C-27 Landscaping Contractor License
Exam – Complete Practice Test Bank
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Component | Details |
||-|
| License Code | C-27 |
| State | California |
| Governing Body | California Contractors State
License Board (CSLB) |
| Exams Required | C-27 Trade Exam + Law and
Business Exam |
| Format | Multiple Choice (4 choices per question) |
| Passing Score | CSLB uses standard contractor
exam scoring |
| Experience Required | 4 years at journey-level
within the classification within the past 10 years |
1
,| Application Fee | $450 (as of July 2026) |
| Initial License Fee | $200 (sole owner) or $350
(non-sole owner) |
| License Renewal | Every 2 years (active); every 4
years (inactive) |
| Contractor Bond | $25,000 |
EXAM CONTENT DOMAINS (C-27 Trade Exam)
The C-27 Landscaping Trade Examination is divided
into six major sections :
| Domain | Approximate Weight | Key Topics |
|||-|
2
,| Planning and Estimating | 23-26% | Project
planning, hardscape/drainage/irrigation design,
project estimating, botanical names |
| Construction Preparation | 13-14% | Site planning,
erosion control, trenching and grading |
| Hardscape Installation | 16% | Flatwork, masonry,
posts/fences/retaining walls, water features |
| Drainage, Irrigation, Lighting, and Plant
Installation | 23-24% | Drainage systems, bioswales,
irrigation valves/controllers, lighting,
plant/tree/mulch installation |
| Maintenance and Repair | 9-10% | Pruning, tree
removal, troubleshooting irrigation, repairing
hardscapes |
| Safety | 10-17% | Employee/job site safety, tree
work safety, Cal/OSHA compliance |
The Law and Business Exam covers Business
Organization, Business Finances, Employment
Requirements, Insurance and Liens, Contract
Requirements, Public Works, and Safety.
3
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS: PLANNING AND
ESTIMATING
QUESTION 1: A specification requires 3 cubic
yards of compost per 1,000 square feet. A planting
bed contains 4,500 square feet. How much compost
is required?
A. 12.5 cubic yards
B. 13.0 cubic yards
C. 13.5 cubic yards
D. 14.0 cubic yards
4
Exam – Complete Practice Test Bank
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Component | Details |
||-|
| License Code | C-27 |
| State | California |
| Governing Body | California Contractors State
License Board (CSLB) |
| Exams Required | C-27 Trade Exam + Law and
Business Exam |
| Format | Multiple Choice (4 choices per question) |
| Passing Score | CSLB uses standard contractor
exam scoring |
| Experience Required | 4 years at journey-level
within the classification within the past 10 years |
1
,| Application Fee | $450 (as of July 2026) |
| Initial License Fee | $200 (sole owner) or $350
(non-sole owner) |
| License Renewal | Every 2 years (active); every 4
years (inactive) |
| Contractor Bond | $25,000 |
EXAM CONTENT DOMAINS (C-27 Trade Exam)
The C-27 Landscaping Trade Examination is divided
into six major sections :
| Domain | Approximate Weight | Key Topics |
|||-|
2
,| Planning and Estimating | 23-26% | Project
planning, hardscape/drainage/irrigation design,
project estimating, botanical names |
| Construction Preparation | 13-14% | Site planning,
erosion control, trenching and grading |
| Hardscape Installation | 16% | Flatwork, masonry,
posts/fences/retaining walls, water features |
| Drainage, Irrigation, Lighting, and Plant
Installation | 23-24% | Drainage systems, bioswales,
irrigation valves/controllers, lighting,
plant/tree/mulch installation |
| Maintenance and Repair | 9-10% | Pruning, tree
removal, troubleshooting irrigation, repairing
hardscapes |
| Safety | 10-17% | Employee/job site safety, tree
work safety, Cal/OSHA compliance |
The Law and Business Exam covers Business
Organization, Business Finances, Employment
Requirements, Insurance and Liens, Contract
Requirements, Public Works, and Safety.
3
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS: PLANNING AND
ESTIMATING
QUESTION 1: A specification requires 3 cubic
yards of compost per 1,000 square feet. A planting
bed contains 4,500 square feet. How much compost
is required?
A. 12.5 cubic yards
B. 13.0 cubic yards
C. 13.5 cubic yards
D. 14.0 cubic yards
4
