NORTH CAROLINA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR EXAM PRACTICE |
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE | ADVANCED TESTBANK WITH PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. North Carolina Landscape Contractor Licensing Law and Scope of Practice
ii. Contracts, Business Compliance, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility
iii. Site Analysis, Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management
iv. Soil Science, Plant Selection, Installation, and Establishment
v. Landscape Construction, Hardscape, Retaining Walls, and Structures
vi. Irrigation, Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting, and System Coordination
vii. Plant Health, Turf Management, Pest Management, and Environmental Protection
viii. Advanced Estimating, Calculations, Troubleshooting, and Project Management
INTRODUCTION
This advanced practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for North
Carolina landscape contractor licensure and related professional assessments. It
emphasizes the intersection of landscape construction, horticulture, grading,
drainage, hardscape installation, plant establishment, business compliance, and
professional judgment. Particular attention is given to the boundaries between
landscape contracting and regulated professions such as landscape architecture,
engineering, irrigation contracting, plumbing, and electrical contracting. The
questions use realistic jobsite scenarios, regulatory interpretation, calculations,
troubleshooting, risk management, and ethical decision-making rather than simple
memorization. Candidates should expect questions requiring careful analysis of
competing requirements, technical specifications, site conditions, contract
obligations, environmental considerations, and the appropriate sequence of
professional actions.
Question 1
A licensed North Carolina landscape contractor is awarded a $65,000 project
consisting primarily of landscape installation, finish grading, planting, patios, and
retaining walls. The contractor does not hold a separate general contractor license.
,Which statement most accurately describes the licensing requirement under North
Carolina landscape contractor law?
A. The contractor must obtain a general contractor license because the project
exceeds $40,000.
B. The contractor may perform the landscape construction work without a general
contractor license if the work remains within the statutory scope of landscape
contracting.
C. The contractor may perform only the planting portion because hardscape work
above $40,000 requires a general contractor license.
D. The contractor must obtain an engineering license before performing any work
exceeding $40,000.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. The contractor may perform the landscape construction
work without a general contractor license if the work remains within the
statutory scope of landscape contracting.
🔵 Explanation: North Carolina law specifically provides that a licensed landscape
contractor is not required to hold a general contractor license merely because
landscape construction or contracting work exceeds $40,000, provided the work
remains within the landscape contractor's authorized scope.
Question 2
A landscape company is organized as a corporation and performs regulated
landscape contracting throughout North Carolina. Which arrangement best satisfies
the supervision requirement?
A. Any employee may supervise the work as long as the corporation has a
landscape contractor license.
B. A licensed individual must be readily available to exercise supervision over the
corporation's landscape construction and contracting work.
C. A licensed architect must supervise all landscape construction performed by the
corporation.
D. Supervision is unnecessary when the corporation has more than five years of
landscape experience.
,🔴 Correct Answer: B. A licensed individual must be readily available to exercise
supervision over the corporation's landscape construction and contracting work.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape construction performed by a corporation, partnership,
association, firm, or other group must be under an individual licensed by the North
Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board who is readily available to exercise
supervision.
Question 3
A contractor proposes to install a landscape drainage system and must connect the
system directly to a building's plumbing drainage piping to complete the project.
What is the most appropriate professional response?
A. Make the connection because drainage is always within landscape contracting.
B. Make the connection if the property owner signs a waiver.
C. Recognize that the plumbing connection is outside the landscape contractor's
authorized scope and arrange for the appropriately licensed professional.
D. Make the connection only if the drainage pipe is less than 4 inches in diameter.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Recognize that the plumbing connection is outside the
landscape contractor's authorized scope and arrange for the appropriately
licensed professional.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape contractors may construct, install, and maintain
landscape drainage systems within their statutory authority, but the law does not
authorize them to practice plumbing. Direct connections to regulated plumbing
systems require the appropriate licensed professional.
Question 4
A landscape contractor is asked to prepare a comprehensive site plan involving
structural engineering calculations for a large retaining structure. Which action best
demonstrates proper professional judgment?
A. Prepare and seal the engineering calculations using the landscape contractor's
seal.
B. Complete the structural design because retaining walls are landscape features.
C. Limit the contractor's work to the landscape-contracting scope and obtain the
services of an appropriately licensed design professional for regulated engineering
, work.
D. Allow the property owner to approve the contractor's structural calculations
without professional review.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Limit the contractor's work to the landscape-contracting
scope and obtain the services of an appropriately licensed design professional for
regulated engineering work.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape contracting does not authorize the practice of
engineering. When a project requires regulated engineering design or calculations,
the work must be performed by the appropriately licensed professional.
Question 5
A contractor's license has expired because it was not renewed by August 1. The
contractor receives a renewal notice but has not yet completed renewal. A customer
asks the contractor to begin a new regulated landscape construction project
immediately. What is the best response?
A. Begin work because the renewal notice establishes temporary authority.
B. Begin work because the contractor was licensed during the preceding year.
C. Do not engage in regulated landscape contracting until the license has been
properly renewed or otherwise lawfully reinstated.
D. Begin work provided the customer pays in advance.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Do not engage in regulated landscape contracting until
the license has been properly renewed or otherwise lawfully reinstated.
🔵 Explanation: North Carolina licenses must be renewed on or before August 1, and
an unrenewed license is automatically revoked. A contractor should not continue
regulated practice based merely on a pending renewal or prior licensure.
Question 6
A contractor's business card, contracts, and fleet vehicles identify the company as a
licensed landscape contractor but omit the contractor's North Carolina license
number. Which compliance issue is most directly implicated?
A. The company is prohibited from advertising any landscaping services.
B. The license number must be displayed on business cards, contracts, and vehicles
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE | ADVANCED TESTBANK WITH PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. North Carolina Landscape Contractor Licensing Law and Scope of Practice
ii. Contracts, Business Compliance, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility
iii. Site Analysis, Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management
iv. Soil Science, Plant Selection, Installation, and Establishment
v. Landscape Construction, Hardscape, Retaining Walls, and Structures
vi. Irrigation, Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting, and System Coordination
vii. Plant Health, Turf Management, Pest Management, and Environmental Protection
viii. Advanced Estimating, Calculations, Troubleshooting, and Project Management
INTRODUCTION
This advanced practice examination is designed for candidates preparing for North
Carolina landscape contractor licensure and related professional assessments. It
emphasizes the intersection of landscape construction, horticulture, grading,
drainage, hardscape installation, plant establishment, business compliance, and
professional judgment. Particular attention is given to the boundaries between
landscape contracting and regulated professions such as landscape architecture,
engineering, irrigation contracting, plumbing, and electrical contracting. The
questions use realistic jobsite scenarios, regulatory interpretation, calculations,
troubleshooting, risk management, and ethical decision-making rather than simple
memorization. Candidates should expect questions requiring careful analysis of
competing requirements, technical specifications, site conditions, contract
obligations, environmental considerations, and the appropriate sequence of
professional actions.
Question 1
A licensed North Carolina landscape contractor is awarded a $65,000 project
consisting primarily of landscape installation, finish grading, planting, patios, and
retaining walls. The contractor does not hold a separate general contractor license.
,Which statement most accurately describes the licensing requirement under North
Carolina landscape contractor law?
A. The contractor must obtain a general contractor license because the project
exceeds $40,000.
B. The contractor may perform the landscape construction work without a general
contractor license if the work remains within the statutory scope of landscape
contracting.
C. The contractor may perform only the planting portion because hardscape work
above $40,000 requires a general contractor license.
D. The contractor must obtain an engineering license before performing any work
exceeding $40,000.
🔴 Correct Answer: B. The contractor may perform the landscape construction
work without a general contractor license if the work remains within the
statutory scope of landscape contracting.
🔵 Explanation: North Carolina law specifically provides that a licensed landscape
contractor is not required to hold a general contractor license merely because
landscape construction or contracting work exceeds $40,000, provided the work
remains within the landscape contractor's authorized scope.
Question 2
A landscape company is organized as a corporation and performs regulated
landscape contracting throughout North Carolina. Which arrangement best satisfies
the supervision requirement?
A. Any employee may supervise the work as long as the corporation has a
landscape contractor license.
B. A licensed individual must be readily available to exercise supervision over the
corporation's landscape construction and contracting work.
C. A licensed architect must supervise all landscape construction performed by the
corporation.
D. Supervision is unnecessary when the corporation has more than five years of
landscape experience.
,🔴 Correct Answer: B. A licensed individual must be readily available to exercise
supervision over the corporation's landscape construction and contracting work.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape construction performed by a corporation, partnership,
association, firm, or other group must be under an individual licensed by the North
Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board who is readily available to exercise
supervision.
Question 3
A contractor proposes to install a landscape drainage system and must connect the
system directly to a building's plumbing drainage piping to complete the project.
What is the most appropriate professional response?
A. Make the connection because drainage is always within landscape contracting.
B. Make the connection if the property owner signs a waiver.
C. Recognize that the plumbing connection is outside the landscape contractor's
authorized scope and arrange for the appropriately licensed professional.
D. Make the connection only if the drainage pipe is less than 4 inches in diameter.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Recognize that the plumbing connection is outside the
landscape contractor's authorized scope and arrange for the appropriately
licensed professional.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape contractors may construct, install, and maintain
landscape drainage systems within their statutory authority, but the law does not
authorize them to practice plumbing. Direct connections to regulated plumbing
systems require the appropriate licensed professional.
Question 4
A landscape contractor is asked to prepare a comprehensive site plan involving
structural engineering calculations for a large retaining structure. Which action best
demonstrates proper professional judgment?
A. Prepare and seal the engineering calculations using the landscape contractor's
seal.
B. Complete the structural design because retaining walls are landscape features.
C. Limit the contractor's work to the landscape-contracting scope and obtain the
services of an appropriately licensed design professional for regulated engineering
, work.
D. Allow the property owner to approve the contractor's structural calculations
without professional review.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Limit the contractor's work to the landscape-contracting
scope and obtain the services of an appropriately licensed design professional for
regulated engineering work.
🔵 Explanation: Landscape contracting does not authorize the practice of
engineering. When a project requires regulated engineering design or calculations,
the work must be performed by the appropriately licensed professional.
Question 5
A contractor's license has expired because it was not renewed by August 1. The
contractor receives a renewal notice but has not yet completed renewal. A customer
asks the contractor to begin a new regulated landscape construction project
immediately. What is the best response?
A. Begin work because the renewal notice establishes temporary authority.
B. Begin work because the contractor was licensed during the preceding year.
C. Do not engage in regulated landscape contracting until the license has been
properly renewed or otherwise lawfully reinstated.
D. Begin work provided the customer pays in advance.
🔴 Correct Answer: C. Do not engage in regulated landscape contracting until
the license has been properly renewed or otherwise lawfully reinstated.
🔵 Explanation: North Carolina licenses must be renewed on or before August 1, and
an unrenewed license is automatically revoked. A contractor should not continue
regulated practice based merely on a pending renewal or prior licensure.
Question 6
A contractor's business card, contracts, and fleet vehicles identify the company as a
licensed landscape contractor but omit the contractor's North Carolina license
number. Which compliance issue is most directly implicated?
A. The company is prohibited from advertising any landscaping services.
B. The license number must be displayed on business cards, contracts, and vehicles
