North Carolina Landscape Contractor Practice Exam – Study
Guide & Practice Questions 2026
Comprehensive exam preparation resource for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor
licensing exam. Covers landscape construction, horticulture, plant identification, irrigation
systems, drainage, site planning, safety regulations, project management, and business practices.
Includes practice questions and answer explanations to help candidates strengthen their
knowledge and prepare for professional licensure.
Question 1:
Which of the following is a native North Carolina tree known for its brilliant red fall
color?
A) Norway maple
B) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
C) Bradford pear
D) Mimosa
Answer: B) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Rationale: Red maple is native to North Carolina and provides excellent red-orange fall
color. Bradford pear and mimosa are non-native invasive species, and Norway maple is
not native to the region .
Question 2:
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a landscape contractor license in
North Carolina?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Answer: B) 18 years old
,*Rationale: Under North Carolina General Statute §89D-16, applicants for licensure as a
landscape contractor must be at least 18 years of age. This is a fundamental eligibility
requirement .*
Question 3:
What is the required amount of the corporate surety bond for a North Carolina
landscape contractor license?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Answer: B) $10,000
*Rationale: NC General Statute §89D-16 requires landscape contractor applicants to file
a corporate surety bond executed by a company authorized to do business in North
Carolina in the amount of $10,000. The bond must be approved by the Board as to
form .*
Question 4:
Which turfgrass is best adapted to the warm, humid summers of the Piedmont region of
North Carolina?
A) Kentucky bluegrass
B) Tall fescue
C) Bermudagrass
D) Fine fescue
Answer: C) Bermudagrass
Rationale: Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the hot, humid summers
of North Carolina's Piedmont region. It goes dormant and turns brown in winter. Tall
fescue is a cool-season grass that stays green through winter .
,Question 5:
What is the botanical name for the Southern magnolia?
A) Magnolia stellata
B) Magnolia grandiflora
C) Magnolia soulangeana
D) Magnolia virginiana
Answer: B) Magnolia grandiflora
Rationale: Magnolia grandiflora is the evergreen Southern magnolia native to the
southeastern United States. Magnolia stellata is star magnolia, and Magnolia virginiana is
sweetbay magnolia .
Question 6:
What is the primary function of nitrogen in plant growth?
A) Flower development
B) Leaf and stem growth
C) Root development
D) Disease resistance
Answer: B) Leaf and stem growth
Rationale: Nitrogen promotes lush, green vegetative growth in leaves and stems.
Phosphorus supports root and flower development, while potassium contributes to overall
plant health and disease resistance .
Question 7:
What does the N-P-K ratio on a fertilizer bag represent?
A) Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus
B) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
C) Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
D) Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrogen
, Answer: B) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
*Rationale: The N-P-K ratio always lists nitrogen first, phosphorus second, and
potassium third. For example, a 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10%
phosphorus (as P₂O₅), and 10% potassium (as K₂O) .*
Question 8:
A homeowner wants a fast-growing shade tree. Which of the following is a good choice
for North Carolina?
A) Redbud
B) Dogwood
C) Tulip poplar
D) Japanese maple
Answer: C) Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Rationale: Tulip poplar is a fast-growing native shade tree that can reach large sizes
quickly. Redbud and dogwood are smaller ornamental trees, and Japanese maple is slow-
growing .
Question 9:
The term "deciduous" means a plant:
A) Keeps its leaves year-round
B) Loses its leaves in the autumn
C) Produces showy flowers
D) Grows only in wetlands
Answer: B) Loses its leaves in the autumn
Rationale: Deciduous plants shed their leaves annually in response to seasonal changes.
Evergreen plants retain their leaves year-round .
Guide & Practice Questions 2026
Comprehensive exam preparation resource for the North Carolina Landscape Contractor
licensing exam. Covers landscape construction, horticulture, plant identification, irrigation
systems, drainage, site planning, safety regulations, project management, and business practices.
Includes practice questions and answer explanations to help candidates strengthen their
knowledge and prepare for professional licensure.
Question 1:
Which of the following is a native North Carolina tree known for its brilliant red fall
color?
A) Norway maple
B) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
C) Bradford pear
D) Mimosa
Answer: B) Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Rationale: Red maple is native to North Carolina and provides excellent red-orange fall
color. Bradford pear and mimosa are non-native invasive species, and Norway maple is
not native to the region .
Question 2:
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a landscape contractor license in
North Carolina?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Answer: B) 18 years old
,*Rationale: Under North Carolina General Statute §89D-16, applicants for licensure as a
landscape contractor must be at least 18 years of age. This is a fundamental eligibility
requirement .*
Question 3:
What is the required amount of the corporate surety bond for a North Carolina
landscape contractor license?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Answer: B) $10,000
*Rationale: NC General Statute §89D-16 requires landscape contractor applicants to file
a corporate surety bond executed by a company authorized to do business in North
Carolina in the amount of $10,000. The bond must be approved by the Board as to
form .*
Question 4:
Which turfgrass is best adapted to the warm, humid summers of the Piedmont region of
North Carolina?
A) Kentucky bluegrass
B) Tall fescue
C) Bermudagrass
D) Fine fescue
Answer: C) Bermudagrass
Rationale: Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the hot, humid summers
of North Carolina's Piedmont region. It goes dormant and turns brown in winter. Tall
fescue is a cool-season grass that stays green through winter .
,Question 5:
What is the botanical name for the Southern magnolia?
A) Magnolia stellata
B) Magnolia grandiflora
C) Magnolia soulangeana
D) Magnolia virginiana
Answer: B) Magnolia grandiflora
Rationale: Magnolia grandiflora is the evergreen Southern magnolia native to the
southeastern United States. Magnolia stellata is star magnolia, and Magnolia virginiana is
sweetbay magnolia .
Question 6:
What is the primary function of nitrogen in plant growth?
A) Flower development
B) Leaf and stem growth
C) Root development
D) Disease resistance
Answer: B) Leaf and stem growth
Rationale: Nitrogen promotes lush, green vegetative growth in leaves and stems.
Phosphorus supports root and flower development, while potassium contributes to overall
plant health and disease resistance .
Question 7:
What does the N-P-K ratio on a fertilizer bag represent?
A) Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus
B) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
C) Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
D) Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrogen
, Answer: B) Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
*Rationale: The N-P-K ratio always lists nitrogen first, phosphorus second, and
potassium third. For example, a 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10%
phosphorus (as P₂O₅), and 10% potassium (as K₂O) .*
Question 8:
A homeowner wants a fast-growing shade tree. Which of the following is a good choice
for North Carolina?
A) Redbud
B) Dogwood
C) Tulip poplar
D) Japanese maple
Answer: C) Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Rationale: Tulip poplar is a fast-growing native shade tree that can reach large sizes
quickly. Redbud and dogwood are smaller ornamental trees, and Japanese maple is slow-
growing .
Question 9:
The term "deciduous" means a plant:
A) Keeps its leaves year-round
B) Loses its leaves in the autumn
C) Produces showy flowers
D) Grows only in wetlands
Answer: B) Loses its leaves in the autumn
Rationale: Deciduous plants shed their leaves annually in response to seasonal changes.
Evergreen plants retain their leaves year-round .
