NC Landscape key terms

The North Carolina licensed activity of designing, installing, maintaining, or repairing landscapes for compensation, including grading, planting, hardscape, irrigation, and related site work performed under the Chapter 89D licensing law.

The statutory scope of work regulated under Chapter 89D, covering landscape design and installation, grading and drainage, planting, hardscape construction, irrigation, and landscape maintenance when offered to the public for compensation.

The rule that a person may not offer or perform landscape contracting for compensation in North Carolina without a valid license issued by the Board, subject to limited statutory exemptions and local government exceptions.

A statutory carve-out allowing certain persons or work to proceed without a license, such as employees of licensed firms, government workers, nursery stock sales, and owners working on their own property.

A person or business entity holding a North Carolina landscape contracting license and responsible for the landscape work it contracts, including supervision of employees and compliance with Board rules.

The individual who passes the examination and holds the license on behalf of a business, meeting experience and education requirements and responsible for the firm's landscape contracting work.

A Board-issued authorization allowing a business entity to offer landscape contracting services through a qualified licensee, distinct from the individual license held by that person.

The business-level license under which a landscape contracting company operates, tied to a named qualified licensee and subject to renewal, fee, and reporting requirements.

The state board created by Chapter 89D that licenses landscape contractors, administers examinations, adopts rules, investigates complaints, and imposes discipline for violations.

The North Carolina statute governing landscape contracting, establishing licensing, Board powers, minimum standards, enforcement, and penalties for unlicensed activity.

The Board's statutory power to adopt administrative rules implementing Chapter 89D, including licensing procedures, examination requirements, standards of practice, and disciplinary processes, subject to state rulemaking law.

The compiled body of agency rules, including the Board's landscape contracting rules, that carries the force of law and supplements the statutes in Chapter 89D.

The ethical and professional standards the Board enforces, covering honesty in contracting, competence, compliance with laws, and avoiding misrepresentation or fraudulent practices.

Behavior subject to discipline, including fraud, incompetence, negligence, unlicensed practice, failure to comply with Board orders, and contracting beyond the scope of licensure.

The baseline requirements the Board sets for licensed landscape work, such as proper installation, drainage, plant handling, and compliance with building codes and contract terms.

The expectation that landscape work be performed in a competent, professional manner consistent with accepted industry practices and the contract documents approved for the project.

The requirement that a licensee install landscape work according to approved plans and specifications, and obtain authorization for material changes before proceeding.

A written modification to the contract scope, price, or schedule, signed by the parties, that documents approved deviations from original plans or specifications.

The complete set of agreements, plans, specifications, and addenda that define the parties' obligations and the standards the landscape work must satisfy.

Sanctions the Board may impose for violations, including reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and conditions on continued licensure.

The Board's process for receiving, reviewing, and acting on allegations of unlicensed practice or licensee misconduct, which may lead to a hearing and disciplinary order.

A formal proceeding conducted under state administrative procedure law where the Board presents evidence of violations and the licensee may respond before a decision is issued.

A Board or court directive requiring a person engaged in unlicensed landscape contracting to stop the prohibited activity, often accompanied by penalties for noncompliance.

Offering or performing landscape contracting for compensation without a license or valid exemption, which exposes the person to Board action, civil penalties, and injunctive relief.

A court order sought by the Board to restrain a person from continuing unlicensed landscape contracting or other statutory violations.

The mandated hours of approved instruction a licensee must complete each renewal period to maintain licensure and stay current on laws, safety, and technical practices.

The credit measure used to count approved continuing education, typically one unit per hour of instruction, with limits on self-study or nontechnical subjects.

The Board's process for reviewing and accepting continuing education providers and courses so that credit counts toward a licensee's renewal obligation.

The periodic process by which a licensee submits fees, continuing education documentation, and required information to keep a license active for the next term.

A license that has expired because renewal requirements were not met, which generally bars the holder from practicing until reinstated under Board rules.

The Board process for restoring a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license after the applicant satisfies conditions such as fees, education, examination, or disciplinary requirements.

A pathway allowing a licensee from another jurisdiction to obtain a North Carolina license based on comparable credentials, subject to Board review and any required examination.

The testing component of licensure, covering landscape contracting knowledge and North Carolina law, that an applicant must pass to become a qualified licensee.

The documented practical landscape work experience an applicant must show, often combined with education, before sitting for the licensing examination.

The Board-maintained information about license status, disciplinary history, and continuing education that the public may access and the licensee must keep accurate.

The requirement that a company offering landscape contracting register with the Board and identify a qualified licensee responsible for its work.