NY HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - CORRECT ANSWER -the
construction, repair, remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or
addition to any land or building used as a residence or dwelling place.
2. What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any part of the home OR
land (including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches,
sidewalks, swimming pools, and terraces.)
3. What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) - CORRECT ANSWER -Central heating/air
conditioning, Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
4. What is NOT considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -Construction of a new home or
building, Sale of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application
of goods or materials, Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state
or municipality
5. When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment considered
H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When there is painting work being done as part of other
home improvement work.
6. When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT
considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When it is a standalone job not part of of other
home improvement work.
7. Who is a "contractor"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anyone who owns, operates, maintains,
conducts, controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees
to perform any home improvement.
, 8. What legal entity is a contractor required to be? - CORRECT ANSWER -A contractor may
be an individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
9. What is a H.I. contract? - CORRECT ANSWER -An agreement between a contractor and a
consumer or tenant for performance of a home improvement
10. What must a H.I. contract detail? - CORRECT ANSWER -All labor, services, and materials
to be furnished and performed.
11. Who is a "salesperson"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract
with a consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or
tenant.
12. Who must have a DCA license? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any person who solicits, canvasses,
sells, performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a DCA
license.
13. Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate contracts,
need to be licensed? - CORRECT ANSWER -No
14. What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
CORRECT ANSWER -$200
15. Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I.
license? - CORRECT ANSWER -No, they have their own trade licenses.
16. When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's
license? - CORRECT ANSWER -If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the
scope of an architect or engineer.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - CORRECT ANSWER -the
construction, repair, remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or
addition to any land or building used as a residence or dwelling place.
2. What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any part of the home OR
land (including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches,
sidewalks, swimming pools, and terraces.)
3. What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) - CORRECT ANSWER -Central heating/air
conditioning, Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
4. What is NOT considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -Construction of a new home or
building, Sale of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application
of goods or materials, Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state
or municipality
5. When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment considered
H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When there is painting work being done as part of other
home improvement work.
6. When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT
considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When it is a standalone job not part of of other
home improvement work.
7. Who is a "contractor"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anyone who owns, operates, maintains,
conducts, controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees
to perform any home improvement.
, 8. What legal entity is a contractor required to be? - CORRECT ANSWER -A contractor may
be an individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
9. What is a H.I. contract? - CORRECT ANSWER -An agreement between a contractor and a
consumer or tenant for performance of a home improvement
10. What must a H.I. contract detail? - CORRECT ANSWER -All labor, services, and materials
to be furnished and performed.
11. Who is a "salesperson"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract
with a consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or
tenant.
12. Who must have a DCA license? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any person who solicits, canvasses,
sells, performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a DCA
license.
13. Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate contracts,
need to be licensed? - CORRECT ANSWER -No
14. What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
CORRECT ANSWER -$200
15. Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I.
license? - CORRECT ANSWER -No, they have their own trade licenses.
16. When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's
license? - CORRECT ANSWER -If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the
scope of an architect or engineer.
