,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-15 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Required, Design
Contractor Newest WITH NC
License PREP 2026 PDF
North Carolina Landscape
Contractor Newest WITH NC
License PREP 2026 PDF
University
Landscape 16-30 Contractor, System, Project, Effective, Volume
Project 31-45 Contractor, Landscape, Total, Installing, Overhead
Installing 46-60 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Water, Plans
Preparing 61-75 Landscape, Contractor, Critical, Project, Commercial
System 76-90 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Concrete, Total
TOTAL 90 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest
WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Newest WITH NC License PREP 2026
PDF University
Q1.
A residential project requires a 6-foot-high retaining wall supporting a 4-foot terrace. The
wall must be setback from the property line. Which code provision and design approach
apply?
A. Setback equals wall height; use a gravity B. Setback is 1.5 times wall height;
wall with no geogrid if soil is stable. engineered design required for walls over 4
feet.
C. Setback is 2 feet; any wall over 3 feet D. Setback is half the wall height; use
needs a structural engineer's seal. cantilevered wall with reinforced concrete.
Correct: B - Setback is 1.5 times wall height; engineered design required for walls over 4
feet.
Rationale:North Carolina building codes require a setback equal to 1.5 times the height of a
retaining wall from the property line, and walls exceeding 4 feet in height must be engineered.
Gravity walls are inadequate for 6-foot heights without reinforcement or geogrid. The other
options misstate setback or height thresholds.
Q2.
A landscape contractor is installing a stormwater infiltration trench in a watershed with a
high water table. Which design modification is most critical to prevent groundwater
contamination?
A. Increase trench depth to maximize B. Install a liner and underdrain to collect
storage. and treat infiltrate.
C. Place a geotextile filter fabric at the D. Reduce the infiltration rate by compacting
bottom to trap pollutants. the subgrade.
Correct: B - Install a liner and underdrain to collect and treat infiltrate.
Rationale:In high water table areas, infiltration can cause pollutants to reach groundwater. A
liner with an underdrain system allows collection and treatment of runoff, preventing
contamination. Deepening the trench increases the risk, filter fabric alone doesn't prevent
dissolved pollutants, and compacting subgrade defeats the purpose of infiltration.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest
WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF University
Q3.
A contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial landscape project with a 2-year
maintenance period. Which cost element is most likely to be underestimated?
A. Initial plant installation labor. B. Replacement costs for plant mortality.
C. Irrigation system installation. D. Site preparation and grading.
Correct: B - Replacement costs for plant mortality.
Rationale:Plant mortality and replacement during the maintenance period are often
underestimated because they depend on warranty, species survival rates, and seasonal
weather. Initial installation and site work are more predictable. Irrigation installation is a fixed
cost. Replacement costs can escalate over two years due to changing plant prices and labor.
Q4.
During a landscape installation, a contractor encounters an unmarked underground utility
line. Which action is the most appropriate?
A. Proceed with caution if the line appears B. Stop work and call the utility locating
inactive. service.
C. Bypass the line by trenching around it. D. Contact the property owner for
permission to cut the line.
Correct: B - Stop work and call the utility locating service.
Rationale:Upon encountering an unmarked utility line, the contractor must stop work and call
the appropriate utility locating service (811) to identify the line. Proceeding, bypassing, or
cutting without identification is dangerous and illegal. The owner cannot authorize cutting
without utility approval.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is designing an irrigation system for a slope with a 20% grade.
Which sprinkler head selection and spacing is most appropriate?
A. Use standard spray heads with 50% B. Use rotary heads with spacing along the
spacing along the contour. slope to reduce runoff.
C. Use drip irrigation with emitters spaced D. Use impact heads with spacing
every 12 inches. perpendicular to the slope.
Correct: B - Use rotary heads with spacing along the slope to reduce runoff.
Page 4
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-15 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Required, Design
Contractor Newest WITH NC
License PREP 2026 PDF
North Carolina Landscape
Contractor Newest WITH NC
License PREP 2026 PDF
University
Landscape 16-30 Contractor, System, Project, Effective, Volume
Project 31-45 Contractor, Landscape, Total, Installing, Overhead
Installing 46-60 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Water, Plans
Preparing 61-75 Landscape, Contractor, Critical, Project, Commercial
System 76-90 Contractor, Landscape, Project, Concrete, Total
TOTAL 90 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest
WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Newest WITH NC License PREP 2026
PDF University
Q1.
A residential project requires a 6-foot-high retaining wall supporting a 4-foot terrace. The
wall must be setback from the property line. Which code provision and design approach
apply?
A. Setback equals wall height; use a gravity B. Setback is 1.5 times wall height;
wall with no geogrid if soil is stable. engineered design required for walls over 4
feet.
C. Setback is 2 feet; any wall over 3 feet D. Setback is half the wall height; use
needs a structural engineer's seal. cantilevered wall with reinforced concrete.
Correct: B - Setback is 1.5 times wall height; engineered design required for walls over 4
feet.
Rationale:North Carolina building codes require a setback equal to 1.5 times the height of a
retaining wall from the property line, and walls exceeding 4 feet in height must be engineered.
Gravity walls are inadequate for 6-foot heights without reinforcement or geogrid. The other
options misstate setback or height thresholds.
Q2.
A landscape contractor is installing a stormwater infiltration trench in a watershed with a
high water table. Which design modification is most critical to prevent groundwater
contamination?
A. Increase trench depth to maximize B. Install a liner and underdrain to collect
storage. and treat infiltrate.
C. Place a geotextile filter fabric at the D. Reduce the infiltration rate by compacting
bottom to trap pollutants. the subgrade.
Correct: B - Install a liner and underdrain to collect and treat infiltrate.
Rationale:In high water table areas, infiltration can cause pollutants to reach groundwater. A
liner with an underdrain system allows collection and treatment of runoff, preventing
contamination. Deepening the trench increases the risk, filter fabric alone doesn't prevent
dissolved pollutants, and compacting subgrade defeats the purpose of infiltration.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF North Carolina Landscape Contractor Newest
WITH NC License PREP 2026 PDF University
Q3.
A contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial landscape project with a 2-year
maintenance period. Which cost element is most likely to be underestimated?
A. Initial plant installation labor. B. Replacement costs for plant mortality.
C. Irrigation system installation. D. Site preparation and grading.
Correct: B - Replacement costs for plant mortality.
Rationale:Plant mortality and replacement during the maintenance period are often
underestimated because they depend on warranty, species survival rates, and seasonal
weather. Initial installation and site work are more predictable. Irrigation installation is a fixed
cost. Replacement costs can escalate over two years due to changing plant prices and labor.
Q4.
During a landscape installation, a contractor encounters an unmarked underground utility
line. Which action is the most appropriate?
A. Proceed with caution if the line appears B. Stop work and call the utility locating
inactive. service.
C. Bypass the line by trenching around it. D. Contact the property owner for
permission to cut the line.
Correct: B - Stop work and call the utility locating service.
Rationale:Upon encountering an unmarked utility line, the contractor must stop work and call
the appropriate utility locating service (811) to identify the line. Proceeding, bypassing, or
cutting without identification is dangerous and illegal. The owner cannot authorize cutting
without utility approval.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is designing an irrigation system for a slope with a 20% grade.
Which sprinkler head selection and spacing is most appropriate?
A. Use standard spray heads with 50% B. Use rotary heads with spacing along the
spacing along the contour. slope to reduce runoff.
C. Use drip irrigation with emitters spaced D. Use impact heads with spacing
every 12 inches. perpendicular to the slope.
Correct: B - Use rotary heads with spacing along the slope to reduce runoff.
Page 4
