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Home Improvement Contractor License

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After You Apply

After you submit your application

  • 1

    After applicant files application and materials to DCWP, applicant (i.e., sole proprietor, general partner, director, corporate officer, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock) must schedule an appointment with ExamBuilder to take the Home Improvement Exam.   More info


      • Only ONE of the following persons needs to pass the Home Improvement Exam: sole proprietor, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock. You must confirm with DCWP who will take the exam.
      • You can schedule the exam 24 hours after DCWP has processed your completed license application, which includes required documents and fees. You cannot schedule the exam until DCWP has received and processed required documents and payments. Once DCWP has processed your application, it takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system.
      • You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information appears in ExamBuilder’s system.
      • Test Centers are open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week in multiple locations citywide. ExamBuilder can confirm available locations when you schedule your exam.
      • You can schedule the exam in ONE of two ways:
        1. Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue. You can find Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt.
        2. By phone: (646) 974-8244. Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

    Download Study Guide (PDF )

  • 2

    Within two weeks of DCWP receiving all required materials, applicants will receive one of the following notifications by mail with the status of their license application.
    -If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a license document.
    -If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied. 
    -If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.

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