HOME IMPROVEMENT EXAMINATION
GUIDE FOR NYC CONTRACTORS
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Home Improvement Exclusions - ANSWER -New constructions and non-installation
sales are excluded.
License Posting - ANSWER -Contractors must display their license publicly.
Qualifying Work - ANSWER -Work requiring a DCWP license to perform.
Licensing Center Location - ANSWER -DCWP Licensing Center at 42 Broadway, NYC.
Non-Licensed Workers - ANSWER -Employees and certain professionals do not need a
license.
Home Improvement Examples - ANSWER -Includes installation of heating, air
conditioning, and awnings.
Home Improvement Non-Examples - ANSWER -Painting without other services is not
home improvement.
Department of Buildings - ANSWER -City agency overseeing building regulations and
safety.
Department of Transportation - ANSWER -Agency managing transportation
infrastructure and services.
Advertising Practices - ANSWER -Regulations on how home improvement services can
be marketed.
General Industry Knowledge - ANSWER -Understanding of home improvement
business operations.
Contracts and Cancellations - ANSWER -Rules governing home improvement
agreements and their termination.
DCWP - ANSWER -Department of Consumer and Worker Protection in NYC.
Home Improvement - ANSWER -Work on residential buildings or land enhancements.
, Contractor - ANSWER -Entity conducting home improvement business activities.
Home Improvement Contract - ANSWER -Agreement for home improvement services
and materials.
Consumer Protection Law - ANSWER -Law ensuring consumer rights and fair practices.
Home Improvement Salespersons - ANSWER -Individuals negotiating contracts for
contractors, now unlicensed.
Local Law 31 of 2020 - ANSWER -Repealed licensing for Home Improvement
Salespersons.
Examination Requirement - ANSWER -Contractors must pass a test to obtain a license.
Home Improvement License - ANSWER -Required for soliciting or performing home
improvement work.
License Display Requirement - ANSWER -Must post license visibly in office.
Change Notification Deadline - ANSWER -Notify DCWP 10 days before business
changes.
License Application Submission - ANSWER -Submit application to DCWP for licensing.
Home Improvement License - ANSWER -Separate license required for each business
location.
License Renewal Process - ANSWER -Renew license online, by mail, or in person.
Permit Responsibilities - ANSWER -Secure all necessary permits for contract
completion.
Record Keeping Duration - ANSWER -Maintain records for six years or longer.
Fund Usage Restriction - ANSWER -Use funds only for home improvement expenses.
Cancellation Period - ANSWER -No work or payment before 3-day cancellation.
Contractor Misconduct - ANSWER -Abandoning work is prohibited for contractors.
False Representation - ANSWER -Substantial misrepresentation in contracts is illegal.
Fraud in Contracts - ANSWER -Fraudulent actions in contracts are punishable.
Deceptive Advertising - ANSWER -Advertisements must not be false or misleading.
GUIDE FOR NYC CONTRACTORS
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
Home Improvement Exclusions - ANSWER -New constructions and non-installation
sales are excluded.
License Posting - ANSWER -Contractors must display their license publicly.
Qualifying Work - ANSWER -Work requiring a DCWP license to perform.
Licensing Center Location - ANSWER -DCWP Licensing Center at 42 Broadway, NYC.
Non-Licensed Workers - ANSWER -Employees and certain professionals do not need a
license.
Home Improvement Examples - ANSWER -Includes installation of heating, air
conditioning, and awnings.
Home Improvement Non-Examples - ANSWER -Painting without other services is not
home improvement.
Department of Buildings - ANSWER -City agency overseeing building regulations and
safety.
Department of Transportation - ANSWER -Agency managing transportation
infrastructure and services.
Advertising Practices - ANSWER -Regulations on how home improvement services can
be marketed.
General Industry Knowledge - ANSWER -Understanding of home improvement
business operations.
Contracts and Cancellations - ANSWER -Rules governing home improvement
agreements and their termination.
DCWP - ANSWER -Department of Consumer and Worker Protection in NYC.
Home Improvement - ANSWER -Work on residential buildings or land enhancements.
, Contractor - ANSWER -Entity conducting home improvement business activities.
Home Improvement Contract - ANSWER -Agreement for home improvement services
and materials.
Consumer Protection Law - ANSWER -Law ensuring consumer rights and fair practices.
Home Improvement Salespersons - ANSWER -Individuals negotiating contracts for
contractors, now unlicensed.
Local Law 31 of 2020 - ANSWER -Repealed licensing for Home Improvement
Salespersons.
Examination Requirement - ANSWER -Contractors must pass a test to obtain a license.
Home Improvement License - ANSWER -Required for soliciting or performing home
improvement work.
License Display Requirement - ANSWER -Must post license visibly in office.
Change Notification Deadline - ANSWER -Notify DCWP 10 days before business
changes.
License Application Submission - ANSWER -Submit application to DCWP for licensing.
Home Improvement License - ANSWER -Separate license required for each business
location.
License Renewal Process - ANSWER -Renew license online, by mail, or in person.
Permit Responsibilities - ANSWER -Secure all necessary permits for contract
completion.
Record Keeping Duration - ANSWER -Maintain records for six years or longer.
Fund Usage Restriction - ANSWER -Use funds only for home improvement expenses.
Cancellation Period - ANSWER -No work or payment before 3-day cancellation.
Contractor Misconduct - ANSWER -Abandoning work is prohibited for contractors.
False Representation - ANSWER -Substantial misrepresentation in contracts is illegal.
Fraud in Contracts - ANSWER -Fraudulent actions in contracts are punishable.
Deceptive Advertising - ANSWER -Advertisements must not be false or misleading.
