicaid and food stamps)? The CIN Fee Waiver, with a readable copy of your Benefit Identification Card.
- Unemployed? The Non-CIN Fee Waiver, with your unemployment payment history, or a notarized letter if you're not receiving benefits.
How to claim it.
Filing for a $68 exam and a free one? File the $68 one first. Your first filing uses up the first-timer waiver, even when that exam was already free.
- Apply for the exam in OASys as usual.
- On the Payment screen, pick your fee waiver instead of a card.
- If your waiver needs proof, send it by the last day of filing. Mailed proof has to be postmarked by then.
The first-timer and high school waivers come from Local Law 57 of 2025 (in effect since July 1, 2026). The proof rules come from OASys. The exam's notice is the place to check what your waiver needs.
Exams you can take free in the next 90 days.
Free for everyone
- Correction Officer Exam 7302 · apply September 2 to October 27 ยท about 3,000 expected
- Police Officer Exam 7314 · apply October 1 to October 14
- Police Officer Exam 7315 · apply November 2 to November 16
- Police Officer Exam 7316 · apply December 1 to December 14
Free with a fee waiver
- Police Communications Technician Exam 7307 · $68 or free · apply September 2 to October 13
- Special Officer (NYC H+H) Exam 7329 · $61 or free · apply September 2 to October 27
- Auto Mechanic Exam 7010 · $96 or free · apply October 7 to October 27
- Auto Mechanic (CUNY) Exam 7011 · $96 or free · apply October 7 to October 27
- Auto Mechanic (Diesel) Exam 7012 · $96 or free · apply October 7 to October 27
- Customer Information Representative Exam 7024 · $68 or free · apply October 7 to October 27
- Electrician (Automobile) Exam 7027 · $96 or free · apply October 7 to October 27
- Emergency Medical Specialist - EMT Exam 7131 · $30 or free · apply October 7 to November 18
And 25 more in the next 90 days.