Alabama NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Complete Book Set - Highlighted & Tabbed

Prepare for the Alabama Business and Law examination and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors with a complete set of highlighted and tabbed reference books. This package brings together the Alabama business book and the technical references used to study commercial construction, project management, safety, building codes, accessibility, concrete, masonry, structural systems, roofing, excavation, carpentry, mechanical systems, and electrical systems.

The Alabama NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Complete Book Set is designed for candidates who want an organized reference library for both the state business examination and the NASCLA trade examination. Instead of beginning with unprepared books, candidates receive a complete package with highlighting and permanent tabs that support more efficient studying and faster reference navigation.

Open-book contractor examinations require more than access to the correct publications. Candidates must understand which book applies to each subject, how the reference is organized, and where important chapters, definitions, tables, code provisions, and technical requirements are located. Highlighted and tabbed books help create a practical navigation system that candidates can use during study sessions and permitted open-book testing.

The Alabama NASCLA Business Book supports preparation for the Alabama Business and Law examination. The remaining publications cover the wide range of construction subjects associated with the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination, including jobsite management, project management, structural concrete, wood trusses, precast concrete, post-tensioning, steel deck, excavation, gypsum construction, reinforcing steel, steel joists, masonry, commercial construction methods, OSHA requirements, carpentry, accessibility, roofing, quality concrete, green building, building codes, stormwater planning, exterior insulation systems, and building systems coordination.

Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders. This preparation period allows the complete set to be assembled, inspected, highlighted, tabbed, and organized before shipment.

Exam Details

This complete book package supports preparation for two parts of the Alabama commercial general contractor examination process: the Alabama Business and Law examination and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.

The Alabama Business and Law examination focuses on the legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities involved in operating a contracting business. Candidates should be prepared to review licensing requirements, business organization, financial management, contracts, estimating, bidding, insurance, bonding, employment responsibilities, project administration, safety, and other business subjects contained in the Alabama NASCLA Business Book.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination covers broad technical knowledge used in commercial building construction. The examination reference library addresses project planning, site operations, safety, codes, accessibility, concrete, reinforcing steel, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, exterior systems, mechanical systems, electrical systems, environmental responsibilities, and construction management.

The NASCLA examination is designed as a trade examination that may be accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies. Candidates who pass can transmit their results through the NASCLA National Examination Database. Passing the NASCLA examination does not automatically issue an Alabama contractor license. Applicants must still follow the application procedures and licensing requirements established by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Alabama prime contractor applicants must also complete the required Alabama Business and Law examination. Eligibility for the Alabama examination process is determined through the state licensing application, and the examination program is administered by PSI.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open-book examination. Candidates are responsible for obtaining and bringing permitted reference books to the testing location. The testing center does not provide the reference library.

Although candidates may consult approved books, the size of the reference set makes advance preparation essential. Searching through unfamiliar publications can consume valuable testing time. Candidates should learn which book is associated with each construction subject and practice locating information through indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, definitions, code sections, charts, and technical tables.

The highlighting and permanent tabs in this package are intended to support efficient navigation. Highlighting identifies useful information, while tabs provide quick access to major sections and commonly reviewed subject areas. Candidates should study with the same books they plan to use during the examination so the organization of the complete set becomes familiar.

All books brought into the testing room must comply with the current examination rules. Candidates should review the applicable candidate information bulletin before test day and avoid adding loose papers, removable notes, unauthorized inserts, or other prohibited materials.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the appropriate Alabama classification. The requested contractor classification should correspond with the commercial construction work the applicant intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying party. The business must designate the individual who will qualify the company for the requested classification.
3. Complete the Alabama license application. Applicants must provide the required business, ownership, qualifying-party, classification, and supporting information.
4. Submit the required financial documentation. The Alabama application process includes financial responsibility requirements that must be satisfied before licensing.
5. Receive examination eligibility. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines eligibility through the application process.
6. Pass the Alabama Business and Law examination. Alabama prime contractor applicants must complete the state-required business examination administered by PSI.
7. Apply for the NASCLA examination. Candidates must complete the NASCLA examination application and receive authorization before scheduling the trade exam.
8. Pass the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination. The examination may be used for the applicable technical trade requirement accepted by Alabama.
9. Transmit the NASCLA result. After passing, candidates can send an official transcript to the licensing agency through the NASCLA National Examination Database.
10. Complete the Alabama licensing review. The Board reviews the examination results, application, financial information, and other required documentation before issuing a license.

State Requirements

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates commercial general contracting activity in the state. Alabama licensing law applies to covered general contracting projects when the total cost of the undertaking, including labor and materials, meets the threshold established by state law.

The contractor license is issued by the Alabama Board rather than by NASCLA or PSI. NASCLA administers the accredited trade-examination program, while PSI administers the Alabama examination program. The state Board determines whether an applicant has met the requirements for licensure.

Applicants must submit the appropriate license application, identify a qualifying party, select the proper classification, provide required financial information, and complete the applicable examinations. Passing the NASCLA examination only addresses the accepted technical trade-examination component.

All Alabama prime contractor applicants must complete the Alabama Business and Law examination. The Alabama NASCLA Business Book included in this set is used to prepare for that state-specific examination.

Applications must be filed according to the Alabama Board’s review schedule. Candidates should submit complete and accurate forms with all required supporting materials. Missing documentation, incomplete financial information, or unresolved qualifying-party details can delay the review process.

Reference Books

• Alabama NASCLA Business Book
  Used for the Alabama Business and Law examination, this reference addresses contractor licensing, business organization, financial management, contracts, employment responsibilities, insurance, safety, and project administration.
• Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, jobsite planning, communication, documentation, safety, productivity, coordination, quality control, and daily construction operations.
• Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Reviews project organization, scheduling, estimating, contracts, cost control, communication, risk management, quality, and closeout.
• ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides requirements and commentary involving structural concrete materials, design, reinforcement, durability, construction, and inspection.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses recommended procedures for receiving, handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• NASCLA Contractors’ Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th Edition
  Explains contractor business practices, financial management, contracts, employment, insurance, risk, safety, and project-management responsibilities.
• Erectors’ Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Precast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Covers planning, handling, rigging, bracing, alignment, connections, field procedures, and safety during precast concrete erection.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 3rd Edition, 2003
  Reviews field practices for handling, placing, stressing, inspecting, and protecting unbonded post-tensioning systems.
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 3rd Edition, 2016
  Explains steel-deck receiving, storage, placement, fastening, construction loading, field modifications, and installation safety.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  Covers excavation, grading, trenching, underground utilities, pipe installation, equipment, estimating, production, and site safety.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition, 2014
  Provides information about gypsum products, wall and ceiling assemblies, fire-resistant systems, finishing, installation, and construction details.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars: Recommended Practices, 10th Edition
  Covers reinforcing-bar identification, placement, supports, splices, tolerances, detailing, handling, and field installation.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Provides guidance for receiving, storing, handling, placing, bridging, and erecting steel joists and joist girders.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Reviews masonry tools, materials, mortar, layout, brick, concrete block, stone, estimating, construction methods, and safety.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition, Cameron K. Andres and Ronald C. Smith
  Provides broad coverage of commercial construction materials, structural systems, building components, sequencing, and construction methods.
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926, with Latest Available Amendments
  Contains federal occupational safety and health requirements for construction work, equipment, excavation, scaffolding, fall protection, and jobsite operations.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 Student Edition, John L. Feirer and Mark D. Feirer
  Covers carpentry tools, construction materials, layout, foundations, floors, walls, roofs, interiors, and common building procedures.
• ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2017
  Provides technical accessibility criteria for routes, entrances, spaces, fixtures, controls, communication elements, and other building features.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson
  Reviews roofing materials, systems, installation methods, measurements, quantities, flashing, drainage, estimating, and project planning.
• The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition, 2018
  Explains concrete materials, preparation, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, testing, quality control, and problem prevention.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2nd Edition, 2011
  Introduces sustainable construction, energy efficiency, water conservation, building performance, materials, and indoor environmental quality.
• International Building Code, 2021 Edition
  Contains commercial building requirements involving occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, structures, and building systems.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites
  Explains stormwater planning, erosion and sediment control, pollution-prevention practices, inspections, documentation, and construction-site responsibilities.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems and EIFS with Drainage
  Provides requirements for exterior insulation and finish systems, including materials, installation, drainage, flashing, joints, and system performance.
• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition, 2023
  Covers mechanical, plumbing, fire-protection, electrical, lighting, communication, and building-control systems coordinated by construction managers.

Test Information and Study Materials

A complete book set is most valuable when candidates build a repeatable method for locating information. Begin by grouping the references into business and law, management, safety, codes, accessibility, site work, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, exterior systems, and mechanical and electrical systems.

Use the Alabama NASCLA Business Book for state Business and Law preparation. Review the organization of the book and practice locating licensing, contracts, finance, insurance, employment, safety, and project-administration information through the index and chapter headings.

For trade preparation, identify the primary reference for each technical subject. Concrete questions may require ACI 318, the quality concrete guide, or the reinforcing-bar publication. Structural questions may involve the books covering trusses, precast concrete, post-tensioning, steel joists, or steel deck. Code and accessibility questions may require the International Building Code or ICC A117.1.

Timed practice is an important part of open-book preparation. Read a practice question, identify the subject, choose the most appropriate reference, use the tabs or index, and locate the supporting information. Repeating this process develops familiarity with the complete set and helps reduce unnecessary searching during the examination.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates approach a large contractor examination library with an organized study structure. Highlighted and tabbed books reduce the initial setup work and create a more practical system for locating important reference material.

The prepared book set supports trade-focused review across the major construction subjects addressed by the NASCLA examination. Candidates can study project management, safety, concrete, masonry, structural systems, carpentry, roofing, accessibility, environmental requirements, and building systems using the listed publications.

Reference-navigation practice helps students learn which book applies to a question and how to move efficiently through indexes, chapters, code provisions, and technical tables. This preparation is especially important for an open-book examination with a large reference library.

Organized study guidance can also make it easier to balance examination preparation with current projects, employment, and business responsibilities. Dividing the library into manageable subject areas gives candidates a clearer way to plan study sessions and measure progress.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee a passing examination score, licensing approval, or a specific outcome. The prepared reference set provides a practical foundation for focused review, navigation practice, and confidence-building preparation.

FAQ Section

What is included in this complete book set?

The package includes the Alabama NASCLA Business Book and all listed technical references for the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination. The books are highlighted and permanently tabbed.

How long does preparation take?

Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

Is the Alabama Business and Law book included?

Yes. The Alabama NASCLA Business Book used for the Alabama Business and Law examination is included in the complete set.

Is the NASCLA examination open book?

Yes. Candidates may bring approved references that comply with the current examination rules. The testing center does not provide the books.

Does passing NASCLA automatically provide an Alabama license?

No. Candidates must still complete the Alabama application process, pass the required Business and Law examination, and satisfy the applicable state licensing requirements.

Why are highlighting and tabs useful?

Highlighting identifies useful information, while permanent tabs help candidates reach important chapters and subjects more efficiently during study and permitted open-book testing.

Should I study with the prepared books before the exam?

Yes. Regular practice helps candidates learn the location of important information and become familiar with the navigation system before test day.

Can I add loose notes to the books?

References must comply with the current testing rules. Candidates should not add loose papers, removable notes, or unauthorized inserts and should review the current candidate bulletin before the examination.

Are books supplied at the testing center?

No. Candidates are responsible for obtaining and bringing all permitted references to the testing location.

Can I use a different edition?

Candidates should use the listed editions because page numbers, code provisions, technical requirements, and book organization may differ between editions.