Page 1 of 135
NYC General Contractor License Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form – Accurate for NYC GC Exam)
• Licensing Jurisdiction: DOB for General Contractor Registration (commercial/new buildings),
DCWP for Home Improvement Contractor (1-4 family residential)
• Insurance Requirements: General liability ($1M minimum for HIC), workers' compensation,
disability insurance
• Bonds & Financial Security: $20,000 surety bond or trust fund for HIC; performance bonds on
public works
• Permit Types: ALT1 (major alterations), ALT2 (minor interior), NB (new building), Demolition
• Contract Law: Written contract requirements, 3-day right to cancel (HIC), change orders, scope
of work
• Lien Law: Mechanic's liens, lien waivers (conditional vs. unconditional), trust fund requirements
• NYC Building Code: Chapter 33 (safeguards), standpipe pressures (100 psi), roof slope (1/4
inch/ft)
• Safety Regulations: OSHA 30-hour (Local Law 196), scaffold safety, fall protection, excavation
• Environmental Rules: Asbestos inspection before demolition, lead paint, Clean Water Act
(wetlands)
• Project Management: Punch lists, shop drawings, change orders, scheduling, closeout
• Business Law: LLC liability, tax penalties (license suspension), subcontractor verification
1. A homeowner in Queens signs a contract for a kitchen remodel at her single-family home. Which NYC
agency enforces the licensing requirement for this contractor?
A) Department of Buildings (DOB)
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B) Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
C) Department of Labor (DOL)
D) Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Answer: B
Rationale: Home improvement contractors in NYC are licensed by DCWP (formerly DCA), not DOB, for
residential work on one-to four-family homes .
2. Your company performs general construction on new one-family homes in the Bronx. Which
registration do you need?
A) Home Improvement Contractor license
B) General Contractor Registration with DOB
C) Master Plumber license
D) Electrician license
Answer: B
*Rationale: DOB issues General Contractor Registration for commercial and new residential
construction. DCWP handles HIC for alterations/repairs on existing 1-4 family homes .*
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3. Which DOB division issues building permits in NYC?
A) Office of Enforcement
B) Office of Permit Processing (OPP)
C) Office of the Architect
D) Office of Criminal Investigations
Answer: B
Rationale: OPP reviews applications, checks code compliance, and issues permits for construction work
throughout the five boroughs .
4. Your client wants a minor interior alteration that does not affect structural elements or egress. Which
permit type applies?
A) Alteration Type 1 (ALT1)
B) Alteration Type 2 (ALT2)
C) Alteration Type 3 (ALT3)
D) Demolition permit
Answer: B
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*Rationale: ALT2 covers non-structural interior changes that don't affect fire protection, means of
egress, or structural elements .*
5. How often must a DOB-registered General Contractor renew their registration?
A) Every 6 months
B) Annually
C) Every 2 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: DOB registrations expire annually. Renewal requires continuing education and proof of good
moral character .
6. You hire a subcontractor who is not licensed by DCWP for home improvement work. Who is
responsible for this violation?
A) Subcontractor only
B) General contractor
C) Homeowner
NYC General Contractor License Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Topics Covered (Point Form – Accurate for NYC GC Exam)
• Licensing Jurisdiction: DOB for General Contractor Registration (commercial/new buildings),
DCWP for Home Improvement Contractor (1-4 family residential)
• Insurance Requirements: General liability ($1M minimum for HIC), workers' compensation,
disability insurance
• Bonds & Financial Security: $20,000 surety bond or trust fund for HIC; performance bonds on
public works
• Permit Types: ALT1 (major alterations), ALT2 (minor interior), NB (new building), Demolition
• Contract Law: Written contract requirements, 3-day right to cancel (HIC), change orders, scope
of work
• Lien Law: Mechanic's liens, lien waivers (conditional vs. unconditional), trust fund requirements
• NYC Building Code: Chapter 33 (safeguards), standpipe pressures (100 psi), roof slope (1/4
inch/ft)
• Safety Regulations: OSHA 30-hour (Local Law 196), scaffold safety, fall protection, excavation
• Environmental Rules: Asbestos inspection before demolition, lead paint, Clean Water Act
(wetlands)
• Project Management: Punch lists, shop drawings, change orders, scheduling, closeout
• Business Law: LLC liability, tax penalties (license suspension), subcontractor verification
1. A homeowner in Queens signs a contract for a kitchen remodel at her single-family home. Which NYC
agency enforces the licensing requirement for this contractor?
A) Department of Buildings (DOB)
, Page 2 of 135
B) Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
C) Department of Labor (DOL)
D) Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Answer: B
Rationale: Home improvement contractors in NYC are licensed by DCWP (formerly DCA), not DOB, for
residential work on one-to four-family homes .
2. Your company performs general construction on new one-family homes in the Bronx. Which
registration do you need?
A) Home Improvement Contractor license
B) General Contractor Registration with DOB
C) Master Plumber license
D) Electrician license
Answer: B
*Rationale: DOB issues General Contractor Registration for commercial and new residential
construction. DCWP handles HIC for alterations/repairs on existing 1-4 family homes .*
, Page 3 of 135
3. Which DOB division issues building permits in NYC?
A) Office of Enforcement
B) Office of Permit Processing (OPP)
C) Office of the Architect
D) Office of Criminal Investigations
Answer: B
Rationale: OPP reviews applications, checks code compliance, and issues permits for construction work
throughout the five boroughs .
4. Your client wants a minor interior alteration that does not affect structural elements or egress. Which
permit type applies?
A) Alteration Type 1 (ALT1)
B) Alteration Type 2 (ALT2)
C) Alteration Type 3 (ALT3)
D) Demolition permit
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 135
*Rationale: ALT2 covers non-structural interior changes that don't affect fire protection, means of
egress, or structural elements .*
5. How often must a DOB-registered General Contractor renew their registration?
A) Every 6 months
B) Annually
C) Every 2 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: DOB registrations expire annually. Renewal requires continuing education and proof of good
moral character .
6. You hire a subcontractor who is not licensed by DCWP for home improvement work. Who is
responsible for this violation?
A) Subcontractor only
B) General contractor
C) Homeowner
