California Contractor License
Examination Landscaping with Practice
Questions And Correct
1. Under California Business and Professions Code, a C-27 landscaping contractor
submits a bid for a project that includes installing a new irrigation system and
planting trees. The total contract price is $600. The contractor plans to use a written
contract. Which of the following is required for this contract to be enforceable?
A. The contract must be notarized.
B. The contract must include a notice of cancellation.
C. The contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
D. The contract must specify the contractor's license number.
Answer: C. The contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Rationale: For contracts over $500, the Business and Professions Code requires a written
contract signed by both parties. Notarization is not required, a notice of cancellation is
only for home solicitation sales, and while the license number must be included, that is not
the primary enforceability requirement. The correct answer is C.
2. A landscaping contractor completes a project but the homeowner refuses to pay the
final invoice of $10,000. The contractor wants to file a mechanics lien. Which of the
following is the correct deadline for recording a lien after completion of the project?
A. 30 days after completion
B. 60 days after completion
C. 90 days after completion
D. 120 days after completion
Answer: C. 90 days after completion
Rationale: Under California Civil Code, a mechanics lien must be recorded within 90 days
after completion of the project. The other options are incorrect timeframes. The correct
answer is C.
Page 1 of 85
,3. A landscape contractor is designing an irrigation system for a sloped yard. To
prevent runoff and ensure even water distribution, which of the following is the most
appropriate strategy?
A. Use high-flow sprinkler heads with a single zone.
B. Install a drip irrigation system with pressure-compensating emitters.
C. Use impact sprinklers with a short duration cycle.
D. Install a manual hose bib system.
Answer: B. Install a drip irrigation system with pressure-compensating emitters.
Rationale: Drip irrigation with pressure-compensating emitters delivers water slowly and
evenly, reducing runoff on slopes. High-flow sprinklers and impact sprinklers can cause
runoff; manual hose bibs are inefficient. The correct answer is B.
4. In California, which of the following safety practices is required when operating a
trencher for irrigation lines?
A. Wearing hearing protection only
B. Calling 811 before digging
C. Using a spotter at all times
D. Wearing a hard hat and safety glasses
Answer: B. Calling 811 before digging
Rationale: California law requires calling 811 to mark underground utilities before
digging. While PPE is important, calling 811 is a legal requirement to prevent damage to
utilities. The correct answer is B.
Page 2 of 85
,5. A contractor is preparing a bid for a large landscaping project. The plans include a
10,000 sq ft lawn, 50 trees, and a 500 sq ft patio. The contractor estimates labor at
$20/hour and materials at $5,000. If the project requires 200 labor hours, what is the
total bid amount?
A. $9,000
B. $10,000
C. $9,500
D. $8,000
Answer: A. $9,000
Rationale: Total labor cost = 200 hours * $20/hour = $4,000. Total materials = $5,000.
Total bid = $4,000 + $5,000 = $9,000. The correct answer is A.
6. Which of the following plant species is best suited for a drought-tolerant landscape
in California's Central Valley?
A. Acer palmatum (Japanese maple)
B. Lantana camara
C. Hydrangea macrophylla
D. Rhododendron spp.
Answer: B. Lantana camara
Rationale: Lantana camara is drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry climates like the
Central Valley. Japanese maple, hydrangea, and rhododendron require more water and are
not ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes. The correct answer is B.
Page 3 of 85
, 7. A contractor is installing a retaining wall that is 4 feet high. According to California
building codes, which of the following is required?
A. A permit is not required for walls under 4 feet.
B. A permit is required for walls over 3 feet.
C. A permit is required for walls over 4 feet.
D. A permit is required for all retaining walls.
Answer: B. A permit is required for walls over 3 feet.
Rationale: In California, a permit is typically required for retaining walls over 3 feet in
height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall). The correct answer
is B.
8. A landscaping contractor is considering using recycled water for irrigation. Which
of the following is a key requirement for using recycled water in California?
A. It must be treated to primary standards.
B. It must be approved by the local health department.
C. It can be used without any additional permits.
D. It must be used only for non-edible crops.
Answer: B. It must be approved by the local health department.
Rationale: The use of recycled water requires approval from the local health department
and must meet specific treatment standards. It is not automatically allowed without
permits. The correct answer is B.
Page 4 of 85
Examination Landscaping with Practice
Questions And Correct
1. Under California Business and Professions Code, a C-27 landscaping contractor
submits a bid for a project that includes installing a new irrigation system and
planting trees. The total contract price is $600. The contractor plans to use a written
contract. Which of the following is required for this contract to be enforceable?
A. The contract must be notarized.
B. The contract must include a notice of cancellation.
C. The contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
D. The contract must specify the contractor's license number.
Answer: C. The contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Rationale: For contracts over $500, the Business and Professions Code requires a written
contract signed by both parties. Notarization is not required, a notice of cancellation is
only for home solicitation sales, and while the license number must be included, that is not
the primary enforceability requirement. The correct answer is C.
2. A landscaping contractor completes a project but the homeowner refuses to pay the
final invoice of $10,000. The contractor wants to file a mechanics lien. Which of the
following is the correct deadline for recording a lien after completion of the project?
A. 30 days after completion
B. 60 days after completion
C. 90 days after completion
D. 120 days after completion
Answer: C. 90 days after completion
Rationale: Under California Civil Code, a mechanics lien must be recorded within 90 days
after completion of the project. The other options are incorrect timeframes. The correct
answer is C.
Page 1 of 85
,3. A landscape contractor is designing an irrigation system for a sloped yard. To
prevent runoff and ensure even water distribution, which of the following is the most
appropriate strategy?
A. Use high-flow sprinkler heads with a single zone.
B. Install a drip irrigation system with pressure-compensating emitters.
C. Use impact sprinklers with a short duration cycle.
D. Install a manual hose bib system.
Answer: B. Install a drip irrigation system with pressure-compensating emitters.
Rationale: Drip irrigation with pressure-compensating emitters delivers water slowly and
evenly, reducing runoff on slopes. High-flow sprinklers and impact sprinklers can cause
runoff; manual hose bibs are inefficient. The correct answer is B.
4. In California, which of the following safety practices is required when operating a
trencher for irrigation lines?
A. Wearing hearing protection only
B. Calling 811 before digging
C. Using a spotter at all times
D. Wearing a hard hat and safety glasses
Answer: B. Calling 811 before digging
Rationale: California law requires calling 811 to mark underground utilities before
digging. While PPE is important, calling 811 is a legal requirement to prevent damage to
utilities. The correct answer is B.
Page 2 of 85
,5. A contractor is preparing a bid for a large landscaping project. The plans include a
10,000 sq ft lawn, 50 trees, and a 500 sq ft patio. The contractor estimates labor at
$20/hour and materials at $5,000. If the project requires 200 labor hours, what is the
total bid amount?
A. $9,000
B. $10,000
C. $9,500
D. $8,000
Answer: A. $9,000
Rationale: Total labor cost = 200 hours * $20/hour = $4,000. Total materials = $5,000.
Total bid = $4,000 + $5,000 = $9,000. The correct answer is A.
6. Which of the following plant species is best suited for a drought-tolerant landscape
in California's Central Valley?
A. Acer palmatum (Japanese maple)
B. Lantana camara
C. Hydrangea macrophylla
D. Rhododendron spp.
Answer: B. Lantana camara
Rationale: Lantana camara is drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry climates like the
Central Valley. Japanese maple, hydrangea, and rhododendron require more water and are
not ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes. The correct answer is B.
Page 3 of 85
, 7. A contractor is installing a retaining wall that is 4 feet high. According to California
building codes, which of the following is required?
A. A permit is not required for walls under 4 feet.
B. A permit is required for walls over 3 feet.
C. A permit is required for walls over 4 feet.
D. A permit is required for all retaining walls.
Answer: B. A permit is required for walls over 3 feet.
Rationale: In California, a permit is typically required for retaining walls over 3 feet in
height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall). The correct answer
is B.
8. A landscaping contractor is considering using recycled water for irrigation. Which
of the following is a key requirement for using recycled water in California?
A. It must be treated to primary standards.
B. It must be approved by the local health department.
C. It can be used without any additional permits.
D. It must be used only for non-edible crops.
Answer: B. It must be approved by the local health department.
Rationale: The use of recycled water requires approval from the local health department
and must meet specific treatment standards. It is not automatically allowed without
permits. The correct answer is B.
Page 4 of 85
