NYC HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
LICENSE EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
1. Under NYC law, which of the following is specifically
EXCLUDED from the definition of "home improvement"?
A. Installation of central heating systems
B. Construction of a new home or building
C. Installation of storm windows
D. Replacement of a driveway
Correct answer B. Construction of a new home or building
RATIONALE: New home construction is explicitly excluded from
the definition of home improvement. The law covers construction,
repair, replacement, remodeling, alteration, conversion, rehabilitation,
renovation, modernization, improvement, or addition to residential
property, but not the construction of entirely new buildings .
2. Painting or decorating a building is considered home
improvement only if:
A. The job costs over $1,000
B. It is done as part of other home improvement work
C. The customer signs a special form
D. The paint contains lead
, Correct answer B. It is done as part of other home improvement
work
RATIONALE: Under NYC rules, painting or decoration alone does
NOT qualify as home improvement. It is only considered part of home
improvement when performed in conjunction with other covered work
(e.g., painting after installing new windows) .
3. Which of the following is specifically INCLUDED as home
improvement under NYC law?
A. Central heating and air conditioning systems
B. Central vacuum cleaning systems
C. Storm windows and awnings
D. All of the above
Correct answer D. All of the above
RATIONALE: The law specifically includes installations such as
central heating/air conditioning, central vacuum systems, storm
windows, awnings, and communication systems as home improvement .
4. Who must have a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license?
A. Only general contractors
B. Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells, performs, or obtains a
home improvement contract as a contractor or salesperson
C. Only electricians and plumbers
D. Only companies with annual revenue over $100,000
Correct answer B. Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a home improvement contract as a contractor or
salesperson
, RATIONALE: Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells, performs,
or obtains a home improvement contract as a contractor or salesperson
must have a DCWP license .
5. Where must a contractor post their HIC license?
A. At every job site
B. In the contractor's office where all consumers can see it, or show it to
consumers upon request
C. At the Department of Buildings
D. In the contractor's vehicle
Correct answer B. In the contractor's office where all consumers can
see it, or show it to consumers upon request
RATIONALE: You must post your license in your office where all
consumers can see it or show it to consumers upon request .
6. Within how many days must you notify DCWP of any change in
business address, ownership, management, or trade name?
A. 5 days
B. 10 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct answer B. 10 days
RATIONALE: Change of business address, ownership,
management, or trade name must be reported to DCWP within 10 days .
7. How many business locations can a single Home Improvement
Contractor license cover?
, A. Unlimited locations
B. Up to 3 locations
C. Only 1 location
D. Up to 5 locations
Correct answer C. Only 1 location
RATIONALE: A separate Home Improvement Contractor license is
required for each place of business .
8. A home improvement job costs $150. Does the contractor need an
HIC license?
A. Yes, because plumbing work is always licensed
B. No, because the job is less than $200
C. Yes, because it exceeds $100
D. No, because bathroom vanities are exempt
Correct answer B. No, because the job is less than $200
RATIONALE: A person performing a home improvement job that is
less than $200 does not require an HIC license .
9. When a contractor hires a subcontracting company to perform
part of the contract work in NYC, the subcontractor:
A. Does not need a license if the contractor is licensed
B. Must be licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection
C. Only needs a license if the work exceeds $10,000
D. Can work under the contractor's license
Correct answer B. Must be licensed by the NYC Department of
Consumer and Worker Protection
LICENSE EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
1. Under NYC law, which of the following is specifically
EXCLUDED from the definition of "home improvement"?
A. Installation of central heating systems
B. Construction of a new home or building
C. Installation of storm windows
D. Replacement of a driveway
Correct answer B. Construction of a new home or building
RATIONALE: New home construction is explicitly excluded from
the definition of home improvement. The law covers construction,
repair, replacement, remodeling, alteration, conversion, rehabilitation,
renovation, modernization, improvement, or addition to residential
property, but not the construction of entirely new buildings .
2. Painting or decorating a building is considered home
improvement only if:
A. The job costs over $1,000
B. It is done as part of other home improvement work
C. The customer signs a special form
D. The paint contains lead
, Correct answer B. It is done as part of other home improvement
work
RATIONALE: Under NYC rules, painting or decoration alone does
NOT qualify as home improvement. It is only considered part of home
improvement when performed in conjunction with other covered work
(e.g., painting after installing new windows) .
3. Which of the following is specifically INCLUDED as home
improvement under NYC law?
A. Central heating and air conditioning systems
B. Central vacuum cleaning systems
C. Storm windows and awnings
D. All of the above
Correct answer D. All of the above
RATIONALE: The law specifically includes installations such as
central heating/air conditioning, central vacuum systems, storm
windows, awnings, and communication systems as home improvement .
4. Who must have a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license?
A. Only general contractors
B. Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells, performs, or obtains a
home improvement contract as a contractor or salesperson
C. Only electricians and plumbers
D. Only companies with annual revenue over $100,000
Correct answer B. Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a home improvement contract as a contractor or
salesperson
, RATIONALE: Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells, performs,
or obtains a home improvement contract as a contractor or salesperson
must have a DCWP license .
5. Where must a contractor post their HIC license?
A. At every job site
B. In the contractor's office where all consumers can see it, or show it to
consumers upon request
C. At the Department of Buildings
D. In the contractor's vehicle
Correct answer B. In the contractor's office where all consumers can
see it, or show it to consumers upon request
RATIONALE: You must post your license in your office where all
consumers can see it or show it to consumers upon request .
6. Within how many days must you notify DCWP of any change in
business address, ownership, management, or trade name?
A. 5 days
B. 10 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct answer B. 10 days
RATIONALE: Change of business address, ownership,
management, or trade name must be reported to DCWP within 10 days .
7. How many business locations can a single Home Improvement
Contractor license cover?
, A. Unlimited locations
B. Up to 3 locations
C. Only 1 location
D. Up to 5 locations
Correct answer C. Only 1 location
RATIONALE: A separate Home Improvement Contractor license is
required for each place of business .
8. A home improvement job costs $150. Does the contractor need an
HIC license?
A. Yes, because plumbing work is always licensed
B. No, because the job is less than $200
C. Yes, because it exceeds $100
D. No, because bathroom vanities are exempt
Correct answer B. No, because the job is less than $200
RATIONALE: A person performing a home improvement job that is
less than $200 does not require an HIC license .
9. When a contractor hires a subcontracting company to perform
part of the contract work in NYC, the subcontractor:
A. Does not need a license if the contractor is licensed
B. Must be licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection
C. Only needs a license if the work exceeds $10,000
D. Can work under the contractor's license
Correct answer B. Must be licensed by the NYC Department of
Consumer and Worker Protection
