NY HOME IMPROVEMENT
CONTRACTOR EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - ANS 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? - ANS 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) - ANS Central heating/air conditioning, Central
vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - ANS 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.? -
ANS 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.? - ANS When it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement work.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 7
, Who is a "contractor"? - ANS 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? - ANS A contractor may be an individual, a
firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - ANS An agreement between a contractor and a consumer or tenant
for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - ANS All labor, services, and materials to be furnished and
performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
ANS $200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
ANS No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
ANS If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an architect or
engineer.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 7
CONTRACTOR EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - ANS 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? - ANS 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) - ANS Central heating/air conditioning, Central
vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - ANS 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.? -
ANS 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.? - ANS When it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement work.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 7
, Who is a "contractor"? - ANS 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? - ANS A contractor may be an individual, a
firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - ANS An agreement between a contractor and a consumer or tenant
for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - ANS All labor, services, and materials to be furnished and
performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
ANS $200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
ANS No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
ANS If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an architect or
engineer.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 7
