Frequently Asked Questions: Exams

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General Information

Which industries require an exam as part of the license application process?

You must take and pass an exam when you apply for the following licenses:

Home Improvement Contractor (NEW applicants only)
Process Server Individual (NEW and RENEWING applicants)
Sightseeing Guide (NEW applicants only)

ExamBuilder administers all DCWP licensing exams. See details below.

Exam Scheduling

Why is ExamBuilder administering all DCWP licensing exams?

DCWP’s partnership with ExamBuilder allows the Agency to offer applicants more exam dates (including weekends), times, and additional locations throughout New York City.

How do I schedule an exam?

You can schedule the exam in ONE of two ways:

Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue.
- You can find Application Number on your payment receipt (all applicants), License Application Confirmation Page (new applicants), or RENEWAL REMINDER (renewing applicants).
By phone: (646) 974-8244
- Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Test Centers are open 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.

How soon can I schedule the exam?

You can schedule the exam 24 hours after DCWP accepted your license application and payment. It takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system after DCWP accepted and processed your application and payment.

Important: You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information appears in ExamBuilder’s system.

Applicants (new and renewing) who need to take the Process Server Individual exam:

You have a total of two attempts to pass the exam. If you fail the exam two times, you must apply for a new Process Server Individual license, which means paying the license, exam, and fingerprinting fees, and being fingerprinted again.

Applicants (new) who need to take the Home Improvement or Sightseeing Guide exams:

If you fail the exam twice, you must pay the $50 exam fee again in order to retake the exam.

I have a disability and would like to request a test accommodation. Whom should I contact?

To request a disability-related accommodation, please email DCWP’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at DCWPADACoordinator@dcwp.nyc.gov.

Applicants granted a disability-related accommodation will take the exam at the DCWP Licensing Center: 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.

I need to request a language accommodation for the exam. Whom should I contact?

To request an accommodation for a specific language need, contact DCWP in ONE of the following ways:

Email: LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov
By phone: Call (212) 436-0441. (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Applicants granted a language-related accommodation will take the exam at the DCWP Licensing Center: 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004.

What do I do if I have to reschedule the exam?

If you have to reschedule, you must request a new exam date by 5:00 p.m. the day before the originally scheduled exam date. You can reschedule the exam in ONE of two ways:

By phone: (646) 974-8244
Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com

Reminder: You will not be given an extension of additional time for rescheduling your exam.

I missed my scheduled exam. Whom should I contact?

If you miss a scheduled exam without rescheduling in advance, you will automatically fail and ExamBuilder will report the “Fail” grade to DCWP.

If you miss your scheduled exam due to an emergency, you must contact DCWP at (212) 487-4060 within two (2) business days following the day of the exam that you missed to request an excused absence.

Exambuilder Test Center

What do I need to bring to the ExamBuilder Test Center?

You must bring one (1) form of government-issued photo identification with your signature. Acceptable forms include:

Driver’s license
Passport
Military ID
Alien Registration Card
Municipal ID Card (IDNYC)
Your DCWP Process Server Individual license

For test accommodations at the DCWP Licensing Center, DCWP will accept an expired ID as proof of identification only if the identification expired during the past two years.

When will I obtain the results of the exam?

ExamBuilder will provide you with the exam results, including your score and result, i.e., Pass or Fail, after you finish your exam.

Note: You do not need to submit your exam results to DCWP. ExamBuilder will notify DCWP of your exam results.

I passed the exam. What happens next?

Upon approval of your application, DCWP will mail you a license.

What do I do if I fail the exam?

You have two (2) attempts to pass the exam.

If you fail the exam on your FIRST attempt:

Contact ExamBuilder at (646) 974-8244 or dcaschedule.exambuilder.com to retake the exam. You must wait 24 hours from your failed attempt before scheduling the exam for a second attempt.

Applicants (new and renewing) who fail the Process Server Individual exam on your SECOND attempt:

You must apply for a new Process Server Individual license, which means paying the license, exam, and fingerprinting fees, and being fingerprinted again.

Applicants (new) who fail the Home Improvement or Sightseeing Guide exams on your SECOND attempt:

You must pay the $50 exam fee again in order to retake the exam. You can’t schedule the exam until DCWP accepted your payment. It takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system after DCWP accepted and processed your payment.
Contact ExamBuilder at (646) 974-8244 or dcaschedule.exambuilder.com to retake the exam.

General Questions About Home Improvement Exam

*Requirement for NEW applicants only*

Who must take the exam?

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.

Important:

When you apply for the license, you must confirm with DCWP who will take the exam.

What does the exam cover and how can I prepare?

Download the Home Improvement Examination Guide to help you prepare for the exam. The Guide is in English and 11 additional languages.

What is the format of the exam?

The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions.

What qualifies as a passing grade?

To pass the exam, you must correctly answer no fewer than 21 questions.

General Questions About Process Server Individual Exam

*Requirement for NEW and RENEWING applicants*

What does the exam cover?

The exam covers City and State laws and rules that you must know in order to serve process in the City of New York legally and properly. Questions test your understanding of these laws and rules.

How can I prepare for the exam?

DCWP prepared Educational Materials for Process Servers that include:

New York City Laws and Rules
New York General Business Law
New York Civil Practice Law and Rules
New York Domestic Relations Law
New York Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law
New York Business Corporation Law

Important: These materials are not a “study guide” exclusively for the exam. You can download materials from the DCWP website at nyc.gov/processservers.

Are DCWP’s Educational Materials for Process Servers the only materials I need to study before the exam?

No. Although these materials will help as you prepare for the exam, you should consult other resources, which may include:

Attorneys and agencies for whom you work
Relevant professional associations (to obtain training and other materials)
New York State Unified Court System Public Access Law Libraries: http://www.nycourts.gov/lawlibraries
New York Civil Practice and Landlord-Tenant Practice:
- New York Practice by David D. Siegel
- New York Practice Series - Landlord and Tenant Practice in New York
New York Jurisprudence, 2nd Edition
New York City Marshals HandBook of Regulations, in particular Chapter IV, Section 2-2 and Section 5

What is the format of the exam?

The exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions. Here is a sample question:

What information must you include in affidavits of service that you sign?

1. Your license number.
2. The name of the process serving agency that distributed the papers to you.
3. The address of the process serving agency that distributed the papers to you.
4. All of the above.

The correct answer is (d). See General Business Law § 89-ff; 6 RCNY § 2-235.

What qualifies as a passing grade?

To pass the exam, you must correctly answer no fewer than 25 questions.

General Questions About Sighseeing Guide Exam

*Requirement for NEW applicants only*

What does the exam cover and how can I prepare?

Download the Study Reference to help you prepare for the exam.

What is the format of the exam?

The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions.

What qualifies as a passing grade?

To pass the exam, you must correctly answer no fewer than 97 questions.

11/21/2025