Obtaining a Landscape License in California—A Complete Guide
In California, contractors who intend to work on landscaping projects valued at $500 or more must have a legal permit called the C-27 landscape license. This credential, issued by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), protects consumers by ensuring that all licensed contractors possess the necessary skills, financial stability, and ethical standards. It also promotes a safe, professional, and reliable landscaping industry.
Professionals who wish to obtain this license are expected to meet state requirements by filing an application, undergoing a background check, and securing the necessary bonds and insurance.
At Harbor Compliance, we’re dedicated to providing the support to navigate this licensure process and meet state requirements. As such, we shall guide you through the requirements and steps needed to obtain a landscaping license in California.
Additionally, we’ll explain how Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions can come in to ease your firm’s licensure workload.
California Landscape Contractors License Requirements
If you intend to undertake landscaping projects with labor and material costs over $500, you must obtain the legal authority the C-27 landscape contractors license provides. California landscaping firms wishing to obtain this permit must meet specific requirements that vary depending on their business structure.
In California, the business structure of landscaping firms typically falls under these categories:
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Sole proprietorship
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Partnership
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Corporation
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Limited liability company (LLC)
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Joint venture
Regardless of their business structure, all firms in California must have a qualifying individual who has met the necessary experience and examination requirements for the C-27 landscape license and oversees the company’s construction operations.
In addition to having a qualifying individual, business entities are expected to meet some or all of the following requirements:
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Business entity registration
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Bonds
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Insurance
Business Entity Registration
The first legal requirement for business entities operating in California is to be registered. With the exception of sole proprietorships, all other business structures are required to file their formation documents with the California secretary of state to be registered.
Although all business entities can operate under fictitious names, the name specified in the formation document must align with the C-27 landscape license.
Bonds
All contractors seeking the C-27 landscape license must have a $25,000 bond on file with the CSLB. Furthermore, an additional $25,000 qualifying individual’s bond is required for contractors in the firm, who are qualified by a responsible managing employee (RME) or specific circumstances for corporations or LLCs whose qualifying individual holds less than 10% of the voting stock.
An RME is an individual permanently employed by the firm who is actively engaged in its operations for at least 32 hours or 80% of the total work hours per week when the business is operational.
Additionally, LLCs must possess a $100,000 surety bond on file with the CSLB to protect the workers employed in the firm.
Insurance
All business entities with employees are expected to hold worker’s compensation insurance, designed to shield against liability for worker injuries.
Furthermore, LLCs are expected to possess liability insurance, the amount of which is determined by the number of personnel on record specified in the license. Typically, the liability insurance amount ranges from one to five million dollars.
C-27 Landscape License—The Qualifying Individual Requirement
In California, all business entities seeking the C-27 landscape license must appoint a qualifying individual. The qualifying individual or qualifier must satisfy certain criteria to be deemed eligible:
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Experience
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Examination
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Fingerprinting
1. Experience
Your entity’s qualifying individual is expected to have at least four years of landscaping experience within the last decade. This experience should be in the capacity of a journeyman, defined as a worker capable of undertaking landscaping projects without supervision or someone who has completed an apprenticeship program.
The CSLB may also approve three years of experience for training completed in an accredited school or apprenticeship program in landscaping. In such cases, the qualifier is expected to provide their official transcripts or certificates indicating the dates of the program.
2. Examination
Your firm’s qualifier is expected to pass two exams:
- California Law and Business exam
- Trade exam
However, they can only schedule these exams once their application has been approved. Additionally, all qualifying individuals who haven’t completed the Asbestos Open Book Examination are required to do so.
3. Fingerprinting
The CSLB mandates that licensure applicants submit a full set of fingerprints for a background check. This process is generally done through an electronic live scan or by submitting hard card fingerprints taken at the applicant’s location.
How To Get a Landscape Contractors License in California
Landscaping firms in California that have met the necessary requirements can obtain their license by filing an application with the CSLB. There are three ways to do so:
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Download a PDF version of the application form on the CSLB website, fill it out manually, and mail it with the necessary filing fees.
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Complete the form online, print it, and then mail it to the CSLB along with the filing fee.
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Order the form by mail, fill it out, and then mail it back to the CSLB with the requisite filing fee.
After your application is received, you will be mailed a Notice to Schedule for Examination, allowing you to self-schedule the trade and law & business exams. The qualifying party is expected to pass these exams within 18 months of receiving this approval.
After passing these exams, your entity will be mailed a Bond and Fee letter. This form will specify other requirements you need to fulfill to receive the C-27 landscape license, such as:
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Contractor’s bond
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Initial licensing fee
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Fingerprints
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Completed Asbestos Open Book Examination
The license will be issued once your application has been accepted and approved.
Renewing the California State Landscape Contractors License
Landscaping firms in California must renew their active licenses every two years to meet state and professional requirements. Typically, the CSLB will send a renewal application 60 days before the license expires. If you do not receive this application during this timeframe, you can order it online via the CSLB website.
When filing the renewal application, you are expected to verify and update your entity’s information before submitting it and paying the renewal fee. All applications must be accepted before the license expires, so it’s advisable to begin the renewal process on time.
Securing Your California Licenses With Harbor Compliance
To maximize your earnings from landscaping, you’ll need a C-27 landscape license to operate. Additionally, you must renew this license every two years to maintain an active status and your legal authority to practice in California.
Managing the licensure and renewal process while managing the demands of your landscaping business can be overwhelming. This is why it is advisable to get professional assistance.
Harbor Compliance is fully equipped to provide the resources and tools needed to maintain an active license status and ensure a smooth and efficient licensing process.
Our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions offer a full range of services to help architecture, engineering, hydrology, and soil science firms secure the permits they need to operate.
We have a team of experts experienced in navigating the complexities of licensure, capable of handling your licensing process with due precision and care.
Benefits of Partnering With Harbor Compliance To Secure Your Landscape License
While you can choose to handle the entire licensing process independently, it can be demanding, requiring constant research and staying updated on state requirements and renewal dates. Outsourcing these tasks to Harbor Compliance comes with several benefits:
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Personalized support from our team of experts ensures every aspect of the licensure process, from application to renewal, is handled with precision and care.
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Our services expedite the application process, ensuring all documents are submitted on time. This allows you to focus on running your business.
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Our Compliance CoreTM software provides an up-to-date database on regulatory requirements across the U.S.
Additionally, you can choose our proprietary Software Suite, available for separate purchase, specifically designed to aid in managing your entity, taxes, and licenses. Here are some of the modules included:
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License Manager—This tool provides a centralized platform for your firm and individual licensees’ needs. It stores data, such as continuing education certificates, renewal forms, and applications. Additionally, it helps you keep track of changing license requirements.
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Entity Manager—This software utilizes a cloud-based portal to store information on all your entities and users. It also tracks due dates for filings, annual reports, and renewals.
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Tax Manager—It is designed to minimize risks related to task registration gaps by monitoring local, state, and federal tax registrations. It also facilitates easy access to tax identification numbers and essential information.
The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions
Before opting for our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions, it’s crucial to determine how much of the licensing workload you wish to delegate. We offer three service options tailored to varying licensing needs. Below, you’ll find a summary of each option:
| Service Option | Solution |
|---|---|
| Fully managed | Our team of experts handles the licensure process and provides support—from filing applications to tracking renewals. This option is available only for company licenses. |
| Self-managed | We provide access to our proprietary Software Suite, which helps you keep track of state requirements and renewal dates. |
| Hybrid | Our team of experts handles some of the licensure process, while you can use our proprietary Software Suite to cater to the rest. |
Afterward, you can proceed to order our services using the steps below:
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Visit the Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions service page.
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Open the Contact Us form.
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Enter the requested information.
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Hit the Let’s talk button.
Additional Services Harbor Compliance Offers
Apart from assisting individuals and firms in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors in obtaining legal permits to operate, we offer a wide range of services. These services span from entity lifecycle management to beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting.
| Service Category | Included Services |
|---|---|
| Business licensing support | In addition to industry-specific licenses, we assist organizations in securing their general business licenses and tracking their renewal dates across all states in the U.S. |
| Registered agent | We can serve as your entity’s registered agent across multiple states. This allows us to receive and forward legal documents on your behalf. You can also rely on us when appointing or changing your agent, as well as foreign qualifying in another state. |
| Document filing and retrieval | Our drop-off filing services bypass potential delays associated with mailing. We also help firms obtain certified copies and certificates of good standing and file annual reports. |
| Entity lifecycle management | We support organizations throughout their lifecycle, from incorporation, amendment, name reservation, and reinstatement to dissolution and withdrawal. |
| Tax registration | We assist firms in obtaining their Employer Identification Number (EIN) and also help entities open payroll and sales and use tax accounts. |
| Nonprofit formation | We assist nonprofit organizations in filing for incorporation and the 501(c) tax exemption. |
| BOI reporting | We help organizations in filing initial beneficial ownership information reports, as well as up to four updates and corrections annually. |
Landscape License California FAQs
This section will cover some frequently asked questions about the California landscape license. To learn more, visit our Information Center.
Yes. You are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance as long as your firm’s qualifier is not a responsible managing employee (RME) and there are no employees in your organization.
Yes. However, they are expected to submit an additional application for a Joint Venture Licensure. This application should include the names of all joint venture participants and their respective license numbers.
All individuals whose information is specified on the application form are expected to obtain and submit their fingerprints. This includes the qualifying individual, responsible managing employee, and all personnel in the firm.
The CSLB provides free study guides on its website to assist applicants in preparing for the trade and law and business exams.
Harbor Compliance—Ensuring a Smooth Path to Your C-27 Landscape License
Securing a California landscape license is essential for all contractors intending to undertake landscaping projects exceeding $500. However, licensure entails fulfilling state requirements, adhering to changing regulations, and keeping track of renewal dates.
Harbor Compliance streamlines this journey by offering expert guidance and tools every step of the way—from filing applications to tracking renewal.
Rely on our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions and maintain good standing. Sign up for our service to get started, and let us handle the complexities of obtaining and managing landscape firm licenses.
Explore our other services—get a free Harbor Compliance Score™ or schedule a demo of our platform to see how it works. If you have specific queries, reach out to us or visit our Information Centre. You can also consult the table below for information on various engineering licensing requirements throughout the U.S.
