If you are a licensed landscape contractor relocating from another state or expanding operations into North Carolina, you may not have to start the licensing process from scratch. The NC Landscape Contractors' Registration Board (NCLCRB) may recognize out-of-state landscape contractor licenses and grant NC licensure without requiring you to repeat an examination — a process known as reciprocity or endorsement. Here is what you need to know.
This website is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with the NCLCRB or any government agency. Reciprocity availability and requirements change — always confirm current policies directly with the NCLCRB.
What Is License Reciprocity
License reciprocity — sometimes called licensure by endorsement — is an arrangement in which one state agrees to recognize a valid professional license issued by another state, allowing the licensee to obtain the new state's license without fully repeating the application and examination process. Reciprocity is common in licensed trades and professions because it acknowledges that practitioners who have already demonstrated competency in one state should not necessarily bear the full burden of proving it again when they cross a state line. The specific terms of any reciprocity arrangement depend on whether the two states' licensing standards are sufficiently comparable.
Does NC Offer Reciprocity
The NCLCRB may consider applications from out-of-state licensed landscape contractors on a case-by-case basis. Whether the board grants reciprocity for a particular applicant depends on a comparison between NC's licensing requirements under Chapter 89D and the requirements of the state where the applicant is currently licensed. If the other state's examination, experience requirements, and scope of practice are substantially equivalent to North Carolina's, the board may waive the NC examination requirement and grant a license based on the out-of-state credential.
Because reciprocity availability and the states included in any formal agreements are subject to change at any time, you should contact the NCLCRB directly before making any business plans that depend on obtaining an NC license through reciprocity. Do not assume that reciprocity is available simply because it has been available in the past.
States NC May Have Reciprocity Agreements With
The NCLCRB has historically considered reciprocity applications from contractors licensed in states that have comparable landscape contractor licensing programs. States with organized landscape contractor licensing boards and examination requirements similar to NC's are the most likely candidates for favorable reciprocity consideration. However, the specific list of states with which the NCLCRB has formal or informal reciprocity arrangements is subject to change and may not be publicly documented in a fixed list. The safest approach is to contact the NCLCRB with your current state of licensure and ask whether reciprocity is available for applicants from that state.
Reciprocity Application Process
The reciprocity application process follows a similar structure to the standard NC landscape contractor license application, with modifications based on your out-of-state credentials:
- Contact the NCLCRB to confirm that reciprocity is available for applicants licensed in your current state and to obtain the reciprocity application materials.
- Complete the application — you will typically fill out the same base application form but check or indicate that you are applying by reciprocity or endorsement.
- Submit supporting documentation — see the list below.
- Pay the application fee — the fee structure for reciprocity applications may differ from standard applications; confirm the current amount with the board.
- Await review — the board will verify your out-of-state license and compare the requirements under which it was issued to NC's standards.
- Examination waiver or requirement — if your credentials are deemed equivalent, the board may waive the NC examination. If there are gaps, you may be required to pass the full NC exam or specific portions of it.
What You'll Need to Submit
A typical reciprocity application to the NCLCRB will require:
- Completed NCLCRB application form — indicating reciprocity/endorsement as the application basis
- Proof of current out-of-state license — a copy of your valid license certificate or card from the issuing state board
- License history verification — a letter of good standing or license verification document issued directly by the other state's licensing board to the NCLCRB, confirming your license is current and in good standing with no disciplinary actions
- Employment or experience history — documentation of your landscape contracting experience may still be required
- Proof of general liability insurance — same certificate of insurance requirement as standard applicants
- Application fee — confirmed with the board at time of application
All documentation must be current and authentic. Misrepresentation in a reciprocity application is a basis for denial and can result in other consequences.
When Reciprocity Is Not Available
Reciprocity will not be available in every situation. Common reasons the NCLCRB may deny a reciprocity application or require a full standard application include:
- Your state does not have a comparable licensing program — if your home state does not require a landscape contractor license or has a substantially lower standard, there is no equivalent credential to recognize
- Your license is in a different scope of practice — a license that covers only a narrow subset of landscape activities may not be equivalent to NC's broader license
- Disciplinary history — if you have had disciplinary action taken against your license in any state, reciprocity may be denied
- Lapsed or inactive license — reciprocity generally requires that your out-of-state license be current and in good standing at the time of application
If reciprocity is not available, you will need to complete the standard NC application process, which includes meeting the education or experience requirements and passing the NC examination.
Temporary License While Reciprocity Is Processed
The NCLCRB does not broadly advertise a formal temporary license program for out-of-state contractors awaiting reciprocity approval. However, if you have an urgent need to perform landscape contracting in NC while your application is pending, contact the board directly to ask whether any provisional authorization is available. Do not perform landscape contracting for compensation in NC while your application is pending without first confirming with the NCLCRB that doing so is permissible — working without a license while an application is under review is still a potential violation of Chapter 89D.