Exam

There are two options for testing

Traditional Written Exam

The written test is provided by PSI. Contact PSI to schedule your exam appointment at: 800-733-9267 or online at www.psiexams.com.

PSI offers the traditional written exams and the mini written exams for the practical skills exam.

Test Locations
PSI offers 7 locations in Oregon where you may schedule to take the exam:

Baker City: 1201 Main Street, Suite 203

Bend: 325 N Vermont Place, Suite 10

Eugene: 1955 Empire Park Drive, Suite 1

Independence: 4901 Airport Road

Medford: 1236 A North Riverside Avenue

Portland: 8383 NE Sandy Blvd., Suite 201

Wilsonville: 25195 SW Parkway, Suite 105

Cost
The cost for the written exam is $75 for the first section and $10 for each additional section per sitting.

Exam Time Limit
Laws, Rules & Business Practice - open book, 100 minutes

Plants and Turf - open book, 100 minutes

Hardscaping - open book, 100 minutes

Design, Grading and Drainage - open book, 100 minutes

Irrigation - open book, 200 minutes

Backflow - closed book, 100 minutes

Study Material
Most of the study materials for the written exam section may be obtained online and/or ordered from the LCB.

Exam Sections
There are six sections of the exam:

Laws, Rules and Business Practices
Plants and Turf
Hardscaping
Desing, Grading and Drainage
Irrigation
Backflow

Sections to be passed for a specific license:
Standard - Laws, Rules & Business Practices, Plants and Turf, Design Grading and Drainage and Hardscaping
Irrigation - Laws, Rules & Business Practices, Irrigation and Backflow
Planting - Laws, Rules & Business Practices, Plants and Turf, Design Grading and Drainage
Modified - Laws, Rules & Business Practices

All Phase (including probationary) - all six sections

Exam Study Materials:
Resource Material Listing
LRB Guide (English)
LRB Guide (Spanish)

Oregon OSHA Guide
Plant List
Cross-Connection Control Manual, Environmental Protection Agency, 2003
Cross-Connection Control Manual, A Best Practices Guide
Backflow Code

Exam Materials Order Form

Practical Skills Examination

The Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) now offers a practical skills exam in lieu of the traditional written test. This is a “hands-on” test which provides an alternate way to become licensed.

What license phases are available?
At this time, only Planting and Irrigation plus Backflow licenses may be obtained through this option. The backflow section remains a written only exam and must be taken through the current written exam provider (PSI).

What’s required for licensure?
In addition to “hands-on” testing, a portion of the test process will include a mini written exam for each license phase. Attendance of a four (4) hour business course, offered in English or Spanish, or passage of the Laws, Rules & Business Practice full written exam is required.

When and Where?
The practical skills exam will be held July 26, 2019 at Clackamas Community College. The Oregon Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA) has offered leverage of the current Landscape Industry Certified Technician Exterior (LICT-E), formerly and more commonly known as the CLT, to serve as a portion of the testing process.

How Do I Register?
A registration form is available on our website at www.oregon.gov/lcb and must be completed and received in the LCB office. The deadline to register is June 15, 2019.

What’s included in the “hands-on” testing portion?
The required sections of the LICT-E (hands-on) test are:
Planting License: Plant ID, Tree Planting and Staking, Sod Installation, Plant Layout, Grading & Drainage, and Instruments. Two mini written sections: Plants & Turf and Design, Grading & Drainage must also be passed.
Irrigation License: Lateral Repair & Head Adjustment, Lateral Installation, Mainline Installation, Valve Repair, and Valve Wiring. One mini written section on Irrigation and the Backflow section of the current written exam must also be passed.

How and when can I take the mini written sections?
These written sections are smaller than the traditional written exams. These mini written exams will be provided by the LCB on the day of the practical skills exam in July or can be taken at anytime throughout the year at various site locations through PSI (by making an appointment).

Where can I find study materials?
Study materials, including a plant list, for the practical skills exam “hands-on” portions are available through NALP at: https://www.landscapeprofessionals.org/nalp/Store/Categories/CertificationEducation.aspx. You can find the plant list on OLCA’s website. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing and shipping. Study materials for the practical skills mini written exam can be ordered by calling the LCB at: (503) 967-6291. REV 4/2019 Z:\Shared\PSIC\2019\FAQ

What if I’ve already passed part of the LICT-E?
If an applicant has passed sections of the LICT-E exam within the last 2 years, those scores are valid and, if transferred to the LCB, may qualify towards licensure. The applicant will still be required to pass the practical skills mini written exam. Contact OLCA to have any passing scores for the required sections sent to the LCB office.

What if I’ve already passed part of the traditional written exam?
An applicant may combine passed sections of the current written exam and the practical skills exam. For example, if you obtain your Planting license through the practical skills exam, you may take the full written Hardscape exam to obtain a Standard license.

Business Course – what are my options?
An applicant that passes at least one phase of the practical skills “hands-on” portion (e.g.; Planting, Design Grading and Drainage -or- Irrigation) for a limited license may choose to take an approved business course in lieu of the traditional full written Laws, Rules & Business Practices exam. Attendance of the business course is valid for two years. To attend the four (4) hour business class, please contact Clackamas Community College by phone: (503) 594-3292.

What is the cost?
Pricing depends on which license phase you wish to obtain and how many sections of the exam you need to complete. There is a $100 registration fee, a $120 administrative fee and $65 per section fee for the “hands-on” portion. The written exam fees are $75 for the first section and $10 for subsequent sections. The business course is $100. Please see the registration form to determine the total fees based on your needs.

What if English is my second language?
The practical skills exam will be available in Spanish for both the “hands-on” portion and written portions. For the written portion only, if English is your second language and you wish to take the test in English, additional time may be allowed. You will need to indicate on the registration form which option you desire.

How does scoring work?
The passing score requirement for the “hand-on” exam is 70%. The passing score requirement for the written exam is 75%. Passing scores are valid for at least two (2) years. If you passed a section of the written exam you can still take the practical skills exam for the other sections and combine passing of specific sections.

What if I fail a section?
If you fail a section, you will need to retake that section the next time the exam is available. There are no appeal rights. Retakes of the hands-on exam can be taken through Idaho Nursery & Landscape Association (INLA). INLA’s 2019 testing will be held in Boise, Idaho on Sept. 27 & 28, 2019 and the registration deadline is September 16, 2019. For more information call (208) 681-4769 or visit their website: https://www.inlagrow.org/Landscape-Industry-Certification.

Important note about upcoming changes!
The 2019 offering will be the last year that the Practical Skills exam is offered in its current format. The board is discussing options regarding the continuance of practical skills testing, but at this time it is unknown what may be offered going forward. This means that if you test this year, you need to pass all hands-on sections required to become licensed through this option.

Information for both types of exam

Getting Started

To get started, submit an application to the LCB to take the exam. Once your application is approved, you will receive a packet of information. This will include your candidate ID number. With this number, you can register with PSI to take the exam.

If you wish to take the practical skills exam, you will also need to sbmit a registration form. These forms are only available May 1st to June 15th. The filing deadline for this exam is June 15th of each year.

If your application is not approved, you will receive a letter requesting further documentation.

Please take time to read how to become licensed. This provides you with a step by step licensing process.

Qualifications

To qualify for the exam you must meet at least one of the following requirements. If you are qualifying by your experience with a landscape contracting business or in a landscape related field (rather than a degree or education) the experience must be within 10 years prior to the date of the application.

1. Employed by a licensed landscape contracting business for a total of 2 years. Have your employer(s) complete the employer verification form. This form must be submitted with your application.

2. Two years of related landscaping experience (nursery work, landscape maintenance work, etc). Submit a completed landscape maintenance verification form documenting 5 customers/projects per year for a 2 year period or the employer verification form if you were an employee of a company performing landscape related work.

3. Associates, Bachelors or Masters Degree in horticulture or related field which includes cooperative work experience (if no cooperative work experience, documentation showing 6 months of related landscape experience may substitute). Submit a copy of your transcripts.

4. A certificate in horticulture or other related field from an accredited school or college that requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, which includes cooperative work experience in landscaping (if no cooperative work experience, documentation showing 6 months of related landscape experience may substitute). Submit a copy of certificate and a copy of transcripts with your application.

5. A current certification with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as a Certified Arborist. Submit a copy of your certificate with your application.

6. Successfully completed the Landscape Industry Certification program administered by OLCA or another entity licensed to the National Assocation of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Submit a copy of your signed certificate with your application.

7. A current membership as a Certified Professional Member of APLD. Submit a copy of your certificate with your application.

8. Hold a current Oregon Backflow Assembly Tester Certification or complete a Backflow Assembly Tester 5 day course approved by the Oregon Drinking Water Program. Submit a copy of certification or course completion with your application.

9. Other landscaping related certified membership on an individual basis to be determined by the board.

If you have other experience that you feel would qualify you to take the exam, submit documentation and a letter of explanation. You will be contacted if any further documentation is needed.

How long before I'll know if I'm eligible for the exam?

All applications are reviewed within 5 working days. The length of time before you’re notified of eligibility depends on the complexity of your application and how long it takes to verify all of your documentation. Once your application is approved you will receive notification by mail. This letter will include your ID number which you will need to begin scheduling the exam with PSI. It will also include any study material the LCB provides for the exam (such as OSHA information and plumbing codes for the backflow section).

Once I pass the exam, can I start working?

No. Passing the exam allows you to become a licensed landscape construction professional. However, to begin work, you must be employed by or own a licensed landscape contracting business (see business license application packet).

What do I do after I pass all the sections of the exam that are required for the license?

You will need to pay the initial license fee, which is $170. This is an annual license fee.

What other licenses do I need?

Besides a landscape construction professional license, you also need a landscape contracting business license and possibly a local business license if you plan to start your own business.

Candidate Information Bulletin

The Candidate Information Bulletin contains helpful information on PSI's policies and procedures. It contains a breakdown of each section of the exam, including subcategories, number of questions, time limit and study material. The bulletin also has information regarding:

How to schedule an exam
Test site locations
What to expect at your appointment
What ID is required for your appointment
How to make special arrangements for your appointment, if needed
Cancelation and late policy
Sample exam questions

The bulletin also contains information regarding the mini written exams for the practical skills exam.

Candidate Information Bulletin