Exam

Given the unprecedented actions taken at the national and state level to reduce the spread of COVID-19, applicants may experience limited seating at PSI locations. See PSI's website for information.

The written exam is provided by PSI. After you are approved by the LCB and receive your candidate ID number, contact PSI to schedule your exam appointment.

Exam Study Materials:
This is a listing of resources for each section of the exam.
Laws, Rules and Business Practices Guide (English)
Laws, Rules and Business Practices 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

Certain resources can be ordered from the LCB office:
Exam Materials Order Form

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 - English

Candidate Information Bulletin - Spanish
Boletin Informativo Para Candidatos

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 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.

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

Practical Skills Examination

The Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) offers a practical skills exam in lieu of the traditional written test. This provides an alternate way to become licensed.

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. More information will be posted when it is available.

Information for both types of exam

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.