100+ Free HI Landscape Practice Questions

Pass your Hawaii C-27 Landscaping Contractor License Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

1 / 100

Question 1

Score: 0/0

Which Hawaii agency oversees the licensing of C-27 Landscaping contractors?

Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Contractors License Board

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

Hawaii Department of Transportation

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: HI Landscape Exam

75%

Passing Score (both exams)

HI DCCA

4 yrs

Supervisory Experience Required

HI Contractors License Board

45 days

Mechanic's Lien Filing Deadline

HRS Chapter 507

4.5%

GET Rate (Oahu)

HI Dept. of Taxation

Zone 10a-13b

USDA Hardiness Zones

USDA

Sample HI Landscape Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HI Landscape exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Hawaii agency oversees the licensing of C-27 Landscaping contractors?

A.Hawaii Department of Agriculture

B.Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Contractors License Board

C.Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

D.Hawaii Department of Transportation

Explanation: The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Contractors License Board oversees contractor licensing including the C-27 Landscaping classification. The board administers licensing requirements, approves exam applications, and enforces contractor regulations.

2What is the Hawaii C-27 Landscaping contractor license classification?

A.General building contractor

B.Specialty contractor for landscape construction including land preparation, planting, irrigation, and hardscape

C.Electrical contractor for landscape lighting

D.Plumbing contractor for irrigation systems only

Explanation: The Hawaii C-27 Landscaping classification is a specialty contractor license covering land preparation, planting, pruning, decorative landscape work, hydro mulching, rock scaping, irrigation installation, and general landscape construction. It does not cover structural building construction or separate trades like electrical or plumbing.

3What minimum passing score is required on the Hawaii C-27 Landscaping contractor exam?

A.60%

B.70%

C.75%

D.80%

Explanation: Hawaii requires a minimum score of 75% on examinations designed to test knowledge of the trade and laws/rules applying to contractor licensing. This applies to both the C-27 Landscaping Trade Exam and the Business and Law Exam. This is higher than many other states' 70% requirement.

4What experience requirement must be met to obtain a Hawaii C-27 Landscaping contractor license?

A.1 year of any work experience

B.2 years of landscape experience

C.4 years of experience within the past 10 years, at supervisory level

D.No experience is required

Explanation: Hawaii requires 4 years of experience within the past 10 years at the supervisory level to qualify for a C-27 Landscaping contractor license. This experience must be documented and verified. The supervisory requirement ensures applicants have management-level knowledge of landscape construction operations.

5Which testing organization currently administers the Hawaii contractor licensing examinations?

A.Pearson VUE

B.Prometric

C.PSI Services

D.National Assessment Institute

Explanation: PSI Services (also known as PSI Exams) administers Hawaii contractor licensing examinations, effective since January 2023. Candidates must have their application approved by the Contractors License Board before registering with PSI to schedule their exams. Registration can be done online or by calling (833) 333-4754.

6What two exams must Hawaii C-27 Landscaping contractor candidates pass?

A.Written and practical exams

B.C-27 Landscaping Trade Exam and Business and Law Exam

C.Federal and state exams

D.Safety exam and trade exam

Explanation: Hawaii C-27 candidates must pass two separate PSI-administered exams: the C-27 Landscaping Trade Exam (covering irrigation, plant materials, pest management, soils, hardscaping, and safety) and the Business and Law Exam (covering Hawaii contractor laws, business practices, and financial management). Both require a 75% passing score.

7What is the Hawaii Contractors Recovery Fund, and what must licensed contractors contribute to it?

A.A voluntary savings program for contractors

B.A mandatory fund that contractors must pay into, which compensates consumers for contractor misconduct

C.A retirement fund for landscape contractors

D.A fund for natural disaster recovery only

Explanation: The Hawaii Contractors Recovery Fund is a mandatory consumer protection fund that all licensed contractors must contribute to. The fund compensates consumers who suffer financial loss due to contractor misconduct, fraud, or incompetence. The contribution fee is required at initial licensing and periodic intervals as determined by the Contractors License Board.

8Which USDA Plant Hardiness Zones cover the Hawaiian Islands?

A.Zones 5-7

B.Zones 8-9

C.Zones 10a-13b

D.Zones 3-5

Explanation: The Hawaiian Islands span USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a through 13b, reflecting the tropical to subtropical climate. Coastal areas are typically Zone 12-13, while higher elevations on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa can be as cool as Zone 10a. This unique range allows landscape contractors to use a vast array of tropical and subtropical plant species.

9What is the primary soil type found on volcanic Hawaiian Islands that presents unique challenges for landscape contractors?

A.Heavy clay soil

B.Sandy loam

C.Volcanic soil (Andisols) derived from lava and ash

D.Limestone-based soil

Explanation: Hawaiian soils are primarily volcanic in origin (classified as Andisols), derived from decomposed lava rock and volcanic ash. These soils vary widely from highly porous rocky substrates to rich organic clay depending on the age of the lava flow and rainfall patterns. Landscape contractors must understand these unique soil conditions for proper plant selection and drainage design.

10Under Hawaii law, what insurance must landscape contractors maintain for their employees?

A.General liability only

B.Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory for all employees in Hawaii

C.Only health insurance

D.No insurance requirements exist in Hawaii

Explanation: Hawaii requires all employers, including landscape contractors, to maintain workers' compensation insurance for their employees. Hawaii has one of the strictest workers' compensation requirements in the nation, covering all employees from day one of employment. Additionally, Hawaii requires employers to provide Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Prepaid Health Care.

About the HI Landscape Exam

The Hawaii C-27 Landscaping contractor exam is administered by PSI Services for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Contractors License Board. Candidates must pass two exams: the C-27 Landscaping Trade Exam and the Business and Law Exam, both requiring 75% to pass. The trade exam covers irrigation, plant materials, pest management, soils, hardscaping, and safety specific to Hawaii's volcanic terrain and tropical climate. Candidates need 4 years of supervisory experience within the past 10 years.

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$150-$200 (Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board / PSI Services)

HI Landscape Exam Content Outline

25%

State Laws & Regulations

HRS Chapter 444 licensing, Contractors Recovery Fund, HRS 507 lien law, endangered species, SMA permits, cultural site protection

25%

Trade Knowledge - Tropical Plants & Irrigation

Hawaiian native species, invasive species, windward/leeward microclimates, drip irrigation, water conservation, volcanic soil amendment

20%

Trade Knowledge - Hardscape & Volcanic Terrain

Paver installation on cinder, retaining walls on basalt, seismic design, lava rock scaping, erosion control on steep volcanic slopes

15%

Safety & Environmental Regulations

HIOSH standards, coral reef protection, sediment control, CRB management, pesticide disposal, heat illness prevention

15%

Business & Project Management

Hawaii-specific cost factors, Jones Act shipping, GET tax, inter-island logistics, Prepaid Health Care Act, prevailing wages

How to Pass the HI Landscape Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Exam length: 80 questions
Time limit: 4 hours
Exam fee: $150-$200

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HI Landscape Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on Hawaii-unique requirements: Prepaid Health Care Act, Contractors Recovery Fund, and 75% passing score

2Study Hawaii's invasive species regulations — Miconia, CRB, and Little Fire Ant management protocols

3Understand windward vs. leeward microclimate differences and their impact on plant selection and irrigation

4Review HRS Chapter 507 lien law: 45-day filing deadline is shorter than most mainland states

5Know the Special Management Area (SMA) permit requirements for coastal landscape projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Hawaii C-27 Landscaping exam?

Hawaii requires a 75% passing score on both the C-27 Landscaping Trade Exam and the Business and Law Exam. This is higher than many other states' 70% requirement.

What experience is needed for the Hawaii C-27 license?

You need 4 years of experience within the past 10 years at the supervisory level. This must be documented and verified through the license application process.

What makes Hawaii landscape contractor licensing unique?

Hawaii has unique requirements including Prepaid Health Care Act compliance, Contractors Recovery Fund contributions, strict invasive species regulations, coral reef protection, and the C-27b Tree Trimming subcategory.

What is the Hawaii Contractors Recovery Fund?

A mandatory fund all licensed contractors must contribute to, which compensates consumers who suffer financial loss due to contractor misconduct, fraud, or incompetence.

Why are material costs higher in Hawaii?

The Jones Act requires US-flagged ships for US port-to-port shipping, increasing freight costs 20-40%. Limited local supply, inter-island freight, and Hawaii General Excise Tax further increase costs by 30-60% over mainland prices.