100+ Free NC Landscape Practice Questions

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Which state board administers the landscape contractor license in North Carolina?

NC General Contractors Licensing Board

NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB)

NC Department of Agriculture

NC Board of Architecture

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Key Facts: NC Landscape Exam

Exam Sections

NCLCLB

$10,000

Surety Bond

NC GS 89D

3 yrs

Experience Required

NCLCLB

$150

Exam Fee

NCLCLB

120 days

Lien Filing Deadline

NC GS 44A

Sample NC Landscape Practice Questions

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

1Which state board administers the landscape contractor license in North Carolina?

A.NC General Contractors Licensing Board

B.NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB)

C.NC Department of Agriculture

D.NC Board of Architecture

Explanation: The North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB) is the state agency responsible for licensing landscape contractors under NC General Statute Chapter 89D. The board administers the licensing exam, processes applications, and enforces licensing requirements.

2How many sections does the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing exam consist of?

A.1 section

B.2 sections

C.3 sections

D.4 sections

Explanation: The NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing exam consists of three sections: (1) General Knowledge covering horticulture practice, landscape construction, and NC business practices/licensing law, (2) Plant Identification from photographs, and (3) Landscape Design/Site Plan Reading with 35-40 multiple choice questions. All three sections must be passed.

3What is the surety bond amount required for a North Carolina landscape contractor license?

A.$5,000

B.$10,000

C.$15,000

D.$25,000

Explanation: North Carolina requires licensed landscape contractors to maintain a $10,000 surety bond or certified letter of credit. This bond protects consumers by providing financial recourse if the contractor fails to fulfill contractual obligations or violates licensing law.

4What is the application fee for the NC Landscape Contractor license?

A.$25

B.$50

C.$75

D.$150

Explanation: The one-time application fee for the NC Landscape Contractor license is $75 (non-refundable). This fee is paid at the time of application submission and covers the application processing. The exam fee of $150 is separate and due when signing up for the exam.

5What is the exam fee for the NC Landscape Contractor licensing exam?

A.$75

B.$100

C.$150

D.$200

Explanation: The NC Landscape Contractor licensing exam fee is $150, paid when submitting the exam sign-up form after application approval. This is separate from the $75 application fee. The exam must be taken within one year from the date the application is approved.

6What experience is required to apply for a NC Landscape Contractor license by examination?

A.1 year of experience

B.2 years of experience

C.3 years of documented experience in landscape contracting

D.5 years of experience

Explanation: North Carolina requires 3 years of documented experience in the person's own business as a landscape contractor or 3 years as an employee in a landscape contracting business. Educational experience can be applied toward this requirement: one year credit for a 2-year degree or two years credit for a 4-year degree in related fields.

7Under NC General Statute Chapter 89D, how long after application approval must the exam be completed?

A.30 days

B.6 months

C.1 year

D.2 years

Explanation: The NC landscape contractor licensing exam must be taken and passed within one year from the date the application is approved by the NCLCLB. If the applicant does not complete the exam within this timeframe, they must reapply and pay the application fee again.

8How far in advance of the exam date must a complete application be submitted to the NCLCLB?

A.7 days

B.14 days

C.30 days

D.60 days

Explanation: By administrative rule, applicants must submit a complete application to the NCLCLB no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date. This allows time for the board to verify experience, references, and other application requirements.

9What does the Plant Identification section of the NC landscape contractor exam require?

A.Writing botanical names from memory

B.Identifying plants and pests from photographs, selecting the correct answer from a list of specimens

C.Drawing plant diagrams

D.Providing planting depth specifications

Explanation: The Plant Identification section requires candidates to identify a wide selection of plants and pests by observing photographs and selecting the correct plant or pest from a full list of possible specimens. This tests the candidate's ability to recognize common North Carolina landscape plants and pest problems.

10What does the Landscape Design/Site Plan Reading section of the NC exam cover?

A.Creating original landscape designs by hand

B.35-40 multiple choice questions on interpreting a landscape plan

C.Using computer-aided design software

D.Estimating project costs from verbal descriptions

Explanation: The Landscape Design section (also called Site Plan Reading) consists of 35-40 multiple choice questions that test the candidate's ability to interpret a landscape plan. This includes reading plant schedules, understanding symbols, calculating quantities from plans, and interpreting grading and drainage information.

About the NC Landscape Exam

The North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB) exam consists of three sections that must all be passed: General Knowledge (horticulture, construction, NC law), Plant Identification (from photographs), and Landscape Design/Site Plan Reading (35-40 questions). NC spans Zones 5b-8b with diverse growing conditions from mountains to coast.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3-4 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$150 (NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board (NCLCLB))

NC Landscape Exam Content Outline

25%

State Laws & NCLCLB Regulations

NC GS Chapter 89D, licensing requirements, $10,000 surety bond, workers' comp (3+ employees), Sedimentation Act

25%

Plant Identification & Materials

NC plant species identification from photos, hardiness zones 5b-8b, native plants, soil amendments for Piedmont clay

20%

Landscape Design & Site Plan Reading

Interpreting landscape plans, reading scales, calculating quantities, plant schedules, grading plans, irrigation layouts

15%

Trade Knowledge - Hardscape & Irrigation

Paver installation, retaining walls, concrete work, grading, drainage, irrigation system design, backflow prevention

15%

Safety, Environmental & Business

OSHA safety, Sedimentation Pollution Control Act, riparian buffers, contract law, lien law (120-day filing), estimating

How to Pass the NC Landscape Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3-4 hours
Exam fee: $150

Keys to Passing

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

NC Landscape Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the NCLCLB professional materials list—exam questions are drawn from these specific references

2Practice plant identification using NC-specific species photographs, especially common Piedmont and Coastal plants

3Master site plan reading skills: scales, symbols, plant schedules, and quantity calculations

4Review NC Sedimentation Pollution Control Act requirements for sites disturbing 1+ acres

5Know NC General Statute Chapter 89D covering landscape contractor licensing requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three exam sections?

General Knowledge (horticulture, construction, NC law), Plant Identification (from photographs), and Landscape Design/Site Plan Reading (35-40 questions). All three must be passed.

How much experience is required?

3 years of documented experience, with educational credits available: 1 year credit for a 2-year degree, 2 years credit for a 4-year degree in related fields.

What is the surety bond amount?

$10,000 surety bond or certified letter of credit is required for all NC landscape contractor licensees.

What is the revenue threshold for licensing?

A license is required when landscape contracting revenue exceeds $30,000 in a 12-month period.

What is the application timeline?

Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the exam date. The exam must be completed within 1 year of application approval. Application fee is $75; exam fee is $150.