NC Landscape Contractors’ License

Explore the different requirements for a North Carolina landscape contractors’ license. See how Harbor Compliance helps firms expedite the licensing process.

North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ License—A Concise Guide

In North Carolina, a landscape contractor is a professional who provides “decorative utilitarian treatment” services, as defined by the NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Law (N.C.G.S. §89D-11).

Having a North Carolina landscape contractor license adds more credibility to your overall professional profile and instills trust in clients regarding your expertise. More importantly, it allows you to offer and perform services within your industry legally.

However, being a licensed landscape contractor in North Carolina requires meeting different requirements and going through the process of obtaining the license—often a time-consuming and energy-draining effort.

This guide will help you avoid extensive research and navigate the process more efficiently. We’ll also introduce Harbor Compliance, a reliable partner that expedites licensing processes for landscaping firms.

NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing

As the name suggests, landscapers work to improve the landscape or visual appearance of an area—from creating the initial design to enhancing the overall look of a location’s plants and trees.

Landscape contractors in North Carolina are governed by three major laws and statutes:

1. Landscape Contractors Statute
2. Landscape Contractors Code of Conduct
3. Multiple chapters of the General Contracting Statute

What Are the Requirements for Obtaining an NC Landscape Contractors’ License?

You must meet certain conditions to apply for a landscape contractor license in North Carolina. These requirements can be split into two categories:

1. Individual license requirements
2. Business license requirements

Individual License Requirements

Individuals looking to apply for a landscape contractor license in North Carolina must meet the following requirements:

• Age—The applicant must be 18 or older.
• Documents—According to the North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board, individuals must submit at least five reference letters—three of which should be from personal sources (e.g., teachers, professors, etc.) while the rest must come from professional ones (e.g., employers, HR, etc.).
• Surety bond—All applicants need to sign an NC Landscape Contractor’s Surety Compliance Bond worth $10,000.
• Employment details—Professionals currently employed by a company must provide the entity’s legal name in the initial form.
• Examination—Upon filling out the application, candidates must take and pass the NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Exam.

The exam consists of three topics, as shown in the table below:

Business License Requirements

LLCs, corporations, and partnerships require a license to offer landscaping services legally. They need to meet three main prerequisites to apply for the certificate:

1. Licensed employee—Any business, regardless of its structure, needs at least one employee who is a licensed landscape contractor.
2. Annual report—In the application itself, businesses must attach their most recent annual report. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are exempt from this requirement if they’re registered with a North Carolina County Register of Deeds.
3. Fee—Businesses must pay a $100 fee to forward the application.

Maintaining a North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ License

All landscape contractor licenses in North Carolina expire within one year. License holders must submit their renewal requests before August 1 of each year and ensure that their surety bonds are in effect and not annulled in any way.

Additionally, you need to collect at least seven continuous education (CE) credits by attending courses approved by the North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board. One hour of attendance equals one credit. These credits should ideally be collected between August 1 and July 31 of the previous year.

Here is where and how you can earn your CE credits:

1. Two credits minimum for business-related courses
2. Three credits minimum for landscape education
3. Two credits minimum can be dedicated to any of the sections above

Note: All license holders need to inform the board of any changes/updates to their personal information, such as phone number, email, address, and business name (if applicable), within 60 days of the change.

If you need to renew your corporate license, here’s what you need to know:

• Renewal period—August 1 of every year
• CE—Not required
• Renewal fee—A $100 renewal fee if submitted on time, an additional $100 reinstatement fee, and a $25 late fee if submitted after the renewal date
• Renewal process—Online

Keeping track of the constantly changing licensing requirements and regulations, due dates, and agencies and their online portals can consume valuable time and effort that you could otherwise invest in growing your business.

If you need help obtaining or managing your licenses, look no further than Harbor Compliance.

Expedite the NC Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Process With Harbor Compliance

From managing multiple licenses under one roof to leveraging a smart database of regulations and requirements throughout the U.S., our holistic approach ensures your licensure process runs smoothly.

Apart from landscaping, our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions assist professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry with obtaining other critical licenses, including:

• Interior design
• Residential design

Benefits of Using Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions

By opting for our service, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Expert support—Our team of experts understands the complex challenges businesses face to remain in good standing. From filling out applications to renewing your licenses, we handle everything to ensure you meet all state requirements and enjoy peace of mind.
• Proactive assistance—We provide quick responses to all your queries or concerns, allowing you to spend less time researching regulatory changes.
• Software Suite—The suite is powered by Compliance Core™ and consists of various modules, including Tax, License, Entity, and Records Manager and Requirements Research Engine. With the modules combined, the Software Suite serves to centralize a business’s compliance information in a single place for improved visibility, collaboration, and outcomes.

The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Service

Follow these steps to order our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions today:

1. Visit the Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions service page.
2. Open the Contact Us form.
3. Enter your information.
4. Click Let’s talk.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Licensing isn’t our only forte. Explore the table below to see the full range of services we provide for various needs.

NC Landscape Contractor License FAQs

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about the landscape contractors’ license in North Carolina. Check out our information center to learn more.

Harbor Compliance—Making Landscaping Licensure Seamless

Securing a landscape contractor license involves multiple steps, from meeting all the different state requirements to signing surety bonds. Coupled with renewal processes, this can take up precious hours of your work time.

At Harbor Compliance, we strive to take the licensure workload off your shoulders. Partner with us by ordering our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions to simplify all licensing procedures. Unsure if you’re following all state rules? Get your free Harbor Compliance Score™ and check your current regulatory standing.

Schedule a free demo to see how our software works and how it can help you. Feel free to contact our support team if you have any questions.

Explore the table below to understand the various architecture licensure requirements across all U.S. states: