,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-25 Contractor, Landscape, Project, System, North
Contractor Actual 2026/ WITH
Garded A Instant PDF
Download North Carolina
Landscape Contractor
Licensing Graduate /
Advanced Professional
Landscape 26-50 Contractor, System, Project, Install, Irrigation
North 51-75 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Project, Water
Project 76-100 Landscape, Contractor, North Carolina, Plant, Stormwater
Carolina 101-125 Contractor, Landscape, North, Fertilizer, Application
System 126-150 Contractor, Landscape, North, Project, Carolina
TOTAL 150 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Actual
2026/ WITH Garded A Instant PDF Download North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Licensing Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Q1.
A landscape contractor in the Piedmont region of North Carolina is designing a
stormwater control measure for a residential site with clay soils. The design must meet NC
DEQ stormwater rules. Which combination of practices best addresses both runoff
volume and water quality while minimizing long-term maintenance?
A. Underground detention tank with a vortex B. Bioretention cell with underdrain and
separator engineered soil media
C. Pervious pavement over open-graded D. Vegetated swale with check dams only
base
Correct: B - Bioretention cell with underdrain and engineered soil media
Rationale:Bioretention with an underdrain is ideal for clay soils because it provides both
volume reduction through evapotranspiration and infiltration, and water quality treatment via
engineered media. While other options treat or detain, they lack the combined benefits and
may fail in clay. Pervious pavement is less effective for water quality. Swales alone do not
provide sufficient volume control.
Q2.
Under the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Registration Act, which activity requires
a registered landscape contractor, and which exemption applies?
A. Installing a residential irrigation system is B. Designing a landscape plan for a
exempt if the property is less than one acre commercial property requires registration,
but installation by a homeowner is exempt
C. Performing landscape maintenance, D. Installing landscape lighting is exempt
including mowing and pruning, requires a because it is considered low-voltage
contractor license electrical work
Correct: B - Designing a landscape plan for a commercial property requires registration,
but installation by a homeowner is exempt
Rationale:The NC Act requires registration for designing landscape plans for compensation.
Maintenance is generally exempt. Irrigation installation requires a separate license, not the
landscape contractor registration. Low-voltage lighting is not exempt from landscape
contractor requirements when part of a landscape project.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Actual 2026/ WITH Garded A Instant PDF Download North Carolina Landscape Contractor
Licensing Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q3.
A client requests a landscape design that includes a large lawn area, a rain garden, and a
drip irrigation system. The contractor must ensure compliance with NC water
conservation laws. Which approach is most appropriate?
A. Use a single irrigation zone with B. Design separate irrigation zones for turf
high-efficiency rotors to cover all planting and non-turf areas, with rain sensors and
areas soil moisture sensors
C. Avoid all irrigation to meet water D. Install a pop-up spray system with a timer
conservation goals set to water daily regardless of weather
Correct: B - Design separate irrigation zones for turf and non-turf areas, with rain sensors
and soil moisture sensors
Rationale:NC water conservation laws encourage efficient irrigation. Separate zones allow
for varying water needs between turf and garden beds. Rain sensors and soil moisture
sensors prevent overwatering. Option A over-irrigates non-turf areas. Option C is too extreme
and may not meet client needs. Option D violates conservation principles.
Q4.
During a landscape installation near a stream, the contractor encounters a steep slope
with exposed erodible soil. According to NC Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and
Design Manual, which practice should be implemented FIRST?
A. Install a silt fence along the toe of the B. Apply temporary seeding and straw
slope mulch
C. Construct a sediment trap at the low D. Divert upslope runoff with a temporary
point diversion ditch
Correct: D - Divert upslope runoff with a temporary diversion ditch
Rationale:The first priority is to control upslope runoff to prevent it from reaching the
disturbed area. A diversion ditch intercepts clean water and directs it away, reducing erosion
potential. Silt fences and sediment traps treat water after it erodes soil, and seeding is a
stabilization measure that should follow runoff control.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is inspecting a mature oak tree that shows signs of decline. The
soil is compacted, and there is a construction project nearby. Which action is most likely
to improve the tree's health?
A. Apply a 6-inch layer of mulch directly B. Aerate the root zone using vertical
against the trunk mulching with compost
C. Increase irrigation to the canopy area D. Prune all dead branches immediately
Page 4
Content Area Questions Key Topics
North Carolina Landscape 1-25 Contractor, Landscape, Project, System, North
Contractor Actual 2026/ WITH
Garded A Instant PDF
Download North Carolina
Landscape Contractor
Licensing Graduate /
Advanced Professional
Landscape 26-50 Contractor, System, Project, Install, Irrigation
North 51-75 Contractor, Landscape, North Carolina, Project, Water
Project 76-100 Landscape, Contractor, North Carolina, Plant, Stormwater
Carolina 101-125 Contractor, Landscape, North, Fertilizer, Application
System 126-150 Contractor, Landscape, North, Project, Carolina
TOTAL 150 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Actual
2026/ WITH Garded A Instant PDF Download North Carolina
Landscape Contractor Licensing Graduate / Advanced
Professional
Q1.
A landscape contractor in the Piedmont region of North Carolina is designing a
stormwater control measure for a residential site with clay soils. The design must meet NC
DEQ stormwater rules. Which combination of practices best addresses both runoff
volume and water quality while minimizing long-term maintenance?
A. Underground detention tank with a vortex B. Bioretention cell with underdrain and
separator engineered soil media
C. Pervious pavement over open-graded D. Vegetated swale with check dams only
base
Correct: B - Bioretention cell with underdrain and engineered soil media
Rationale:Bioretention with an underdrain is ideal for clay soils because it provides both
volume reduction through evapotranspiration and infiltration, and water quality treatment via
engineered media. While other options treat or detain, they lack the combined benefits and
may fail in clay. Pervious pavement is less effective for water quality. Swales alone do not
provide sufficient volume control.
Q2.
Under the North Carolina Landscape Contractors Registration Act, which activity requires
a registered landscape contractor, and which exemption applies?
A. Installing a residential irrigation system is B. Designing a landscape plan for a
exempt if the property is less than one acre commercial property requires registration,
but installation by a homeowner is exempt
C. Performing landscape maintenance, D. Installing landscape lighting is exempt
including mowing and pruning, requires a because it is considered low-voltage
contractor license electrical work
Correct: B - Designing a landscape plan for a commercial property requires registration,
but installation by a homeowner is exempt
Rationale:The NC Act requires registration for designing landscape plans for compensation.
Maintenance is generally exempt. Irrigation installation requires a separate license, not the
landscape contractor registration. Low-voltage lighting is not exempt from landscape
contractor requirements when part of a landscape project.
Page 3
, Section A - North Carolina Landscape Contractor Actual 2026/ WITH Garded A Instant PDF Download North Carolina Landscape Contractor
Licensing Graduate / Advanced Professional
Q3.
A client requests a landscape design that includes a large lawn area, a rain garden, and a
drip irrigation system. The contractor must ensure compliance with NC water
conservation laws. Which approach is most appropriate?
A. Use a single irrigation zone with B. Design separate irrigation zones for turf
high-efficiency rotors to cover all planting and non-turf areas, with rain sensors and
areas soil moisture sensors
C. Avoid all irrigation to meet water D. Install a pop-up spray system with a timer
conservation goals set to water daily regardless of weather
Correct: B - Design separate irrigation zones for turf and non-turf areas, with rain sensors
and soil moisture sensors
Rationale:NC water conservation laws encourage efficient irrigation. Separate zones allow
for varying water needs between turf and garden beds. Rain sensors and soil moisture
sensors prevent overwatering. Option A over-irrigates non-turf areas. Option C is too extreme
and may not meet client needs. Option D violates conservation principles.
Q4.
During a landscape installation near a stream, the contractor encounters a steep slope
with exposed erodible soil. According to NC Erosion and Sediment Control Planning and
Design Manual, which practice should be implemented FIRST?
A. Install a silt fence along the toe of the B. Apply temporary seeding and straw
slope mulch
C. Construct a sediment trap at the low D. Divert upslope runoff with a temporary
point diversion ditch
Correct: D - Divert upslope runoff with a temporary diversion ditch
Rationale:The first priority is to control upslope runoff to prevent it from reaching the
disturbed area. A diversion ditch intercepts clean water and directs it away, reducing erosion
potential. Silt fences and sediment traps treat water after it erodes soil, and seeding is a
stabilization measure that should follow runoff control.
Q5.
A landscape contractor is inspecting a mature oak tree that shows signs of decline. The
soil is compacted, and there is a construction project nearby. Which action is most likely
to improve the tree's health?
A. Apply a 6-inch layer of mulch directly B. Aerate the root zone using vertical
against the trunk mulching with compost
C. Increase irrigation to the canopy area D. Prune all dead branches immediately
Page 4
