,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina NC 1-26 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Inches, Requirement
Landscape Contractor
Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed
Explanations Complete NC
Landscaping License PREP
Study Guide Instant PDF
Download Landscape
Contracting AND
Horticultural Sciences
Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Landscape 27-52 Contractor, Design, Project, Piedmont, System
Project 53-78 Landscape, Contractor, Required, Stormwater, Control
Commercial 79-104 Landscape, Contractor, Critical, Appropriate, Design
System 105-130 Landscape, Contractor, Project, Effective, Strategy
Design 131-153 Contractor, Landscape, Square, System, Installation
TOTAL 153 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina NC Landscape Contractor
Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed Explanations Complete NC
Landscaping License PREP Study Guide Instant PDF
Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural
Sciences Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q1.
Under NC law, a landscape contractor may perform work on a residential project without a
license if the contract price for the entire project is less than which threshold?
A. $10,000 B. $30,000
C. $50,000 D. $100,000
Correct: B - $30,000
Rationale:NC General Statute §89F-4 exempts contractors from licensing for residential
projects under $30,000. This threshold is specifically for residential, not commercial, work.
Commercial projects trigger licensing at $20,000, making $30,000 the correct residential
exemption limit.
Q2.
A landscape design specifies a rain garden in a compacted urban soil. The contractor
must achieve a minimum infiltration rate of 0.5 in/hr. The site has a clay loam with a
measured percolation rate of 0.2 in/hr. Which soil amendment strategy is most effective to
meet the infiltration requirement?
A. Incorporate 3 inches of coarse sand to a B. Till in 4 inches of compost and gypsum to
depth of 6 inches a depth of 12 inches
C. Install a perforated underdrain wrapped D. Replace the top 18 inches with a sandy
in geotextile fabric loam mix
Correct: D - Replace the top 18 inches with a sandy loam mix
Rationale:In clay loam, achieving a 0.5 in/hr infiltration rate requires altering the soil texture
significantly. Replacing the top 18 inches with sandy loam provides a new root zone with
higher hydraulic conductivity. Amending with sand or compost (A and B) may improve
structure but often fails to achieve the needed rate in heavy clay; an underdrain (C) bypasses
the soil, not meeting the infiltration requirement.
Q3.
In NC, a landscape contractor is required to have a licensed individual 'in charge' of
projects. What is the minimum number of credit hours of continuing education (CE) that
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina NC Landscape Contractor Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed Explanations Complete NC Landscaping License PREP
Study Guide Instant PDF Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural Sciences Graduate / Advanced Professional
this individual must complete per license year?
A. 3 hours B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours D. 8 hours
Correct: C - 6 hours
Rationale:NC Landscape Contractors Licensing Board requires 6 hours of CE per year for
licensed contractors. This includes at least 1 hour in business management and 1 hour in
horticulture. The 3-hour option is for some other states, 4 and 8 are not standard for NC.
Q4.
For a landscape project in the NC Piedmont, which plant species is most appropriate for a
rain garden that experiences alternating wet and dry conditions?
A. Ilex verticillata (winterberry) B. Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar)
C. Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) D. Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf
hydrangea)
Correct: A - Ilex verticillata (winterberry)
Rationale:Ilex verticillata is a native deciduous holly that thrives in wet to moist soils and
tolerates periodic flooding, making it ideal for rain gardens. Juniperus virginiana prefers dry,
well-drained sites; Cercis canadensis and Hydrangea quercifolia prefer well-drained but moist
soils and are less tolerant of prolonged saturation.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial site with 2 acres of turf and 1
acre of ornamental beds. The contract includes installation of an irrigation system. Which
type of irrigation controller is most appropriate to meet NC water conservation
regulations?
A. A dual-program controller with manual B. A smart controller with ET-based
override scheduling and rain sensor
C. A basic controller with multiple start times D. A controller with a fixed weekly schedule
Correct: B - A smart controller with ET-based scheduling and rain sensor
Rationale:NC water conservation rules encourage smart irrigation controllers that adjust
based on evapotranspiration (ET) and include rain sensors. These controllers significantly
reduce water waste. Dual-program and basic controllers lack the adaptive scheduling needed
for compliance and efficiency.
Page 4
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina NC 1-26 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Inches, Requirement
Landscape Contractor
Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed
Explanations Complete NC
Landscaping License PREP
Study Guide Instant PDF
Download Landscape
Contracting AND
Horticultural Sciences
Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Landscape 27-52 Contractor, Design, Project, Piedmont, System
Project 53-78 Landscape, Contractor, Required, Stormwater, Control
Commercial 79-104 Landscape, Contractor, Critical, Appropriate, Design
System 105-130 Landscape, Contractor, Project, Effective, Strategy
Design 131-153 Contractor, Landscape, Square, System, Installation
TOTAL 153 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina NC Landscape Contractor
Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed Explanations Complete NC
Landscaping License PREP Study Guide Instant PDF
Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural
Sciences Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q1.
Under NC law, a landscape contractor may perform work on a residential project without a
license if the contract price for the entire project is less than which threshold?
A. $10,000 B. $30,000
C. $50,000 D. $100,000
Correct: B - $30,000
Rationale:NC General Statute §89F-4 exempts contractors from licensing for residential
projects under $30,000. This threshold is specifically for residential, not commercial, work.
Commercial projects trigger licensing at $20,000, making $30,000 the correct residential
exemption limit.
Q2.
A landscape design specifies a rain garden in a compacted urban soil. The contractor
must achieve a minimum infiltration rate of 0.5 in/hr. The site has a clay loam with a
measured percolation rate of 0.2 in/hr. Which soil amendment strategy is most effective to
meet the infiltration requirement?
A. Incorporate 3 inches of coarse sand to a B. Till in 4 inches of compost and gypsum to
depth of 6 inches a depth of 12 inches
C. Install a perforated underdrain wrapped D. Replace the top 18 inches with a sandy
in geotextile fabric loam mix
Correct: D - Replace the top 18 inches with a sandy loam mix
Rationale:In clay loam, achieving a 0.5 in/hr infiltration rate requires altering the soil texture
significantly. Replacing the top 18 inches with sandy loam provides a new root zone with
higher hydraulic conductivity. Amending with sand or compost (A and B) may improve
structure but often fails to achieve the needed rate in heavy clay; an underdrain (C) bypasses
the soil, not meeting the infiltration requirement.
Q3.
In NC, a landscape contractor is required to have a licensed individual 'in charge' of
projects. What is the minimum number of credit hours of continuing education (CE) that
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina NC Landscape Contractor Newest 2026 & WITH Detailed Explanations Complete NC Landscaping License PREP
Study Guide Instant PDF Download Landscape Contracting AND Horticultural Sciences Graduate / Advanced Professional
this individual must complete per license year?
A. 3 hours B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours D. 8 hours
Correct: C - 6 hours
Rationale:NC Landscape Contractors Licensing Board requires 6 hours of CE per year for
licensed contractors. This includes at least 1 hour in business management and 1 hour in
horticulture. The 3-hour option is for some other states, 4 and 8 are not standard for NC.
Q4.
For a landscape project in the NC Piedmont, which plant species is most appropriate for a
rain garden that experiences alternating wet and dry conditions?
A. Ilex verticillata (winterberry) B. Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar)
C. Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) D. Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf
hydrangea)
Correct: A - Ilex verticillata (winterberry)
Rationale:Ilex verticillata is a native deciduous holly that thrives in wet to moist soils and
tolerates periodic flooding, making it ideal for rain gardens. Juniperus virginiana prefers dry,
well-drained sites; Cercis canadensis and Hydrangea quercifolia prefer well-drained but moist
soils and are less tolerant of prolonged saturation.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial site with 2 acres of turf and 1
acre of ornamental beds. The contract includes installation of an irrigation system. Which
type of irrigation controller is most appropriate to meet NC water conservation
regulations?
A. A dual-program controller with manual B. A smart controller with ET-based
override scheduling and rain sensor
C. A basic controller with multiple start times D. A controller with a fixed weekly schedule
Correct: B - A smart controller with ET-based scheduling and rain sensor
Rationale:NC water conservation rules encourage smart irrigation controllers that adjust
based on evapotranspiration (ET) and include rain sensors. These controllers significantly
reduce water waste. Dual-program and basic controllers lack the adaptive scheduling needed
for compliance and efficiency.
Page 4
