Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories - Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination with a comprehensive collection of construction reference books organized for efficient exam-day navigation. This Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package brings together the major code books, trade references, safety materials, and construction manuals used to support preparation for the BCU4 trade examination.

The Building Contractor Under Four Stories exam covers a broad range of construction knowledge. Candidates are expected to work with information involving sitework, foundations, concrete, structural components, masonry, carpentry, roofing, building codes, associated trades, and OSHA safety. Because the examination is open book, knowing where information is located can be just as important as understanding the construction concepts behind the questions.

This package is designed around that challenge. The books are highlighted and tabbed to help reduce the amount of time spent searching through hundreds of pages during study sessions and while working through exam questions. Permanent tabs can make important chapters, tables, subjects, and code sections easier to locate, while highlighting can help direct attention to useful material throughout the references.

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination is administered through PSI for candidates pursuing the applicable classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The current examination contains 90 questions, requires a minimum score of 70%, and provides 230 minutes of testing time. The broad scope makes familiarity with the reference library an important part of exam preparation.

This book package includes the construction references listed below, including the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, OSHA construction regulations, concrete and masonry standards, carpentry references, structural steel resources, excavation information, and other trade-focused materials.

Please allow up to 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

Exam Details

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories trade examination is a 90-question examination with a minimum passing score of 70%, which equals 63 correct answers. Candidates are allowed 230 minutes to complete the examination.

The official exam content outline divides the examination into multiple areas of construction knowledge:

• Sitework, Footings and Foundation: 8 questions
• Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement: 8 questions
• Metals: 5 questions
• Masonry: 6 questions
• Carpentry: 16 questions
• Roofing: 10 questions
• General Code and Construction Knowledge: 20 questions
• Associated Trades: 10 questions
• OSHA Safety: 7 questions

The content outline demonstrates why candidates need to prepare across several different construction disciplines rather than concentrating on a single code book. Carpentry and general code and construction knowledge represent substantial portions of the exam, while concrete, sitework, roofing, masonry, metals, safety, and associated trades are also tested.

Successful preparation should include both construction knowledge and reference-navigation practice. Candidates should become comfortable identifying which book is likely to contain an answer, locating the appropriate chapter or section, and interpreting the information under examination time constraints.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination is an open book test. Candidates may bring permitted reference materials into the examination center, subject to PSI examination rules.

PSI permits reference materials to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. References may also be tabbed or indexed using permanent tabs. Temporary tabs such as Post-It notes are not permitted and must be removed before the examination begins. Books must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers.

The examination center does not provide the reference books, so candidates who plan to use permitted references are responsible for bringing their own materials. A highlighted and permanently tabbed reference library can help candidates move between subjects more efficiently instead of beginning the exam with completely unorganized books.

Because this is a timed open-book examination, preparation should not consist of simply owning the books. Candidates should practice using them. Learn the major sections, become familiar with the indexes and tables of contents, understand what subjects are covered by each reference, and practice finding answers without reading large sections from beginning to end.

For non-code references, PSI states that candidates may use later editions as they become available, but candidates using editions that differ from those used to develop the examination accept the risk of differences in the material. Code questions are based on the specific code editions identified for the examination.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination is part of the licensing process administered by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. Applicants seeking a prime contractor license should follow the Board's current application and qualification procedures.

1. Select the appropriate classification. Applicants seeking Building Construction Under Four Stories should request the BCU4 classification and provide the required experience documentation for the classification.
2. Complete the Alabama prime contractor application. The application must be completed and submitted to the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors with the required supporting information.
3. Provide required experience documentation. The Board's application requires work and project references documenting qualifying experience for the requested classification.
4. Submit the required financial and licensing documentation. Prime contractor applicants must satisfy the Board's applicable financial statement, insurance, and other application requirements.
5. Obtain examination eligibility. The Board determines eligibility for the contractor examinations. PSI administers the examinations once the applicant is eligible.
6. Complete the required examinations. Alabama prime contractor applicants are required to take the Business and Law examination, and applicants may also be required to complete the applicable trade examination for the requested classification.
7. Complete the remaining Board requirements. Licensing is issued through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors after the applicable qualification, examination, and licensing requirements have been satisfied.

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors requires a prime contractor application to be on file at least 30 days before a Board meeting. Board meetings are held quarterly. Candidates should account for the application process when planning their study and examination schedule.

State Requirements

Alabama regulates general contractors through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. Under current Alabama law, the general contractor licensing threshold applies to covered construction undertakings costing $100,000 or more.

The Building Construction Under Four Stories classification, commonly identified as BCU4, includes construction of building structures and modifications that do not exceed three stories in height and where the roof structure or component does not exceed 50 feet in height. The classification includes excavation and foundations associated with qualifying buildings and work incidental to that construction.

The classification also includes interior nonstructural alterations and repairs to existing buildings exceeding three stories in height. Alabama's classification rules additionally address qualifying BCU4 work on projects exceeding three stories when performed under the direction and supervision of a general contractor or construction manager licensed in Building Construction.

Applicants requesting a classification are expected to document appropriate work experience. The Board's prime contractor application requires project references and identifies a minimum of three completed projects for each requested classification as part of demonstrating qualifying experience.

Prime contractor applicants must also satisfy the Board's applicable financial requirements and provide proof of liability insurance. The maximum bid limit associated with an Alabama general contractor license is determined through the Board's financial qualification process.

Reference Books

The Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package includes the following references:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Federal construction safety regulations covering workplace safety requirements relevant to construction operations and the OSHA safety portion of the examination.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  A trade reference addressing recommended practices for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  A broad carpentry and construction reference covering building methods, framing concepts, materials, layout, and practical construction knowledge.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  A concrete construction reference addressing quality practices, materials, placement, workmanship, and construction considerations encountered in concrete work.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  A detailed masonry reference covering brick, concrete masonry units, stone construction, materials, methods, terminology, and masonry practices.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  A reference covering gypsum construction systems, assemblies, products, installation practices, and related building applications.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  A specialized structural steel reference addressing proper handling and erection practices for steel joists and joist girders.
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2021
  The 2021 residential code covering requirements applicable to one- and two-family dwellings, including building construction, structural provisions, means of egress, and related residential requirements.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A practical construction reference addressing excavation, trenching, underground work, piping operations, site conditions, and related contracting practices.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  A specialized reference covering construction practices involving steel deck, including handling, installation, placement, and related field considerations.
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2018
  The 2018 energy code addressing energy-efficiency requirements for buildings and construction systems.
• International Building Code, 2021
  A major commercial building code reference covering building classification, construction types, fire and life safety, structural requirements, means of egress, and other general building provisions.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  A technical masonry standard addressing structural masonry design, construction requirements, specifications, and related commentary.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  A structural concrete standard covering requirements for concrete construction, reinforcement, structural components, design provisions, and related commentary.

Having the references together allows candidates to build a consistent study routine around the same types of materials they may need to navigate during the examination. The highlighted and tabbed format is especially useful for practicing rapid information retrieval while studying.

Test Information and Study Materials

The BCU4 examination covers enough material that a structured study plan is more effective than attempting to memorize individual answers. Start by learning the exam content categories and connecting each category with the reference books most likely to address it.

For example, concrete questions may require familiarity with concrete construction practices and structural concrete requirements. Masonry questions may involve practical masonry methods as well as structural masonry standards. Carpentry questions can require fast navigation through framing and building-construction material, while general code questions may require locating information in the International Building Code, International Residential Code, or energy code.

OSHA questions should be approached with the same reference-navigation strategy. Become familiar with the organization of 29 CFR Part 1926 and practice locating construction safety requirements by topic rather than trying to memorize the entire regulation.

Timed practice is particularly valuable. With 90 questions and 230 minutes available, candidates need to manage both knowledge-based questions and questions that require research in the books. Spending too much time searching one reference can reduce the time available for the rest of the examination.

Use the tabs as navigation tools, but also learn what each tab represents. During study sessions, repeatedly locate key subjects until moving between the references becomes familiar. The goal is to develop a working relationship with the books so that the reference library functions as an organized resource instead of a stack of unfamiliar manuals.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractor candidates turn a large reference library into a more organized preparation system. Highlighted and tabbed books can make it easier to identify important information, navigate major subjects, and practice locating answers under realistic time pressure.

Trade examinations such as Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories require more than general construction experience. Experienced contractors may understand how work is performed in the field but still need practice finding the specific code provision, table, safety requirement, or reference passage that a licensing examination is testing.

1 Exam Prep supports that preparation through trade-focused organization, reference navigation, practice-oriented study, and a structured approach to exam readiness. The objective is to help candidates spend their study time learning how the examination is organized, reviewing the major construction topics, and becoming more confident using their references.

Highlighted and tabbed references can also make independent study more manageable. Instead of beginning with completely unorganized books, candidates can focus on learning the material and developing faster navigation habits. Combined with consistent review and practice, this approach helps build the familiarity needed for a timed, open-book contractor examination.

Is the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories exam open book?

Yes. PSI identifies the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination as an open-book examination. Permitted reference materials may be brought into the examination center subject to PSI's book and security rules.

How many questions are on the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories exam?

The examination contains 90 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, or 63 correct answers.

How much time is allowed for the BCU4 exam?

Candidates are allowed 230 minutes to complete the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories examination.

Can books be highlighted and tabbed for the exam?

Yes. PSI permits approved reference materials to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Books may use permanent tabs. Temporary tabs such as Post-It notes are not permitted, and the references must otherwise be unmarked without additional loose or attached papers.

Are reference books provided at the PSI testing center?

No. PSI states that the references are not provided at the examination center. Candidates who intend to use permitted books must bring their own references.

What subjects should I study for the Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories exam?

The official content outline covers sitework, footings and foundations, concrete and concrete reinforcement, metals, masonry, carpentry, roofing, general code and construction knowledge, associated trades, and OSHA safety.

What does the Alabama BCU4 classification cover?

The Alabama Building Construction Under Four Stories classification covers qualifying building construction and modifications that do not exceed three stories in height, along with applicable excavation, foundation work, and incidental construction. Alabama's classification rules also contain provisions addressing interior nonstructural work in taller buildings and certain work performed under appropriate Building Construction supervision.

How long does a highlighted and tabbed book package take to process?

Please allow up to 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders.