SUFFOLK COUNTY HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSE COMPLETE
EXAM VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION
2026/2027
Q1. Which Suffolk County code chapter governs home improvement
contractors?
A. Chapter 563 ✓ CORRECT
B. Chapter 402
C. Chapter 189
D. Chapter 775
Note: Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code regulates home improvement
contractors operating within the county.
Q2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Suffolk County Home
Improvement Contractor license?
A. 16 years
B. 18 years ✓ CORRECT
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
Note: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for a Suffolk
County HIC license.
Q3. Who issues the Home Improvement Contractor license in Suffolk
County?
A. NY State Department of Labor
B. Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs ✓ CORRECT
, C. Suffolk County Building Division
D. Town Clerk's Office
Note: The Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is
responsible for issuing HIC licenses.
Q4. How long is a standard Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractor
license valid?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years ✓ CORRECT
D. 3 years
Note: Suffolk County HIC licenses are issued for a 2-year period.
Q5. A home improvement contractor working in Suffolk County without a
license is subject to:
A. A warning letter only
B. Civil fines and possible criminal prosecution ✓ CORRECT
C. Loss of vehicle privileges
D. Only a cease-and-desist order
Note: Unlicensed contracting is a violation of Suffolk County Code and can
result in civil fines and criminal charges.
Q6. Which of the following projects is EXEMPT from the Suffolk County
home improvement contractor licensing requirement?
A. Installing a new roof on a residence
B. New construction of a single-family home ✓ CORRECT
C. Adding a room addition
D. Replacing kitchen cabinets
Note: New construction is typically exempt; licensing applies to
improvements on existing structures.
Q7. What document must a licensed contractor provide to every customer
before beginning work?
A. Proof of insurance only
B. A written contract ✓ CORRECT
, C. A verbal agreement notarized
D. An email confirmation
Note: Suffolk County Code requires a written contract for all home
improvement work exceeding $500.
Q8. The minimum dollar threshold that triggers the written contract
requirement in Suffolk County is:
A. $100
B. $200
C. $500 ✓ CORRECT
D. $1,000
Note: Any home improvement contract exceeding $500 must be in writing per
Suffolk County regulations.
Q9. A contractor must display their license number:
A. Only in their office
B. On all contracts, advertisements, and vehicles ✓ CORRECT
C. Only on vehicles
D. Only when asked by the customer
Note: The license number must appear on all contracts, ads, and commercial
vehicles.
Q10. What is the penalty for a first-offense violation of the Suffolk County
Home Improvement Contractor law?
A. Up to $500
B. Up to $1,000 ✓ CORRECT
C. Up to $2,500
D. Up to $5,000
Note: First offenses can carry fines of up to $1,000 under Suffolk County
Code.
Q11. Which entity can suspend or revoke a Suffolk County HIC license?
A. New York State Attorney General
B. Suffolk County DCA Commissioner ✓ CORRECT
C. Town Building Department
, D. NY Contractors Board
Note: The Commissioner of the Suffolk County DCA has authority to suspend
or revoke HIC licenses.
Q12. A subcontractor working under a licensed contractor in Suffolk
County:
A. Does not need any license
B. Must also be licensed if performing home improvement work ✓
CORRECT
C. Only needs a Nassau County license
D. Only needs a New York City license
Note: Subcontractors performing home improvement work in Suffolk County
must independently hold the required license.
Q13. Which of the following must be included in every Suffolk County home
improvement contract?
A. Contractor's social security number
B. Start and estimated completion dates ✓ CORRECT
C. Names of all subcontractors
D. Contractor's personal bank information
Note: Start date and estimated completion date are mandatory contract
elements under Suffolk County Code.
Q14. If a contractor changes their business address, they must notify the
Suffolk County DCA within:
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days ✓ CORRECT
D. 60 days
Note: Address changes must be reported to the DCA within 30 days of the
change.
Q15. The Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractor law applies to
work performed on:
A. Commercial buildings only
EXAM VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION
2026/2027
Q1. Which Suffolk County code chapter governs home improvement
contractors?
A. Chapter 563 ✓ CORRECT
B. Chapter 402
C. Chapter 189
D. Chapter 775
Note: Chapter 563 of the Suffolk County Code regulates home improvement
contractors operating within the county.
Q2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Suffolk County Home
Improvement Contractor license?
A. 16 years
B. 18 years ✓ CORRECT
C. 21 years
D. 25 years
Note: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to qualify for a Suffolk
County HIC license.
Q3. Who issues the Home Improvement Contractor license in Suffolk
County?
A. NY State Department of Labor
B. Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs ✓ CORRECT
, C. Suffolk County Building Division
D. Town Clerk's Office
Note: The Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is
responsible for issuing HIC licenses.
Q4. How long is a standard Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractor
license valid?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years ✓ CORRECT
D. 3 years
Note: Suffolk County HIC licenses are issued for a 2-year period.
Q5. A home improvement contractor working in Suffolk County without a
license is subject to:
A. A warning letter only
B. Civil fines and possible criminal prosecution ✓ CORRECT
C. Loss of vehicle privileges
D. Only a cease-and-desist order
Note: Unlicensed contracting is a violation of Suffolk County Code and can
result in civil fines and criminal charges.
Q6. Which of the following projects is EXEMPT from the Suffolk County
home improvement contractor licensing requirement?
A. Installing a new roof on a residence
B. New construction of a single-family home ✓ CORRECT
C. Adding a room addition
D. Replacing kitchen cabinets
Note: New construction is typically exempt; licensing applies to
improvements on existing structures.
Q7. What document must a licensed contractor provide to every customer
before beginning work?
A. Proof of insurance only
B. A written contract ✓ CORRECT
, C. A verbal agreement notarized
D. An email confirmation
Note: Suffolk County Code requires a written contract for all home
improvement work exceeding $500.
Q8. The minimum dollar threshold that triggers the written contract
requirement in Suffolk County is:
A. $100
B. $200
C. $500 ✓ CORRECT
D. $1,000
Note: Any home improvement contract exceeding $500 must be in writing per
Suffolk County regulations.
Q9. A contractor must display their license number:
A. Only in their office
B. On all contracts, advertisements, and vehicles ✓ CORRECT
C. Only on vehicles
D. Only when asked by the customer
Note: The license number must appear on all contracts, ads, and commercial
vehicles.
Q10. What is the penalty for a first-offense violation of the Suffolk County
Home Improvement Contractor law?
A. Up to $500
B. Up to $1,000 ✓ CORRECT
C. Up to $2,500
D. Up to $5,000
Note: First offenses can carry fines of up to $1,000 under Suffolk County
Code.
Q11. Which entity can suspend or revoke a Suffolk County HIC license?
A. New York State Attorney General
B. Suffolk County DCA Commissioner ✓ CORRECT
C. Town Building Department
, D. NY Contractors Board
Note: The Commissioner of the Suffolk County DCA has authority to suspend
or revoke HIC licenses.
Q12. A subcontractor working under a licensed contractor in Suffolk
County:
A. Does not need any license
B. Must also be licensed if performing home improvement work ✓
CORRECT
C. Only needs a Nassau County license
D. Only needs a New York City license
Note: Subcontractors performing home improvement work in Suffolk County
must independently hold the required license.
Q13. Which of the following must be included in every Suffolk County home
improvement contract?
A. Contractor's social security number
B. Start and estimated completion dates ✓ CORRECT
C. Names of all subcontractors
D. Contractor's personal bank information
Note: Start date and estimated completion date are mandatory contract
elements under Suffolk County Code.
Q14. If a contractor changes their business address, they must notify the
Suffolk County DCA within:
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days ✓ CORRECT
D. 60 days
Note: Address changes must be reported to the DCA within 30 days of the
change.
Q15. The Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractor law applies to
work performed on:
A. Commercial buildings only
