§ 2-02 Certificates of Fitness – Qualifications.
RCNY § 2-02
To qualify for a Certificate of Fitness from the Office of the City Clerk, an applicant for the office of Commissioner of Deeds: (a) must not have any outstanding tax bills or any unpaid traffic tickets; and (b) must not have been convicted of: (1) any felony; or (2) illegally using, carrying or possessing a pistol or other dangerous weapon; or (3) making or possessing burglar's tools; or (4) buying or receiving or criminally possessing stolen property; or (5) unlawful entry of a building; or (6) aiding escape from prison; or (7) unlawfully possessing or distributing habit-forming narcotic drugs; or (8) practicing or appearing as attorney-at-law without being admitted and registered (Judiciary Law § 478; former Penal Law § 270); or (9) soliciting legal business on behalf of an attorney (Jud. Law § 479; former Penal Law § 270-a); or (10) entering a hospital to negotiate a settlement or obtain a release statement from a patient (Jud. § 480; former Penal Law § 270-b); or (11) being an employee or another attached to a hospital, police department, prison, court, or bail bond institution, who assisted or abetted the solicitation of persons or the procurement of a retainer for or on behalf of an attorney (Jud. Law § 481; former Penal Law § 270-c); or (12) unlawfully practicing law (Jud. Law § 484; former Penal Law § 271); or (13) purchasing claims for the purpose of commencing a lawsuit (Jud. Law § 489; former Penal Law § 275); or (14) as an attorney, sharing legal fees with a non-attorney (Jud. Law § 491; former Penal Law § 271); or (15) "jostling," i.e., taking certain actions designed to aid or commit pickpocketing (Penal Law § 165.30; former Penal Law § 722); or (16) fraudulent accosting (Penal Law § 165.30; former Penal Law § 722); or (17) aggravated harassment in the second degree via electronic, print, or other medium (Penal Law § 240.30(1); former Penal Law § 722); or (18) loitering for the purpose of engaging another in deviate sexual intercourse or other deviate sexual behavior (Penal Law § 240.35(3); former Penal Law § 722); or (19) violation of §§ 550; 551, or 551-a of the former Penal Law; or (20) vagrancy or prostitution.
(c)must, if applying on or after January 1, 1990, have earned a grade of at least 65 percent on a written examination to be administered by the Office of the City Clerk in accordance with 51 RCNY § 2-03 of these Rules.
