Page 1 of 107
NYC General Contractor License Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
The NYC General Contractor License Exam comprehensively evaluates knowledge and
competency in the following core content domains:
1. NYC Administrative Code & Construction Codes
o New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) regulations
o NYC Construction Codes (Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas)
o 2014 & 2022 NYC Code updates
o Licensing requirements under New York City Department of Buildings
o Permit types and filing procedures
2. Zoning & Land Use Regulations
o New York City Department of City Planning (DCP)
o Zoning Resolution, use groups, floor area ratio (FAR)
o Special districts and variances
3. Construction Safety & OSHA Regulations
o Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
o Scaffold Law (NY Labor Law 240 & 241)
o Fall protection, excavation safety, confined spaces
o Site Safety Manager requirements
4. Project Management & Contract Administration
o Scheduling (CPM)
o Subcontractor coordination
o Change orders and documentation
o Insurance and bonding
5. Building Systems & Construction Methods
o Structural systems (steel, concrete, wood)
o Foundations and excavation
,Page 2 of 107
o Mechanical, electrical, plumbing coordination
o Fire-resistance ratings
6. Fire Code & Environmental Regulations
o New York City Fire Department (FDNY) requirements
o Asbestos handling (DEP compliance)
o Lead paint regulations
o Stormwater management
7. Business Law & Licensing Requirements
o Insurance (general liability, workers’ comp)
o Surety bonds
o Contracts and dispute resolution
o Consumer protection laws
BATCH 1 – 50 LONG, DETAILED MCQs WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
1.
Under NYC Administrative Code, what is the primary legal responsibility of a licensed general
contractor performing work requiring a permit?
A) Delegating all compliance responsibility to subcontractors
B) Ensuring work complies with NYC Construction Codes and approved plans
C) Only managing labor payroll
D) Issuing Certificates of Occupancy
Correct Answer: B
,Page 3 of 107
Rationale: The general contractor is legally responsible for ensuring construction complies with
NYC Construction Codes, approved plans, and permit conditions issued by the New York City
Department of Buildings.
2.
Which agency issues building permits for structural construction in NYC?
A) New York City Fire Department
B) New York City Department of Environmental Protection
C) New York City Department of Buildings
D) New York City Department of City Planning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DOB reviews plans, approves applications, and issues building permits for
structural, mechanical, and alteration work.
3.
Before beginning excavation exceeding 5 feet in depth in NYC, what is a mandatory
requirement under OSHA and NYC rules?
, Page 4 of 107
A) Notify neighbors only
B) Install trench boxes or engineered shoring systems
C) Obtain zoning variance
D) Submit electrical drawings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA excavation standards require protective systems for trenches over 5 feet deep
unless stable rock is present.
4.
The NYC Zoning Resolution primarily regulates:
A) Contractor insurance limits
B) Structural steel strength
C) Land use, height, and bulk of buildings
D) Plumbing fixture counts
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Zoning laws administered by the New York City Department of City Planning govern
allowable uses, FAR, setbacks, and height restrictions.
NYC General Contractor License Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
The NYC General Contractor License Exam comprehensively evaluates knowledge and
competency in the following core content domains:
1. NYC Administrative Code & Construction Codes
o New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) regulations
o NYC Construction Codes (Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas)
o 2014 & 2022 NYC Code updates
o Licensing requirements under New York City Department of Buildings
o Permit types and filing procedures
2. Zoning & Land Use Regulations
o New York City Department of City Planning (DCP)
o Zoning Resolution, use groups, floor area ratio (FAR)
o Special districts and variances
3. Construction Safety & OSHA Regulations
o Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards
o Scaffold Law (NY Labor Law 240 & 241)
o Fall protection, excavation safety, confined spaces
o Site Safety Manager requirements
4. Project Management & Contract Administration
o Scheduling (CPM)
o Subcontractor coordination
o Change orders and documentation
o Insurance and bonding
5. Building Systems & Construction Methods
o Structural systems (steel, concrete, wood)
o Foundations and excavation
,Page 2 of 107
o Mechanical, electrical, plumbing coordination
o Fire-resistance ratings
6. Fire Code & Environmental Regulations
o New York City Fire Department (FDNY) requirements
o Asbestos handling (DEP compliance)
o Lead paint regulations
o Stormwater management
7. Business Law & Licensing Requirements
o Insurance (general liability, workers’ comp)
o Surety bonds
o Contracts and dispute resolution
o Consumer protection laws
BATCH 1 – 50 LONG, DETAILED MCQs WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
1.
Under NYC Administrative Code, what is the primary legal responsibility of a licensed general
contractor performing work requiring a permit?
A) Delegating all compliance responsibility to subcontractors
B) Ensuring work complies with NYC Construction Codes and approved plans
C) Only managing labor payroll
D) Issuing Certificates of Occupancy
Correct Answer: B
,Page 3 of 107
Rationale: The general contractor is legally responsible for ensuring construction complies with
NYC Construction Codes, approved plans, and permit conditions issued by the New York City
Department of Buildings.
2.
Which agency issues building permits for structural construction in NYC?
A) New York City Fire Department
B) New York City Department of Environmental Protection
C) New York City Department of Buildings
D) New York City Department of City Planning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The DOB reviews plans, approves applications, and issues building permits for
structural, mechanical, and alteration work.
3.
Before beginning excavation exceeding 5 feet in depth in NYC, what is a mandatory
requirement under OSHA and NYC rules?
, Page 4 of 107
A) Notify neighbors only
B) Install trench boxes or engineered shoring systems
C) Obtain zoning variance
D) Submit electrical drawings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA excavation standards require protective systems for trenches over 5 feet deep
unless stable rock is present.
4.
The NYC Zoning Resolution primarily regulates:
A) Contractor insurance limits
B) Structural steel strength
C) Land use, height, and bulk of buildings
D) Plumbing fixture counts
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Zoning laws administered by the New York City Department of City Planning govern
allowable uses, FAR, setbacks, and height restrictions.
