North Dakota Landscaping Contractor License Requirements (2026)

North Dakota does not issue a landscape-specific trade license, but every contractor performing work valued at $4,000 or more must hold a Contractor License from the North Dakota Secretary of State (SOS) under N.D.C.C. §43-07. Any commercial pesticide application additionally requires a Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) Pesticide Program under N.D.C.C. §4.1-33.

Governing Authority

North Dakota Secretary of State — Contractor Licensing Division (ND SOS) administers and enforces this credential under the authority of North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-07 (Contractors). The North Dakota Secretary of State licenses general contractors statewide under NDCC 43-07. A contractor license is required for any project valued at $4,000 or more. The state issues four monetary classes (A, B, C, D) based on maximum project value. Electrical and plumbing trades are licensed separately by their respective state boards.

Official portal: https://sos.nd.gov/business/contractor-licensing
Address: 600 E Boulevard Avenue, Department 108, Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
Phone: (701) 328-2900

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, an applicant must have reached age 18 and hold a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). No residency requirement.

Good moral character

NDDA reviews prior pesticide enforcement history.

Background investigation

Required disclosure on SOS and NDDA applications.

Experience & Education Matrix

No fixed number of years of experience is set out in the cited sources for this credential; instead, the controlling requirement is No experience requirement for landscape installation. NDDA Commercial Applicator requires the Core (General Standards) exam plus the appropriate category exam (Category 6 — Ornamental and Turf)..

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

SOS Contractor License application + NDDA Commercial Applicator application with exam pass slips

Education substitution

NDSU Extension training counts toward NDDA continuing education.

Examination Structure

Examinations are administered by North Dakota Department of Agriculture (paper exam at NDDA Bismarck office or proctored regional sites). The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

NDDA Core (General Standards) exam — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%
NDDA Category 6 — Ornamental and Turf — 50 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: SOS license $100/$200/$300/$450 (Class D-A by project size); NDDA $85 + $25 per category exam.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 14 days; new $25 fee.

Insurance & Financial Security

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

SOS Contractor License requires proof of $250,000 general liability minimum. NDDA Commercial Applicators must carry $300,000 CSL.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory under N.D.C.C. §65-04 for any employer with one or more employees (state monopoly through WSI).

Additional financial requirements

Not required.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$285
Examination	$50
Initial license	$285
Renewal (every year)	$285

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the North Dakota Contractor License (SOS) + NDDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator every year. Renewal currently costs $285. SOS Contractor License renews annually on March 1. NDDA renews every three years.

Continuing education: NDDA: 4 CEU hours per category every three-year cycle, OR re-examination.

Downloadable Asset

2026 North Dakota Landscaping License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

North Dakota does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

NDDA grants pesticide applicator reciprocity on a case-by-case basis to applicants from MN, MT, SD, WY, or Manitoba.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Landscaping license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Register North Dakota business entity and EIN. File with the ND Secretary of State.
Apply for SOS Contractor License (class based on project size). Required for any project $4,000+.
Secure $250,000 minimum liability insurance. Required by SOS Contractor License.
Pass the NDDA Core exam at 70%. Required baseline.
Pass NDDA Category 6 — Ornamental and Turf. Landscape pesticide category.
Apply for NDDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification. Submit application, pass slips, and $85 fee.
Enroll WSI workers compensation. North Dakota maintains a state monopoly through Workforce Safety and Insurance.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with ND SOS:

☐ North Dakota business entity registration
☐ SOS Contractor License (Class D-A by project size)
☐ $250,000 liability insurance
☐ NDDA Core exam pass certificate
☐ NDDA Category 6 exam pass
☐ NDDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification
☐ WSI workers compensation coverage

Study and Reference Materials

The references below are either cited by the board, used during the application, or standard preparation for the trade. They are listed purely for convenience — CLR earns no commission on any of them.

North Dakota Pesticide Applicator Core Manual — NDSU Extension. Required reference for the NDDA Core exam.
Ornamental and Turf Pest Management — NDSU Extension. Category 6 study guide.
North Dakota Pesticide Act — State of North Dakota. Statutory reference for the regulatory portion of the Core exam.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a North Dakota Landscaping filing.

Skipping SOS Contractor License over $4,000

N.D.C.C. §43-07-02 makes unlicensed contracting a Class B misdemeanor; contracts are unenforceable.

Wrong license class

Working over your class limit is a separate violation even with an active SOS license.

Spraying without NDDA certification

Civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation under N.D.C.C. §4.1-33-30.

WSI coverage gaps

North Dakota requires WSI through a state monopoly; private workers comp policies do not satisfy the law.

Backflow violations on irrigation

ND plumbing code requires annual backflow testing on every potable irrigation tie-in.

Other North Dakota Trade Licenses

If the Landscaping license is not the right fit, the following published North Dakota trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Dakota require a contractor license for landscapers?

Yes for any project $4,000 or more. N.D.C.C. §43-07 requires the SOS Contractor License with a class matching the largest contract.

What are the SOS license classes?

Class D ($4,000-$200,000), Class C ($200,000-$300,000), Class B ($300,000-$500,000), Class A (unlimited). Higher classes cost more.

Do I need NDDA certification?

Yes, for any commercial pesticide application. Category 6 covers ornamental and turf in North Dakota.

Are there water restrictions?

North Dakota State Water Commission regulates large irrigation withdrawals; small landscape installations are typically exempt.

How often does the SOS license renew?

Annually on March 1. NDDA Commercial Applicator renews every three years.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-07 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-05