Page 1 of 113
NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Exam Structure & Passing – Online exam; 3 hours; 100 questions; scored 1-500; passing
400+; $405 fee; open to all Landscape Industry Certified members
2. Exam Content Areas – 20% installation, 20% irrigation, 20% maintenance, 20% design,
20% turf/ornamental; requires broad knowledge across all domains
3. Irrigation Systems – 60% of water used in landscapes wasted; high-efficiency heads
reduce water use 30-50%; optimal watering 4:00-10:00 AM; rain sensors required in
many jurisdictions
4. Plant Selection & Installation – 3x root ball width for planting; balled-and-burlapped:
remove wire and twine; container-grown: remove pot and tease roots; keep root ball
moist; plant at grade level
5. Hardscape Installation – 6" compacted base for patios/walkways; 1/4" per foot slope for
drainage; polymeric sand for joints; 2" course sand or stone dust for flagstone; edge
restraint required for pavers
6. Turfgrass Management – Cool-season: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial
ryegrass (active 60-75°F); warm-season: Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass
(active 80-95°F); mow frequency 1/3 rule
7. Pruning & Plant Health – Prune deciduous: winter (dormant) or late winter; spring-
flowering: after bloom; remove dead/diseased/crossing; 3-cut method for large limbs;
proper cuts at branch collar
8. Pest & Disease Management – IPM: identify, monitor, treat only when economic
threshold exceeded; cultural controls first, then biological, then chemical; target specific
pests, beneficial insects
9. Safety & Equipment – PTO safety: engage at idle, never step over, bystander distance,
guard intact; trenching: 5' deep needs protection; fall protection: 6' above ground;
HAZCOM: SDS accessible
10. Business & Professional Practice – Written contracts for all work; scope of work, costs,
payment terms; liability insurance; workers' comp; avoid guarantees for freeze/failure;
knowledge of permits and regulations
, Page 2 of 113
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Section 1: Irrigation Systems
1. What percentage of water used in landscapes is often wasted due to inefficient watering
practices?
A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 60%
D) 80%
Answer: C
Rationale: Up to 60% of the water used in landscapes is wasted due to improper watering
practices, including overwatering, runoff, and evaporation . Switching to efficient systems and
practices can dramatically reduce this waste.
2. High-efficiency sprinkler heads can reduce water usage by what percentage?
A) 10-20%
B) 20-30%
C) 30-50%
D) 50-70%
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 113
Rationale: High-efficiency sprinkler heads can reduce water usage by 30 to 50 percent . This
significant reduction comes from better distribution uniformity and reduced overspray.
3. What is the ideal time of day to water a landscape to minimize evaporation?
A) 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
B) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
C) 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
D) 4:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Answer: D
Rationale: Watering between 4:00 and 10:00 AM is the most efficient time because
temperatures are cooler and winds are typically lower, minimizing evaporation .
4. What is the primary function of a rain sensor in an irrigation system?
A) To measure rainfall amount
B) To prevent the system from watering when it has rained
C) To adjust water pressure
D) To monitor soil moisture
Answer: B
Rationale: Rain sensors prevent irrigation systems from operating during or after rainfall events,
saving water and preventing overwatering. Many jurisdictions now require them by code.
5. What is the main cause of non-uniform water distribution in a spray irrigation system?
, Page 4 of 113
A) Low water pressure
B) High water pressure
C) Wind interference
D) Incorrect nozzle selection
Answer: C
Rationale: Wind is the primary cause of non-uniform water distribution in spray irrigation
systems . Wind can blow water droplets off target, causing dry spots and overwatering in other
areas.
6. What is the recommended maximum velocity of water in irrigation pipes?
A) 3 feet per second
B) 5 feet per second
C) 7 feet per second
D) 10 feet per second
Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended maximum velocity for water in irrigation pipes is 5 feet per
second to prevent water hammer and excessive friction loss .
7. What size are the threads on standard irrigation sprinkler heads?
A) 1/2 inch
B) 3/4 inch
NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
NALP Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Exam Structure & Passing – Online exam; 3 hours; 100 questions; scored 1-500; passing
400+; $405 fee; open to all Landscape Industry Certified members
2. Exam Content Areas – 20% installation, 20% irrigation, 20% maintenance, 20% design,
20% turf/ornamental; requires broad knowledge across all domains
3. Irrigation Systems – 60% of water used in landscapes wasted; high-efficiency heads
reduce water use 30-50%; optimal watering 4:00-10:00 AM; rain sensors required in
many jurisdictions
4. Plant Selection & Installation – 3x root ball width for planting; balled-and-burlapped:
remove wire and twine; container-grown: remove pot and tease roots; keep root ball
moist; plant at grade level
5. Hardscape Installation – 6" compacted base for patios/walkways; 1/4" per foot slope for
drainage; polymeric sand for joints; 2" course sand or stone dust for flagstone; edge
restraint required for pavers
6. Turfgrass Management – Cool-season: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial
ryegrass (active 60-75°F); warm-season: Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass
(active 80-95°F); mow frequency 1/3 rule
7. Pruning & Plant Health – Prune deciduous: winter (dormant) or late winter; spring-
flowering: after bloom; remove dead/diseased/crossing; 3-cut method for large limbs;
proper cuts at branch collar
8. Pest & Disease Management – IPM: identify, monitor, treat only when economic
threshold exceeded; cultural controls first, then biological, then chemical; target specific
pests, beneficial insects
9. Safety & Equipment – PTO safety: engage at idle, never step over, bystander distance,
guard intact; trenching: 5' deep needs protection; fall protection: 6' above ground;
HAZCOM: SDS accessible
10. Business & Professional Practice – Written contracts for all work; scope of work, costs,
payment terms; liability insurance; workers' comp; avoid guarantees for freeze/failure;
knowledge of permits and regulations
, Page 2 of 113
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Section 1: Irrigation Systems
1. What percentage of water used in landscapes is often wasted due to inefficient watering
practices?
A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 60%
D) 80%
Answer: C
Rationale: Up to 60% of the water used in landscapes is wasted due to improper watering
practices, including overwatering, runoff, and evaporation . Switching to efficient systems and
practices can dramatically reduce this waste.
2. High-efficiency sprinkler heads can reduce water usage by what percentage?
A) 10-20%
B) 20-30%
C) 30-50%
D) 50-70%
Answer: C
, Page 3 of 113
Rationale: High-efficiency sprinkler heads can reduce water usage by 30 to 50 percent . This
significant reduction comes from better distribution uniformity and reduced overspray.
3. What is the ideal time of day to water a landscape to minimize evaporation?
A) 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
B) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
C) 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
D) 4:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Answer: D
Rationale: Watering between 4:00 and 10:00 AM is the most efficient time because
temperatures are cooler and winds are typically lower, minimizing evaporation .
4. What is the primary function of a rain sensor in an irrigation system?
A) To measure rainfall amount
B) To prevent the system from watering when it has rained
C) To adjust water pressure
D) To monitor soil moisture
Answer: B
Rationale: Rain sensors prevent irrigation systems from operating during or after rainfall events,
saving water and preventing overwatering. Many jurisdictions now require them by code.
5. What is the main cause of non-uniform water distribution in a spray irrigation system?
, Page 4 of 113
A) Low water pressure
B) High water pressure
C) Wind interference
D) Incorrect nozzle selection
Answer: C
Rationale: Wind is the primary cause of non-uniform water distribution in spray irrigation
systems . Wind can blow water droplets off target, causing dry spots and overwatering in other
areas.
6. What is the recommended maximum velocity of water in irrigation pipes?
A) 3 feet per second
B) 5 feet per second
C) 7 feet per second
D) 10 feet per second
Answer: B
Rationale: The recommended maximum velocity for water in irrigation pipes is 5 feet per
second to prevent water hammer and excessive friction loss .
7. What size are the threads on standard irrigation sprinkler heads?
A) 1/2 inch
B) 3/4 inch
