NYC SIGN HANGER LICENSE EXAM
Special and Master Sign Hanger Practice Exam – 120 Questions with Answers and
Rationales
1. Which New York City agency licenses Special and Master Sign Hangers?
A. Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
B. Department of Buildings (DOB)
C. Department of Transportation (DOT)
D. Fire Department (FDNY)
Correct Answer: B. Department of Buildings (DOB)
Rationale: DOB administers the licensing exams and issues sign hanger licenses
under Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code. DOT, FDNY, and DCWP have other
regulatory roles but do not license sign hangers.
2. A Special Sign Hanger license authorizes hanging a sign not exceeding:
A. 300 square feet on one face and 5,000 pounds
B. Any size and any weight
C. 50 square feet on both faces and 300 pounds
D. 150 square feet on one face and 1,200 pounds
Correct Answer: D. 150 square feet on one face and 1,200 pounds
Rationale: A Special Sign Hanger is limited to signs of no more than 150 square feet
of area, measured on one face only, and no more than 1,200 pounds.
3. A Master Sign Hanger license authorizes hanging signs:
A. Only up to 1,200 pounds
B. Only on city-owned property
C. Irrespective of weight, on or outside any building or structure in the city
D. Only inside buildings
Correct Answer: C. Irrespective of weight, on or outside any building or
structure in the city
Rationale: The Master license has no weight limit. The Special license is limited by
area and weight.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 1
,4. What is the minimum age to obtain a Special or Master Sign Hanger license?
A. 25 years
B. 16 years
C. 21 years
D. 18 years
Correct Answer: D. 18 years
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18, be able to read and write English, be fit for
the work, and be of good moral character.
5. Which experience is required for the Special Sign Hanger license?
A. 1 year of experience in any construction trade
B. No experience if the applicant passes a written test
C. At least 3 years of sign hanging experience within the 5 years before
application, under the supervision of a licensed sign hanger
D. 10 years of experience as a crane operator
Correct Answer: C. At least 3 years of sign hanging experience within the 5
years before application, under the supervision of a licensed sign hanger
Rationale: DOB requires three years of practical sign hanging experience within five
years of applying, under direct and continuing supervision of a DOB-licensed sign
hanger.
6. Which experience is required for the Master Sign Hanger license?
A. There is no experience requirement
B. 2 years within 3 years
C. At least 5 years of practical experience in sign hanging within the 7 years before
application
D. 3 years within 10 years
Correct Answer: C. At least 5 years of practical experience in sign hanging
within the 7 years before application
Rationale: The Master license requires more experience than the Special license:
five years within the seven years before the application date.
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,7. The practical examination for a Special Sign Hanger candidate is:
A. Open book with the entire Administrative Code
B. Closed book; reference materials are not permitted
C. Taken online at home
D. Open book with a phone for lookups
Correct Answer: B. Closed book; reference materials are not permitted
Rationale: DOB states candidates may not use reference materials during the exam,
so the code and safety rules must be known from memory.
8. A Master Sign Hanger candidate must pass:
A. No exam if experienced
B. Only a written exam
C. Only an interview
D. Both a written exam and a practical exam
Correct Answer: D. Both a written exam and a practical exam
Rationale: Master candidates take a written exam first, then apply for and pass the
practical exam.
9. After passing the required exams, a candidate must also:
A. Own a truck and crane
B. Obtain a master electrician license
C. Complete a college degree
D. Pass a background investigation
Correct Answer: D. Pass a background investigation
Rationale: The Department investigates the applicant's fitness and good moral
character before the license card is issued.
10. Where do new license holders schedule an appointment to receive their
license card?
A. In the DOB NOW portal
B. At the Department of Motor Vehicles
C. At any FDNY firehouse
D. At a post office
Correct Answer: A. In the DOB NOW portal
Rationale: After passing the background investigation, the applicant uses DOB NOW
to schedule a photo and card pickup.
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, 11. A Special Sign Hanger is asked to hang a sign that weighs 1,800 pounds
and has 120 square feet of area. The hanger should:
A. Decline the job because it exceeds the weight limit, which requires a Master
Sign Hanger
B. Perform the job because the area is under 150 square feet
C. Perform the job if it is done at night
D. Perform the job if a helper assists
Correct Answer: A. Decline the job because it exceeds the weight limit, which
requires a Master Sign Hanger
Rationale: Both limits apply. The 1,200-pound weight limit is exceeded, so the job is
beyond a Special license.
12. Which qualification is required of every sign hanger license applicant?
A. Ability to read plans and specifications for sign construction and erection
B. An engineering degree
C. Ownership of a sign company
D. A pilot's license
Correct Answer: A. Ability to read plans and specifications for sign
construction and erection
Rationale: Applicants must be able to read plans and specifications, including
supporting framework, and be familiar with sign hanging equipment and tools.
13. Workers on a sign hanging job who are not licensed should be:
A. Working without any supervision
B. Working under the supervision of the licensed sign hanger
C. Supervised only by the property owner
D. Supervised by the sign's manufacturer's salesperson
Correct Answer: B. Working under the supervision of the licensed sign hanger
Rationale: Licensed sign hangers are responsible for the work and for the safety of
those they supervise.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 4
Special and Master Sign Hanger Practice Exam – 120 Questions with Answers and
Rationales
1. Which New York City agency licenses Special and Master Sign Hangers?
A. Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
B. Department of Buildings (DOB)
C. Department of Transportation (DOT)
D. Fire Department (FDNY)
Correct Answer: B. Department of Buildings (DOB)
Rationale: DOB administers the licensing exams and issues sign hanger licenses
under Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code. DOT, FDNY, and DCWP have other
regulatory roles but do not license sign hangers.
2. A Special Sign Hanger license authorizes hanging a sign not exceeding:
A. 300 square feet on one face and 5,000 pounds
B. Any size and any weight
C. 50 square feet on both faces and 300 pounds
D. 150 square feet on one face and 1,200 pounds
Correct Answer: D. 150 square feet on one face and 1,200 pounds
Rationale: A Special Sign Hanger is limited to signs of no more than 150 square feet
of area, measured on one face only, and no more than 1,200 pounds.
3. A Master Sign Hanger license authorizes hanging signs:
A. Only up to 1,200 pounds
B. Only on city-owned property
C. Irrespective of weight, on or outside any building or structure in the city
D. Only inside buildings
Correct Answer: C. Irrespective of weight, on or outside any building or
structure in the city
Rationale: The Master license has no weight limit. The Special license is limited by
area and weight.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 1
,4. What is the minimum age to obtain a Special or Master Sign Hanger license?
A. 25 years
B. 16 years
C. 21 years
D. 18 years
Correct Answer: D. 18 years
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18, be able to read and write English, be fit for
the work, and be of good moral character.
5. Which experience is required for the Special Sign Hanger license?
A. 1 year of experience in any construction trade
B. No experience if the applicant passes a written test
C. At least 3 years of sign hanging experience within the 5 years before
application, under the supervision of a licensed sign hanger
D. 10 years of experience as a crane operator
Correct Answer: C. At least 3 years of sign hanging experience within the 5
years before application, under the supervision of a licensed sign hanger
Rationale: DOB requires three years of practical sign hanging experience within five
years of applying, under direct and continuing supervision of a DOB-licensed sign
hanger.
6. Which experience is required for the Master Sign Hanger license?
A. There is no experience requirement
B. 2 years within 3 years
C. At least 5 years of practical experience in sign hanging within the 7 years before
application
D. 3 years within 10 years
Correct Answer: C. At least 5 years of practical experience in sign hanging
within the 7 years before application
Rationale: The Master license requires more experience than the Special license:
five years within the seven years before the application date.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 2
,7. The practical examination for a Special Sign Hanger candidate is:
A. Open book with the entire Administrative Code
B. Closed book; reference materials are not permitted
C. Taken online at home
D. Open book with a phone for lookups
Correct Answer: B. Closed book; reference materials are not permitted
Rationale: DOB states candidates may not use reference materials during the exam,
so the code and safety rules must be known from memory.
8. A Master Sign Hanger candidate must pass:
A. No exam if experienced
B. Only a written exam
C. Only an interview
D. Both a written exam and a practical exam
Correct Answer: D. Both a written exam and a practical exam
Rationale: Master candidates take a written exam first, then apply for and pass the
practical exam.
9. After passing the required exams, a candidate must also:
A. Own a truck and crane
B. Obtain a master electrician license
C. Complete a college degree
D. Pass a background investigation
Correct Answer: D. Pass a background investigation
Rationale: The Department investigates the applicant's fitness and good moral
character before the license card is issued.
10. Where do new license holders schedule an appointment to receive their
license card?
A. In the DOB NOW portal
B. At the Department of Motor Vehicles
C. At any FDNY firehouse
D. At a post office
Correct Answer: A. In the DOB NOW portal
Rationale: After passing the background investigation, the applicant uses DOB NOW
to schedule a photo and card pickup.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 3
, 11. A Special Sign Hanger is asked to hang a sign that weighs 1,800 pounds
and has 120 square feet of area. The hanger should:
A. Decline the job because it exceeds the weight limit, which requires a Master
Sign Hanger
B. Perform the job because the area is under 150 square feet
C. Perform the job if it is done at night
D. Perform the job if a helper assists
Correct Answer: A. Decline the job because it exceeds the weight limit, which
requires a Master Sign Hanger
Rationale: Both limits apply. The 1,200-pound weight limit is exceeded, so the job is
beyond a Special license.
12. Which qualification is required of every sign hanger license applicant?
A. Ability to read plans and specifications for sign construction and erection
B. An engineering degree
C. Ownership of a sign company
D. A pilot's license
Correct Answer: A. Ability to read plans and specifications for sign
construction and erection
Rationale: Applicants must be able to read plans and specifications, including
supporting framework, and be familiar with sign hanging equipment and tools.
13. Workers on a sign hanging job who are not licensed should be:
A. Working without any supervision
B. Working under the supervision of the licensed sign hanger
C. Supervised only by the property owner
D. Supervised by the sign's manufacturer's salesperson
Correct Answer: B. Working under the supervision of the licensed sign hanger
Rationale: Licensed sign hangers are responsible for the work and for the safety of
those they supervise.
NYC Sign Hanger License Exam | Page 4
