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NYC HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
LICENSE Exam 2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest Already Graded
A+
QUESTION 1
What is the statutory definition of "home improvement" for the
purposes of the New York City Home Improvement Contractor license?
A) Any construction, repair, or remodeling work performed on any
building or land in New York City
B) The construction, repair, replacement, remodeling, alteration,
conversion, rehabilitation, renovation, modernization, improvement, or
addition to any land or building used or designed to be used as a
residence or dwelling place
C) Any work performed on a residential building that costs more than
$200 and requires a building permit
D) The construction, repair, or remodeling of any building that is
intended for human habitation
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ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Under the NYC Administrative Code and DCWP regulations,
home improvement is defined as work performed on any land or
building used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place.
This definition excludes work on new buildings that have never been
occupied, commercial properties, and certain specialized trades such as
electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work that are separately licensed.
QUESTION 2
Which agency in New York City is responsible for administering the
Home Improvement Contractor licensing program?
A) New York City Department of Buildings
B) New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
C) New York State Department of State
D) New York City Business Integrity Commission
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection, formerly known as the Department of Consumer Affairs, is
the agency that issues Home Improvement Contractor licenses. While
the Department of Buildings issues permits for construction work, the
DCWP is specifically charged with licensing contractors and enforcing
consumer protection laws related to home improvement.
QUESTION 3
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Under New York City law, which of the following activities requires a
Home Improvement Contractor license?
A) Painting the interior of a single-family home
B) Replacing a broken window pane in a residential apartment
C) Installing a new roof on a two-family house
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: All of these activities are considered home improvements
when performed on residential property. The definition includes
painting, glazing, roofing, and virtually any repair or renovation work.
There is no minimum cost threshold that triggers the licensing
requirement—any person performing such work for compensation must
hold a valid HIC license.
QUESTION 4
Who is exempt from the Home Improvement Contractor licensing
requirement in New York City?
A) Licensed architects performing design services
B) General contractors who hire all subcontractors
C) Handymen who perform minor repairs under $200
D) Real estate brokers who recommend contractors
ANSWER: A
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RATIONALE: Licensed professionals such as architects and engineers are
exempt from the HIC licensing requirement when they are providing
services within the scope of their professional licensure. However, if they
also perform contracting work, they must be licensed as HICs. There is
no $200 exemption for handymen in NYC—anyone performing home
improvement work for compensation must hold the license unless they
fall within a specific statutory exemption.
QUESTION 5
What is the maximum fine that may be imposed for operating as a
home improvement contractor without a license in New York City?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The NYC Administrative Code authorizes civil penalties of
up to $25,000 per violation for unlicensed home improvement
contracting. Additionally, each day that a violation continues may
constitute a separate offense, potentially resulting in cumulative fines.
Criminal penalties may also apply.
QUESTION 6
NYC HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
LICENSE Exam 2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WILL COME FROM HERE (100% Latest Already Graded
A+
QUESTION 1
What is the statutory definition of "home improvement" for the
purposes of the New York City Home Improvement Contractor license?
A) Any construction, repair, or remodeling work performed on any
building or land in New York City
B) The construction, repair, replacement, remodeling, alteration,
conversion, rehabilitation, renovation, modernization, improvement, or
addition to any land or building used or designed to be used as a
residence or dwelling place
C) Any work performed on a residential building that costs more than
$200 and requires a building permit
D) The construction, repair, or remodeling of any building that is
intended for human habitation
,2|Page
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Under the NYC Administrative Code and DCWP regulations,
home improvement is defined as work performed on any land or
building used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place.
This definition excludes work on new buildings that have never been
occupied, commercial properties, and certain specialized trades such as
electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work that are separately licensed.
QUESTION 2
Which agency in New York City is responsible for administering the
Home Improvement Contractor licensing program?
A) New York City Department of Buildings
B) New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
C) New York State Department of State
D) New York City Business Integrity Commission
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection, formerly known as the Department of Consumer Affairs, is
the agency that issues Home Improvement Contractor licenses. While
the Department of Buildings issues permits for construction work, the
DCWP is specifically charged with licensing contractors and enforcing
consumer protection laws related to home improvement.
QUESTION 3
,3|Page
Under New York City law, which of the following activities requires a
Home Improvement Contractor license?
A) Painting the interior of a single-family home
B) Replacing a broken window pane in a residential apartment
C) Installing a new roof on a two-family house
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: All of these activities are considered home improvements
when performed on residential property. The definition includes
painting, glazing, roofing, and virtually any repair or renovation work.
There is no minimum cost threshold that triggers the licensing
requirement—any person performing such work for compensation must
hold a valid HIC license.
QUESTION 4
Who is exempt from the Home Improvement Contractor licensing
requirement in New York City?
A) Licensed architects performing design services
B) General contractors who hire all subcontractors
C) Handymen who perform minor repairs under $200
D) Real estate brokers who recommend contractors
ANSWER: A
, 4|Page
RATIONALE: Licensed professionals such as architects and engineers are
exempt from the HIC licensing requirement when they are providing
services within the scope of their professional licensure. However, if they
also perform contracting work, they must be licensed as HICs. There is
no $200 exemption for handymen in NYC—anyone performing home
improvement work for compensation must hold the license unless they
fall within a specific statutory exemption.
QUESTION 5
What is the maximum fine that may be imposed for operating as a
home improvement contractor without a license in New York City?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: The NYC Administrative Code authorizes civil penalties of
up to $25,000 per violation for unlicensed home improvement
contracting. Additionally, each day that a violation continues may
constitute a separate offense, potentially resulting in cumulative fines.
Criminal penalties may also apply.
QUESTION 6
