NY Home Improvement Contractor Exam Study
Guide Questions with Correct Answers 2026
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - CORRECT ANSWER -the construction,
repair, remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or addition to any land
or building used as a residence or dwelling place.
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any part of the home OR land
(including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks,
swimming pools, and terraces.)
What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) - CORRECT ANSWER -Central heating/air
conditioning, Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -Construction of a new home or building, Sale
of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application of goods or materials,
Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state or municipality
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment considered H.I.? -
CORRECT ANSWER -When there is painting work being done as part of other home
improvement work.
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT considered
H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement
work.
Who is a "contractor"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts,
controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to perform any
home improvement.
, What legal entity is a contractor required to be? - CORRECT ANSWER -A contractor may be an
individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - CORRECT ANSWER -An agreement between a contractor and a
consumer or tenant for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - CORRECT ANSWER -All labor, services, and materials to be
furnished and performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a
consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or tenant.
Who must have a DCA license? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a DCA license.
Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate contracts, need
to be licensed? - CORRECT ANSWER -No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
CORRECT ANSWER -$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
CORRECT ANSWER -No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
CORRECT ANSWER -If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an
architect or engineer.
Guide Questions with Correct Answers 2026
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - CORRECT ANSWER -the construction,
repair, remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or addition to any land
or building used as a residence or dwelling place.
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any part of the home OR land
(including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks,
swimming pools, and terraces.)
What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) - CORRECT ANSWER -Central heating/air
conditioning, Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -Construction of a new home or building, Sale
of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application of goods or materials,
Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state or municipality
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment considered H.I.? -
CORRECT ANSWER -When there is painting work being done as part of other home
improvement work.
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT considered
H.I.? - CORRECT ANSWER -When it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement
work.
Who is a "contractor"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts,
controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to perform any
home improvement.
, What legal entity is a contractor required to be? - CORRECT ANSWER -A contractor may be an
individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - CORRECT ANSWER -An agreement between a contractor and a
consumer or tenant for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - CORRECT ANSWER -All labor, services, and materials to be
furnished and performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - CORRECT ANSWER -Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a
consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or tenant.
Who must have a DCA license? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a DCA license.
Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate contracts, need
to be licensed? - CORRECT ANSWER -No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
CORRECT ANSWER -$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
CORRECT ANSWER -No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
CORRECT ANSWER -If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an
architect or engineer.
