Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor Book Package

Prepare for the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination with a focused collection of reference materials covering the major technical subjects found on the trade exam. The Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor Book Package brings together resources for earthwork, surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, underground utility notification, excavation, heavy equipment, stormwater systems, and construction safety.

This book package is designed for contractors and tradespeople preparing for the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination administered by PSI as part of the Alabama contractor licensing process. The exam requires knowledge across several areas of civil and site construction, so effective preparation involves understanding both practical trade concepts and how to find information efficiently in technical references.

Drainage and culvert work can involve excavation, grading, soil conditions, concrete construction, pipe installation, stormwater management, underground utility awareness, and the safe use of heavy equipment. The references in this package support those knowledge areas with material covering excavation practices, concrete mixtures, stormwater system design, federal construction safety requirements, and Alabama underground utility notification requirements.

Because this examination is open book, preparation should include more than simply reading the references. Candidates should become familiar with each book's table of contents, index, chapter structure, terminology, diagrams, tables, and major subject divisions. Knowing which reference is most likely to contain the answer to a particular type of question can save valuable time during the examination.

The Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor Book Package provides a practical foundation for building that familiarity. Candidates can organize their study around the official exam content outline and use the books to reinforce knowledge of earthwork, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, Alabama 1Call requirements, equipment operation, excavation, and workplace safety.

Exam Details

The Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination consists of 30 questions. Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70%, or 21 correct answers. The examination allows 75 minutes for completion.

The official content outline divides the examination into the following subject areas:

• Earthwork/Surveying: 8 questions
• Concrete: 5 questions
• Curbs and Gutters: 5 questions
• Culverts: 3 questions
• One Call: 5 questions
• Heavy Equipment/Safety: 4 questions

Earthwork and surveying represents the largest portion of the examination, accounting for eight of the 30 questions. Candidates should devote significant preparation time to excavation, grading, site layout concepts, elevations, slopes, measurements, soil and trench considerations, and other earthwork-related subjects connected with drainage and culvert construction.

Concrete, curbs and gutters, and Alabama One Call requirements also make up substantial portions of the test. Candidates should develop a balanced study plan that gives attention to every section of the outline instead of concentrating exclusively on one technical area.

The official examination bulletin also notes that questions may be based on trade knowledge or general industry practices in addition to the listed references. Preparation should therefore combine book navigation with an understanding of practical drainage, excavation, concrete, culvert, safety, and sitework concepts.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination is an open-book test. The approved reference materials are allowed in the examination center, but they are not provided at the testing location. Candidates are responsible for bringing the permitted references they plan to use.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. They must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers. Permanent tabs may be used to organize and index the books. Temporary tabs, including Post-It-style notes, are not permitted and must be removed before the examination begins.

Candidates may also use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center.

An open-book format makes efficient reference navigation especially important. With 30 questions and 75 minutes available, candidates have an average of approximately two and a half minutes per question. Spending several minutes searching broadly through an unfamiliar reference can quickly reduce the time available for the remaining questions.

A better study strategy is to become familiar with each reference before test day. Learn which book addresses excavation, which material covers concrete, where underground utility requirements are located, and which reference is most useful for stormwater and safety questions. Practice finding key topics through indexes and tables of contents instead of relying on page-by-page searching.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor trade examination is part of the contractor licensing process regulated by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The Board determines whether an applicant is eligible to take the required examination, while PSI administers the testing program.

1. Select the appropriate Alabama contractor license application. Applicants begin with the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors and choose the application that applies to the type of contractor license being requested.
2. Complete the application. Applicants must provide the information and supporting materials required for their license type and classification.
3. Submit the application to the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The Board reviews contractor applications and determines examination eligibility.
4. Receive examination eligibility. Applicants approved to proceed with testing can register for the required examinations through PSI.
5. Register and schedule with PSI. Candidates use PSI's Alabama construction testing program to arrange an examination appointment.
6. Prepare for the Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination. Study the official content outline and become familiar with the permitted reference books before the scheduled test date.
7. Take the required examination. Candidates must follow PSI identification, security, calculator, and reference-material requirements at the examination center.
8. Complete the remaining licensing process. Passing the trade examination is one component of contractor licensing and does not by itself issue an Alabama contractor license.

Alabama requires applicants subject to the state's examination requirements to complete the applicable trade examination as well as the Business and Law examination. Candidates should follow the instructions associated with their specific application and classification throughout the licensing process.

State Requirements

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates general contractor licensing in the state. Under current Alabama law, the general contractor licensing threshold generally applies to covered projects where the cost of the undertaking, including labor and materials, is $100,000 or more. A contractor should evaluate the applicable licensing classification and project scope before bidding or performing work that falls within the state's licensing requirements.

The Board determines examination eligibility. The current Alabama construction testing program states that examination eligibility is valid for one year from the date the application is received by the state. During that eligibility period, candidates may retake an examination as permitted by the testing program. An applicant who does not satisfy the examination requirement within the eligibility period must follow the state's procedures for continuing or renewing the application process.

Applicants should also distinguish between the state's licensing function and PSI's testing function. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors handles licensing and examination eligibility, while PSI handles examination registration, scheduling, administration, and score reporting.

Prime contractor applicants and subcontractor applicants follow different application requirements and should use the application that corresponds to the work they intend to perform. Contractors should review the classification requested on the application to make sure it accurately reflects their intended scope of work.

Reference Books

• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
  This Alabama underground utility reference supports preparation for the One Call portion of the examination. It addresses responsibilities connected with underground utility notification and safe excavation practices before digging begins.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This Portland Cement Association reference provides extensive information on concrete materials, proportioning, properties, production, placement, durability, and performance. It supports preparation for concrete-related questions encountered on the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination. The PSI reference list identifies the 16th Edition; the examination bulletin allows later editions of non-code references as they become available.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction safety reference addresses OSHA requirements applicable to construction work. It is especially relevant to excavation, trenching, protective systems, personal safety, equipment, workplace hazards, and other safety subjects associated with drainage and culvert construction.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This trade reference by Dave Roberts covers practical subjects associated with excavation and underground pipe work. It supports preparation involving excavation procedures, earthwork, pipe installation, site conditions, equipment, estimating concepts, and field practices relevant to drainage construction.
• Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems, 1992
  This American Society of Civil Engineers reference addresses the planning, design, and construction of urban stormwater management systems. It supports study of drainage principles, stormwater infrastructure, conveyance systems, and technical concepts relevant to drainage and culvert work.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following reference materials are identified for use during the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor open-book examination:

• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
  Used for Alabama One Call and underground utility notification subjects.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Used for federal construction safety and excavation-related requirements.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
  The official PSI list identifies the 16th Edition and permits later editions of non-code references as they become available.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Used for excavation, pipe installation, earthwork, and related construction practices.
• Design and Construction of Urban Storm Water Management Systems, 1992
  Used for drainage and stormwater management system concepts.

These references will not be supplied by the examination center. Candidates intending to use them must bring their own permitted copies and ensure they comply with PSI's reference-material rules.

Test Information and Study Materials

A focused preparation plan should follow the official Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor content outline. Using the number of questions in each category can help candidates decide how to distribute their study time while still reviewing every tested subject.

Earthwork/Surveying accounts for eight questions, making it the largest single category. Candidates should review excavation terminology, grading, elevations, slopes, measurements, soil considerations, site preparation, trench work, and practical surveying concepts associated with drainage construction. Pipe and Excavation Contracting is particularly useful for understanding field-oriented excavation and underground construction practices.

Concrete accounts for five questions. Candidates should become comfortable with subjects involving concrete materials, mixture properties, proportioning, placement, curing, durability, and other concrete fundamentals. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures provides detailed technical coverage that can be used both for studying and for locating information during the open-book exam.

Curbs and Gutters also accounts for five questions. Review how concrete, grading, drainage, slopes, elevations, placement practices, and site conditions relate to curb-and-gutter construction. Understanding the purpose of these systems within overall surface drainage can help connect concrete knowledge with practical drainage applications.

Culverts accounts for three questions. Study culvert function, installation concepts, drainage flow, excavation, bedding and backfill considerations, and the relationship between culverts and surrounding site conditions. Candidates should be comfortable using excavation and stormwater references when researching culvert-related questions.

One Call accounts for five questions, making Alabama underground utility notification requirements an important portion of the test. Review the Alabama 1Call material carefully and become familiar with the responsibilities associated with excavation around underground facilities. Because this category is based on Alabama-specific requirements, candidates should know how to locate important provisions quickly.

Heavy Equipment/Safety accounts for four questions. Review construction safety requirements that apply to excavation operations, equipment, trenches, protective systems, access, jobsite conditions, and worker protection. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 is a key reference for this portion of the examination.

During preparation, practice matching a question topic with the correct reference. If a question concerns excavation safety, candidates should immediately think of the OSHA construction regulations. If it concerns concrete properties, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures should be a primary resource. For underground utility notification, Alabama 1Call should be the natural starting point. Building these associations can reduce search time during the exam.

It is also helpful to practice timed reference searches. Select terms related to each exam category and locate them using the book's index or table of contents. The objective is not to memorize every page number but to understand how each reference is organized and how technical subjects are described within it.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Alabama contractor candidates organize their preparation around the subjects that matter for their trade examination. For the Drainage and Culvert Contractor exam, that means developing a structured approach to earthwork, surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, underground utility notification, heavy equipment, excavation, and safety.

Open-book testing requires a combination of trade knowledge and strong reference-navigation skills. 1 Exam Prep encourages students to become familiar with how their books are organized before test day, including the indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, technical tables, illustrations, and subject terminology that can help locate answers efficiently.

Practice-oriented study can also help candidates identify areas that need additional attention. If concrete questions consistently cause difficulty, additional time can be spent in Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures. If excavation or earthwork concepts are weaker, Pipe and Excavation Contracting can become a larger part of the study schedule. OSHA and Alabama 1Call material can be reviewed specifically for safety and utility-notification questions.

A structured study plan helps turn a group of technical references into practical exam-preparation tools. By combining trade-focused review, practice questions, book navigation, and timed study sessions, candidates can approach the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination with stronger familiarity and greater confidence.

What books are included in the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor Book Package?

The package includes Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition, Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), Pipe and Excavation Contracting, and Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems, 1992.

How many questions are on the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor exam?

The examination contains 30 questions. A minimum score of 70%, equivalent to 21 correct answers, is required.

How much time is allowed for the exam?

Candidates have 75 minutes to complete the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination.

Is the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, and the approved reference materials may be used in the examination center when they comply with PSI's testing rules.

Are the reference books provided at the testing center?

No. The examination center does not provide the reference materials. Candidates must bring the permitted books they want to use during the examination.

Can I highlight and tab my books?

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are permitted. Temporary tabs such as Post-It notes are not allowed, and books cannot contain additional loose or attached papers.

What subjects are tested on the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination?

The examination covers earthwork and surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, Alabama One Call requirements, and heavy equipment and safety.

What is the largest section of the exam?

Earthwork and surveying is the largest section with eight questions. Concrete, curbs and gutters, and One Call each contain five questions, while heavy equipment and safety contains four questions and culverts contains three questions.

Can I use the 17th Edition of Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures?

The PSI examination reference list identifies the 16th Edition of Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures. PSI also states that, except for code books, candidates may base their answers on later editions of listed references as they become available. The 17th Edition is a later edition of this non-code reference.

Does passing the trade exam automatically issue an Alabama contractor license?

No. Passing the Alabama Drainage and Culvert Contractor examination satisfies an examination component of the licensing process. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines licensing eligibility and issuance, and applicants must complete the other applicable state requirements.

Do Alabama contractor applicants also take a Business and Law exam?

Applicants subject to Alabama's contractor examination requirements are required to take the applicable trade examination as well as the Business and Law examination. Candidates should follow the testing instructions associated with their approved classification.