Proposed NC Landscape Contractor License Passes NC Senate

The proposed North Carolina Landscape Contractor license legislation re-introduced in 2010 was approved by the state licensing committee and then approved unanimously by the Senate Commerce and Finance Committees before moving on to the House for consideration this 2011 legislative session. In the House, the bill was unanimously approved by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee before moving on to the House Finance Committee in the final days of the 2011 legislative session. A few concerns arose and details were being worked out as time expired for the session. The bill was tabled and will now carry over to the 2012 Short Session for final consideration. In the interim, negotiations will continue on a few requested changes.

Posted here on the website is the latest version of the bill. A last minute amendment to exclude driveways from the scope of work requiring a landscape contractor license has not been updated and included as of today’s date. Concerns over the dollar limit exemption threshold also remain to be resolved.

Support for the bill was very positive and wide spread among legislators, recognizing that our goal has always been to make the best possible legislation we can. One that identifies and recognizes the professional nature of landscape contracting while providing consumer protection, adequate training and continuing education requirements for landscape contractors and importantly, ample provisions for single operator businesses, start up businesses or part time businesses to work under the exemption limit without the need for licensure.

What You Can Do Now

Show your support for the legislation, SB 447. Contact your representatives and ask for their support in the next legislative session. To find out who your legislator is visit:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/Representation/Representation.html

We’ll keep you posted on updates as quickly as possible.

Thanks,
The NC Landscape Contractor License Committee

Why Do We Need SB 447?

• SB447 Sets A Standard. The proposed landscape contractor license will set a standard for best management practices through training, testing and annual continuing education requirements.
• SB447 Protects North Carolina’s Environment: Licensed landscape contractors are better prepared and qualified to conserve our natural resources, and to help protect, preserve and enhance our environment and our quality of life.
• SB447 Protects Consumers. Bonding requirements established for landscape contractors, and oversight by the licensing board, will provide consumers with a governing body to turn to should a problem arise that cannot be resolved with their landscape contractor.
• SB447 Is Fair. While the license establishes strict criteria for training, testing and continuing education, it also provides a fair and broad path for experienced, qualified landscape contractors to grandfather into the new license without the requirement of testing. The license also provides for appropriate exemptions for overlapping trades, like grass cutting, or other designated circumstances as well as exempting individuals that perform landscaping work as described by the license legislation below a $2500 per year per customer threshold. This provides ample opportunity for seasonal, part time or startup businesses to operate without a license, but as their business grows, they can obtain licensure through testing.

Support SB 447

The proposed landscape contractor license is endorsed by the NC Green Industry Council and its 10 member associations. Over the past 18 months the NC Green Industry Council has held 12 town hall meetings across the state from Manteo to Flat Rock, and created a website with a blog for industry comments. Over 1200 people attended these town hall meetings. The response from the town hall meetings and the website was overwhelmingly in favor of creating the license. A steering committee of twenty landscape contractors from across the state met over that 18 month period to organize and draft the provisions of the license. NC DOT was consulted as were other organizations and trades. The result of all this collaborative effort is SB 447.

We Need Your Support!

We ask your support for SB 447. After 30 years of growth the landscape contracting industry in North Carolina is ready to assume a professional license designation. SB447 will help the landscape industry grow and prosper, while protecting consumers, the environment and the quality of life in our state. We’re counting on your support!

On behalf of the GIC legislative committee thanks to everyone that has contributed and worked on this legislation, the town hall meetings and promoting and supporting this important step toward establishing the professional trade of landscape contracting.