Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor Exam Book Package

The Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor Exam Book Package brings together a broad collection of technical references for contractors preparing for the Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor examination administered by PSI. This package is designed for professionals working with underground utilities, municipal infrastructure, fuel distribution, electrical power distribution, water and sewer systems, excavation, tunneling, concrete, welding, erosion control, swimming pools, and related public works construction.

The Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor exam is one of the broader contractor trade examinations in the state. Candidates are expected to prepare across multiple disciplines rather than focusing on a single construction specialty. The published exam outline includes excavation and grading, electrical power distribution, fuel distribution, swimming pools, concrete and reinforcement, shotcrete and gunite, water and sewer piping, communication systems, boring and tunneling, erosion and sedimentation control, safety, Alabama One Call requirements, and welding.

This package includes references covering OSHA construction safety, aboveground motor-fuel systems, fuel-dispensing equipment, gas transmission and distribution piping, electrical utility safety, line and cable work, ductile iron pipe installation, concrete pipe and box culverts, excavation contracting, tunneling, precast concrete erection, welding, concrete mixtures, shotcrete, stormwater management, underground utility locating requirements, and pool and spa operations.

Because the Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor examination is open book, candidates benefit from preparing directly with the references connected to the exam. The test is lengthy and covers many different construction systems, so knowing which book contains a particular subject can help candidates navigate questions more efficiently.

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees the licensing process, while PSI administers the applicable examinations. Candidates must satisfy the Board's application and classification requirements and complete the required trade and Business and Law examinations applicable to their contractor license path.

What You Get

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Recommended Practices for Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems for Motor-Vehicle Fueling (RP200), 2013
• Recommended Procedure for Testing Electrical Continuity of Fuel-Dispensing Hanging Hardware (RP400), 2002
• ASME Code for Pressure Piping - B31.8 - Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 2014
• National Electrical Safety Code, 2017
• Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook
• Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Jacked Tunnel Design and Construction, 1999
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products
• Modern Welding, 2013
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Steven H. Kosmatka, William C. Panarese, 17th Edition
• Guide to Shotcrete, 2016 or 2022
• Storm Water Management for Construction Activities, 1992
• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
• Pool and Spa Operator Handbook

The package is designed to support preparation across the complete range of municipal and utility construction subjects represented on the examination. Candidates can use the references to reinforce practical knowledge while developing the book-navigation habits needed for a timed open-book test.

Exam Details

The Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor examination is administered by PSI for applicants pursuing the applicable classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

• Exam: Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 90
• Time Allowed: 220 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%, or 63 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The current examination outline includes 6 questions in Excavation and Grading, 10 in Electrical Power Distribution, 12 in Fuel Distribution, 4 in Swimming Pools, 12 in Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement, 4 in Shotcrete and Gunite, 15 in Water and Sewer Piping, 5 in Communication Systems, 4 in Boring and Tunneling, 2 in Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 8 in Safety, 2 in One Call, and 6 in Welding.

Water and Sewer Piping is the largest individual category with 15 questions. Fuel Distribution and Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement each contain 12 questions, while Electrical Power Distribution contains 10 questions. These categories make up a substantial portion of the exam and deserve significant study attention.

The remaining content areas are also important because the examination covers a wide range of municipal infrastructure. Candidates should be prepared to move between underground utility work, electrical distribution, fuel piping, concrete systems, boring, tunneling, welding, safety, stormwater, and utility locating requirements.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor examination is an open book test. PSI allows candidates to use approved reference materials in the examination center according to its reference-material rules.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are permitted. The books must otherwise remain unmarked and cannot contain handwritten notes or additional papers, whether loose or attached. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not permitted.

The references are not supplied at the testing center. Candidates are responsible for bringing the permitted books they plan to use during the examination.

With 90 questions and 220 minutes available, candidates have a little under two and a half minutes per question on average. Some questions can be answered directly from trade knowledge, while others may require locating a technical provision, table, installation requirement, safety rule, or procedure in one of the references.

Because the exam uses many books, efficient reference selection is important. Candidates should learn to recognize which source is most likely to contain the answer before opening a book. For example, safety questions may direct you to OSHA, gas distribution questions to ASME B31.8, electrical utility questions to the National Electrical Safety Code or Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook, and underground piping questions to the ductile iron, concrete pipe, or excavation references.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates general contractor licensing in the state. Candidates pursuing the Municipal and Utility classification must complete the applicable licensing and examination process before a license is issued.

1. Determine the correct classification. Applicants should identify the Alabama contractor classification that matches the municipal and utility work they intend to perform.
2. Select the appropriate application. Alabama maintains separate application processes for prime contractors and subcontractors.
3. Complete the licensing application. Applicants must provide the information and documentation required by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
4. Document qualifying experience. The Board evaluates experience and project history when determining eligibility for requested classifications.
5. Submit required references and supporting information. Applicants must follow the requirements associated with the application type being used.
6. Receive examination eligibility. The Board determines whether the candidate is approved to proceed with testing.
7. Schedule the Municipal and Utility Contractor exam through PSI. Approved candidates can register for the applicable trade examination.
8. Pass the trade exam. The examination contains 90 questions and requires a minimum score of 70%.
9. Complete the Business and Law examination. Alabama requires applicants subject to the contractor examination process to complete both the applicable trade examination and Business and Law.
10. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines final license approval after all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

State Requirements

Alabama's general contractor licensing law applies to covered construction undertakings where the total cost of the project, including labor and materials, is $100,000 or more. The $100,000 threshold became effective October 1, 2024.

Subcontractors performing covered work at the applicable statutory threshold are also subject to Alabama contractor licensing requirements. Prime contractors and subcontractors follow separate application processes, so candidates should use the application type that matches the role in which they intend to perform contracting work.

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines classification eligibility and licensing approval. PSI administers the required examinations after the candidate receives the appropriate testing eligibility.

Current Alabama testing rules require applicants subject to examination to complete the applicable Trade exam as well as the Business and Law examination. Municipal and Utility candidates should prepare for the technical trade examination as one part of the broader contractor licensing process.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Provides federal construction safety requirements covering excavation, personal protective equipment, electrical hazards, equipment, fall protection, material handling, and other jobsite safety topics.
• Recommended Practices for Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems for Motor-Vehicle Fueling (RP200), 2013
  Addresses recommended practices associated with aboveground storage systems used for motor-vehicle fueling installations.
• Recommended Procedure for Testing Electrical Continuity of Fuel-Dispensing Hanging Hardware (RP400), 2002
  Provides procedures related to electrical continuity testing of fuel-dispensing hanging hardware.
• ASME Code for Pressure Piping - B31.8 - Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 2014
  Addresses requirements associated with gas transmission and distribution piping systems and supports preparation for fuel-distribution topics.
• National Electrical Safety Code, 2017
  Provides safety requirements related to electric supply and communication systems and supports electrical power distribution preparation.
• Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook
  Provides trade information related to electric utility line and cable work, equipment, methods, and power distribution systems.
• Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe
  Provides installation guidance for ductile iron piping used in water and utility infrastructure projects.
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation
  Supports preparation involving concrete pipe, culvert systems, placement, bedding, and installation practices.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Provides practical information related to excavation, underground utilities, pipe installation, trenching, and associated contracting methods.
• Jacked Tunnel Design and Construction, 1999
  Addresses design and construction concepts used for jacked tunnels and supports preparation for boring and tunneling topics.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products
  Provides erection guidance for precast concrete products used in infrastructure and construction applications.
• Modern Welding, 2013
  Provides instruction in welding processes, equipment, terminology, materials, techniques, and safety applicable to the Welding section of the examination.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Steven H. Kosmatka, William C. Panarese, 17th Edition
  Supports study of concrete materials, mixture design, production, placement, performance, and quality considerations.
• Guide to Shotcrete, 2016 or 2022
  Addresses shotcrete materials, application, equipment, quality, and construction practices relevant to the Shotcrete and Gunite portion of the exam.
• Storm Water Management for Construction Activities, 1992
  Provides guidance for controlling stormwater impacts, erosion, sedimentation, and construction-site runoff.
• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
  Supports preparation related to Alabama underground utility notification and One Call requirements before excavation.
• Pool and Spa Operator Handbook
  Provides operational and technical information associated with swimming pools and spas and supports preparation for the swimming pool portion of the examination.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive study plan should follow the published content outline and prioritize the highest-weighted categories. Water and Sewer Piping, Fuel Distribution, Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement, and Electrical Power Distribution together account for more than half of the examination.

For water and sewer preparation, work with the ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, excavation, and related utility references. Focus on installation practices, trenching, bedding, pipe systems, and construction methods that support municipal infrastructure.

Fuel Distribution preparation should include ASME B31.8 and the petroleum equipment references. Candidates should understand how gas and motor-fuel systems differ from other utility piping systems and know which source supports each type of question.

Concrete preparation should cover mixtures, reinforcement, precast products, concrete pipe, and shotcrete. These subjects appear across several exam categories, making familiarity with the concrete references particularly valuable.

Safety deserves consistent attention. OSHA accounts for 8 questions and also supports safe practices across excavation, electrical work, welding, equipment operation, and utility construction.

Practice reference navigation under timed conditions. Choose a subject, identify the appropriate book, locate the information, and repeat the process until major sections become familiar. With a reference library this large, the ability to choose the right book quickly is an important preparation skill.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and confidence-building study structure.

The Municipal and Utility exam covers many different construction disciplines, so preparation should be organized around the published exam categories rather than simply reading each reference from beginning to end. Candidates can focus on high-value topics such as water and sewer piping, fuel distribution, electrical power distribution, concrete, safety, excavation, and welding while still reviewing the smaller content areas.

Reference navigation is especially important for this exam because of the large number of approved books. 1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to learn which reference applies to each major subject, practice locating technical information, and develop a consistent method for moving between books during open-book study.

Practice-oriented preparation can also identify weak areas. A contractor experienced in water and sewer work may need additional review of electrical power distribution or welding, while another candidate may be strong in concrete but less familiar with fuel systems or tunneling. Organizing study by subject makes it easier to direct preparation where it is needed most.

The Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor Exam Book Package provides a broad technical library designed to support study across the full examination outline and help candidates develop stronger reference-navigation skills for the PSI open-book exam.

How many questions are on the Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor exam?

The examination contains 90 questions. Candidates are allowed 220 minutes to complete the test.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 70%, which equals 63 correct answers out of 90 questions.

Is the Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, and candidates may use approved reference materials under PSI's examination rules.

What subjects are covered on the exam?

The examination covers Excavation and Grading, Electrical Power Distribution, Fuel Distribution, Swimming Pools, Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement, Shotcrete and Gunite, Water and Sewer Piping, Communication Systems, Boring and Tunneling, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Safety, One Call, and Welding.

Which exam subject has the most questions?

Water and Sewer Piping is the largest individual category with 15 questions. Fuel Distribution and Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement each contain 12 questions.

Can the reference books be highlighted and tabbed?

PSI permits approved references to be highlighted, underlined, indexed, and fitted with permanent tabs. Books must otherwise remain unmarked, and temporary tabs are not allowed.

Does PSI provide the books at the testing center?

No. Candidates are responsible for bringing the approved reference materials they intend to use during the examination.

Who administers the Alabama Municipal and Utility Contractor exam?

PSI administers the examination. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees contractor licensing and determines examination eligibility.

Do I also need to complete the Alabama Business and Law exam?

Applicants subject to Alabama's contractor testing requirements must complete the applicable trade exam as well as the Business and Law examination.

Why should I prepare with the actual reference books?

Working with the references helps candidates learn where technical requirements, safety rules, installation procedures, tables, and trade information are located. That familiarity can support more efficient navigation during the timed open-book examination.