Landscaping Contractor License Requirements by State
Designs and installs outdoor landscapes and irrigation. This page compares landscaping contractor licensing requirements across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Every row links to the verified state page with statute citations, fees, exam scope, insurance, and renewal rules.
- Published guides
- 51
- Exam pathways recorded
- 40
- Require surety bond
- 8
- Local / scope-specific
- 24
- Avg published experience
- 3.0 yr
Comparison table — all 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.
24 of these published jurisdictions have no single statewide trade license; local and scope-specific rules may apply.
| State | License | Exam | Experience | Bond | Initial fee | Renewal | NASCLA | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Mixed / scope-dependent | Alabama Horticulture Professional Services License (When Applicable) | Confirm with authority | — | — | $175 | 1 yr | — | Varies by ADAI certification, local approvals, and project scope |
| Alaska Mixed / scope-dependent | Alaska Landscaping — Conditional Contractor Registration and Pesticide Certification | Confirm with authority | — | $10,000 | $25 | 1 yr | — | Ordinary maintenance has no state landscaping-license timeline |
| Arizona Mixed / scope-dependent | Arizona Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems Contractor (C-21, R-21, or CR-21) | Required | 4 yr | $2,500 | $580 | 2 yr | — | Timing depends on qualifying experience |
| Arkansas State license | Arkansas Landscaping: Scope-Based Contractor Licensing + Pesticide Credentials | Confirm with authority | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | Timing depends on the selected contractor path |
| California State license | California Class C-27 — Landscaping Contractor | Required | 4 yr | $25,000 | $200 | 2 yr | — | CSLB does not publish a fixed processing time |
| Colorado Local / scope-specific | Colorado Landscaping — Local Requirements; CDA Licensing for Pesticide Application | Required | — | — | — | — | — | No statewide landscaping-license timeline |
| Connecticut Local / scope-specific | Connecticut Landscaping — Conditional HIC, Pesticide, and Arborist Requirements | Required | — | — | $285 | 1 yr | — | There is no single landscaping timeline |
| Delaware Mixed / scope-dependent | Delaware Business License and Contractor Registration, With Conditional Pesticide Licensing | Required | — | — | $75 | 1 yr | — | No standalone landscaping timeline is published |
| District of Columbia Mixed / scope-dependent | DC Business Licensing by Activity, With Pesticide and Tree-Permit Rules When Applicable | Required | — | — | — | — | — | No District landscaping-specific issuance time is published |
| Florida Local / scope-specific | Florida Landscaping — No Separate State Landscape-Contractor License | Required | — | — | — | 1 yr | — | Local timing varies |
| Georgia Local / scope-specific | No Georgia landscape-contractor license; pesticide and land-disturbance rules can apply | Depends on pathway | — | — | $55 | 1 yr | — | No state landscape-license timeline exists |
| Hawaii State license | Hawaii C-27 Landscaping Contractor License | Depends on pathway | 4 yr | — | — | 2 yr | — | Board review |
| Idaho Local / scope-specific | Idaho Contractor Registration for Landscaping + ISDA Pesticide Rules | No statewide exam | — | — | $120 | 2 yr | — | Allow time for DOPL to receive all required registration documents |
| Illinois Local / scope-specific | Illinois Landscaping — No State Trade License (IDOA Pesticide Credentials + Local Compliance) | Required | — | — | $300 | 3 yr | — | There is no statewide landscape-trade-license waiting period |
| Indiana Local / scope-specific | Indiana Landscaping — Local Construction Rules and OISC For-Hire Credentials | Required | — | — | $90 | 1 yr | — | There is no statewide landscape-contractor timeline |
| Iowa State registration | Iowa Contractor Registration for Landscaping + Pesticide Credentials | No statewide exam | — | $25,000 | $50 | 1 yr | — | Allow time for DIAL to receive every required registration item |
| Kansas State license | Kansas Landscaping Requirements — Local Framework and Pesticide Credentials | Required | — | — | $140 | 1 yr | — | No statewide landscaping-license timeline applies |
| Kentucky Local / scope-specific | Kentucky Landscaping — No State Trade License (Pesticide and Local Approval Rules) | Required | — | — | — | 1 yr | — | There is no statewide landscape credential |
| Louisiana State license | Louisiana Landscape Horticulturist License — LDAF Horticulture Commission | Required | — | — | $125 | 1 yr | — | — |
| Maine State license | Maine Landscaping and Pesticide Applicator Guide | Required | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Maryland Mixed / scope-dependent | Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) — Landscaping Scope; MDA pesticide and fertilizer credentials when applicable | Required | 2 yr | — | $403.75 | 2 yr | — | — |
| Massachusetts Local / scope-specific | Massachusetts Landscaping — No State Trade License; Pesticide Credentials When Applicable | Required | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | Landscaping-only work has no state license timeline |
| Michigan Local / scope-specific | Michigan Landscaping — No State Trade License (MDARD Commercial Pesticide Applicator + Local Licensing) | Required | — | — | $75 | 3 yr | — | Varies by examination scheduling |
| Minnesota Local / scope-specific | Minnesota Landscaping Requirements — Scope, Pesticide, Fertilizer and Permit Guide | Required | — | — | — | 2 yr | — | Routine landscaping has no state trade-license lead time |
| Mississippi State license | Mississippi Landscape Horticulturist + Commercial Landscaping Requirements | Depends on pathway | — | $1,000 | — | 3 yr | — | — |
| Missouri Local / scope-specific | Missouri Landscaping Contractor Requirements — Local Permits + Pesticide Applicator Licensing | Required | — | — | — | 1 yr | — | Varies by MDA processing, examination scheduling, and the local permit scope. |
| Montana State license | Montana Landscaping Contractor and Pesticide Applicator Guide | Required | — | — | $85 | 1 yr | — | Timing depends on MDA testing/application review |
| Nebraska Local / scope-specific | Nebraska Landscaping Contractor Requirements — DOL Registration and Pesticide Scope | Required | — | — | $40 | 1 yr | — | NDOL registration and NDA licensing have separate processing times |
| Nevada Mixed / scope-dependent | Nevada C-10 Landscape Contractor License Requirements | Depends on pathway | 4 yr | — | $600 | 2 yr | — | Allow time for NSCB financial/background review and examinations |
| New Hampshire Local / scope-specific | New Hampshire Landscaping — No General State Trade License | Confirm with authority | — | — | $60 | 1 yr | — | There is no general landscape-license issuance |
| New Jersey Local / scope-specific | New Jersey Landscaping — HICB Registration Plus Scope-Specific Credentials | Required | — | — | $410 | 1 yr | — | No single statewide timeline applies |
| New Mexico Local / scope-specific | New Mexico Landscaping — Local Requirements; Separate Trade/Pesticide Scope | No statewide exam | — | — | — | — | — | Local and scope-specific. |
| New York Local / scope-specific | New York Landscaping — Local Contractor Rules Plus NYSDEC Pesticide Licensing When Applicable | Required | — | — | $1,350 | 3 yr | — | There is no single landscape-contractor timeline |
| North Carolina State license | North Carolina Landscape Contractor — NCLCLB | Required | — | $10,000 | $100 | 1 yr | — | NCLCLB must administer examinations at least twice yearly |
| North Dakota Mixed / scope-dependent | North Dakota Landscaping — Contractor License and Conditional Pesticide Certification | Required | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | The state does not publish one timetable for combined landscaping work |
| Ohio Local / scope-specific | Ohio Landscaping — No State Trade License (ODA Pesticide Credentials When Spraying) | Required | — | — | — | 1 yr | — | No statewide landscape-contractor credential is required |
| Oklahoma Local / scope-specific | Oklahoma Landscaping Contractor — Local Requirements and ODAFF Pesticide Licensing | No statewide exam | — | — | $100 | 1 yr | — | There is no statewide landscaping-license timeline |
| Oregon State license | Oregon Landscape Contracting Business (LCB) + Landscape Construction Professional (LCP) | Required | 2 yr | $20,000 | — | 2 yr | — | — |
| Pennsylvania Mixed / scope-dependent | Pennsylvania Landscaping — HICPA Registration Plus Pesticide Credentials When Applicable | Required | — | — | $175 | 1 yr | — | There is no single landscape-contractor timeline |
| Rhode Island Mixed / scope-dependent | Rhode Island Landscaping Contractor Registration + Pesticide Credential When Applicable | Depends on pathway | — | — | $150 | 1 yr | — | RICRLB does not publish a universal processing time |
| South Carolina Local / scope-specific | South Carolina Landscaping Requirements — Pesticide, Land-Disturbance and Local Permit Guide | Required | — | — | $50 | 1 yr | — | Ordinary landscaping has no state trade-license lead time |
| South Dakota Local / scope-specific | South Dakota Landscaping Requirements — Tax Licensing and Conditional Pesticide Licensure | Required | — | — | $35 | 2 yr | — | No statewide landscape-contractor licensing timeline |
| Tennessee State license | Tennessee Landscaping Contractor Requirements — TBLC Threshold + TDA Pesticide Charter | No statewide exam | — | — | — | 2 yr | — | No universal landscaping timeline is published because the applicable TBLC |
| Texas Local / scope-specific | Texas Landscaping — No State Trade License (TCEQ Irrigation + TDA Pesticide Credentials) | Required | — | — | $111 | 3 yr | — | Ordinary landscaping has no statewide license waiting period |
| Utah Mixed / scope-dependent | Utah S330 Landscape & Recreation Contractor — Conditional Pesticide Licensing | No statewide exam | — | — | — | 2 yr | — | DOPL does not publish a universal S330 processing time |
| Vermont Local / scope-specific | Vermont Landscaping Contractor Requirements — Local Rules, Pesticides, and Shoreland Work | Required | — | — | — | — | — | There is no statewide landscape credential timeline |
| Virginia State license | Virginia Class A, B, or C Contractor — Landscape Service (LSC) Specialty | Required | 1 yr | — | $260 | 2 yr | — | DPOR timing depends on qualified-individual verification |
| Washington State registration | Washington Specialty Contractor Registration — Landscaping | Required | — | $15,000 | — | 2 yr | — | — |
| West Virginia State license | West Virginia Landscaping Business and Contractor Requirements | Depends on pathway | — | — | $90 | 1 yr | — | Timing depends on whether the business needs only Tax Division registration |
| Wisconsin Local / scope-specific | Wisconsin Landscaping Requirements — Local Permits, Pesticide and Land-Disturbance Rules | Required | — | — | $45 | 1 yr | — | Routine landscape work has no state trade-license lead time |
| Wyoming Mixed / scope-dependent | Wyoming Landscaping Contractor — Local Requirements and Pesticide Licensing Guide | Confirm with authority | — | — | — | — | — | Project- and credential-specific |
National picture for landscaping contractor
Of the 51 jurisdictions currently published in this dataset, 40 record required or conditional examination pathways, 8 record a positive license-bond amount, and 0 record NASCLA acceptance. Among entries with a positive numeric experience threshold, the average recorded value 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: compare the recorded fee and examination pathway, then read the guide for local obligations and missing costs. A local-only label does not mean the work is unregulated.
- 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 trades
Scope of work overlaps at the edges of every classification. Contractors researching landscaping contractor licensing often also need the comparison hub for these adjacent trades:
Local requirements and practical guides
- Texas Landscape Irrigator License: Application, Exam, and Project Plans
Compare Texas irrigator and technician authority, prepare the TCEQ application, understand the exam and plan requirements, and maintain the license.
- North Carolina Irrigation Contractor License: Eligibility, Bond, and Business Registration
Understand North Carolina’s irrigation exemption, experience evidence, exam routes, $10,000 security requirement, corporate license, and annual renewal.
- Florida Certified Irrigation Contractor: Qualifying a Business
Prepare Florida’s CILB 6-AC irrigation application to qualify a business, including experience, financial evidence, insurance, fee timing, and renewal.
- Irrigation Contractor Licensing: Texas, North Carolina, and Florida
Compare three distinct irrigation licensing systems and find detailed guidance on credentials, business applications, project plans, bonds, and renewal.
- How to Add a California Contractor License Classification
Prepare a California additional-classification application: scope selection, qualifier experience, the $230 fee, exams, fingerprints, and returned applications.
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 918 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.
Data is sourced from the issuing boards' published rules. Latest completed source-check date represented in the dataset: 2026-09-30.