Landscaping and Irrigation license requirements by state
Whether you need a landscaping license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
10States with a state license
18Partly, or registration only
3Leave it to cities and counties
Landscaping and Irrigation licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Horticulture Professional Services License |
| Alaska | Yes | Specialty contractor registration, Landscaping Contractor |
| Arizona | Partly | R-21 Hardscaping and Irrigation Systems (residential), C-21 (commercial) or CR-21 (both) |
| Arkansas | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| California | Yes | C-27 Landscaping Contractor |
| Colorado | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Connecticut | Partly | Home Improvement Contractor registration |
| Delaware | Partly | Contractor Registration Certificate |
| District of Columbia | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Florida | Partly | Certified irrigation specialty contractor (optional), local irrigation certificate of competency, or plumbing license |
| Georgia | No, local only | None at state level |
| Hawaii | Yes | C-27 Landscaping contractor |
| Idaho | Partly | Contractor registration |
| Illinois | Partly | Irrigation contractor registration (lawn sprinkler systems) |
| Indiana | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Iowa | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Kansas | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Kentucky | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Louisiana | Yes | Landscape Horticulturist license (Landscape Irrigation Contractor for irrigation) |
| Maine | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Maryland | Partly | Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) contractor license |
| Massachusetts | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Michigan | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Minnesota | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Mississippi | Yes | Landscape Horticulturist License |
| Missouri | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Montana | Partly | Construction Contractor License |
| Nebraska | Partly | Contractor registration |
| Nevada | Yes | C-10 Landscape Contracting |
| New Hampshire | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New Jersey | Partly | Landscape Irrigation Contractor certification, plus a business permit |
| New Mexico | Partly | Contractor license, MS-6 Lawn sprinklers |
| New York | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| North Carolina | Yes | Landscape contractor license |
| North Dakota | Partly | Contractor license (Class A, B, C or D by job size) |
| Ohio | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Oklahoma | No, local only | None at state level |
| Oregon | Yes | Landscape contracting business license, with a Landscape Construction Professional |
| Pennsylvania | Partly | Home Improvement Contractor registration |
| Rhode Island | Partly | Contractor registration |
| South Carolina | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| South Dakota | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Tennessee | Partly | Contractor license, BC-29 Landscaping; Home Improvement license in some counties |
| Texas | Partly | Landscape Irrigator license |
| Utah | Yes | S330 Landscape and Recreation Contractor |
| Vermont | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Virginia | Partly | Contractor license, Class C (or B or A by job size), with the right specialty |
| Washington | Partly | Specialty contractor registration (Landscaping, or Irrigation sprinkler systems) |
| West Virginia | No, local only | None at state level |
| Wisconsin | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
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