,North Carolina Landscape Contractor Practice Exam
200 Practice Questions with Answer Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for the North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Licensing Examination administered by the NC Landscape Contractors'
Licensing Board (NCLCLB). The exam consists of three mandatory sections: Landscape Design,
General Knowledge (Horticulture & Construction), and Business & Legal (NC General Statutes
Chapter 89D, contracts, licensing law).
SECTION 1: NC LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS' ACT (N.C.G.S. 89D) & BOARD RULES (Questions 1-
30)
1. Under N.C.G.S. 89D, a landscape contractor's license is required for landscaping projects
with a contract price exceeding:
• A) $15,000
• B) $30,000
• C) $50,000
• D) $100,000
**Answer: B) $30,000** — NC law mandates a license for any landscape contracting work
totaling $30,000 or more.
2. Which of the following is exempt from NC landscape contractor licensing under N.C.G.S.
89D-2?
• A) A commercial contractor building a retaining wall for a shopping center
• B) A property owner performing landscape work on their own property
• C) A nursery selling plants to the public for self-installation
• D) A maintenance company installing annual flowers for a corporate client
Answer: B) Property owner performing work on their own property — Property owners
working on their own property are explicitly exempt. Nurseries selling plants (not installing) are
also exempt.
3. Under 21 NCAC 18A, the minimum practical experience required to sit for the landscape
contractor examination is:
, • A) 1 year of supervisory landscape experience
• B) 2 years of practical experience in landscape construction
• C) 4 years of combined education and experience
• D) A 4-year horticulture degree only
Answer: B) 2 years of practical experience in landscape construction — Board rules require 2
years of practical landscape construction experience.
4. A landscape contractor's license must be renewed biennially by:
• A) December 31 of each year
• B) June 30 of odd-numbered years
• C) The contractor's birthday month
• D) Anniversary date of initial licensure
Answer: B) June 30 of odd-numbered years — 21 NCAC 18B requires renewal by June 30 of
odd-numbered years.
5. Under 89D, "landscape construction" specifically includes all EXCEPT:
• A) Grading and drainage work
• B) Installation of plants in combination with hardscape
• C) Lawn mowing and seasonal hedge trimming
• D) Construction of retaining walls
Answer: C) Lawn mowing and seasonal hedge trimming — Maintenance activities (mowing,
trimming) are not considered landscape construction under the statute.
6. A licensee must notify the NCLCLB of a change of business address within:
• A) 10 days
• B) 30 days
• C) 60 days
• D) 90 days
Answer: B) 30 days — 21 NCAC 18B requires 30-day notification for address changes.
7. Which activity requires a separate license in addition to the NC Landscape Contractor
license?
, • A) Installing a paver patio
• B) Installing an irrigation system
• C) Planting a privacy hedge
• D) Building a 3-foot retaining wall
Answer: B) Installing an irrigation system — Irrigation installation requires a separate Irrigation
Contractor license.
8. Under 21 NCAC 18A, an applicant for examination must submit:
• A) Only proof of insurance
• B) Documentation of experience and three professional references
• C) A portfolio without reference verification
• D) Only a high school diploma
Answer: B) Documentation of experience and three professional references — Applications
require verified experience and references.
9. What is the required amount of the corporate surety bond for a North Carolina landscape
contractor license?
• A) $5,000
• B) $10,000
• C) $25,000
• D) $50,000
**Answer: B) $10,000** — NC General Statute §89D-16 requires landscape contractor
applicants to file a corporate surety bond in the amount of $10,000.
10. The North Carolina Landscape Contractor Licensing Board was established to:
• A) Promote agricultural education
• B) Regulate the practice of landscape contracting and protect the public
• C) Issue building permits for contractors
• D) Manage environmental assessments
Answer: B) Regulate the practice and protect the public — The NCLCLB ensures only qualified
individuals practice landscape contracting, protecting public welfare and maintaining standards.
200 Practice Questions with Answer Rationales
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for the North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Licensing Examination administered by the NC Landscape Contractors'
Licensing Board (NCLCLB). The exam consists of three mandatory sections: Landscape Design,
General Knowledge (Horticulture & Construction), and Business & Legal (NC General Statutes
Chapter 89D, contracts, licensing law).
SECTION 1: NC LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS' ACT (N.C.G.S. 89D) & BOARD RULES (Questions 1-
30)
1. Under N.C.G.S. 89D, a landscape contractor's license is required for landscaping projects
with a contract price exceeding:
• A) $15,000
• B) $30,000
• C) $50,000
• D) $100,000
**Answer: B) $30,000** — NC law mandates a license for any landscape contracting work
totaling $30,000 or more.
2. Which of the following is exempt from NC landscape contractor licensing under N.C.G.S.
89D-2?
• A) A commercial contractor building a retaining wall for a shopping center
• B) A property owner performing landscape work on their own property
• C) A nursery selling plants to the public for self-installation
• D) A maintenance company installing annual flowers for a corporate client
Answer: B) Property owner performing work on their own property — Property owners
working on their own property are explicitly exempt. Nurseries selling plants (not installing) are
also exempt.
3. Under 21 NCAC 18A, the minimum practical experience required to sit for the landscape
contractor examination is:
, • A) 1 year of supervisory landscape experience
• B) 2 years of practical experience in landscape construction
• C) 4 years of combined education and experience
• D) A 4-year horticulture degree only
Answer: B) 2 years of practical experience in landscape construction — Board rules require 2
years of practical landscape construction experience.
4. A landscape contractor's license must be renewed biennially by:
• A) December 31 of each year
• B) June 30 of odd-numbered years
• C) The contractor's birthday month
• D) Anniversary date of initial licensure
Answer: B) June 30 of odd-numbered years — 21 NCAC 18B requires renewal by June 30 of
odd-numbered years.
5. Under 89D, "landscape construction" specifically includes all EXCEPT:
• A) Grading and drainage work
• B) Installation of plants in combination with hardscape
• C) Lawn mowing and seasonal hedge trimming
• D) Construction of retaining walls
Answer: C) Lawn mowing and seasonal hedge trimming — Maintenance activities (mowing,
trimming) are not considered landscape construction under the statute.
6. A licensee must notify the NCLCLB of a change of business address within:
• A) 10 days
• B) 30 days
• C) 60 days
• D) 90 days
Answer: B) 30 days — 21 NCAC 18B requires 30-day notification for address changes.
7. Which activity requires a separate license in addition to the NC Landscape Contractor
license?
, • A) Installing a paver patio
• B) Installing an irrigation system
• C) Planting a privacy hedge
• D) Building a 3-foot retaining wall
Answer: B) Installing an irrigation system — Irrigation installation requires a separate Irrigation
Contractor license.
8. Under 21 NCAC 18A, an applicant for examination must submit:
• A) Only proof of insurance
• B) Documentation of experience and three professional references
• C) A portfolio without reference verification
• D) Only a high school diploma
Answer: B) Documentation of experience and three professional references — Applications
require verified experience and references.
9. What is the required amount of the corporate surety bond for a North Carolina landscape
contractor license?
• A) $5,000
• B) $10,000
• C) $25,000
• D) $50,000
**Answer: B) $10,000** — NC General Statute §89D-16 requires landscape contractor
applicants to file a corporate surety bond in the amount of $10,000.
10. The North Carolina Landscape Contractor Licensing Board was established to:
• A) Promote agricultural education
• B) Regulate the practice of landscape contracting and protect the public
• C) Issue building permits for contractors
• D) Manage environmental assessments
Answer: B) Regulate the practice and protect the public — The NCLCLB ensures only qualified
individuals practice landscape contracting, protecting public welfare and maintaining standards.
