Landscaping Certification: How to Get a Landscaping License in the USA

Do you need a license for landscaping?

The requirements for working as a landscaper in the United States change depending on the state you want to work in. Some states, like California, have a structured licensing system, while others don’t have any requirements. 

READ MORE: How to get a landscaping license in California

While the definition of what work falls under the domain of landscaping also changes from state to state, there’s lots of work that commonly falls under the category of landscaping and is usually split into the following types: 

Softscaping

• Planting different types of flowers, shrubs, and trees according to a specific design 
• Laying new sod and artificial turf or maintaining and repairing existing turf
• Maintaining gardens and lawns by mowing, water, and trimming regularly
• Removing any flowers, shrubs, or trees that don’t fit with the design

Hardscaping

• Excavating and grading the foundation for patios, paths, and driveways
• Paving surfaces with brick, concrete, flagstone,  and other hard materials
• Building fences, decks, and retaining walls
• Installing water features, fire features, and irrigation systems 

Depending on the state you want to work in, there may be different licensing requirements for softscaping and hardscaping. 

Can you do landscaping without a license?

The answer to this question changes depending on the state you want to work in. 

Some states restrict the amount of work you can do based on costs, such as limiting the scope of work to $500 or less, including materials and services. Other states limit the type of work you can do, like allowing softscaping but not hardscaping. 

To be sure you’re not operating against any regional laws, it’s always a good idea to check in with your state licensing agency. 

How to get a landscaping license 

Like many other skilled trades, you need to build up your landscaping skills by working as an apprentice or journeyman landscaper under the supervision of a fully licensed contractor. 

Different states may or may not have additional requirements in terms of experience, education, and examination, so it’s important to check in with your state government to see what you need to do before you start working as a landscaping contractor. 

California is one of the most regulated states for working as a landscaper, with these services only being performed by individuals with a C-27 Landscaping Contractor’s License. 

If you’re interested in getting your landscaping license in California, here are the steps you need to follow:  

1. Gain at least 4 years of journeyman-level experience working for a licensed C-27 landscaping contractor or on jobs less than $500 in labor and materials. 

The California State Licensing Board (CSLB) also allows applicants to use technical training, college, and apprenticeship program experience as 3 of the 4 years of required experience.

2. Fill out your C-27 landscaping contractor license application through the website or by downloading the PDF version.
3. Schedule and pass the landscaping contractor examination.
4. Pay the necessary licensing fees and submit your fingerprints to the CSLB. 
5. Obtain a bond and provide proof of insurance to the CSLB. 

For more information on how to get your landscaping license in California, check out our comprehensive California licensing guide. 

How long does it take to get a landscaping license?

The length of time it takes to get a landscaping license ranges from 0 to over 4 years, depending on the state you want to work in and the level of certification you want to achieve. 

For example, in California, you need 4 years of experience working as a journeyman-level landscaper before applying for the full C-27 Landscaping Contractor’s License.  

How much does a landscaping license cost?

The cost of getting your landscaping license changes depending on the state you live in. Some states have no licensing requirements or associated fees, while others, like California, have fees that range from $450 to over $1,000, depending on related specialty licenses.