To utilize currently available CFD-based predictive methods to assess NOx production in industrial coal flames, the confidence limits of the chosen NOx model must first be established. In this study, a simplified strategy for NOx prediction is proposed and validated using measurements of NOx and NOx precursors obtained from burning three different Canadian coals in two pilot-scale facilities. Validation results indicate that the proposed NOx, model can provide reasonably good engineering estimates of NO, HCN and NH3 from the near burner region to the furnace exit in all test cases.