North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board
First Quarter 2020 Newsletter
P.O. Box 41421 • Raleigh, NC 27629 • info@nciclb.org • www.nciclb.org
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the Board office is not open to the public and all staff are working from their homes. Staff members can still be contacted during regular office hours at (919) 872-2229 or by email at info@nciclb.org. Board staff will continue to process renewals, applications and other related licensing paperwork. The Board will continue to provide updates on their website at www.nciclb.org and through email.
In This Issue

  • Outreach Program
  • 2021 License Renewal
  • Continuing Education
  • Rule of the Month
  • Disciplinary Actions
  • Enforcement Statistics
  • 2020 Calendar
  • Board and Staff Members
Contact the Board for Free Posters
POSTER NCICLB
Outreach Program
Although it has been ten years since the NC Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board was formed, there is still a need to educate the public about NC Gen. Stat. §89G. To that end, the Board has formed a committee to help educate the public about the profession and the purpose of the law. The Board has reached out to other professionals that have the most interaction with irrigation contracting but may not understand the law or know that there is a law. In addition, the committee has plans for a large scale mailing to include educational pieces about the law.

Another part of the Outreach Program is to ensure that as a licensed professional you are doing all you can to educate prospective customers on the value of hiring a licensed irrigation contractor.

Ask yourself these questions:
  • Do you have a website, and if so, does it say in LARGE LETTERS that you are licensed and is your license number posted?
  • Is your license number at the top of your website just under the company name or is it at the bottom of the page?
  • Does your website display your seal?
  • Does your website explain the benefits of hiring a licensed professional as opposed to someone that is unlicensed? You may want to attach the Board’s “Why Hire” flyer to your website or a link directly to the NCICLB website.
  • Do you advertise on other sites? If so are you using these same strategies?
  • Do you provide the Board’s “WHY HIRE” flyer to potential customers when giving a bid? What about current customers?
  • Does any of your advertising explain that because you are licensed you are required to have a Surety Bond and how that Bond protects the customer?
  • Does your advertising explain that you are required to earn continuing education?
2021 License Renewal
Don't be late...start now!!
Yes...you should begin planning for your 2021 license renewal now. November and December can be a busy time of year for everyone. So rather than waiting until the end of the year to record and upload your continuing education documents, or even worse, earning your credits, why not start now? Don't pay additional fees because of poor planning.

Click here for some helpful reminders to get you through the 2021 renewal with ease.
Visit www.nciclb.org for step by step online renewal instructions.
Continuing Education
Over the years many of you have requested that the Board reduce the number of continuing education credits required for licensure. The Board also receives request for changes in subject matter, location and a variety of other CE related items.

NC Gen. Stat. §89G requires that all licensees earn a minimum of 10 continuing education credits per year, as a condition of license renewal. This is the law. The Board cannot change the number of credits a licensee must earn nor can it lobby for changes in the law. In addition, the Board does not provide, create or develop continuing education activities.

The Board's responsibility is to review those courses that are submitted by application from education providers and licensees and determine if the subject matter fits into the category of landscape turf irrigation technology or is business related.

If you have ideas regarding continuing education, please contact your Green Industry organization and/or your local suppliers.
Rule of the Month
21 NCAC 23 .0401 SYSTEM DESIGN OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS
(a) An irrigation contractor shall design an irrigation system so that
it uniformly distributes water.
(b) When designing an irrigation system, an irrigation contractor
shall consider the following criteria:
(1) the soil type;
(2) the slope;
(3) the plant root depth;
(4) the water requirements of different plants;
(5) microclimates;
(6) weather conditions;
(7) the quantity, quality, and delivery pressure of the water source; and
(8) the long-term management of the system and the landscape it serves.
(c) When designing an irrigation system, an irrigation contractor shall select equipment components and installation techniques that meet state and local code requirements and site requirements.
(d) When designing an irrigation system, an irrigation contractor shall to ensure that the irrigation system is designed to uniformly distribute the water, conserve and protect water resources, and function well as a component of the overall landscape by doing the following:
(1) obtaining direct knowledge of site conditions by visiting it. Viewing and relying solely on plot plans to generate a design is not adequate preparation for designing an irrigation system.
(2) producing a design that meets all applicable state and local codes, including plumbing and electrical codes.
(3) when allowable by law, specifying in the plan the manufacturer, model, type, and size of all components to eliminate ambiguity during construction and to facilitate management of the system.
(4) selecting pipe, electrical wire, and other materials based on design parameters, environmental conditions, code requirements, and long-term management requirements of the system.
(5) designing the irrigation system to minimize installation and maintenance difficulties. (6) selecting and placing shrubs, trees, and groundcover sprinkler and microirrigation components according to the expected size of larger specimen plants through a minimum three-year establishment period for shrubs and 10-year establishment period for trees. History Note: Authority G.S. 89G-5; Eff. August 1, 2011; Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 22, 2014; Amended Eff. November 1, 2016. 21 NCAC 23 

To familiarize yourself with all of the NCICLB Rules click here .
Disciplinary Actions
The Board is required by law to investigate every complaint received. If the findings of the investigation indicate that a violation of the laws and/or rules enforced by the Board have occurred, a number of disciplinary actions are available to the Board. Following is a list of actions for the first quarter of 2020.
Advisory Letters
Upon completion of an investigation, an Advisory Letter can be issued to a licensed or unlicensed individual if a violation is minor or guilt cannot be determined.
Settlement Agreements
Upon completion of an investigation, a Settlement Agreement can be issued to a licensed or an unlicensed individual where it is determined through an investigation that a violation has occurred. The Settlement Agreement is made between the Board and the Respondent and admits wrongdoing on the part of the Respondent. The agreement lays out the sanctions and remedies required which include fines predetermined by the Board, investigatory and attorney costs.
Hearings
If a Respondent does not agree to a Settlement, a Notice of Hearing shall be issued. A Hearing can be scheduled in order for both sides to have the opportunity to present evidence and argue their case.

There are no hearings to report.
Enforcement Statistics
7 Complaints since January 1, 2020

2 Minimum Standard Complaints
3 Unlicensed Practice Complaints
2 Advertising Complaints

6 Complaints closed since January
1, 2020

2 Administratively Closed
2 Insufficient Evidence
2 Closed through Settlement
Marketing Tool for Licensees
Print this flyer,
WHY HIRE A LICENSED IRRIGATION CONTRACTOR and present it to your prospective customers.
Board Members

Steve Hill
Board Chair
Raleigh

Charlie Nieman
Vice Chair
Jarvisburg

Jeff Edwards
Treasurer
Youngsville

Garry Grabow
Secretary
Apex

Brandon Gurley
Member
Charlotte

John Ross
Member
Flat Rock

Charles Hughes
Member
LaGrange

Tracy McDonald
Member
Cary

Erik Wilson
Public Member
Durham