Landscaping Contractor License Requirements by State
Designs and installs outdoor landscapes and irrigation. This page currently compares 49 of 51 jurisdictions published jurisdictions for landscaping contractor while the remaining states are still being researched and drafted. Every row links to the verified state page with statute citations, fees, exam scope, insurance, and renewal rules.
- Published guides
- 49
- Require trade exam
- 49
- Require surety bond
- 11
- Local / municipal
- 21
- Avg published experience
- 3.0 yr
Comparison table — 49 of 51 jurisdictions
Scroll horizontally on smaller screens. Use the sort control to compare low-fee states, high-bond states, or the jurisdictions with the heaviest published experience requirements. Click any state to open the verified license page.
21 of these published jurisdictions rely on local or municipal licensing instead of a single statewide credential.
| State | License | Exam | Experience | Bond | Initial fee | Renewal | NASCLA | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Landscaping — No Trade License (ADAI Commercial Pesticide Applicator + ALBGC General Contractor over $50,000) | Yes | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Alaska | Alaska Landscaping — General Contractor Endorsement (DCBPL) + DEC Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | $20,000 | $250 | 2 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Arizona | Arizona ROC C-21 / CR-21 Landscaping Contractor | Yes | 4 yr | $9,000 | $380 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Landscaping — No Trade License (ASPB Pesticide Applicator + ACLB Contractor over $50,000) | Yes | — | — | $60 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| California | California Class C-27 — Landscaping Contractor | Yes | 4 yr | $25,000 | $200 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| Colorado Local / municipal | Colorado Landscaping — No State License (CDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Business Licenses) | Yes | — | — | $72 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) + DEEP Commercial Pesticide Supervisor | Yes | — | — | $220 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Delaware | Delaware Landscaping — Division of Revenue Business License + DDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| District of Columbia | DC Basic Business License — General Services & Repair (Landscape) + DOEE Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $395 | 2 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Florida Local / municipal | Florida Landscaping — No State License (FDACS Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance + Local BTRs) | Yes | — | — | $150 | 4 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Georgia Local / municipal | Georgia Landscaping — No Trade License (GDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + GDA Certified Landscape Irrigation Contractor) | Yes | — | — | $90 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Hawaii | Hawaii C-27 Landscaping Contractor (DCCA Contractors License Board) | Yes | 4 yr | $5,000 | $360 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| Idaho Local / municipal | Idaho Landscaping — No Trade License (ISDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + IBOL Public Works Contractor) | Yes | — | — | $80 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Indiana Local / municipal | Indiana Landscaping — No State Trade License (OISC Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $45 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Iowa | Iowa Landscaping — Contractor Registration (IDOL) + IDALS Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | $25,000 | $50 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Kansas Local / municipal | Kansas Landscaping — No State Trade License (KDA Commercial Pesticide Business + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Kentucky Local / municipal | Kentucky Landscaping — No State Trade License (KDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $50 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Horticulture License (LDAF) — Landscape Horticulturist + Landscape Architect Categories | Yes | — | — | $85 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days (quarterly exam schedule) |
| Maine Local / municipal | Maine Landscaping — No State Trade License (BPC Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $120 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Maryland | Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) + MDA Certified Pesticide Applicator + MDA Certified Fertilizer Applicator | Yes | 2 yr | — | $370 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Massachusetts Local / municipal | Massachusetts Landscaping — Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HIC) + MDAR Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $250 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Michigan Local / municipal | Michigan Landscaping — No State Trade License (MDARD Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $75 | 3 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Landscaping — Residential Building Contractor (DLI) + MDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $415 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Landscape Contractor / Landscape Architect (MDAC) + Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | $25,000 | $100 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Missouri Local / municipal | Missouri Landscaping — No State Trade License (MDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Yes | — | — | $100 | 3 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Montana | Montana Landscaping — Independent Contractor Exemption + MDOA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Nebraska Local / municipal | Nebraska Landscaping — Contractor Registration (DOL) + NDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $115 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Nevada Local / municipal | Nevada C-10 Landscape Contractor (NSCB) | Yes | 4 yr | $15,000 | $600 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| New Hampshire Local / municipal | New Hampshire Landscaping — No State Trade License (NHDAMF Commercial Pesticide Applicator + NHDES Wetlands) | Yes | — | — | $110 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) + Landscape Irrigation Contractor (BLIC) + NJDEP Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | 3 yr | — | $220 | 1 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| New Mexico | New Mexico GS-3 Landscaping Specialty Contractor (CID) + NMDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | 2 yr | $10,000 | $360 | 3 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| New York Local / municipal | New York Landscaping — No State Trade License (NYC DCWP HIC + NYSDEC Commercial Pesticide Applicator) | Yes | — | — | $100 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Landscape Contractor (NCLCLB) + NCDA&CS Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | 2 yr | $5,000 | $100 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Contractor License (SOS) + NDDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $285 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Ohio Local / municipal | Ohio Landscaping — No State Trade License (ODA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Registration) | Yes | — | — | $35 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Oklahoma Local / municipal | Oklahoma Landscaping — No State Trade License (ODAFF Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Registration) | Yes | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Oregon | Oregon Landscape Contracting Business (LCB) + Landscape Construction Professional (LCP) | Yes | 4 yr | $20,000 | $350 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| Pennsylvania Local / municipal | Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) + PDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $75 | 2 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Contractor Registration (CRB) + DEM Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $200 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 90 days |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Specialty Landscaping Contractor (LLR) + DPR Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $80 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| South Dakota Local / municipal | South Dakota Landscaping — No State Trade License (SDDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Excise Tax License) | Yes | — | — | $50 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Contractor License — CMC-D Landscaping (TBLC) + TDA Charter Pest Control License | Yes | — | — | $250 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| Texas Local / municipal | Texas TCEQ Licensed Landscape Irrigator (LI) + TDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | 3 yr | — | $150 | 1 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Utah | Utah S330 Landscaping and Irrigation Sprinkling Contractor (DOPL) + UDAF Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | 2 yr | — | $230 | 2 yr | — | 90 – 180 days |
| Vermont | Vermont Landscaping — No State Trade License (VAAFM Commercial Pesticide Applicator + OPR Residential Contractor) | Yes | — | — | $140 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 90 days |
| Virginia | Virginia DPOR Class A/B/C Contractor — Landscape Service (LSC) Specialty | Yes | 2 yr | — | $385 | 2 yr | — | 60 – 120 days |
| Washington | Washington Registered Specialty Contractor — Landscape | Yes | — | $12,000 | $125 | 2 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (WVCLB) Specialty + WVDA Commercial Pesticide Applicator | Yes | — | — | $150 | 1 yr | — | 45 – 90 days |
| Wisconsin Local / municipal | Wisconsin Landscaping — No State Trade License (DATCP Commercial Pesticide Applicator + DSPS Dwelling Contractor) | Yes | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | 30 – 60 days |
National picture for landscaping contractor
Of the 49 jurisdictions currently published in this dataset, 49 require a trade examination administered by PSI, Prometric, NASCLA, Pearson VUE, ICC, or the state board directly. 11 require an explicit surety bond filed with the regulator before the license issues, and 0 accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination as a path toward reciprocal licensure for this line of work. Where the regulator publishes a numeric threshold, the average documented experience requirement is 3 years.
The comparison above is generated at build time directly from the state license entries on this site. Every value is traceable to the regulator's published rule. If you spot a discrepancy, the state page is the source of truth and will be re-verified against the official source set.
Choosing where to license first
- Lowest barrier to entry: sort by initial fee and look closely at rows where Exam = No or the state is marked Local / municipal.
- Strongest reciprocity downstream: states marked NASCLA Accepted, because the same exam can unlock multiple jurisdictions later.
- Lowest upfront cost: focus on combinations with the smallest initial fee and no bond requirement.
- Fastest path to wallet card: compare the Time column, but remember that municipal programs can still involve multiple city registrations.
Related reading
Original cross-state analyses from our dataset that add context to the landscaping contractor table above — who runs the exams, where the burden is heaviest, and what a criminal record means for eligibility.
-
The Contractor Licensing Atlas
What mapping 586 licenses revealed about exam providers, bonds, and where a trade needs no state license at all.
-
Contractor license difficulty index
Where each state ranks on exam, experience, and bond burden — hardest to easiest.
-
License costs ranked by state
Cheapest to most expensive states once fees, bond, and first-year insurance are counted.
-
Licensing with a criminal record
A 50-state look at background checks and which convictions actually block a license.
All data verified from the issuing state board's published rules. Last full pass: 2026-Q2.