North Carolina Landscape Contractor Practice Exam 2026 – Actual
Questions with Answers & Rationales | NCLCLB, Plant ID, Design,
Soils, Irrigation, Law, Safety
Q1. In North Carolina, which state board is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses
for landscape contractors who perform landscaping construction work?
A. North Carolina Board of Contractors
B. North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB)
C. North Carolina Department of Labor only
D. County building departments only
B. North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB)
NCLCLB administers the landscape contractor license.
Q2. A person who performs landscaping construction or contracting work in North Carolina
for compensation must generally hold which type of credential to comply with state law?
A. No credential is required for any work
B. A North Carolina Landscape Contractor license
C. A general home improvement license only
D. A real estate broker license
B. A North Carolina Landscape Contractor license
Licensing is required for paid landscape work.
,Q3. The North Carolina Landscape Contractor license exam consists of how many major
sections that must all be passed to obtain the full license?
A. One section only
B. Two sections only
C. Three sections
D. Five sections
C. Three sections
Design, General Knowledge, and Plant ID.
Q4. An applicant for a North Carolina Landscape Contractor license must typically
demonstrate at least how many years of practical experience in landscaping or related
fields?
A. Six months
B. One year
C. Two years
D. Five years
C. Two years
Two years of experience is standard.
Q5. A North Carolina landscape contractor must maintain a surety bond in what minimum
amount to qualify for licensure under current NCLCLB rules?
A. $1,000
B. $2,500
,C. $5,000
D. $10,000
C. $5,000
$5,000 bond is required.
Q6. A landscape contractor in North Carolina who applies pesticides as part of their
services must also hold which additional certification to comply with state regulations?
A. No additional certification is required
B. NCDA&CS pesticide applicator certification
C. A plumbing license
D. An electrical contractor license
B. NCDA&CS pesticide applicator certification
Pesticide use requires NCDA certification.
Q7. If a landscape contractor in North Carolina fails to renew their license before the
expiration date, what is the typical status of their license until renewal is completed?
A. Automatically renewed without penalty
B. Considered expired and the contractor is unlicensed
C. Converted to a general contractor license
D. Extended indefinitely with no action
B. Considered expired and the contractor is unlicensed
Expired = unlicensed until renewed.
, Q8. A North Carolina landscape contractor who performs irrigation installation or repair work
may also need to comply with which additional regulatory program depending on the scope
of work?
A. No additional rules apply to irrigation
B. North Carolina Irrigation Contractor rules and exams
C. Federal aviation regulations
D. Real estate licensing laws
B. North Carolina Irrigation Contractor rules and exams
Irrigation work has separate rules.
Q9. The General Knowledge section of the NC Landscape Contractor exam includes
questions on horticulture, construction, and which other key area required for professional
practice?
A. Real estate appraisal methods only
B. NC business practices and licensing law
C. Federal tax preparation only
D. Medical billing procedures
B. NC business practices and licensing law
Business/law is part of General Knowledge.
Q10. A landscape contractor in North Carolina who advertises their services must ensure
that all advertising includes which piece of information to comply with state rules?
A. Personal Social Security number
B. License number and business name as registered
Questions with Answers & Rationales | NCLCLB, Plant ID, Design,
Soils, Irrigation, Law, Safety
Q1. In North Carolina, which state board is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses
for landscape contractors who perform landscaping construction work?
A. North Carolina Board of Contractors
B. North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB)
C. North Carolina Department of Labor only
D. County building departments only
B. North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB)
NCLCLB administers the landscape contractor license.
Q2. A person who performs landscaping construction or contracting work in North Carolina
for compensation must generally hold which type of credential to comply with state law?
A. No credential is required for any work
B. A North Carolina Landscape Contractor license
C. A general home improvement license only
D. A real estate broker license
B. A North Carolina Landscape Contractor license
Licensing is required for paid landscape work.
,Q3. The North Carolina Landscape Contractor license exam consists of how many major
sections that must all be passed to obtain the full license?
A. One section only
B. Two sections only
C. Three sections
D. Five sections
C. Three sections
Design, General Knowledge, and Plant ID.
Q4. An applicant for a North Carolina Landscape Contractor license must typically
demonstrate at least how many years of practical experience in landscaping or related
fields?
A. Six months
B. One year
C. Two years
D. Five years
C. Two years
Two years of experience is standard.
Q5. A North Carolina landscape contractor must maintain a surety bond in what minimum
amount to qualify for licensure under current NCLCLB rules?
A. $1,000
B. $2,500
,C. $5,000
D. $10,000
C. $5,000
$5,000 bond is required.
Q6. A landscape contractor in North Carolina who applies pesticides as part of their
services must also hold which additional certification to comply with state regulations?
A. No additional certification is required
B. NCDA&CS pesticide applicator certification
C. A plumbing license
D. An electrical contractor license
B. NCDA&CS pesticide applicator certification
Pesticide use requires NCDA certification.
Q7. If a landscape contractor in North Carolina fails to renew their license before the
expiration date, what is the typical status of their license until renewal is completed?
A. Automatically renewed without penalty
B. Considered expired and the contractor is unlicensed
C. Converted to a general contractor license
D. Extended indefinitely with no action
B. Considered expired and the contractor is unlicensed
Expired = unlicensed until renewed.
, Q8. A North Carolina landscape contractor who performs irrigation installation or repair work
may also need to comply with which additional regulatory program depending on the scope
of work?
A. No additional rules apply to irrigation
B. North Carolina Irrigation Contractor rules and exams
C. Federal aviation regulations
D. Real estate licensing laws
B. North Carolina Irrigation Contractor rules and exams
Irrigation work has separate rules.
Q9. The General Knowledge section of the NC Landscape Contractor exam includes
questions on horticulture, construction, and which other key area required for professional
practice?
A. Real estate appraisal methods only
B. NC business practices and licensing law
C. Federal tax preparation only
D. Medical billing procedures
B. NC business practices and licensing law
Business/law is part of General Knowledge.
Q10. A landscape contractor in North Carolina who advertises their services must ensure
that all advertising includes which piece of information to comply with state rules?
A. Personal Social Security number
B. License number and business name as registered
