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ArticleFree Landscape Contractor Practice Test by State 2026: 1,900+ Questions22 min read
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Key Facts: SC Landscape Contractor Exam

115

NASCLA Exam Questions

PSI

70%

Passing Score

SC CLB

$350

License Fee

SC CLB

2 yrs

Experience Required

Within past 5 years

$75

B&L Exam Fee

PSI

5

License Groups

SC CLB

Sample SC Landscape Contractor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SC Landscape Contractor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which state agency oversees commercial contractor licensing in South Carolina?
A.South Carolina Department of Agriculture
B.South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board (CLB) under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
C.South Carolina Department of Education
D.South Carolina Building Codes Council
Explanation: The South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board (CLB), operating under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), oversees commercial contractor licensing. The CLB establishes licensing requirements, administers examinations, and enforces regulations for commercial contractors.
2What examinations must South Carolina commercial contractor applicants pass?
A.Only a trade-specific exam
B.The S.C. Business Management and Law exam plus the applicable trade exam
C.Only a safety certification exam
D.No exams are required
Explanation: South Carolina requires all commercial contractor applicants to pass both the S.C. Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors exam and the applicable trade or classification exam. Both exams are administered by PSI.
3How many years of work experience must South Carolina commercial contractor applicants document?
A.1 year
B.2 years within the past 5 years
C.4 years within the past 10 years
D.No experience required
Explanation: South Carolina requires commercial contractor applicants to document at least 2 years of work experience performed within the past 5 years for the requested license classification or subclassification. This experience must be verified as part of the application process.
4Who administers the South Carolina contractor licensing exams?
A.The CLB directly
B.PSI Services
C.Prometric
D.Local community colleges
Explanation: PSI Services administers all South Carolina contractor licensing exams. Candidates can schedule exams by contacting PSI at (855) 746-8173 or online at psiexams.com. No pre-approval from the CLB is required to schedule PSI exams.
5What is the passing score for the NASCLA Accredited Examination accepted in South Carolina?
A.60%
B.65%
C.70%
D.80%
Explanation: The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors requires a 70% passing score (81 out of 115 questions). South Carolina accepts the NASCLA exam as one pathway to commercial contractor licensure.
6Under South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 11, what does the Contractors' Licensing Board regulate?
A.Only residential builders
B.Commercial contractors engaged in construction costing $5,000 or more
C.Only highway construction
D.All household repairs regardless of cost
Explanation: South Carolina Code Title 40, Chapter 11 gives the CLB authority to regulate commercial contractors engaged in construction activities costing $5,000 or more. This includes landscape contractors performing commercial-scale construction work.
7What financial documentation must South Carolina commercial contractor applicants submit?
A.No financial documentation is needed
B.A financial statement or surety bond supporting the requested group limitation
C.Only a bank account number
D.A personal credit report
Explanation: South Carolina requires applicants to submit a financial statement demonstrating adequate net worth or working capital for their requested license group, or provide a surety bond in the same amount. This ensures contractors have financial capacity for their project scope.
8What is the licensing fee for a South Carolina commercial contractor license?
A.$100
B.$200
C.$350
D.$500
Explanation: The South Carolina commercial contractor licensing fee is $350. This fee is paid when submitting the license application after passing the required examinations and meeting all other application requirements.
9What climate zone classification applies to most of South Carolina for landscape planning?
A.USDA Zones 3-4
B.USDA Zones 5-6
C.USDA Zones 7-9
D.USDA Zones 10-11
Explanation: South Carolina spans USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 (upstate mountains) through 9 (coastal lowcountry). This warm climate allows a wide range of plant materials but also presents challenges including heat stress, humidity-related diseases, and specific pest pressures.
10What is the primary soil type in South Carolina's coastal plain that affects landscape construction?
A.Rocky mountain soil
B.Sandy soils with low organic content and fast drainage
C.Rich volcanic soil
D.Permafrost-affected soils
Explanation: South Carolina's coastal plain features predominantly sandy soils with low organic content and fast drainage. Landscape contractors must amend these soils with organic matter for planting and account for rapid drainage when designing irrigation systems.

About the SC Landscape Contractor Exam

The South Carolina commercial landscape contractor exam covers Business Management and Law, trade-specific knowledge including subtropical plant materials, irrigation for sandy and clay soils, hardscape construction, SCDHEC environmental regulations, and hurricane-resistant landscape design.

Exam sponsor: South Carolina CLB / PSI. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

115 questions

Time Limit

5.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$75 (Business & Law); $350 (license fee)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Business Management & Law

SC Code Title 40 Ch. 11, licensing groups, contracts, liens, and business practices

25%

Plant Materials & Climate

Warm-season turf, subtropical species, pest management, and hurricane-resistant design

20%

Hardscape Construction

Paver installation in clay soils, retaining walls, concrete, and drainage stone work

15%

Irrigation & Drainage

System design for sandy/clay soils, coastal drainage, and stormwater management

15%

Safety & Environmental

OSHA heat illness, SCDHEC permits, pesticide regulations, and erosion control

Preparing for the SC Landscape Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 115 questions
  • Time limit: 5.5 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $75 (Business & Law); $350 (license fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SC Landscape Contractor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master SC Code Title 40, Chapter 11 including license groups, PQP requirements, and the $5,000 licensing threshold
2Study warm-season grass management: Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia selection, establishment, and maintenance
3Learn hardscape techniques for South Carolina's expansive clay soils and sandy coastal conditions
4Review SCDHEC stormwater permit requirements and erosion control BMPs for land-disturbing activities
5Understand fire ant management, humidity-related plant diseases, and Integrated Pest Management principles

Frequently Asked Questions

What exams are required for a South Carolina commercial contractor license?

You must pass both the S.C. Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors exam ($75) and the applicable trade exam, both administered by PSI. No CLB pre-approval is needed to schedule exams.

How much experience is required?

South Carolina requires 2 years of work experience within the past 5 years for the requested license classification. You must also designate a Primary Qualifying Party (PQP).

Does South Carolina accept the NASCLA exam?

Yes, South Carolina accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (115 questions, 70% passing score) as an alternative to the state-specific trade exam.

What are the license group limitations?

South Carolina uses Groups 1-5 to set project dollar limits based on financial capacity. Higher groups require greater net worth or bonding. Groups 1-3 are available with the limited building exam.

What financial documents are needed?

A financial statement or surety bond supporting your requested group limitation must be submitted. The licensing fee is $350.