Page 1 of 179
Nevada (NV) C-10b Landscape Irrigation Contractor
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Nevada (NV) C-10b Landscape Irrigation Contractor Exam
Point-Form Exam Coverage (Based on NAC 624.280 & Industry Standards)
The NV C-10b exam covers specific technical and regulatory areas based on Nevada State Contractors
Board (NSCB) requirements and industry standards .
DOMAIN 1: REGULATIONS & LICENSE LAW (~25%)
• C-10 license classification vs. C-10b subclassification (irrigation/drainage only)
• NSCB license requirements: $10,000 surety bond, 4 years experience within last 15 years
• Contract threshold: license required for jobs over $1,000 or requiring building permits
• Written contract requirements: license number, work description, total price, warranty
provisions
• Warranties: written warranty required within 14 days of project completion
• Prompt payment: subcontractors paid within 30 days of proper invoice
• Mechanics' liens: NRS Chapter 624 governs lien rights for contractors
• Residential Recovery Fund: $15,000 maximum per claim for homeowner losses
• Unlicensed contracting penalty: misdemeanor, $1,000 fine, up to 6 months jail
• Incidentally permitted work: walkways ≤200 sq ft, patios ≤400 sq ft, retaining walls ≤3 ft, lighting
≤24V, decorative ponds
• Annual license renewal requirement, 90-day grace period, $300 application fee
• Statute of limitations: 4 years to file complaint against contractor
• Performance/payment bonds required for contracts >$250,000
• Owner-builder exemption: NRS 624.031 for owner-occupied residential construction
DOMAIN 2: IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN & HYDRAULICS (~25%)
• Precipitation rate formula: (96.3 × GPM) ÷ Area (inches per hour)
• Head-to-head spacing: sprinklers spaced at manufacturer's rated radius for uniform coverage
• Rotors for large turf areas, spray heads for smaller zones
• Drip irrigation for trees/shrubs: targeted application, minimal evaporation
• Maximum water velocity in PVC: 5 ft/sec to prevent water hammer and pipe erosion
• Friction loss calculation using Hazen-Williams formula (C-value for PVC = 150)
• Static pressure vs. dynamic pressure measurement
• Pipe sizing: flow rate and velocity determine diameter selection
• Minimum burial depth for lateral lines: 6-12 inches typical, 18 inches under driveways
• Trench shoring and excavation safety requirements
DOMAIN 3: BACKFLOW PREVENTION & CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL (~15%)
• RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone): highest protection for high-hazard applications, testable
• PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker): for low-hazard, must be 12 inches above highest outlet
• AVB (Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker): 6-inch minimum air gap above highest downstream outlet
• Backflow devices required when irrigation pressure exceeds 50 psi
• Air gap: 2-foot vertical separation for permanent effective separation
• Installation location: immediately after point of connection to potable water supply
• Plumbing code governs backflow requirements (UPC adopted by Nevada)
• Cross-connection control per NAC 445A.670
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DOMAIN 4: WATER CONSERVATION & XERISCAPING (~10%)
• Xeriscaping principles: water-efficient plants, strategic design, soil improvement
• Watering restrictions: spray irrigation typically restricted 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in summer
• Smart controllers: ET-based scheduling, rain/freeze sensor compatibility
• Drip irrigation advantage: minimal evaporation, targeted water delivery
• Soil texture impact on infiltration rates (sand, silt, clay ratio)
• Nevada-specific drought regulations and water efficiency requirements
DOMAIN 5: SAFETY & FIELD PRACTICES (~10%)
• Trench shoring requirements per OSHA for excavations >5 feet deep
• Blue stake utility locating: tolerance zone requires hand digging
• Confined space entry and lock-out/tag-out procedures
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for excavation and chemical handling
• Chlorine gas safety for injection systems
• Solvent welding PVC: primer required to soften and clean surface
DOMAIN 6: ELECTRICAL CONTROLS & LOW-VOLTAGE LIGHTING (~8%)
• Irrigation controller voltage: 24V AC (industry standard for solenoid valves)
• Master valve function: shuts off water to entire system when all zones closed
• Solenoid valve troubleshooting: wire connection issues cause controller errors
• Low-voltage lighting permitted under C-10b (≤24V) per NAC 624.280
• Rain sensors and soil moisture sensor compatibility with controllers
• Wiring: wire sizing for voltage drop over distance
DOMAIN 7: PIPE & MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS (~7%)
• Schedule 40 PVC for mainlines and laterals
• Polyethylene (poly) pipe: for swing joints (funny pipe), freeze-resistant applications
• Gate valves vs. ball valves for isolation
• Solvent welding procedure: primer, then cement, proper cure time
• Drip components: pressure-compensating emitters for slopes, filtration (screen/disc)
Question 1
A landscape contractor in Las Vegas is bidding on a residential irrigation installation valued at $8,500.
According to Nevada law, what licensing requirement applies?
A) No license required for residential irrigation work
B) License required because the job exceeds $1,000
C) License required only if the job exceeds $10,000
, Page 3 of 179
D) Only a business license is required, not a contractor license
**Answer: B**
*Nevada State Contractors Board requires a license for any job valued at $1,000 or more, or any job
requiring a building permit, regardless of the type of work.*
Question 2
A C-10b contractor is installing a new irrigation system for a homeowner. The homeowner asks for a
verbal quote and wants to start immediately without a written contract. What must the contractor do?
A) Proceed with verbal agreement if the homeowner agrees in person
B) Provide a written contract with license number, work description, and total price
C) Send an email after work starts to document the agreement
D) Obtain a handshake agreement and start work immediately
Answer: B
Nevada law requires written contracts for construction work exceeding $1,000 in value, including the
contractor's license number and detailed scope of work.
, Page 4 of 179
Question 3
A C-10 contractor has completed a residential landscape project on June 15th. By what date must the
contractor provide a written warranty to the homeowner?
A) June 22nd
B) June 29th
C) July 15th
D) July 30th
Answer: B
*Nevada statutes require contractors to deliver a written warranty within 14 days of project completion;
June 15th + 14 days = June 29th.*
Question 4
A homeowner has suffered a $12,000 financial loss due to a licensed C-10 contractor's violation of
Nevada law. What is the maximum amount the homeowner can recover from the Residential Recovery
Fund?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
Nevada (NV) C-10b Landscape Irrigation Contractor
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Nevada (NV) C-10b Landscape Irrigation Contractor Exam
Point-Form Exam Coverage (Based on NAC 624.280 & Industry Standards)
The NV C-10b exam covers specific technical and regulatory areas based on Nevada State Contractors
Board (NSCB) requirements and industry standards .
DOMAIN 1: REGULATIONS & LICENSE LAW (~25%)
• C-10 license classification vs. C-10b subclassification (irrigation/drainage only)
• NSCB license requirements: $10,000 surety bond, 4 years experience within last 15 years
• Contract threshold: license required for jobs over $1,000 or requiring building permits
• Written contract requirements: license number, work description, total price, warranty
provisions
• Warranties: written warranty required within 14 days of project completion
• Prompt payment: subcontractors paid within 30 days of proper invoice
• Mechanics' liens: NRS Chapter 624 governs lien rights for contractors
• Residential Recovery Fund: $15,000 maximum per claim for homeowner losses
• Unlicensed contracting penalty: misdemeanor, $1,000 fine, up to 6 months jail
• Incidentally permitted work: walkways ≤200 sq ft, patios ≤400 sq ft, retaining walls ≤3 ft, lighting
≤24V, decorative ponds
• Annual license renewal requirement, 90-day grace period, $300 application fee
• Statute of limitations: 4 years to file complaint against contractor
• Performance/payment bonds required for contracts >$250,000
• Owner-builder exemption: NRS 624.031 for owner-occupied residential construction
DOMAIN 2: IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN & HYDRAULICS (~25%)
• Precipitation rate formula: (96.3 × GPM) ÷ Area (inches per hour)
• Head-to-head spacing: sprinklers spaced at manufacturer's rated radius for uniform coverage
• Rotors for large turf areas, spray heads for smaller zones
• Drip irrigation for trees/shrubs: targeted application, minimal evaporation
• Maximum water velocity in PVC: 5 ft/sec to prevent water hammer and pipe erosion
• Friction loss calculation using Hazen-Williams formula (C-value for PVC = 150)
• Static pressure vs. dynamic pressure measurement
• Pipe sizing: flow rate and velocity determine diameter selection
• Minimum burial depth for lateral lines: 6-12 inches typical, 18 inches under driveways
• Trench shoring and excavation safety requirements
DOMAIN 3: BACKFLOW PREVENTION & CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL (~15%)
• RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone): highest protection for high-hazard applications, testable
• PVB (Pressure Vacuum Breaker): for low-hazard, must be 12 inches above highest outlet
• AVB (Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker): 6-inch minimum air gap above highest downstream outlet
• Backflow devices required when irrigation pressure exceeds 50 psi
• Air gap: 2-foot vertical separation for permanent effective separation
• Installation location: immediately after point of connection to potable water supply
• Plumbing code governs backflow requirements (UPC adopted by Nevada)
• Cross-connection control per NAC 445A.670
, Page 2 of 179
DOMAIN 4: WATER CONSERVATION & XERISCAPING (~10%)
• Xeriscaping principles: water-efficient plants, strategic design, soil improvement
• Watering restrictions: spray irrigation typically restricted 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in summer
• Smart controllers: ET-based scheduling, rain/freeze sensor compatibility
• Drip irrigation advantage: minimal evaporation, targeted water delivery
• Soil texture impact on infiltration rates (sand, silt, clay ratio)
• Nevada-specific drought regulations and water efficiency requirements
DOMAIN 5: SAFETY & FIELD PRACTICES (~10%)
• Trench shoring requirements per OSHA for excavations >5 feet deep
• Blue stake utility locating: tolerance zone requires hand digging
• Confined space entry and lock-out/tag-out procedures
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for excavation and chemical handling
• Chlorine gas safety for injection systems
• Solvent welding PVC: primer required to soften and clean surface
DOMAIN 6: ELECTRICAL CONTROLS & LOW-VOLTAGE LIGHTING (~8%)
• Irrigation controller voltage: 24V AC (industry standard for solenoid valves)
• Master valve function: shuts off water to entire system when all zones closed
• Solenoid valve troubleshooting: wire connection issues cause controller errors
• Low-voltage lighting permitted under C-10b (≤24V) per NAC 624.280
• Rain sensors and soil moisture sensor compatibility with controllers
• Wiring: wire sizing for voltage drop over distance
DOMAIN 7: PIPE & MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS (~7%)
• Schedule 40 PVC for mainlines and laterals
• Polyethylene (poly) pipe: for swing joints (funny pipe), freeze-resistant applications
• Gate valves vs. ball valves for isolation
• Solvent welding procedure: primer, then cement, proper cure time
• Drip components: pressure-compensating emitters for slopes, filtration (screen/disc)
Question 1
A landscape contractor in Las Vegas is bidding on a residential irrigation installation valued at $8,500.
According to Nevada law, what licensing requirement applies?
A) No license required for residential irrigation work
B) License required because the job exceeds $1,000
C) License required only if the job exceeds $10,000
, Page 3 of 179
D) Only a business license is required, not a contractor license
**Answer: B**
*Nevada State Contractors Board requires a license for any job valued at $1,000 or more, or any job
requiring a building permit, regardless of the type of work.*
Question 2
A C-10b contractor is installing a new irrigation system for a homeowner. The homeowner asks for a
verbal quote and wants to start immediately without a written contract. What must the contractor do?
A) Proceed with verbal agreement if the homeowner agrees in person
B) Provide a written contract with license number, work description, and total price
C) Send an email after work starts to document the agreement
D) Obtain a handshake agreement and start work immediately
Answer: B
Nevada law requires written contracts for construction work exceeding $1,000 in value, including the
contractor's license number and detailed scope of work.
, Page 4 of 179
Question 3
A C-10 contractor has completed a residential landscape project on June 15th. By what date must the
contractor provide a written warranty to the homeowner?
A) June 22nd
B) June 29th
C) July 15th
D) July 30th
Answer: B
*Nevada statutes require contractors to deliver a written warranty within 14 days of project completion;
June 15th + 14 days = June 29th.*
Question 4
A homeowner has suffered a $12,000 financial loss due to a licensed C-10 contractor's violation of
Nevada law. What is the maximum amount the homeowner can recover from the Residential Recovery
Fund?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
