NYC Home Improvement Contractor HIC
Licensing Examination ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study Guide &
Practice Test | 150 Questions | Verified
Answers | Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: NYC ADMINISTRATIVE CODE – HOME
IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSING LAW (TITLE 20,
CHAPTER 2) — 30 QUESTIONS
Q1: According to NYC Administrative Code Section 20-386, which of the following activities
constitutes "home improvement" requiring a license?
A. Cleaning gutters on a residential property
B. Installing a new roof on a single-family home [CORRECT]
C. Mowing the lawn at a two-family home
D. Removing snow from a residential driveway
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-386 defines "home improvement" as repairing, remodeling, altering,
converting, or modernizing residential property. Roofing is explicitly included. Routine maintenance
,such as cleaning gutters (A), lawn mowing (C), and snow removal (D) are specifically excluded from
the definition.
NYC Note: Always distinguish between home improvement (requires license) and routine
maintenance (exempt). Work costing more than $200 to any residential building requires a license.
Q2: Under Administrative Code Section 20-387, which of the following is a requirement for
obtaining a Home Improvement Contractor license in NYC?
A. Completion of a 40-hour pre-licensing course
B. A physical place of business within New York City [CORRECT]
C. A minimum of 5 years of experience as a journeyman
D. Passing a trade examination in carpentry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NYC HIC license requires a physical place of business within the five boroughs (not a
P.O. box). There is no specific pre-licensing course requirement (A). Experience requirement is 2
years (not 5) for a qualifier (C). While applicants must now pass a Home Improvement exam (30
questions, 21 to pass) , there is no trade-specific examination requirement (D).
Q3: Which of the following is EXEMPT from the Home Improvement Contractor licensing
requirement under Section 20-388?
A. A contractor installing kitchen cabinets in a co-op apartment
B. An employee of a licensed home improvement contractor [CORRECT]
C. A contractor building a deck on a private residence
D. A contractor replacing windows in a brownstone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-388 exempts employees of licensed contractors from licensing requirements.
All other options (A, C, D) describe home improvement work that requires a license. Other
,exemptions include subcontractors working for licensed prime contractors, licensed professionals
acting within their capacity, material suppliers not performing installation, and new construction.
Q4: Under Section 20-389, where must a home improvement contractor display their license
number?
A. Only on written contracts
B. On all contracts, estimates, advertisements, business cards, and vehicles [CORRECT]
C. Only on official correspondence with DCWP
D. Only on business cards and letterhead
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-389 requires the license number to appear conspicuously on all contracts,
estimates, advertisements, business cards, and vehicles. This ensures consumers can verify
licensure across all contractor communications and marketing materials.
Q5: Under Section 20-390, how many days does a licensee have to notify DCWP of a change of
business address?
A. 5 days
B. 10 days [CORRECT]
C. 15 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-390 requires notification within 10 days of any change of address, telephone
number, business structure, or qualifier information. Failure to notify may result in penalties.
Q6: How frequently must a Home Improvement Contractor license be renewed under Section
20-391?
, A. Annually
B. Biennially (every 2 years) [CORRECT]
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIC licenses must be renewed every two years (biennially). The licensee must submit
renewal application, fees, and proof of continued insurance and bond compliance.
Q7: Under Section 20-392, which of the following is NOT grounds for license revocation or
suspension?
A. Fraud or misrepresentation
B. Abandonment of work
C. Customer's failure to pay for completed work [CORRECT]
D. Failure to maintain required insurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While fraud (A), abandonment (B), and failure to maintain insurance (D) are grounds for
revocation, a customer's failure to pay is not grounds for disciplining the contractor. However, the
contractor may file a mechanic's lien for non-payment.
Q8: According to current DCWP requirements, what is the passing score for the Home
Improvement Contractor exam?
A. 70% (21 out of 30 questions correct) [CORRECT]
B. 75% (23 out of 30 questions correct)
C. 80% (24 out of 30 questions correct)
D. 85% (26 out of 30 questions correct)
Licensing Examination ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Comprehensive Study Guide &
Practice Test | 150 Questions | Verified
Answers | Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: NYC ADMINISTRATIVE CODE – HOME
IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSING LAW (TITLE 20,
CHAPTER 2) — 30 QUESTIONS
Q1: According to NYC Administrative Code Section 20-386, which of the following activities
constitutes "home improvement" requiring a license?
A. Cleaning gutters on a residential property
B. Installing a new roof on a single-family home [CORRECT]
C. Mowing the lawn at a two-family home
D. Removing snow from a residential driveway
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-386 defines "home improvement" as repairing, remodeling, altering,
converting, or modernizing residential property. Roofing is explicitly included. Routine maintenance
,such as cleaning gutters (A), lawn mowing (C), and snow removal (D) are specifically excluded from
the definition.
NYC Note: Always distinguish between home improvement (requires license) and routine
maintenance (exempt). Work costing more than $200 to any residential building requires a license.
Q2: Under Administrative Code Section 20-387, which of the following is a requirement for
obtaining a Home Improvement Contractor license in NYC?
A. Completion of a 40-hour pre-licensing course
B. A physical place of business within New York City [CORRECT]
C. A minimum of 5 years of experience as a journeyman
D. Passing a trade examination in carpentry
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NYC HIC license requires a physical place of business within the five boroughs (not a
P.O. box). There is no specific pre-licensing course requirement (A). Experience requirement is 2
years (not 5) for a qualifier (C). While applicants must now pass a Home Improvement exam (30
questions, 21 to pass) , there is no trade-specific examination requirement (D).
Q3: Which of the following is EXEMPT from the Home Improvement Contractor licensing
requirement under Section 20-388?
A. A contractor installing kitchen cabinets in a co-op apartment
B. An employee of a licensed home improvement contractor [CORRECT]
C. A contractor building a deck on a private residence
D. A contractor replacing windows in a brownstone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-388 exempts employees of licensed contractors from licensing requirements.
All other options (A, C, D) describe home improvement work that requires a license. Other
,exemptions include subcontractors working for licensed prime contractors, licensed professionals
acting within their capacity, material suppliers not performing installation, and new construction.
Q4: Under Section 20-389, where must a home improvement contractor display their license
number?
A. Only on written contracts
B. On all contracts, estimates, advertisements, business cards, and vehicles [CORRECT]
C. Only on official correspondence with DCWP
D. Only on business cards and letterhead
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-389 requires the license number to appear conspicuously on all contracts,
estimates, advertisements, business cards, and vehicles. This ensures consumers can verify
licensure across all contractor communications and marketing materials.
Q5: Under Section 20-390, how many days does a licensee have to notify DCWP of a change of
business address?
A. 5 days
B. 10 days [CORRECT]
C. 15 days
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 20-390 requires notification within 10 days of any change of address, telephone
number, business structure, or qualifier information. Failure to notify may result in penalties.
Q6: How frequently must a Home Improvement Contractor license be renewed under Section
20-391?
, A. Annually
B. Biennially (every 2 years) [CORRECT]
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIC licenses must be renewed every two years (biennially). The licensee must submit
renewal application, fees, and proof of continued insurance and bond compliance.
Q7: Under Section 20-392, which of the following is NOT grounds for license revocation or
suspension?
A. Fraud or misrepresentation
B. Abandonment of work
C. Customer's failure to pay for completed work [CORRECT]
D. Failure to maintain required insurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While fraud (A), abandonment (B), and failure to maintain insurance (D) are grounds for
revocation, a customer's failure to pay is not grounds for disciplining the contractor. However, the
contractor may file a mechanic's lien for non-payment.
Q8: According to current DCWP requirements, what is the passing score for the Home
Improvement Contractor exam?
A. 70% (21 out of 30 questions correct) [CORRECT]
B. 75% (23 out of 30 questions correct)
C. 80% (24 out of 30 questions correct)
D. 85% (26 out of 30 questions correct)
