Who requires it
North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board (NCLCLB)
License & permit · North Carolina
North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Bond
Licensed landscape contractors in North Carolina must keep a $10,000 surety bond or an irrevocable bank letter of credit on file with the Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board. Individual and corporate labels describe how your name appears on the bond—not different statutes or amounts.
Common bond amount
$10,000
Same $10,000 amount whether you file in your own name or a company name—choose the naming pattern that matches how you are licensed.
How you file
Form SB01 surety bond, or a $10,000 letter of credit, filed with the Board
Renewal
Maintain while the landscape license is active; update within 30 days of practice changes
Who requires it
Anyone completing landscape contractor licensure under Chapter 89D. Board instructions require the bond or letter of credit to match how you practice: under your own name or d/b/a; or listing the entity and covered licensees when you work through a corporation, LLC, partnership, or similar firm. Someone covered only as an employee on a company bond who also works independently needs a separate individual bond for that side work.
How much is required
Statute and Board materials fix the amount at $10,000 for either the surety bond or the letter of credit. There is no tier schedule by project size on the Chapter 89D license bond.
How to get and file it
Use the Board’s current Surety Compliance Bond (Form SB01). Have an authorized surety complete the original with power of attorney, or obtain an original irrevocable letter of credit from a bank for $10,000. Mail originals to the Board office address on the surety-bond information page. Sign in your licensed name and list every covered landscape licensee on a company form where the Board’s sample requires it. Keep the bond or letter of credit in force while licensed. Report working-arrangement changes and file any needed bond updates within 30 days. Employees covered on a company bond typically send a copy that names them; the company sends the original corporate instrument.
Cost note
$10,000 is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $10,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit
- Form
- NCLCLB Surety Compliance Bond (Form SB01) with power of attorney
- Naming
- Your own name, d/b/a, or company name per Board options
- Filing
- Original bond or letter of credit to the Board (PO Box on current instructions)
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Are corporate and individual landscape bonds different products?
No. Both satisfy the same $10,000 Chapter 89D requirement. The Board’s options only change whose name appears on the bond and who is listed as covered.
Can I use a letter of credit instead of a surety bond?
Yes. G.S. 89D-16 and Board materials accept an irrevocable $10,000 letter of credit from a bank in place of the surety bond.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Continue with a North Carolina application
North Carolina will be preselected. Choose your bond type in the application—we confirm the correct product against your agency form before anything is issued.
Last verified 2026-08-07. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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