ACTUAL C-27 LANDSCAPING CONTRACTOR LICENSE EXAM TEST BANK
2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND A NEW UPDATED STUDY GUIDE
ACCURATE EXAM
1. A California C-27 landscaping contractor is preparing a proposal for a
residential property that includes grading, planting, irrigation, drainage,
decorative masonry, and other improvements intended to enhance the
appearance and function of the grounds surrounding the home. Which
description BEST matches the scope of work generally associated with the
C-27 classification?
A. Installing only living plant material and performing routine lawn mowing
B. Constructing, maintaining, repairing, installing, or subcontracting
landscape systems and facilities that improve grounds aesthetically,
architecturally, horticulturally, or functionally
C. Performing every type of structural construction associated with the
residence, including foundations and structural framing
D. Performing only irrigation-system repairs without responsibility for other
landscape improvements
Answer: B
2. During the planning phase of a large landscape installation, the contractor
discovers that the proposed design includes a retaining wall, drainage
system, irrigation network, planting areas, pedestrian flatwork, and outdoor
lighting. Before estimating labor and materials, what should the contractor
do FIRST to reduce the likelihood of costly field changes?
A. Purchase the largest quantities of materials anticipated for the entire
project
B. Begin planting the largest trees so the site will immediately show
progress
C. Develop and verify the site plan, existing conditions, grades, utilities,
drainage requirements, and project dimensions
D. Select plants solely according to their appearance in the nursery
Answer: C
1
, 3. A contractor is estimating a landscape project that requires 2,400 square
feet of concrete flatwork. The planned slab is 4 inches thick, and the
contractor wants to convert the required concrete volume into cubic feet
before accounting for waste. Which calculation is MOST appropriate?
A. 2,400 × 4 = 9,600 cubic feet
B. 2,400 ÷ 4 = 600 cubic feet
C. 2,400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 800 cubic feet
D. 2,400 ÷ 12 × 4 = 200 cubic feet
Answer: C
4. A landscape contractor is designing irrigation for a property with several
zones containing turf, shrubs, and trees. The contractor wants the system to
apply water efficiently while avoiding excessive runoff and overspray. Which
design approach is MOST appropriate?
A. Grouping plants with similar water requirements into appropriate
irrigation zones
B. Installing identical emitters on every plant regardless of species or
exposure
C. Designing every irrigation zone to operate at the maximum possible flow
D. Using one irrigation schedule for all areas regardless of soil and plant
differences
Answer: A
5. During project estimating, a contractor calculates direct labor, materials,
equipment, subcontractor costs, and anticipated project expenses. The
contractor then needs to establish a selling price that accounts for overhead
and desired profit. Which item should be considered when developing the
final bid rather than simply adding material costs to labor?
A. The botanical name of every plant on the site
B. The contractor's overhead and desired profit
C. The color of the irrigation controller enclosure
D. The number of leaves expected on mature shrubs
Answer: B
2
, 6. A client asks a C-27 contractor to install a landscape containing a drainage
swale, permeable paving, drought-tolerant plants, and an irrigation
controller capable of responding to changing weather conditions. The
contractor is developing the design specifically to reduce unnecessary water
use. Which consideration is MOST important?
A. Increasing irrigation frequency regardless of rainfall
B. Selecting plants and irrigation components according to site conditions
and water requirements
C. Using the same emitter spacing throughout every planting area
D. Designing the drainage system to keep all portions of the site
continuously saturated
Answer: B
7. Before excavation begins for a new landscape installation, the contractor
reviews the site plan and discovers existing underground utility markings
that conflict with the proposed irrigation trench. What is the BEST course of
action?
A. Proceed with excavation because irrigation trenches are normally shallow
B. Move the irrigation line several feet without documenting the change
C. Verify the utility location and coordinate the design or routing before
excavation
D. Have an inexperienced laborer determine the utility location with a
shovel
Answer: C
8. A contractor is preparing an estimate for a project involving 500 linear feet
of concrete edging. The material costs $4.80 per linear foot, and the
contractor estimates installation labor at $3.20 per linear foot. Before
overhead and profit are added, what is the estimated combined direct cost?
A. $2,400
B. $3,200
C. $4,000
D. $8,000
Answer: C
3
, 9. A residential landscape contains a steeply sloped lawn that currently drains
toward a foundation. The owner wants the new landscape to prevent water
from collecting against the structure. Which planning decision would BEST
address the primary concern?
A. Establishing appropriate grades so surface water is directed away from
the structure toward an approved drainage area
B. Increasing the irrigation application rate near the foundation
C. Installing mulch directly against the foundation to absorb all runoff
D. Flattening the entire property without evaluating existing grades
Answer: A
10. A contractor receives a landscape plan that specifies plant quantities but
does not identify the expected mature size of the plants. Several proposed
plants will eventually become substantially larger than their current nursery
sizes. What should the contractor consider when finalizing the installation
plan?
A. Only the container size at the time of purchase
B. Mature plant dimensions and spacing requirements
C. The number of flowers present at the time of installation
D. The current height of neighboring plants only
Answer: B
11. A project requires 1,800 square feet of decomposed granite installed at a
specified depth. The contractor's supplier sells the material by volume.
Which information is NECESSARY before accurately converting the area into
a material quantity?
A. The number of employees assigned to the project
B. The material's color preference
C. The installed depth of the decomposed granite
D. The number of irrigation valves on the property
Answer: C
12. A contractor is evaluating whether a proposed landscape design will
experience water runoff during irrigation. The soil is compacted and has a
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2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND A NEW UPDATED STUDY GUIDE
ACCURATE EXAM
1. A California C-27 landscaping contractor is preparing a proposal for a
residential property that includes grading, planting, irrigation, drainage,
decorative masonry, and other improvements intended to enhance the
appearance and function of the grounds surrounding the home. Which
description BEST matches the scope of work generally associated with the
C-27 classification?
A. Installing only living plant material and performing routine lawn mowing
B. Constructing, maintaining, repairing, installing, or subcontracting
landscape systems and facilities that improve grounds aesthetically,
architecturally, horticulturally, or functionally
C. Performing every type of structural construction associated with the
residence, including foundations and structural framing
D. Performing only irrigation-system repairs without responsibility for other
landscape improvements
Answer: B
2. During the planning phase of a large landscape installation, the contractor
discovers that the proposed design includes a retaining wall, drainage
system, irrigation network, planting areas, pedestrian flatwork, and outdoor
lighting. Before estimating labor and materials, what should the contractor
do FIRST to reduce the likelihood of costly field changes?
A. Purchase the largest quantities of materials anticipated for the entire
project
B. Begin planting the largest trees so the site will immediately show
progress
C. Develop and verify the site plan, existing conditions, grades, utilities,
drainage requirements, and project dimensions
D. Select plants solely according to their appearance in the nursery
Answer: C
1
, 3. A contractor is estimating a landscape project that requires 2,400 square
feet of concrete flatwork. The planned slab is 4 inches thick, and the
contractor wants to convert the required concrete volume into cubic feet
before accounting for waste. Which calculation is MOST appropriate?
A. 2,400 × 4 = 9,600 cubic feet
B. 2,400 ÷ 4 = 600 cubic feet
C. 2,400 × 4 ÷ 12 = 800 cubic feet
D. 2,400 ÷ 12 × 4 = 200 cubic feet
Answer: C
4. A landscape contractor is designing irrigation for a property with several
zones containing turf, shrubs, and trees. The contractor wants the system to
apply water efficiently while avoiding excessive runoff and overspray. Which
design approach is MOST appropriate?
A. Grouping plants with similar water requirements into appropriate
irrigation zones
B. Installing identical emitters on every plant regardless of species or
exposure
C. Designing every irrigation zone to operate at the maximum possible flow
D. Using one irrigation schedule for all areas regardless of soil and plant
differences
Answer: A
5. During project estimating, a contractor calculates direct labor, materials,
equipment, subcontractor costs, and anticipated project expenses. The
contractor then needs to establish a selling price that accounts for overhead
and desired profit. Which item should be considered when developing the
final bid rather than simply adding material costs to labor?
A. The botanical name of every plant on the site
B. The contractor's overhead and desired profit
C. The color of the irrigation controller enclosure
D. The number of leaves expected on mature shrubs
Answer: B
2
, 6. A client asks a C-27 contractor to install a landscape containing a drainage
swale, permeable paving, drought-tolerant plants, and an irrigation
controller capable of responding to changing weather conditions. The
contractor is developing the design specifically to reduce unnecessary water
use. Which consideration is MOST important?
A. Increasing irrigation frequency regardless of rainfall
B. Selecting plants and irrigation components according to site conditions
and water requirements
C. Using the same emitter spacing throughout every planting area
D. Designing the drainage system to keep all portions of the site
continuously saturated
Answer: B
7. Before excavation begins for a new landscape installation, the contractor
reviews the site plan and discovers existing underground utility markings
that conflict with the proposed irrigation trench. What is the BEST course of
action?
A. Proceed with excavation because irrigation trenches are normally shallow
B. Move the irrigation line several feet without documenting the change
C. Verify the utility location and coordinate the design or routing before
excavation
D. Have an inexperienced laborer determine the utility location with a
shovel
Answer: C
8. A contractor is preparing an estimate for a project involving 500 linear feet
of concrete edging. The material costs $4.80 per linear foot, and the
contractor estimates installation labor at $3.20 per linear foot. Before
overhead and profit are added, what is the estimated combined direct cost?
A. $2,400
B. $3,200
C. $4,000
D. $8,000
Answer: C
3
, 9. A residential landscape contains a steeply sloped lawn that currently drains
toward a foundation. The owner wants the new landscape to prevent water
from collecting against the structure. Which planning decision would BEST
address the primary concern?
A. Establishing appropriate grades so surface water is directed away from
the structure toward an approved drainage area
B. Increasing the irrigation application rate near the foundation
C. Installing mulch directly against the foundation to absorb all runoff
D. Flattening the entire property without evaluating existing grades
Answer: A
10. A contractor receives a landscape plan that specifies plant quantities but
does not identify the expected mature size of the plants. Several proposed
plants will eventually become substantially larger than their current nursery
sizes. What should the contractor consider when finalizing the installation
plan?
A. Only the container size at the time of purchase
B. Mature plant dimensions and spacing requirements
C. The number of flowers present at the time of installation
D. The current height of neighboring plants only
Answer: B
11. A project requires 1,800 square feet of decomposed granite installed at a
specified depth. The contractor's supplier sells the material by volume.
Which information is NECESSARY before accurately converting the area into
a material quantity?
A. The number of employees assigned to the project
B. The material's color preference
C. The installed depth of the decomposed granite
D. The number of irrigation valves on the property
Answer: C
12. A contractor is evaluating whether a proposed landscape design will
experience water runoff during irrigation. The soil is compacted and has a
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