NC Landscape
NC Landscape Contractor Licensing Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The North Carolina landscape contractor credential is issued by the NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board, a state licensing board created by the General Assembly by statute on August 1, 2014, replacing the former NC Landscape Contractors' Registration Board. The Board consists of nine appointed citizens responsible for administering Chapter 89D of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Chapter 89D regulates landscape contracting in North Carolina to safeguard life, health, and property and to maintain a high professional standard for the landscape industry. Under the law, no person may engage in the practice of landscape construction or contracting, use the designation "landscape contractor," or advertise using any title or description implying licensure as a landscape contractor unless licensed by the Board. The credential is aimed at individuals and businesses that perform or offer landscape construction and contracting work in North Carolina, and the Board's statutory duties include giving examinations, issuing license certificates, maintaining records of licensees, and monitoring for violations. The Board is industry supported and receives no state funds; fees from industry professionals pay for these duties. Candidates should prepare from the Board's published study materials and the statutes, rules, code of conduct, and minimum standards posted on the Board site, and should confirm current application, exam, and continuing education details directly with the Board before scheduling.
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About NC Landscape preparation
Who issues the North Carolina landscape contractor license?
The NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board, a state licensing board created by the General Assembly by statute on August 1, 2014. It replaced the former NC Landscape Contractors' Registration Board and administers Chapter 89D of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
Do I need a license to call myself a landscape contractor in NC?
Yes. Under Chapter 89D, no person may engage in the practice of landscape construction or contracting, use the designation "landscape contractor," or advertise any title or description implying licensure unless licensed by the Board. Unlicensed use of the title is a violation the Board monitors.
What does the licensing exam test?
The Board's statutory duties include giving examinations, and its site posts study materials plus the Landscape Contractors Statute, relevant statutes, rules, the Code of Conduct, and Minimum Standards. Build your study plan around those published materials rather than third-party summaries, since the Board controls the content.
How is the Board funded, and does that affect fees?
The Board is an industry supported entity and receives no state funds. Fees collected from industry professionals fund its statute-defined duties, including examinations, license certificates, records of licensees, and violation monitoring. Confirm current fee amounts with the Board, as they are not published in the source material reviewed.
Who sits on the Board and who appoints them?
Nine appointed citizens administer Chapter 89D. Appointing authorities include the Governor of NC, the President Pro Tempore of the NC Senate, the Speaker of the NC House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the President of the University of North Carolina, the NC Nursery and Landscape Contractors' Association, and the NC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Where can I find official study materials and exam logistics?
The Board website lists Professional Study Materials, Licensing information, Application Forms, and Surety Bond Information. Note that the site's exam-information page currently returns a not-found error, so use the navigation links or contact the Board office directly for current exam scheduling, format, and retake details.
What is the most common preparation mistake?
Studying only horticulture and installation technique while skipping Chapter 89D, the administrative rules, the Code of Conduct, and Minimum Standards. The Board's enforcement authority rests on those documents, and its own site groups them under Laws/Enforcement as core reference material for licensees.
How do I verify a license or check my own status?
Use the Board's Licensee Search and Find A License Near Me tools, or log in to the licensee portal. The Board also posts renewal notices, lapsed corporate notices, and license revocation notices by expiration date, so check those lists if you are unsure whether your license is current.
How do I contact the Board with licensing questions?
The Board's office is at 3901 Barrett Dr., Ste 202, Raleigh, NC 27609, with mailing address PO Box 20875, Raleigh, NC 27619. Phone 919.266.8070, fax 919.782.9470, email [email protected]. Public office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM.