Virginia Landscape Service Contracting Endorsement Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, what work does Virginia's landscape service contracting specialty (LSC) authorize?

• AAlteration or improvement of a land area not related to any other classification or servi…
• BInstallation, repair, improvement, or removal of irrigation sprinkler systems or outdoor…
• CInstallation, repair, or improvement of a nonresidential farm building or farm accessory-…
• DConstruction of new dwellings, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas fitting

What official abbreviation does 18VAC50-22-30 assign to landscape service contracting?

• ALND
• BISC
• CLSC
• DFIC

Besides an LSC specialty, which Virginia license classifications and specialties also provide landscape-service functions under 18VAC50-22-30?

• AELE, PLB, and HVA only
• BISC and FIC only
• CASB, LAC, and DLR only
• DCBC, RBC, and H/H classifications, and the CIC and HIC specialties

Does the Virginia LSC specialty authorize removal of stumps and roots below grade?

• ANo; below-grade stump work is exclusive to the H/H classification
• BYes; 18VAC50-22-30 expressly states that this specialty may remove stumps and roots below…
• COnly if the stump is less than 6 inches in diameter
• DOnly flush cutting at existing grade is allowed

A homeowner asks an LSC contractor to install a new underground lawn sprinkler system after the yard is graded. Which statement is correct under 18VAC50-22-30?

• ALSC includes irrigation sprinklers, so no other specialty is required
• BIrrigation sprinkler systems are landscape irrigation contracting (ISC); LSC grading does…
• CAny LSC firm may install sprinklers if a backflow preventer is omitted
• DSprinkler work is farm improvement contracting (FIC)

A farm client wants a new equipment barn and also wants the adjoining paddock graded and a landscape timber wall built. What may an LSC-only firm perform?

• AThe barn, the paddock grading, and the timber wall
• BOnly the barn, because farm work is always FIC
• CThe paddock grading and the landscape timber wall, but not the farm building
• DOnly interior barn finishes

Which retaining-wall work is expressly inside the LSC specialty definition?

• AConstruction of retaining walls for landscaping purposes
• BFoundation walls that support a new dwelling
• CHighway abutment walls for a VDOT bridge
• DBasement walls that resist a building surcharge

Which material installation is named in the 18VAC50-22-30 LSC definition?

• AInterior millwork and cabinets
• BPlacement of landscaping timbers
• CRoof covering and underlayment
• DIrrigation laterals and spray heads

The LSC definition limits the specialty to land-area work "not related to any other classification or service activity." What does that limitation mean for an LSC-only firm?

• ALSC automatically includes every trade that happens to occur outdoors
• BLSC may perform electrical, plumbing, and HVAC if those trades serve a garden
• CWork that belongs to another named classification or specialty, such as irrigation, farm…
• DLSC may build new commercial buildings if they are set in a landscaped lot

Which three earthwork operations are named as LSC means in 18VAC50-22-30?

• AWelding, riveting, and rigging
• BExcavation, clearing, and grading
• CBatching, mixing, and finishing concrete
• DTaping, floating, and sanding drywall

An LSC-only contractor bids a residential backyard that includes (1) tree clearing and rough grading, (2) a 2-foot landscape timber wall, and (3) a complete underground irrigation system with a backflow preventer. Which bid decision is consistent with 18VAC50-22-30?

• APerform all three items under the LSC specialty because they are landscape work
• BPerform clearing, grading, and the timber wall; require an ISC, PLB, or H/H firm for the…
• CPerform only the irrigation system and subcontract the grading
• DRefuse the timber wall because timbers are masonry (BRK)

A rural client wants an LSC-only firm to (1) clear and grade a 1-acre paddock, (2) build a new nonresidential farm equipment barn, and (3) remove several stumps below grade. Which statement is correct?

• AAll three items are LSC because the site is a farm
• BOnly the barn is LSC; clearing and stump removal require H/H
• CClearing, grading, and below-grade stump removal are LSC; the farm barn is FIC (or CBC/RB…
• DStump removal below grade is never allowed under LSC

A lawn swale drops 2 feet over a 50-foot run. What is the slope, expressed as a percent?

• A2%
• B4%
• C10%
• D25%

What is the primary purpose of finish grading immediately around a dwelling?

• ATo pond irrigation water against the foundation so plantings stay wet
• BTo drain surface water away from foundation walls to an approved collection point
• CTo create a level pad that holds water for mosquito control
• DTo maximize cut volume regardless of drainage

Under Virginia Residential Code R401.3, how far must the grade fall away from foundation walls in the first 10 feet, unless a listed exception applies?

• AA minimum of 2 inches within the first 10 feet
• BA minimum of 6 inches within the first 10 feet
• CA minimum of 18 inches within the first 10 feet
• DNo fall is required if sod is installed

What is the function of a drainage swale in landscape grading?

• AA shallow, sloped channel that intercepts and conveys surface runoff to an approved outlet
• BA structural footing under a retaining wall
• CA vertical dry well used only for sanitary sewage
• DA compacted berm that stores water against a foundation

A backyard French drain is specified to relieve saturated soil behind a landscape bed. Which installation best matches common landscape-drainage practice?

• ASolid, unperforated pipe laid on clay with no stone, discharging to the foundation
• BPerforated collector pipe in a washed-gravel envelope, sloped to a free outlet or approve…
• CPerforated pipe laid upgrade so water cannot leave the trench
• DOpen sanitary-sewer connection so stormwater can enter the building drain

On a grading plan, contour lines that are drawn very close together indicate which site condition?

• AA nearly flat area
• BA steep slope
• CA body of standing water of unknown depth
• DA property line, not topography

A rectangular lawn cut is 40 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 1.5 feet deep, measured in-place. What is the bank volume in cubic yards?

• A27 cubic yards
• B42 cubic yards
• C56 cubic yards
• D150 cubic yards

In landscape earthwork, what is the difference between subgrade and finish grade?

• ASubgrade is the compacted earth surface that will receive pavement, base, or topsoil; fin…
• BThe two terms always mean the same elevation
• CFinish grade is always 2 feet below subgrade
• DSubgrade is the top of the sod, and finish grade is the bottom of the excavation

A paved landscape courtyard is crowned. What does that mean for drainage?

• AThe center is high so water sheds to both edges
• BThe center is low so all water ponds in the middle
• CThe pavement is sloped toward the building foundation
• DCrown means the pavement is perfectly level

A landscape cut yields 80 bank cubic yards. The soil has a swell factor of 20 percent when loaded. How many loose cubic yards should be hauled?

• A64 loose cubic yards
• B80 loose cubic yards
• C96 loose cubic yards
• D160 loose cubic yards

When should a landscape contractor use a catch basin or area drain instead of relying only on sheet flow?

• AWhenever the lawn is perfectly flat and already drains
• BWhen a low point cannot be graded to a free outfall and concentrated runoff must be colle…
• COnly when the client wants decorative grates, regardless of drainage
• DNever; area drains are prohibited in Virginia landscapes

A downspout discharges onto a newly graded bed that slopes toward the house. What is the correct LSC drainage response?

• ALeave the downspout as-is so the bed receives extra water
• BRegrade to fall away from the foundation and extend the downspout to a swale, pop-up emit…
• CConnect the downspout to the sanitary building sewer
• DBuild a berm that traps the roof water against the wall

Which lawn slope is generally preferred for a mowable, drainable residential landscape away from the building, once the R401.3 minimum near the foundation is met?

• AA dead-level lawn with no measurable fall
• BA gentle positive slope, commonly about 2 percent (about 1/4 inch per foot), steepening o…
• CA 1:1 slope through the entire yard
• DA reverse slope that drains every lawn toward the foundation

The Virginia Residential Code requires a minimum 6-inch fall in the first 10 feet away from a foundation. What percent slope is that?

• A0.5%
• B2%
• C5%
• D6%

Water is ponding against the back face of a new landscape retaining wall. What is the most likely grading or drainage error?

• AThe wall is working as designed; retained water improves stability
• BFinish grade or backfill is trapping runoff, and the wall drainage system is missing, clo…
• CThe wall is too short to need drainage
• DPonding means the silt fence is functioning

A site has a cut of 60 ft × 40 ft × 0.75 ft and a fill of 50 ft × 30 ft × 0.50 ft, both measured in-place. Ignoring swell and shrink, what is the net earthwork?

• AAbout 28 cubic yards of import
• BBalanced cut and fill
• CAbout 150 cubic yards of export
• DAbout 39 cubic yards of export

In land-clearing language, what is the difference between clearing and grubbing?

• AClearing removes vegetation above the surface; grubbing removes stumps and roots below th…
• BThe two words always mean the same operation
• CGrubbing is only pesticide application
• DClearing is only the placement of landscaping timbers

Before an LSC crew begins mechanical clearing on a developed lot, which sequence is the correct first priority?

• AFell every tree, then call Virginia 811 after the stumps are out
• BNotify Virginia 811, establish the limits of disturbance and erosion controls, protect tr…
• CStrip topsoil into the street gutter so the crew can start sooner
• DBury cleared brush in the future building pad to save haul cost

Why do landscape specifications usually require stripping and stockpiling topsoil before mass grading?

• ATopsoil is unsuitable as a structural fill and is saved to restore planting beds and lawn…
• BTopsoil is the only soil that may be used under footings
• CTopsoil must be mixed into wall drainage stone
• DStockpiling topsoil is prohibited in Virginia

A specimen tree is to remain on an LSC clearing site. What is the most protective field practice?

• APark equipment on the roots and cut only the trunk later
• BFence a protection zone, typically at or beyond the drip line, and keep cut, fill, and tr…
• CGrade a 2-foot fill over the root flare to hide surface roots
• DTrench a continuous utility line through the middle of the root zone

Where should cleared stumps, roots, and brush be placed on an LSC grading job?

• ABuried in the compacted lawn subgrade to save haul tickets
• BMixed into the retaining-wall drainage stone
• CRemoved from the site or placed only in a designated debris area that will not become str…
• DPushed into a stream buffer for natural recycling

A specification says "clear and grub to 12 inches below existing grade in all lawn areas." What must the LSC crew remove?

• AOnly grass blades, leaving every stump and root in place
• BSurface vegetation plus stumps and roots in the top 12 inches so the future lawn is not h…
• COnly rocks larger than 3 feet
• DNothing below the grass thatch

What is the purpose of marking limits of disturbance before landscape excavation?

• ATo let the crew grade the entire parcel, including off-site property, without another plan
• BTo confine cut, fill, clearing, and erosion controls to the approved work area and protec…
• CTo replace the Virginia 811 ticket
• DTo serve as the only required silt-fence installation

Which machine is usually the best choice to excavate a stump and load the root mass onto a truck?

• AA walk-behind plate compactor
• BA hydraulic excavator or backhoe-loader with a digging bucket
• CA vibrating screed
• DA paint sprayer

After mass cut and fill, which tool is most appropriate for fine-grading a lawn to a uniform plane or designed swale?

• AA large hoe-ram without a grade reference
• BA box blade, landscape rake, or grader blade working to hubs, string, or laser
• CA demolition grapple
• DA chain saw

An LSC crew excavates a planting terrace 50 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 2.5 feet deep, measured in-place. What is the bank excavation volume?

• A15 cubic yards
• B28 cubic yards
• C56 cubic yards
• D1,500 cubic yards

During lawn excavation the bucket pulls up dark, spongy, organic soil that will not compact. What should the LSC contractor do before placing structural or lawn subgrade fill?

• ALeave the organic soil in place and compact it with extra passes
• BOver-excavate the unsuitable material to a firm stratum and replace it with specified com…
• CFlood the organic soil so it settles overnight
• DMix the organic soil into the wall drain gravel

A landscape excavation is collecting groundwater faster than it can drain. What is the correct dewatering approach?

• AHave employees stand in the rising water and keep digging
• BUse pumps, sumps, or well points as needed, discharge to an approved, filtered outlet, an…
• CPump the water over the silt fence and into the street
• DIgnore the water because landscape holes are exempt from OSHA

When cutting a long, steep landscape slope, why might the operator cut benches instead of one continuous steep face?

• ABenches create level working platforms, reduce run-out of loose soil, and can be part of…
• BOSHA requires every lawn to be benched, including Type C sand
• CBenches are used only to hide buried stumps
• DBenching replaces the need for erosion controls

A landscape plan needs 100 compacted cubic yards of fill. The borrow soil shrinks 20 percent from bank to compacted measure (compacted volume = 0.80 × bank volume). How many bank cubic yards must be cut?

• A80 bank cubic yards
• B100 bank cubic yards
• C120 bank cubic yards
• D125 bank cubic yards

What is the primary structural job of a landscape retaining wall?

• ATo hold a higher grade on one side and resist the lateral earth pressure of that unbalanc…
• BTo support roof trusses
• CTo serve as the building's frost-protected foundation
• DTo replace all site drainage

Why is drainage behind a landscape retaining wall essential?

• ATrapped water adds hydrostatic pressure that can slide, overturn, or bulge the wall
• BWater behind the wall is required for mortar cure
• CDrainage is only cosmetic
• DWet backfill always increases the wall's safety factor

Which back-of-wall drainage details are standard for a landscape retaining wall?

• AClay packed tight to the wall with no outlet
• BA washed-gravel drainage zone, filter fabric to keep soil out of the stone, and a perfora…
• CA solid pipe laid upgrade with no stone
• DTopsoil filled against the back face for planting

How does a gravity landscape wall resist overturning?

• ABy the weight and setback of the wall mass itself, sometimes with a battered face
• BBy hidden steel moment frames in every timber
• CBy tying the wall to the house roof
• DBy leaving the base smaller than the top so the wall leans out

Placement of landscaping timbers is inside which Virginia specialty?

• AISC only
• BFIC only
• CLSC, as named in 18VAC50-22-30
• DELE only