NYC SIGN HANGER LICENSE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which NYC department regulates the installation of signs?
A) NYC Fire Department
B) NYC Department of Buildings
C) NYC Department of Transportation
D) NYC Department of Health
Correct Answer: B) NYC Department of Buildings
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) enforces all rules
and permits for sign installation and safety compliance.
2. What is the minimum clearance required for a pedestrian walkway
under a projecting sign?
A) 6 feet
B) 7 feet
C) 8 feet
D) 9 feet
Correct Answer: C) 8 feet
Rationale: NYC building codes mandate a minimum of 8 feet to ensure
pedestrian safety.
3. Before installing a sign on a building, you must:
A) Notify local police
B) Obtain a permit from the DOB
C) Get approval from neighbors
,D) Conduct a safety drill
Correct Answer: B) Obtain a permit from the DOB
Rationale: A permit from the Department of Buildings is required before
most permanent sign installations.
4. What is the maximum sign area a Special Sign Hanger is authorized
to work on?
A) 100 square feet
B) 150 square feet
C) 200 square feet
D) 250 square feet
Correct Answer: B) 150 square feet
Rationale: A Special Sign Hanger may hoist, lower, hang, or attach an
exterior sign not exceeding 150 square feet measured on one face.
5. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Sign Hanger
License?
A) 16
B) 17
C) 18
D) 21
Correct Answer: C) 18
Rationale: NYC DOB requires a Sign Hanger applicant to be at least 18
years old.
6. How many years of practical experience are required for a Master
Sign Hanger License?
A) 2 years within 4 years
B) 3 years within 5 years
C) 5 years within 7 years
,D) 7 years within 10 years
Correct Answer: C) 5 years within 7 years
Rationale: The applicant must have five years of practical experience in
sign hanging within the seven years prior to application.
7. What is the passing score for the written examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings states that the passing
score for the written examination is 70 percent.
8. Which of the following signs is generally exempt from the sign
hanger licensing requirement?
A) A 100-square-foot sign weighing 20 pounds
B) A 50-square-foot sign weighing 40 pounds
C) A sign not exceeding 75 square feet and not exceeding 25 pounds
D) A 150-square-foot sign weighing 25 pounds
Correct Answer: C) A sign not exceeding 75 square feet and not
exceeding 25 pounds
Rationale: One exemption applies to signs not exceeding 75 square feet
in area, measured on one face only, and not exceeding 25 pounds.
9. Which sign is specifically exempt from the sign hanger licensing
requirement because of how it is supported?
A) A roof-mounted sign
B) A wall-mounted sign
C) A sign supported directly on the ground
, D) A projecting sign
Correct Answer: C) A sign supported directly on the ground
Rationale: Signs supported directly on the ground are specifically listed
among the exemptions.
10. A sign measures exactly 75 square feet on one face and weighs
exactly 25 pounds. Under the stated exemption, which is correct?
A) It is automatically subject to the sign hanger license requirement
B) It is exempt only if illuminated
C) It falls within the stated size-and-weight exemption
D) It is exempt only when supported by a crane
Correct Answer: C) It falls within the stated size-and-weight exemption
Rationale: The exemption uses "not exceeding" 75 square feet and "not
exceeding" 25 pounds, so both limits may be reached without
exceeding them.
11. What is the primary purpose of the NYC Special Sign Hanger
License?
A) To install plumbing systems
B) To install, alter, maintain, and remove signs within the scope
authorized by the license
C) To inspect elevators
D) To operate cranes
Correct Answer: B) To install, alter, maintain, and remove signs within
the scope authorized by the license
Rationale: The Special Sign Hanger License authorizes qualified
individuals to perform specific sign installation and maintenance work
permitted under NYC regulations.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which NYC department regulates the installation of signs?
A) NYC Fire Department
B) NYC Department of Buildings
C) NYC Department of Transportation
D) NYC Department of Health
Correct Answer: B) NYC Department of Buildings
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) enforces all rules
and permits for sign installation and safety compliance.
2. What is the minimum clearance required for a pedestrian walkway
under a projecting sign?
A) 6 feet
B) 7 feet
C) 8 feet
D) 9 feet
Correct Answer: C) 8 feet
Rationale: NYC building codes mandate a minimum of 8 feet to ensure
pedestrian safety.
3. Before installing a sign on a building, you must:
A) Notify local police
B) Obtain a permit from the DOB
C) Get approval from neighbors
,D) Conduct a safety drill
Correct Answer: B) Obtain a permit from the DOB
Rationale: A permit from the Department of Buildings is required before
most permanent sign installations.
4. What is the maximum sign area a Special Sign Hanger is authorized
to work on?
A) 100 square feet
B) 150 square feet
C) 200 square feet
D) 250 square feet
Correct Answer: B) 150 square feet
Rationale: A Special Sign Hanger may hoist, lower, hang, or attach an
exterior sign not exceeding 150 square feet measured on one face.
5. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Sign Hanger
License?
A) 16
B) 17
C) 18
D) 21
Correct Answer: C) 18
Rationale: NYC DOB requires a Sign Hanger applicant to be at least 18
years old.
6. How many years of practical experience are required for a Master
Sign Hanger License?
A) 2 years within 4 years
B) 3 years within 5 years
C) 5 years within 7 years
,D) 7 years within 10 years
Correct Answer: C) 5 years within 7 years
Rationale: The applicant must have five years of practical experience in
sign hanging within the seven years prior to application.
7. What is the passing score for the written examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C) 70%
Rationale: The NYC Department of Buildings states that the passing
score for the written examination is 70 percent.
8. Which of the following signs is generally exempt from the sign
hanger licensing requirement?
A) A 100-square-foot sign weighing 20 pounds
B) A 50-square-foot sign weighing 40 pounds
C) A sign not exceeding 75 square feet and not exceeding 25 pounds
D) A 150-square-foot sign weighing 25 pounds
Correct Answer: C) A sign not exceeding 75 square feet and not
exceeding 25 pounds
Rationale: One exemption applies to signs not exceeding 75 square feet
in area, measured on one face only, and not exceeding 25 pounds.
9. Which sign is specifically exempt from the sign hanger licensing
requirement because of how it is supported?
A) A roof-mounted sign
B) A wall-mounted sign
C) A sign supported directly on the ground
, D) A projecting sign
Correct Answer: C) A sign supported directly on the ground
Rationale: Signs supported directly on the ground are specifically listed
among the exemptions.
10. A sign measures exactly 75 square feet on one face and weighs
exactly 25 pounds. Under the stated exemption, which is correct?
A) It is automatically subject to the sign hanger license requirement
B) It is exempt only if illuminated
C) It falls within the stated size-and-weight exemption
D) It is exempt only when supported by a crane
Correct Answer: C) It falls within the stated size-and-weight exemption
Rationale: The exemption uses "not exceeding" 75 square feet and "not
exceeding" 25 pounds, so both limits may be reached without
exceeding them.
11. What is the primary purpose of the NYC Special Sign Hanger
License?
A) To install plumbing systems
B) To install, alter, maintain, and remove signs within the scope
authorized by the license
C) To inspect elevators
D) To operate cranes
Correct Answer: B) To install, alter, maintain, and remove signs within
the scope authorized by the license
Rationale: The Special Sign Hanger License authorizes qualified
individuals to perform specific sign installation and maintenance work
permitted under NYC regulations.
