NYC Home Improvement Exam 2026 –
Actual Questions & Verified Answers (A+
Grade Study Guide, Updated Solutions)
• This study guide contains 200 actual-style NYC Home Improvement Exam
questions with verified answers, clear correct-answer highlights, and detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE — making it your all-in-one prep tool.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully before looking at the answer;
test yourself first, then review the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding
and retain key concepts.
Question 1: Which city agency is responsible for licensing Home Improvement
Contractors in New York City?
A. New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
B. New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
C. New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
D. New York City Department of City Planning
E. New York State Department of Labor
Correct Answer: C. New York City Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection (DCWP)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The DCWP (formerly DCA) is the agency that issues and
regulates Home Improvement Contractor licenses in New York City under NYC
Administrative Code Title 20.
Question 2: Under NYC law, a written home improvement contract is required
when the total cost of the job exceeds:
A. $500
B. $1,000
,C. $200
D. $2,500
E. $100
Correct Answer: C. $200
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC Administrative Code §20-387 requires a written
contract for any home improvement work where the aggregate price exceeds $200,
protecting consumers from verbal misunderstandings.
Question 3: The NYC Home Improvement Contractor license must be renewed
every:
A. 6 months
B. 5 years
C. 3 years
D. 1 year
E. 2 years
Correct Answer: E. 2 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC home improvement contractor licenses are valid for
two years and must be renewed with the DCWP before expiration to continue
operating legally.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT required to be included in a home
improvement contract?
A. Contractor's license number
B. Description of the work to be performed
C. Contractor's Social Security Number
D. Start and estimated completion dates
,E. Total price and payment schedule
Correct Answer: C. Contractor's Social Security Number
EXPERT RATIONALE: A contractor's Social Security Number is personal
information not required in a home improvement contract. Required elements
include name, address, license number, work description, dates, and payment
terms.
Question 5: A home improvement contractor in NYC must carry general
liability insurance with a minimum of:
A. $500,000 per occurrence
B. $1,000,000 per occurrence
C. $250,000 per occurrence
D. $2,000,000 per occurrence
E. $750,000 per occurrence
Correct Answer: B. $1,000,000 per occurrence
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC DCWP requires licensed home improvement
contractors to carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence
as a condition of licensure.
Question 6: Under the NYC Administrative Code, "home improvement"
applies to residential buildings with how many dwelling units?
A. 1 to 6 units
B. 1 to 10 units
C. 1 to 4 units
D. Any number of units
E. 1 to 3 units
, Correct Answer: C. 1 to 4 units
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC's home improvement law covers one-to-four family
dwellings. Buildings with more than 4 units fall under different regulatory
frameworks and are not covered under the home improvement contractor statute.
Question 7: A homeowner has how many days to cancel a home improvement
contract signed at their home?
A. 5 business days
B. 7 calendar days
C. 3 business days
D. 10 calendar days
E. 24 hours
Correct Answer: C. 3 business days
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule
and NYC consumer protection law, a homeowner may cancel a contract signed at
their residence within 3 business days without penalty.
Question 8: Which of the following workers must also hold an individual
license from DCWP?
A. General laborers
B. Home improvement salespersons
C. Subcontractors only
D. Suppliers of materials
E. Apprentices
Correct Answer: B. Home improvement salespersons
Actual Questions & Verified Answers (A+
Grade Study Guide, Updated Solutions)
• This study guide contains 200 actual-style NYC Home Improvement Exam
questions with verified answers, clear correct-answer highlights, and detailed
EXPERT RATIONALE — making it your all-in-one prep tool.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully before looking at the answer;
test yourself first, then review the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding
and retain key concepts.
Question 1: Which city agency is responsible for licensing Home Improvement
Contractors in New York City?
A. New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
B. New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
C. New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
D. New York City Department of City Planning
E. New York State Department of Labor
Correct Answer: C. New York City Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection (DCWP)
EXPERT RATIONALE: The DCWP (formerly DCA) is the agency that issues and
regulates Home Improvement Contractor licenses in New York City under NYC
Administrative Code Title 20.
Question 2: Under NYC law, a written home improvement contract is required
when the total cost of the job exceeds:
A. $500
B. $1,000
,C. $200
D. $2,500
E. $100
Correct Answer: C. $200
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC Administrative Code §20-387 requires a written
contract for any home improvement work where the aggregate price exceeds $200,
protecting consumers from verbal misunderstandings.
Question 3: The NYC Home Improvement Contractor license must be renewed
every:
A. 6 months
B. 5 years
C. 3 years
D. 1 year
E. 2 years
Correct Answer: E. 2 years
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC home improvement contractor licenses are valid for
two years and must be renewed with the DCWP before expiration to continue
operating legally.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT required to be included in a home
improvement contract?
A. Contractor's license number
B. Description of the work to be performed
C. Contractor's Social Security Number
D. Start and estimated completion dates
,E. Total price and payment schedule
Correct Answer: C. Contractor's Social Security Number
EXPERT RATIONALE: A contractor's Social Security Number is personal
information not required in a home improvement contract. Required elements
include name, address, license number, work description, dates, and payment
terms.
Question 5: A home improvement contractor in NYC must carry general
liability insurance with a minimum of:
A. $500,000 per occurrence
B. $1,000,000 per occurrence
C. $250,000 per occurrence
D. $2,000,000 per occurrence
E. $750,000 per occurrence
Correct Answer: B. $1,000,000 per occurrence
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC DCWP requires licensed home improvement
contractors to carry general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence
as a condition of licensure.
Question 6: Under the NYC Administrative Code, "home improvement"
applies to residential buildings with how many dwelling units?
A. 1 to 6 units
B. 1 to 10 units
C. 1 to 4 units
D. Any number of units
E. 1 to 3 units
, Correct Answer: C. 1 to 4 units
EXPERT RATIONALE: NYC's home improvement law covers one-to-four family
dwellings. Buildings with more than 4 units fall under different regulatory
frameworks and are not covered under the home improvement contractor statute.
Question 7: A homeowner has how many days to cancel a home improvement
contract signed at their home?
A. 5 business days
B. 7 calendar days
C. 3 business days
D. 10 calendar days
E. 24 hours
Correct Answer: C. 3 business days
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under the Federal Trade Commission's Cooling-Off Rule
and NYC consumer protection law, a homeowner may cancel a contract signed at
their residence within 3 business days without penalty.
Question 8: Which of the following workers must also hold an individual
license from DCWP?
A. General laborers
B. Home improvement salespersons
C. Subcontractors only
D. Suppliers of materials
E. Apprentices
Correct Answer: B. Home improvement salespersons
