NYC HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSE
EXAMINATION
1. Basics of NYC Home Improvement Business Law
Question 1
Which business activity generally requires a Home Improvement Contractor license when performed for
residential property owners within New York City?
A. Selling unused construction materials without installation
B. Performing home improvement construction or remodeling work
C. Providing architectural education to homeowners
D. Renting construction equipment without performing work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because NYC requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for businesses performing
construction, repair, remodeling, or other qualifying home improvement work on residential property. A, C,
and D do not by themselves constitute licensed home improvement contracting.
Question 2
What government agency is responsible for issuing Home Improvement Contractor licenses in New York
City?
A. NYC Department of Buildings
B. New York State Department of Labor
C. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
D. New York State Department of Transportation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct because the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, or DCWP, issues Home
Improvement Contractor licenses. A regulates many construction and building matters but does not issue
the HIC license. B and D have different regulatory responsibilities.
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, Question 3
Which type of property improvement is specifically included within the NYC definition of home
improvement work?
A. Residential driveway construction
B. Commercial highway construction
C. Manufacturing industrial machinery
D. Public transportation equipment repair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A is correct because residential driveways are specifically included among examples of qualifying home
improvement work. B, C, and D are outside the ordinary definition of NYC residential home improvement
contracting.
Question 4
Which person may generally perform qualifying home improvement work on their own residence without
obtaining an HIC license?
A. An unlicensed contractor working for a customer
B. A salesperson soliciting contracts for another company
C. A subcontractor performing independent home improvement work
D. A homeowner performing work on the homeowner's own property
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
D is correct because NYC identifies a homeowner performing their own work as an exception to the HIC
licensing requirement. A, B, and C involve commercial activities that can trigger licensing requirements.
Question 5
Which professional may be exempt from the HIC license requirement when performing work exclusively
within a separately licensed professional scope?
A. A salesperson without a license
B. A licensed professional working exclusively within the authorized scope
C. An unlicensed general contractor
D. A homeowner's neighbor performing paid contracting work
Correct Answer: B
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EXAMINATION
1. Basics of NYC Home Improvement Business Law
Question 1
Which business activity generally requires a Home Improvement Contractor license when performed for
residential property owners within New York City?
A. Selling unused construction materials without installation
B. Performing home improvement construction or remodeling work
C. Providing architectural education to homeowners
D. Renting construction equipment without performing work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
B is correct because NYC requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for businesses performing
construction, repair, remodeling, or other qualifying home improvement work on residential property. A, C,
and D do not by themselves constitute licensed home improvement contracting.
Question 2
What government agency is responsible for issuing Home Improvement Contractor licenses in New York
City?
A. NYC Department of Buildings
B. New York State Department of Labor
C. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
D. New York State Department of Transportation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
C is correct because the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, or DCWP, issues Home
Improvement Contractor licenses. A regulates many construction and building matters but does not issue
the HIC license. B and D have different regulatory responsibilities.
1
, Question 3
Which type of property improvement is specifically included within the NYC definition of home
improvement work?
A. Residential driveway construction
B. Commercial highway construction
C. Manufacturing industrial machinery
D. Public transportation equipment repair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A is correct because residential driveways are specifically included among examples of qualifying home
improvement work. B, C, and D are outside the ordinary definition of NYC residential home improvement
contracting.
Question 4
Which person may generally perform qualifying home improvement work on their own residence without
obtaining an HIC license?
A. An unlicensed contractor working for a customer
B. A salesperson soliciting contracts for another company
C. A subcontractor performing independent home improvement work
D. A homeowner performing work on the homeowner's own property
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
D is correct because NYC identifies a homeowner performing their own work as an exception to the HIC
licensing requirement. A, B, and C involve commercial activities that can trigger licensing requirements.
Question 5
Which professional may be exempt from the HIC license requirement when performing work exclusively
within a separately licensed professional scope?
A. A salesperson without a license
B. A licensed professional working exclusively within the authorized scope
C. An unlicensed general contractor
D. A homeowner's neighbor performing paid contracting work
Correct Answer: B
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