Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package

The Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package brings together the technical references used to prepare for the Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination administered by PSI. This package is designed for contractors preparing for work involving concrete construction, reinforcement, formwork, concrete cutting, precast and prestressed concrete erection, embeds, bearing plates, grouting, site preparation, safety, and underground utility notification requirements.

Precast and prestressed concrete construction requires knowledge across several connected areas of the concrete trade. Candidates need to understand concrete materials and placement, reinforcing steel, formwork, erection procedures, jobsite safety, concrete cutting, earthwork, and the structural details associated with installing precast concrete components. The Alabama examination reflects this range of responsibilities rather than focusing only on erection.

This package includes the Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); the 2021 International Building Code; Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299; SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition; Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition; Saw Cutting Joints in Concrete; Saw Cutting Concrete Flatwork; Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting; Tips for Cutting Concrete; the Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products; and Placing Reinforcing Bars.

The Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination is open book. Candidates may use approved reference materials under PSI's examination rules, making familiarity with the books an important part of preparation. Knowing whether a question belongs in OSHA, the International Building Code, the concrete materials reference, the formwork manual, the reinforcing steel reference, or the PCI erection manual can help candidates navigate the exam more efficiently.

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors recognizes Precast & Prestressed Concrete Installation within its Building Construction specialty classifications under Concrete. Candidates must satisfy the applicable application, qualification, and examination requirements before receiving the applicable contractor license classification.

What You Get

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• International Building Code, 2021
• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
• Saw Cutting Joints in Concrete, Bruce A. Suprenant, 1995
• Saw Cutting Concrete Flatwork, Rosalie Johnston, 1994
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products
• Placing Reinforcing Bars

These references provide candidates with a focused study library for the concrete, reinforcement, formwork, cutting, erection, safety, code, and Alabama One Call subjects represented on the examination.

Exam Details

The Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination is administered by PSI for candidates pursuing the applicable contractor classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

• Exam: Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 50
• Time Allowed: 120 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%, or 35 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The current examination content outline assigns 5 questions to Safety, 3 to Concrete Earthwork, 11 to Concrete, 9 to Concrete Reinforcement, 8 to Concrete Formwork, 3 to Concrete Cutting, 6 to Pre-cast Pre-stressed Concrete Erecting, 2 to Grouting, 1 to Embeds, Bolting, and Bearing Plates, and 2 to One Call.

Concrete is the largest single category with 11 questions. Concrete Reinforcement follows with 9 questions, while Concrete Formwork contains 8. These three areas alone represent more than half of the examination, so candidates should give significant attention to concrete materials, placement principles, reinforcing steel practices, and formwork systems.

Precast and prestressed concrete erection contains 6 questions and focuses more directly on the specialty represented by the contractor classification. Candidates should understand the handling, erection, positioning, connection, and safety considerations involved in precast concrete installation.

Safety contains 5 questions. Concrete Cutting and Concrete Earthwork each contain 3 questions, while Grouting and One Call each contain 2. Embeds, Bolting, and Bearing Plates contains 1 question. Even the smaller subject areas should be reviewed because they can make the difference between passing and falling short of the required score.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination is an open book test. PSI permits candidates to use the approved reference materials identified for the exam.

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

PSI does not provide these references in the examination center. Candidates are responsible for bringing the approved books they plan to use.

With 50 questions and 120 minutes available, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. That makes efficient reference navigation important. Candidates should not depend on searching randomly through each book for every answer.

A stronger approach is to associate major subjects with the applicable reference. OSHA supports construction safety. The International Building Code supports applicable code requirements. SP-4 supports formwork topics. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures supports concrete materials and mixture knowledge. Placing Reinforcing Bars supports reinforcement, while the Erectors' Manual supports precast erection.

The concrete cutting publications should be reviewed as a group so candidates recognize where cutting procedures and joint-related information can be found. Alabama 1Call should be studied separately for questions involving underground utility notification before excavation.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees contractor licensing for classifications regulated under Alabama law. Precast & Prestressed Concrete Installation is recognized as a specialty classification under Building Construction and Concrete.

1. Identify the correct classification. Determine that Precast & Prestressed Concrete Installation matches the type of work your business intends to perform.
2. Select the appropriate application. Alabama maintains separate application processes for prime contractors and subcontractors.
3. Complete the licensing application. Provide the information and supporting documents required by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
4. Document qualifying experience. Applicants must provide work experience that supports the classification being requested.
5. Provide required project references. The Board uses documented construction experience when evaluating contractor classifications.
6. Receive examination eligibility. The Board determines whether the applicant is qualified to proceed with testing.
7. Schedule the examination through PSI. Approved candidates can register for the Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination.
8. Pass the trade examination. Candidates must score at least 70%, or 35 correct answers out of 50.
9. Complete applicable Business and Law testing. Applicants subject to Alabama's contractor examination requirements must also complete the required Business and Law examination.
10. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Final license approval is determined by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Passing the trade examination is one part of the licensing process. The Board also evaluates the applicant's documented experience, application information, requested classification, and other applicable licensing requirements.

State Requirements

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors classifies contractors according to the types of construction work they are qualified to perform. Within Building Construction specialty classifications, Concrete includes Foundations, Structural Concrete Erection, Reinforcing Steel, and Precast & Prestressed Concrete Installation.

Applicants seeking this specialty must provide documented experience relevant to the classification. Alabama's application materials require work and project references that support the applicant's requested scope.

Alabama's general contractor licensing law applies to covered construction undertakings with a total cost of $100,000 or more, including labor and materials. The current $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.

Applicants should make sure the requested classification corresponds to the work they intend to contract for. Precast and prestressed concrete installation can involve erection, reinforcement, connections, grouting, bearing components, site preparation, and related concrete work, so documented project experience should support the specialty being requested.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal reference contains construction safety standards and supports preparation involving concrete operations, cranes and lifting, personal protective equipment, fall protection, excavation, material handling, and other jobsite hazards.
• International Building Code, 2021
  The 2021 International Building Code provides structural and building requirements relevant to concrete construction, structural components, loads, materials, and installation requirements.
• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
  This Alabama-specific reference supports preparation for underground utility notification requirements associated with excavation and sitework.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  This American Concrete Institute reference addresses concrete formwork principles, materials, design considerations, construction practices, and field procedures relevant to the Formwork portion of the examination.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This Portland Cement Association reference provides information on concrete materials, proportioning, mixture properties, production, placement, curing, durability, and quality control.
• Saw Cutting Joints in Concrete, Bruce A. Suprenant, 1995
  This reference supports preparation involving saw-cut joint timing, methods, equipment, and considerations associated with concrete cutting.
• Saw Cutting Concrete Flatwork, Rosalie Johnston, 1994
  This publication provides information relevant to saw cutting concrete slabs and flatwork and supports the Concrete Cutting section of the exam.
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
  This concrete construction publication addresses techniques and considerations associated with concrete cutting work.
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987
  This reference provides practical guidance for concrete cutting procedures and supports preparation for cutting-related exam questions.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products
  This PCI reference addresses recommended practices and guidelines for the erection of precast concrete products, including field handling, placement, connections, and erection considerations.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  This Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute reference covers reinforcing bar placement, detailing, supports, tying, splicing, clearances, and related reinforced-concrete construction practices.

Exam Room Approved Books

The current PSI reference list identifies the following materials for the Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Used for applicable construction safety requirements.
• International Building Code, 2021
  The specific code edition identified for the examination.
• Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely; AL Act 94-487 S.299
  Used for Alabama One Call requirements.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  Used for concrete formwork preparation.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
  PSI identifies the 16th Edition in its current reference list. Later editions of non-code trade references may be used as they become available, so the 17th Edition in this package is a later edition of the listed general trade reference.
• Saw Cutting Joints in Concrete, 1995
  Used for concrete cutting and joint-related preparation.
• Saw Cutting Concrete Flatwork, 1994
  Used for flatwork cutting preparation.
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
  Used for concrete cutting topics.
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987
  Used for concrete cutting topics.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products
  Used for precast and prestressed concrete erection.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Used for concrete reinforcing steel preparation.

For code questions, PSI bases the examination on the specific listed code edition. For general industry-practice references that are not code books, later editions may be used as they become available.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive study plan should begin with the highest-weighted areas. Concrete, Concrete Reinforcement, and Concrete Formwork account for 28 of the 50 questions. Candidates should therefore spend substantial preparation time working with concrete materials, reinforcing steel placement, and formwork.

For Concrete, review mixture components, properties, placement, curing, quality considerations, and construction practices. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures is particularly useful for building familiarity with concrete behavior and materials.

For Reinforcement, use Placing Reinforcing Bars to review bar placement, supports, ties, splices, clearances, and construction practices. Candidates should understand how reinforcing steel interacts with concrete and structural components.

For Formwork, become familiar with SP-4 and practice finding subjects involving form materials, loads, supports, construction methods, and safe practices.

The Precast and Prestressed Concrete Erecting section should be prepared using the PCI Erectors' Manual. Review handling, placement, stability, connections, erection sequencing, and jobsite considerations associated with precast components.

Concrete Cutting deserves separate review because PSI identifies multiple specialty cutting publications. Study the purpose and timing of joints, flatwork cutting methods, and practical cutting considerations.

Safety preparation should include regular use of OSHA. One Call questions should be reviewed using the Alabama-specific Dig Safely material. Practice locating topics in the books under timed conditions so that reference navigation becomes familiar before exam day.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

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

This examination combines several concrete disciplines, so preparation should follow the published subject areas rather than relying on general concrete experience alone. Candidates can organize study around concrete materials, reinforcement, formwork, precast erection, cutting, earthwork, safety, grouting, connections, and Alabama One Call requirements.

Reference navigation is especially important during an open-book test. 1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to become familiar with the organization of the International Building Code, OSHA, SP-4, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Placing Reinforcing Bars, and the PCI erection manual before examination day.

Practice-oriented preparation can help candidates recognize weak areas. A contractor experienced in precast erection may need additional review of formwork or concrete mixture principles, while someone with extensive cast-in-place concrete experience may need more focused preparation involving precast erection procedures and specialty connections.

The Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package provides the technical reference library needed to prepare across the full content outline while developing the book-navigation skills useful for the PSI open-book examination.

How many questions are on the Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor exam?

The examination contains 50 questions. Candidates have 120 minutes to complete the test.

What score is required to pass?

A minimum passing score of 70% is required, which equals 35 correct answers out of 50 questions.

Is the Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor exam open book?

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

What are the largest sections of the examination?

Concrete is the largest section with 11 questions, followed by Concrete Reinforcement with 9 questions and Concrete Formwork with 8 questions.

Does the exam cover precast concrete erection?

Yes. Pre-cast Pre-stressed Concrete Erecting accounts for 6 questions on the current examination outline.

Does the exam include concrete cutting?

Yes. Concrete Cutting accounts for 3 questions, and this package includes the specialty concrete cutting references identified for preparation.

Does the exam include Alabama One Call questions?

Yes. The current examination outline includes 2 One Call questions, and Alabama 1Call – Dig Safely is included in the package.

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

PSI currently identifies the 16th Edition in its reference list but permits later editions of non-code general industry-practice references as they become available. The 17th Edition in this package is a later edition of that reference.

Can the books be highlighted or tabbed?

PSI permits approved references to be highlighted, underlined, indexed, and fitted with permanent tabs. Temporary tabs are not permitted, and books must otherwise remain unmarked.

Does PSI provide the books at the testing center?

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

Who administers the Alabama Precast and Prestressed Concrete Contractor exam?

PSI administers the examination as part of the contractor licensing process overseen by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.