, Question 1
A Virginia licensed landscaping firm is contracted to install a patio and
retaining wall on a residential property. The project requires excavation within
5 feet of a public utility easement. According to Virginia's Underground Utility
Damage Prevention Act (Miss Utility law), which of the following is the most
critical compliance step before excavation begins?
A. Notify the utility operators at least 48 hours but no more than 10
working days prior to excavation, except in emergency situations.
B. Obtain a written waiver from the property owner releasing the firm
from liability for utility damage.
C. Contact the local building inspector to schedule a pre-excavation
inspection within 24 hours.
D. Verify utility locations by using ground-penetrating radar and
document the results with the utility companies.
Correct Answer: A - Notify the utility operators at least 48 hours
but no more than 10 working days prior to excavation, except in
emergency situations.
RATIONALE
The Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act requires
excavators to notify Miss Utility at least 48 hours but not more than
10 working days before excavation. Options B, C, and D are not
statutory requirements; while GPR may be used, it does not replace
the legal notification.
Question 2
A landscape designer in Virginia is selecting plant species for a rain garden in a
floodplain area with clayey soil and periodic inundation. Which of the
following native plant combinations is most appropriate for these conditions?
A. Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon Holly) and Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red
Cedar)
Page 2
, B. Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) and Panicum virgatum
(Switchgrass)
C. Rhododendron maximum (Great Rhododendron) and Kalmia latifolia
(Mountain Laurel)
D. Liriope muscari (Lilyturf) and Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Correct Answer: B - Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) and
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
RATIONALE
Buttonbush and Switchgrass are native species tolerant of periodic
flooding and clay soils, making them ideal for rain gardens. Yaupon
and Red Cedar prefer well-drained soils; Rhododendron and Mountain
Laurel require acidic, well-drained sites; Liriope and English Ivy are
not native and may be invasive.
Question 3
A landscaping company in Virginia is preparing a bid for a commercial
installation. The client requests a performance bond. Which of the following
best describes the primary purpose of a performance bond in this context?
A. It guarantees the contractor will complete the project according to the
contract terms and protects the client if the contractor defaults.
B. It provides insurance coverage for injuries to the contractor's
employees during the project.
C. It ensures the contractor pays all subcontractors and suppliers on time.
D. It covers the cost of replacing plant materials that die within one year
of installation.
Correct Answer: A - It guarantees the contractor will complete
the project according to the contract terms and protects the client
if the contractor defaults.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
A performance bond guarantees project completion per contract terms
and protects the client against contractor default. Option B describes
workers' compensation; C describes a payment bond; D describes a
warranty or maintenance bond.
Question 4
A landscape maintenance technician observes irregular, dark, water-soaked
lesions on the leaves of a red maple (Acer rubrum) in a Virginia landscape. The
lesions are bordered by yellow halos and appear after prolonged wet weather.
Which pathogen is most likely responsible?
A. Xylella fastidiosa
B. Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae
C. Verticillium dahliae
D. Phytophthora ramorum
Correct Answer: B - Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae
RATIONALE
Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae causes bacterial leaf spot with
water-soaked lesions and yellow halos, often after wet weather.
Xylella causes scorch; Verticillium causes vascular wilt; Phytophthora
ramorum causes sudden oak death and is not typical on red maple in
Virginia.
Question 5
Under Virginia's stormwater management regulations (9VAC25-870), a
landscaping project that disturbs more than 1 acre must obtain a Construction
General Permit. Which of the following best describes the required Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) content?
A. A site map, erosion and sediment control plan, and a description of
stormwater management practices.
Page 4
A Virginia licensed landscaping firm is contracted to install a patio and
retaining wall on a residential property. The project requires excavation within
5 feet of a public utility easement. According to Virginia's Underground Utility
Damage Prevention Act (Miss Utility law), which of the following is the most
critical compliance step before excavation begins?
A. Notify the utility operators at least 48 hours but no more than 10
working days prior to excavation, except in emergency situations.
B. Obtain a written waiver from the property owner releasing the firm
from liability for utility damage.
C. Contact the local building inspector to schedule a pre-excavation
inspection within 24 hours.
D. Verify utility locations by using ground-penetrating radar and
document the results with the utility companies.
Correct Answer: A - Notify the utility operators at least 48 hours
but no more than 10 working days prior to excavation, except in
emergency situations.
RATIONALE
The Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act requires
excavators to notify Miss Utility at least 48 hours but not more than
10 working days before excavation. Options B, C, and D are not
statutory requirements; while GPR may be used, it does not replace
the legal notification.
Question 2
A landscape designer in Virginia is selecting plant species for a rain garden in a
floodplain area with clayey soil and periodic inundation. Which of the
following native plant combinations is most appropriate for these conditions?
A. Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon Holly) and Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red
Cedar)
Page 2
, B. Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) and Panicum virgatum
(Switchgrass)
C. Rhododendron maximum (Great Rhododendron) and Kalmia latifolia
(Mountain Laurel)
D. Liriope muscari (Lilyturf) and Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Correct Answer: B - Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) and
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
RATIONALE
Buttonbush and Switchgrass are native species tolerant of periodic
flooding and clay soils, making them ideal for rain gardens. Yaupon
and Red Cedar prefer well-drained soils; Rhododendron and Mountain
Laurel require acidic, well-drained sites; Liriope and English Ivy are
not native and may be invasive.
Question 3
A landscaping company in Virginia is preparing a bid for a commercial
installation. The client requests a performance bond. Which of the following
best describes the primary purpose of a performance bond in this context?
A. It guarantees the contractor will complete the project according to the
contract terms and protects the client if the contractor defaults.
B. It provides insurance coverage for injuries to the contractor's
employees during the project.
C. It ensures the contractor pays all subcontractors and suppliers on time.
D. It covers the cost of replacing plant materials that die within one year
of installation.
Correct Answer: A - It guarantees the contractor will complete
the project according to the contract terms and protects the client
if the contractor defaults.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
A performance bond guarantees project completion per contract terms
and protects the client against contractor default. Option B describes
workers' compensation; C describes a payment bond; D describes a
warranty or maintenance bond.
Question 4
A landscape maintenance technician observes irregular, dark, water-soaked
lesions on the leaves of a red maple (Acer rubrum) in a Virginia landscape. The
lesions are bordered by yellow halos and appear after prolonged wet weather.
Which pathogen is most likely responsible?
A. Xylella fastidiosa
B. Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae
C. Verticillium dahliae
D. Phytophthora ramorum
Correct Answer: B - Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae
RATIONALE
Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae causes bacterial leaf spot with
water-soaked lesions and yellow halos, often after wet weather.
Xylella causes scorch; Verticillium causes vascular wilt; Phytophthora
ramorum causes sudden oak death and is not typical on red maple in
Virginia.
Question 5
Under Virginia's stormwater management regulations (9VAC25-870), a
landscaping project that disturbs more than 1 acre must obtain a Construction
General Permit. Which of the following best describes the required Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) content?
A. A site map, erosion and sediment control plan, and a description of
stormwater management practices.
Page 4
