Alabama Contractor License Courses, Classes & Exam Prep

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Overview & Benefits

Obtaining a Contractor's License in Alabama

Welcome! If you are here, you must be interested in obtaining a contractor’s license in the state of Alabama. At Contractor Training Center, we have all the courses and preparation materials you need to pass the required exams. With our exam prep services, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proper general contractor.

Like any other state, Alabama has specific laws and requirements you have to meet. These are required before undertaking any major construction project or starting a construction business. The most important requirement is having the correct license for the type of jobs you are performing.

Without the right license and education, you may still find business. However, jobs will be small, and they will be few and far between. A general contractor license in Alabama will allow you to perform large scale construction jobs. It will enable you to expand your company to brand new heights. As well, with a home builder’s license, you will be able to work in residential areas.

With help from the Contractor Training Center, you could obtain one of these licenses or even both. All you need is the right forms, training, and preparation for the exams. Our goal is to help and support you throughout the process. We help you finally get your construction business off the ground.

Our experts will teach you all the Alabama rules, laws, and regulations that you need to get a contractor’s license. With one of our multiple courses, we can help you study and ultimately pass the required state-mandated tests. 

Why should you get a contractor's license in Alabama?

Each state has specific have laws and requirements. These determine what you can do for certain projects and renovations on homes or buildings. It’s important to know what type of license you might need to renovate a home or to take on a major building project. For example, Alabama law requires an unlimited home builder contractor's license for any project that exceeds $10,000. A limited home builder's license would cover projects less than that in most cases.

With a contractor license, Alabama construction companies can expand their business to new horizons. Furthermore, with a license, you:

  • Have more credibility
  • Can charge more per project and have higher earning potential
Gives You Credibility

Having a license increases your credibility, allowing you to build trust with your clients. There are other ways you can gain their trust, but this is a big part of establishing yourself and your business, especially if you're working with new customers.

Getting a contractor's license isn't done overnight, and the process of obtaining a license can be considered a significant investment. Customers often feel at ease knowing a contractor has invested their own time and money working to back up their skills with a license to prove it.

Gives you a higher earning potential

Consequently, there are larger projects that you can't perform without a contractor's license. With one, you can take on big assignments, get more jobs, and increase your profit. More times than not, clients will pay a higher price to a licensed contractor as opposed to unlicensed handymen.

In Alabama, general construction projects over $50,000 in labor and materials cost require a licensed general contractor. Anyone working on projects over $50k in Alabama without a proper license may be subject to civil fines or even criminal charges (a Class A misdemeanor).

With a license, your clients can trust that you have the knowledge and skills to do what they need. It’s an assurance that you’ll follow all applicable laws and regulations. You can build a relationship with your customers and establish trust in other ways, of course. However, a licensed contractor will stand out far more and attract customers easier.

Additionally, many states legally require businesses to hold a contractor's license to work on projects over a certain financial threshold. If you take the initiative and earn your license now, you can get more business, increase profits, and take on more significant assignments right away. Clients will typically pay a higher fee for licensed contractors because they can trust that the contractor knows what to do and how to do it well.

What You Can Expect

Get a strong start in building your career

The 3 main steps in almost every state are to submit an application, pass a Business Law exam, and also pass a Technical exam. We have services to assist you through each of these three stages.

The purpose of the application is to make sure you are registered in the state properly, so they can tax you. It is also to verify you hold adequate work experience. The Business Law exam tests that you understand the laws of operating a business in Alabama. The Technical exam ensures you have the skills and knowledge to do the types of work that you want to perform.

We supply the prep classes and the books and the tabs necessary to pass the Open-Book Exams. Tabbing and Highlighting the books used in the exams is allowed and is part of our Curriculum. We have an extremely high first-time pass rate on our exams - and if you do not pass on your first try, we will give you the class again for free until you do.

We have helped over 30,000 contractors get their contractor’s license and we look forward to helping you as well.

Ready to learn more? Don’t hesitate to call us today at 888-585-7350 or feel free to email us at any time at support@contractortrainingcenter.com!

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Exam Preparation

Preparing for Alabama Contractor's Licensing Exams

Contractor Training Center offers online pre-recorded, online live webinar, and in-person class options. All courses include access to online pre-recorded videos for studying, as well as practice questions and answers.

We can help you study and prepare for the National NASCLA Commercial Builder exam as well as local Alabama state-required tests such as the General Contractor Business Law Exam or Home Builder Business Law Exam. 

License Requirements

How To Get A Contractor's License In Alabama

Getting an Alabama contractor’s license is simpler than you might think. In general, Alabama has two different boards that issue contractor licenses. These are:

  • Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
  • Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board

Your first step is to obtain a license application form for your state. For general contractors, you can find it here, from the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. For Home Builders, you can find it at the Home Builders Licensure Board (for Residential Contractors).

Once you have finished the application, make sure to submit it to the state of Alabama.

Once the state approves you for licensing, you will be sent a Candidate Information Bulletin in the mail. It will contain an examination registration form and information on how to choose an exam date. For general contractors, this means taking the Business and Law exam as well as the accredited NASCLA exam.

We provide the study tools to pass the required Alabama Business and Law exam, as well as the National NASCLA Accredited exam successfully. We have everything you need to obtain your Alabama contractor license!

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the contractor licensing process.

How long is my contractor's license valid?

In Alabama, a license expires each year. It is essential to renew your license annually. If you fail to renew your license within a year of the expiration date, you will be required to re-apply for a license and take the trade and business law examinations.

You can see when your license expires on the Alabama Board for General Contractors website.

If you have any questions, please call the Board at 334-272-5030 and ask for your Renewal/Licensing Specialist.

Does Alabama offer reciprocity with other states?

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors offers reciprocity with Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee commercial contractor licenses. The permit also must be for the same classification that you are seeking in Alabama. Any applicant holding a license in good standing in an accepted state can have trade portion of the exam waived upon written certification from that state in which the applicant is licensed. The Alabama General Contractors Business and Law Exam is still required for all applicants 

If you hold a residential construction license in the States of Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, or Louisiana, you may be exempt from the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board Exam. If you hold a current and valid residential builder’s license in another state, answer yes to the question on the application asking whether you have applied for a residential home builder’s license or similar license to this Board or any other governmental agency, and provide a copy of your out-of-state license with your application.

What is the exam comprised of?

Each exam has an outline described in the corresponding Candidate Information Bulletin. Commercial exams are administered by PSI Exams, while the Home Builders exams are administered by Prov.

You can find Alabama Commercial Contractors exam information here.

Is continuing education required in the state of Alabama?

Continued education is not required, although it can be beneficial in many cases.

What is the difference between a general contractor's license and a home builder's license?

In the state of Alabama, a General Contractor’s license is required for:

  • The building of public and commercial properties in which the total cost of materials and labor exceeds $50,000
  • And/or the building of a swimming pool that costs over $5,000

A Home Builder’s license is for actively remodeling, constructing, repairing, or improving a residential home or building. If the cost of labor and materials is over $10,000, a license is necessary.

How old do I need to be to get a Contractor's license?

In Alabama, there is technically no age limit requirement in the statute. However, according to the Board’s rules, anyone holding a license must be old enough to enter a contract. In Alabama, that means you must be the age of 19.

What if I fail the exam even after the prep course?

We have a no-fail guarantee at the Contractor Training Center. If you do not pass on your first attempt, send us your pass/fail report from the testing center. This allows us to create a focused study plan for your next exam attempt. We will give you additional live class instruction at no extra cost and work with you to help you pass the exam.

Can I build homes with a General Contractor's license?

If you are only just now obtaining a general contractor’s license, the answer is no. Alabama law now requires a Home Builders license for the construction of residential homes and buildings.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule if your general contractor’s license is a certain number. The number indicates you have held it for many years. Please see the Alabama Board of General Contractors website for more details about the specific details and rules.

Contact Contractor Training Today

If you're ready to get started on obtaining your Alabama Contractor's License, get in touch with us today! At Contractor Training Center, we've compiled all the materials and resources you need to pass your licensing exam with flying colors. Call now!

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