Kansas Landscape Contractor
Examination — Local Jurisdiction
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. Before beginning a landscape installation project that includes excavation
near existing public utilities, what should the contractor do first?
A. Begin excavation using a small bucket
B. Request utility locating services and verify the marked locations before
excavation
C. Obtain written permission from the property owner only
D. Cover the utility markings with paint
Answer: B. Request utility locating services and verify the marked locations
before excavation
Rationale: Utility locating is a critical pre-excavation safety step. Existing utility
locations should be identified and verified before mechanical excavation begins.
, 2. A landscape contractor is installing a retaining wall near a property line.
Which consideration is most important before construction?
A. Selecting the least expensive block
B. Increasing the wall height without design review
C. Verifying property boundaries, required setbacks, drainage requirements, and
applicable local regulations
D. Placing the wall directly on the property line regardless of requirements
Answer: C. Verifying property boundaries, required setbacks, drainage
requirements, and applicable local regulations
Rationale: Retaining walls can affect drainage, neighboring property, and
structural stability. Local requirements and property boundaries must be
established before construction.
3. Which soil condition generally provides the greatest difficulty for
establishing turf because of poor drainage and limited oxygen availability?
A. Well-drained sandy loam
B. Loamy soil with adequate organic matter
C. Compacted clay soil
D. Loose gravelly soil
Answer: C. Compacted clay soil
Rationale: Compacted clay has very small pore spaces, restricting infiltration,
drainage, and oxygen movement to roots. Soil improvement and proper
drainage may be required.
4. When calculating the amount of topsoil required for a planting bed, which
formula is appropriate?
A. Length × width ÷ depth
B. Length + width + depth
C. Length × width × depth
D. Length ÷ width × depth
,Answer: C. Length × width × depth
Rationale: Volume is calculated by multiplying length, width, and depth using
consistent units. The resulting cubic volume is then converted to cubic yards
when required.
5. A contractor must install 3 inches of soil amendment over a 2,000-square-
foot area. Approximately how many cubic yards are required?
A. 12.5 cubic yards
B. 18.5 cubic yards
C. 25 cubic yards
D. 37 cubic yards
Answer: B. 18.5 cubic yards
Rationale: Two thousand square feet × 3 inches ÷ 12 = 500 cubic feet. Dividing
500 by 27 gives approximately 18.5 cubic yards.
6. Why should planting beds generally be graded to direct surface water away
from building foundations?
A. To increase fertilizer concentration
B. To eliminate the need for irrigation
C. To reduce the potential for water intrusion and foundation-related drainage
problems
D. To make mulch decompose faster
Answer: C. To reduce the potential for water intrusion and foundation-related
drainage problems
Rationale: Positive drainage away from structures helps prevent excessive
moisture from accumulating against foundations and adjacent building
components.
7. When installing a French drain, the perforated pipe should generally be
placed:
, A. With holes completely sealed
B. In a properly graded trench surrounded by suitable drainage aggregate and
filter material as specified
C. Directly on compacted concrete
D. Above the finished grade
Answer: B. In a properly graded trench surrounded by suitable drainage
aggregate and filter material as specified
Rationale: A drainage system requires proper slope, surrounding aggregate, and
appropriate filtration to collect and convey water without excessive sediment
intrusion.
8. What is the primary purpose of landscape fabric beneath decorative rock?
A. Permanently prevent all weeds
B. Increase soil fertility
C. Reduce weed emergence and help separate the soil from the aggregate
D. Increase soil compaction
Answer: C. Reduce weed emergence and help separate the soil from the
aggregate
Rationale: Landscape fabric can reduce weed emergence and help maintain
separation between soil and aggregate, although it does not eliminate weeds
permanently.
9. Which irrigation component prevents contaminated water from a
landscape system from flowing back into the potable water supply?
A. Pressure regulator
B. Rotor
C. Backflow prevention assembly
D. Solenoid valve
Answer: C. Backflow prevention assembly
Examination — Local Jurisdiction
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. Before beginning a landscape installation project that includes excavation
near existing public utilities, what should the contractor do first?
A. Begin excavation using a small bucket
B. Request utility locating services and verify the marked locations before
excavation
C. Obtain written permission from the property owner only
D. Cover the utility markings with paint
Answer: B. Request utility locating services and verify the marked locations
before excavation
Rationale: Utility locating is a critical pre-excavation safety step. Existing utility
locations should be identified and verified before mechanical excavation begins.
, 2. A landscape contractor is installing a retaining wall near a property line.
Which consideration is most important before construction?
A. Selecting the least expensive block
B. Increasing the wall height without design review
C. Verifying property boundaries, required setbacks, drainage requirements, and
applicable local regulations
D. Placing the wall directly on the property line regardless of requirements
Answer: C. Verifying property boundaries, required setbacks, drainage
requirements, and applicable local regulations
Rationale: Retaining walls can affect drainage, neighboring property, and
structural stability. Local requirements and property boundaries must be
established before construction.
3. Which soil condition generally provides the greatest difficulty for
establishing turf because of poor drainage and limited oxygen availability?
A. Well-drained sandy loam
B. Loamy soil with adequate organic matter
C. Compacted clay soil
D. Loose gravelly soil
Answer: C. Compacted clay soil
Rationale: Compacted clay has very small pore spaces, restricting infiltration,
drainage, and oxygen movement to roots. Soil improvement and proper
drainage may be required.
4. When calculating the amount of topsoil required for a planting bed, which
formula is appropriate?
A. Length × width ÷ depth
B. Length + width + depth
C. Length × width × depth
D. Length ÷ width × depth
,Answer: C. Length × width × depth
Rationale: Volume is calculated by multiplying length, width, and depth using
consistent units. The resulting cubic volume is then converted to cubic yards
when required.
5. A contractor must install 3 inches of soil amendment over a 2,000-square-
foot area. Approximately how many cubic yards are required?
A. 12.5 cubic yards
B. 18.5 cubic yards
C. 25 cubic yards
D. 37 cubic yards
Answer: B. 18.5 cubic yards
Rationale: Two thousand square feet × 3 inches ÷ 12 = 500 cubic feet. Dividing
500 by 27 gives approximately 18.5 cubic yards.
6. Why should planting beds generally be graded to direct surface water away
from building foundations?
A. To increase fertilizer concentration
B. To eliminate the need for irrigation
C. To reduce the potential for water intrusion and foundation-related drainage
problems
D. To make mulch decompose faster
Answer: C. To reduce the potential for water intrusion and foundation-related
drainage problems
Rationale: Positive drainage away from structures helps prevent excessive
moisture from accumulating against foundations and adjacent building
components.
7. When installing a French drain, the perforated pipe should generally be
placed:
, A. With holes completely sealed
B. In a properly graded trench surrounded by suitable drainage aggregate and
filter material as specified
C. Directly on compacted concrete
D. Above the finished grade
Answer: B. In a properly graded trench surrounded by suitable drainage
aggregate and filter material as specified
Rationale: A drainage system requires proper slope, surrounding aggregate, and
appropriate filtration to collect and convey water without excessive sediment
intrusion.
8. What is the primary purpose of landscape fabric beneath decorative rock?
A. Permanently prevent all weeds
B. Increase soil fertility
C. Reduce weed emergence and help separate the soil from the aggregate
D. Increase soil compaction
Answer: C. Reduce weed emergence and help separate the soil from the
aggregate
Rationale: Landscape fabric can reduce weed emergence and help maintain
separation between soil and aggregate, although it does not eliminate weeds
permanently.
9. Which irrigation component prevents contaminated water from a
landscape system from flowing back into the potable water supply?
A. Pressure regulator
B. Rotor
C. Backflow prevention assembly
D. Solenoid valve
Answer: C. Backflow prevention assembly
