NEVADA C-10 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR JUST RELEASED
Coverage Areas
1. Nevada C-10 Scope of Work — Understand the activities legally included within landscape contracting,
including planting, grading, irrigation, drainage, xeriscaping, erosion control, and related landscape
improvements.
2. Site Preparation, Grading, and Drainage — Study proper site evaluation, soil preparation, grading
principles, surface drainage, runoff control, and protection of structures and adjacent properties.
3. Landscape Irrigation Systems — Know irrigation components, water distribution, valves, backflow
prevention, pressure management, sprinkler selection, drip systems, installation, and maintenance.
4. Soils, Planting, and Soil Amendments — Understand soil characteristics, compaction, drainage, organic
amendments, planting procedures, root zones, transplanting, and plant establishment.
5. Plant Identification and Horticultural Practices — Review trees, shrubs, vines, turf, groundcovers,
planting requirements, pruning, fertilization, transplanting, and appropriate plant selection.
6. Xeriscaping and Water Conservation — Focus on water-efficient landscape design, hydrozones,
appropriate plant selection, efficient irrigation, mulching, soil improvement, and Nevada's arid conditions.
7. Landscape Construction Materials and Features — Study rocks, sand, gravel, mulch, decorative landscape
materials, nonengineered ponds, trellises, arbors, and related installation considerations.
8. Erosion Control and Environmental Protection — Understand erosion mechanisms, sediment control,
stabilization methods, runoff management, and protection of established landscapes and waterways.
9. Hydroseeding and Turf Establishment — Know seed selection, mulch, nutrients, application methods, soil
preparation, germination requirements, watering, and establishment practices.
10. Safety, Codes, Plans, and Professional Practices — Review safe excavation, utility awareness, equipment
operation, project documentation, plan interpretation, code compliance, and coordination with other
trades.
NEVADA C-10 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR EXAMINATION
Question 1
,A Nevada C-10 landscape contractor is preparing a residential property for new
planting and irrigation installation. Which activity most directly falls within the
recognized scope of landscape contracting?
A. Designing and constructing a structural concrete bridge
B. Grading and preparing land for architectural horticulture
C. Installing a building's complete electrical distribution system
D. Manufacturing commercial irrigation pumps
Answer: B. Grading and preparing land for architectural horticulture
Rationale: The C-10 classification includes grading and preparing plots of land for
architectural horticulture. The other activities fall primarily under different
construction or manufacturing classifications. (Nevada State Contractors Board)
Question 2
When developing a landscape plan for a Nevada property with limited annual
rainfall, which design principle should receive the greatest consideration?
A. Maximizing turfgrass throughout every available planting area
B. Selecting plants and irrigation practices that efficiently conserve available
water
C. Installing the highest-volume irrigation heads regardless of plant requirements
D. Eliminating all mulch because it prevents soil evaporation
Answer: B. Selecting plants and irrigation practices that efficiently conserve
available water
Rationale: Nevada's arid climate makes water conservation essential. Efficient
irrigation, appropriate plant selection, hydrozoning, and mulching help reduce
unnecessary water consumption.
Question 3
,A landscape contractor must establish finished grades around a new home before
installing planting beds. What is the primary reason finished grading requires
careful planning?
A. To ensure every landscape area receives identical amounts of sunlight
B. To direct water appropriately while preventing drainage problems near
structures
C. To increase the amount of irrigation water required by turfgrass
D. To eliminate the need for soil testing before planting
Answer: B. To direct water appropriately while preventing drainage problems
near structures
Rationale: Proper grading controls surface runoff and helps move water away
from structures. Poor grading can create ponding, erosion, foundation problems,
and landscape failures.
Question 4
Before excavating for a landscape irrigation mainline, which precaution should
the contractor take to reduce the risk of damaging underground utilities?
A. Begin excavation immediately because landscape trenches are shallow
B. Locate and verify underground utilities before mechanical excavation begins
C. Assume utility locations based solely on visible electrical meters
D. Use irrigation plans as the only source of utility information
Answer: B. Locate and verify underground utilities before mechanical
excavation begins
Rationale: Underground utility identification is an essential safety practice before
excavation. Utility plans alone may not accurately show actual field conditions.
Question 5
, A landscape contractor notices that irrigation water accumulates in one portion of
a planting bed after every watering cycle. What is the most likely underlying
problem?
A. Excessive sunlight exposure
B. Poor soil drainage or inadequate surface grading
C. Insufficient soil moisture
D. Excessive plant spacing
Answer: B. Poor soil drainage or inadequate surface grading
Rationale: Persistent water accumulation commonly indicates inadequate
drainage, compacted soil, or improper grading that prevents water from moving
away efficiently.
Question 6
When selecting irrigation zones for a landscape containing turfgrass, shrubs, and
drought-tolerant native plants, what approach is generally most appropriate?
A. Place all plants on one irrigation zone with identical watering schedules
B. Separate plants according to similar water requirements and irrigation needs
C. Irrigate all areas according to the highest-water-use plant
D. Water only the turfgrass and allow shrubs to adapt without irrigation
Answer: B. Separate plants according to similar water requirements and
irrigation needs
Rationale: Grouping plants with similar water needs, often called hydrozoning,
improves irrigation efficiency and prevents overwatering drought-tolerant plants.
Question 7
A contractor is installing a drip irrigation system around newly planted shrubs.
What is the principal advantage of properly designed drip irrigation?
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR JUST RELEASED
Coverage Areas
1. Nevada C-10 Scope of Work — Understand the activities legally included within landscape contracting,
including planting, grading, irrigation, drainage, xeriscaping, erosion control, and related landscape
improvements.
2. Site Preparation, Grading, and Drainage — Study proper site evaluation, soil preparation, grading
principles, surface drainage, runoff control, and protection of structures and adjacent properties.
3. Landscape Irrigation Systems — Know irrigation components, water distribution, valves, backflow
prevention, pressure management, sprinkler selection, drip systems, installation, and maintenance.
4. Soils, Planting, and Soil Amendments — Understand soil characteristics, compaction, drainage, organic
amendments, planting procedures, root zones, transplanting, and plant establishment.
5. Plant Identification and Horticultural Practices — Review trees, shrubs, vines, turf, groundcovers,
planting requirements, pruning, fertilization, transplanting, and appropriate plant selection.
6. Xeriscaping and Water Conservation — Focus on water-efficient landscape design, hydrozones,
appropriate plant selection, efficient irrigation, mulching, soil improvement, and Nevada's arid conditions.
7. Landscape Construction Materials and Features — Study rocks, sand, gravel, mulch, decorative landscape
materials, nonengineered ponds, trellises, arbors, and related installation considerations.
8. Erosion Control and Environmental Protection — Understand erosion mechanisms, sediment control,
stabilization methods, runoff management, and protection of established landscapes and waterways.
9. Hydroseeding and Turf Establishment — Know seed selection, mulch, nutrients, application methods, soil
preparation, germination requirements, watering, and establishment practices.
10. Safety, Codes, Plans, and Professional Practices — Review safe excavation, utility awareness, equipment
operation, project documentation, plan interpretation, code compliance, and coordination with other
trades.
NEVADA C-10 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR EXAMINATION
Question 1
,A Nevada C-10 landscape contractor is preparing a residential property for new
planting and irrigation installation. Which activity most directly falls within the
recognized scope of landscape contracting?
A. Designing and constructing a structural concrete bridge
B. Grading and preparing land for architectural horticulture
C. Installing a building's complete electrical distribution system
D. Manufacturing commercial irrigation pumps
Answer: B. Grading and preparing land for architectural horticulture
Rationale: The C-10 classification includes grading and preparing plots of land for
architectural horticulture. The other activities fall primarily under different
construction or manufacturing classifications. (Nevada State Contractors Board)
Question 2
When developing a landscape plan for a Nevada property with limited annual
rainfall, which design principle should receive the greatest consideration?
A. Maximizing turfgrass throughout every available planting area
B. Selecting plants and irrigation practices that efficiently conserve available
water
C. Installing the highest-volume irrigation heads regardless of plant requirements
D. Eliminating all mulch because it prevents soil evaporation
Answer: B. Selecting plants and irrigation practices that efficiently conserve
available water
Rationale: Nevada's arid climate makes water conservation essential. Efficient
irrigation, appropriate plant selection, hydrozoning, and mulching help reduce
unnecessary water consumption.
Question 3
,A landscape contractor must establish finished grades around a new home before
installing planting beds. What is the primary reason finished grading requires
careful planning?
A. To ensure every landscape area receives identical amounts of sunlight
B. To direct water appropriately while preventing drainage problems near
structures
C. To increase the amount of irrigation water required by turfgrass
D. To eliminate the need for soil testing before planting
Answer: B. To direct water appropriately while preventing drainage problems
near structures
Rationale: Proper grading controls surface runoff and helps move water away
from structures. Poor grading can create ponding, erosion, foundation problems,
and landscape failures.
Question 4
Before excavating for a landscape irrigation mainline, which precaution should
the contractor take to reduce the risk of damaging underground utilities?
A. Begin excavation immediately because landscape trenches are shallow
B. Locate and verify underground utilities before mechanical excavation begins
C. Assume utility locations based solely on visible electrical meters
D. Use irrigation plans as the only source of utility information
Answer: B. Locate and verify underground utilities before mechanical
excavation begins
Rationale: Underground utility identification is an essential safety practice before
excavation. Utility plans alone may not accurately show actual field conditions.
Question 5
, A landscape contractor notices that irrigation water accumulates in one portion of
a planting bed after every watering cycle. What is the most likely underlying
problem?
A. Excessive sunlight exposure
B. Poor soil drainage or inadequate surface grading
C. Insufficient soil moisture
D. Excessive plant spacing
Answer: B. Poor soil drainage or inadequate surface grading
Rationale: Persistent water accumulation commonly indicates inadequate
drainage, compacted soil, or improper grading that prevents water from moving
away efficiently.
Question 6
When selecting irrigation zones for a landscape containing turfgrass, shrubs, and
drought-tolerant native plants, what approach is generally most appropriate?
A. Place all plants on one irrigation zone with identical watering schedules
B. Separate plants according to similar water requirements and irrigation needs
C. Irrigate all areas according to the highest-water-use plant
D. Water only the turfgrass and allow shrubs to adapt without irrigation
Answer: B. Separate plants according to similar water requirements and
irrigation needs
Rationale: Grouping plants with similar water needs, often called hydrozoning,
improves irrigation efficiency and prevents overwatering drought-tolerant plants.
Question 7
A contractor is installing a drip irrigation system around newly planted shrubs.
What is the principal advantage of properly designed drip irrigation?
