Module 1
Site evaluation, soils, grading, and drainage
Build exam-ready understanding of site evaluation, soils, grading, and drainage through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
California · Original 101PD learning guide
California CSLB C-27 Landscaping Exam Prep Study Guide
California C-27 Landscaping exam preparation covering site evaluation, soils and planting, irrigation, hardscape coordination, estimating, environmental controls, and safety.
California Contractors State License Board owns the official credential and may change its blueprint, eligibility rules, fees, or delivery process. This guide keeps those boundaries visible while organizing original 101PD instruction around site evaluation, soils, grading, and drainage, plant materials and landscape installation, irrigation systems and water management, hardscape coordination, estimating, and safety.
Skills you will practice
- Site evaluation, soils, grading, and drainage
- Plant materials and landscape installation
- Irrigation systems and water management
- Hardscape coordination, estimating, and safety
Prerequisites
- Applicants must independently satisfy CSLB's current C-27 experience and application requirements.
- Review the current California Contractors State License Board eligibility rules and candidate materials before registering for the official examination.
Designed for
California landscaping contractor applicants · Candidates who want a structured objective-by-objective study plan · Professionals using diagnostic results to target weak domains
What a learner should be able to do
- Outcome 1
Explain the core rules and concepts within site evaluation, soils, grading, and drainage.
- Outcome 2
Apply plant materials and landscape installation to realistic exam-style decisions.
- Outcome 3
Analyze irrigation systems and water management using a repeatable problem-solving process.
- Outcome 4
Use hardscape coordination, estimating, and safety to identify readiness gaps before the official examination.
Original curriculum architecture
Each course is organized around these modules, original explanations, realistic cases, practice questions, and documented source review.
Module 2
Plant materials and landscape installation
Build exam-ready understanding of plant materials and landscape installation through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Module 3
Irrigation systems and water management
Build exam-ready understanding of irrigation systems and water management through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Module 4
Hardscape coordination, estimating, and safety
Build exam-ready understanding of hardscape coordination, estimating, and safety through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Official exam relationship
Independent preparation for C-27 Landscaping trade examination
- Exam owner
- California Contractors State License Board
- Exam or series code
- C-27
101PD provides independent preparation and a training-completion record. California Contractors State License Board controls eligibility, registration, the official examination, scoring, and the resulting license or certification.
Review the official exam informationApplied portfolio exercise
Landscape site and irrigation planning file
Complete an applied readiness file that connects the official objective areas to realistic work decisions and a documented study plan.
- Site and drainage assessment
- Plant and irrigation schedule
- Estimate and safety checklist
Sources and boundaries
Sources establish current requirements and standards. They do not supply 101PD’s lesson text, scenarios, assessments, or project work.
Source set reviewed August 21, 2026.
- California Contractors State License Board official examination information
Controlling public source for the C-27 Landscaping trade examination relationship, objectives, or candidate requirements. Recheck before publication and every version update.
- 101PD original-work standard
101PD develops its own explanations, examples, assessments, and applied projects.
Exam-prep questions
Who issues the C-27 Landscaping trade examination?
California Contractors State License Board controls the official C-27 Landscaping trade examination, including current eligibility, registration, delivery, scoring, and the resulting license or certification.
Does a 101PD completion certificate prove that I passed the official exam?
No. A 101PD certificate documents completion of independent training only. It is not an exam score, occupational license, authority approval, or third-party certification.
Are official exam registration and fees included?
No. Candidates register with California Contractors State License Board or its designated testing provider and pay any official fees separately. Always confirm the current candidate rules before registering.