Browse Alabama Contractor Classifications
Exam prep for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Alabama Commercial General Building Contractor (NASCLA) Exam Prep
Choose your access term:
Choose Plan & EnrollGetting your Alabama contractor license? Contractor Pathway offers an original, exam-focused study guide and four full-length practice exams for every Alabama classification that requires a state board exam — currently 4 courses across Electrical, HVAC / Mechanical and Building / General Contractor. Choose your classification below and study with 30-, 60-, or 90-day access at $99, $129, and $169. Many Alabama classifications also require passing a separate Business & Law exam — and that course is included free with any trade course in your cart for the matching term.
Who licenses contractors in Alabama
These are the Alabama classifications we build exam prep for, each licensed by its responsible board:
| Trade area | Licensing authority | Exam basis |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Alabama Electrical Contractors Board | National Electrical Code (NEC) |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors | Mechanical & fuel-gas codes, EPA 608 |
| Building / General Contractor | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors | Adopted building code (IBC / IRC) |
Always confirm the current code edition, experience requirements, fees, and passing score with the board and testing vendor before you schedule. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-prep provider and is not affiliated with any Alabama board or testing vendor.
How to get licensed in Alabama
- Meet the experience requirement. Each classification requires documented on-the-job hours (and, for senior licenses, time as a licensed journeyman). A registered apprenticeship is a common path.
- Apply to the board for your trade, submit fees and proof of experience, and get approved to test.
- Pass the exam. Alabama trade exams are typically open book against the adopted code, with a passing score commonly around 70%. Speed at finding and applying the right code section is what separates passers from re-testers.
- Hold and renew the license on its cycle, including any continuing-education and code-update hours.
Choose your Alabama classification
Each course includes a comprehensive 5,000-plus-word study guide — worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, common exam traps, a glossary, and a 30/60/90-day study plan — plus four full-length practice exams matched to the topic weightings of the Alabama test.
Alabama contractor licensing — FAQ
Who licenses general contractors in Alabama?
The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. A general contractor license is legally required for any commercial, industrial, or public-works project where the total cost of labor and materials is $50,000 or more.
What exams does Alabama require?
Two exams administered by PSI: the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam (the trade exam) plus the Alabama Business and Law exam. Each requires a 70% score to pass.
What is on the Alabama exams?
The Business and Law exam is an open-book, multiple-choice timed test. The building trade portion runs 100 questions over four hours and covers the 2021 IRC, framing, concrete, and related construction topics. Both pass at 70%.
Are the Alabama exams open book?
Yes – the Business and Law and NASCLA exams are open book, so fast, well-indexed reference navigation is the decisive skill. Confirm current references and content outlines on the PSI candidate information bulletin before you test.
How long should I study for the Alabama exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.