Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

The Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course is designed for candidates preparing for the Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor examination administered by PSI. The course focuses on the major roofing subjects tested on the exam, including estimating and plan reading, surface preparation, steep-slope roofing, low-slope and membrane roofing, waterproofing, roofing components, and construction safety.

Roofing and sheet metal work requires more than knowing how to install shingles or membrane systems. Contractors must understand roof assemblies, materials, flashing, drainage, substrates, penetrations, estimating, code requirements, and jobsite safety. The Alabama examination reflects that broad responsibility and requires candidates to prepare across several technical areas rather than relying on experience with only one roofing system.

The online course is organized around the reference materials associated with the exam: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); International Building Code, 2021; Roofing Construction and Estimating by Daniel Atcheson, 1995; NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems; and NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roofing Systems.

Because the Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor exam is open book, successful preparation should include both roofing knowledge and reference-navigation practice. Candidates need to recognize which reference is most likely to contain an answer and become comfortable locating important information without spending excessive time searching through multiple books.

The course provides a structured way to review trade knowledge, work through exam-oriented preparation, reinforce weaker areas, and practice using the references associated with the test. It can be especially useful for experienced roofers who know the field work but want a more organized approach to code, estimating, safety, and book navigation.

Exam Details

The Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor examination is administered by PSI for candidates pursuing the applicable contractor classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

• Exam: Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 60
• Time Allowed: 150 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%, or 42 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The examination content outline includes 10 questions in Estimating and Plan Reading, 8 questions in Surface Preparation and Planning, 27 questions in Steep and Low Slope Roofing including built-up roofing and waterproofing, 9 questions in Roofing Components, and 6 questions in Safety.

Steep and Low Slope Roofing is the largest section by a substantial margin, accounting for 27 of the 60 questions. Candidates should devote significant study time to steep-slope systems, membrane roofing, built-up roofing, waterproofing, flashing, drainage, penetrations, and system components.

Estimating and Plan Reading contains 10 questions, making it another important area. Candidates should be comfortable working with roof dimensions, slopes, quantities, materials, construction details, and practical estimating concepts.

Roofing Components contains 9 questions, while Surface Preparation and Planning contains 8. Safety accounts for 6 questions. A complete study strategy should cover all five subject areas because the required passing score is based on performance across the entire examination.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor examination is an open book test. Candidates may use approved reference materials during the examination under PSI's testing rules.

The current PSI reference list includes OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, the 2021 International Building Code, Roofing Construction and Estimating, NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, and NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roofing Systems.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are permitted, while temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed. The approved references are not supplied at the examination center, so candidates are responsible for bringing the permitted books they intend to use.

The exam provides 150 minutes for 60 questions, which averages about two and a half minutes per question. Candidates should therefore develop a practical method for deciding when a lookup is necessary and which book is most likely to contain the answer.

For safety questions, OSHA should be the first reference considered. The International Building Code supports applicable roofing and building-code questions. Roofing Construction and Estimating supports measurements, estimating, quantities, construction methods, and plan-related subjects.

The NRCA Steep Slope Roof Systems manual supports steep-slope roofing preparation, while the NRCA Membrane Roofing Systems manual supports low-slope and membrane roofing topics. Learning those relationships before test day can make open-book navigation considerably more organized.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees contractor licensing for covered general contracting and specialty construction work. Roofing & Sheet Metal is recognized as a Building Construction specialty classification under Moisture Protection.

1. Identify the appropriate classification. Determine that Roofing & Sheet Metal corresponds with the type of roofing and related 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. Applicants must submit the information and supporting documentation required by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
4. Document qualifying experience. Applicants must demonstrate work experience relevant to the classification requested.
5. Provide required project references. Alabama evaluates documented project experience when determining classification eligibility.
6. Receive examination eligibility. The Board reviews the applicant's information and determines eligibility to proceed with testing.
7. Schedule the Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor examination. Eligible candidates can register for the trade exam through PSI.
8. Pass the trade examination. Candidates must earn at least 70%, or 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.
9. Complete Business and Law. Alabama applicants subject to contractor testing requirements must take the applicable Trade examination as well as Business and Law.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Final classification and license approval are determined by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

Passing the trade exam is only one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy the Board's experience, application, classification, and other requirements applicable to their contractor license type.

State Requirements

Roofing & Sheet Metal is listed within Alabama's Building Construction specialty classifications under Moisture Protection. Contractors seeking this classification must provide qualifying experience that supports the roofing and sheet metal work they intend to perform.

Current Alabama application materials require documented construction experience and work references for requested classifications. Applicants should make sure their project history demonstrates experience relevant to the classification being requested.

Alabama's general contractor licensing law applies to covered construction undertakings with a total project 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 licensing requirements. Prime contractors and subcontractors use separate application processes.

Current Alabama testing requirements call for applicants subject to examination to complete the applicable Trade examination and Business and Law. PSI administers the exams, while the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines classification eligibility and final licensing approval.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction safety reference supports preparation involving fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, personal protective equipment, material handling, electrical hazards, tools, and other jobsite safety requirements relevant to roofing work.
• International Building Code, 2021
  The 2021 International Building Code provides requirements applicable to building construction, including roof assemblies, roof coverings, materials, weather protection, structural considerations, and related code topics.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  This roofing trade reference supports preparation involving roof measurements, estimating, material quantities, construction techniques, terminology, and plan-reading concepts.
• NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems
  This specialized roofing reference supports study of steep-slope roof systems, materials, components, installation details, flashing, drainage, underlayments, penetrations, and related roofing practices.
• NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roofing Systems
  This NRCA reference supports preparation involving membrane and low-slope roofing assemblies, insulation, waterproofing, roof edges, flashing, penetrations, drainage, and system details.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive preparation plan should begin with the largest examination category: Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including built-up roofing and waterproofing. With 27 questions in this area, candidates should spend significant time learning the materials, assemblies, details, and installation practices associated with both steep- and low-slope systems.

For steep-slope roofing, review roof coverings, underlayments, flashings, valleys, ridges, penetrations, drainage, fastening, and related components. Use the NRCA Steep Slope Roof Systems manual while studying so that locating technical information becomes familiar.

For membrane and low-slope roofing, review membrane systems, insulation, roof edges, flashings, penetrations, drainage, waterproofing, and system details. The NRCA Membrane Roofing Systems manual should be an important reference throughout preparation.

Estimating and Plan Reading deserves its own study schedule because it accounts for 10 questions. Practice roof measurements, slope calculations, material quantities, construction details, and other estimating concepts using Roofing Construction and Estimating.

Surface Preparation and Planning contains 8 questions. Candidates should understand the importance of substrate conditions, existing roof systems, moisture, preparation, sequencing, and planning before roofing materials are installed.

Roofing Components contains 9 questions. Review how individual parts of a roof system work together, including flashing, drainage components, penetrations, edges, and other details represented within the roofing references.

Safety accounts for 6 questions and should be reviewed consistently throughout preparation. Roofing work creates significant fall hazards and can also involve ladders, scaffolds, power tools, material handling, electrical hazards, and access issues. Become familiar with the organization of OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 so relevant requirements can be located efficiently.

Timed reference practice is especially useful for an open-book contractor exam. Select a question, determine which book applies, locate the relevant section, and then review why the answer is correct. This method helps candidates build trade knowledge and reference familiarity at the same time.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor candidates prepare through organized study guidance, roofing-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and confidence-building study structure.

The online exam prep course helps organize the examination into the subjects candidates actually need to study. Instead of approaching five separate references without a clear direction, preparation can be divided into Estimating and Plan Reading, Surface Preparation and Planning, Steep and Low Slope Roofing, Roofing Components, and Safety.

Practice-oriented preparation can help candidates recognize which topics are already familiar and which areas need additional attention. A contractor with extensive steep-slope roofing experience may need more review of membrane systems or estimating, while a commercial roofer may benefit from additional steep-slope, code, or OSHA preparation.

Reference navigation is an important part of the course approach because the trade exam is open book. Candidates can practice deciding whether a question belongs in OSHA, the International Building Code, Roofing Construction and Estimating, or one of the NRCA roofing manuals before searching for the answer.

The course also helps reinforce exam pacing. With 60 questions in 150 minutes, candidates need to balance direct knowledge with reference lookups. Practicing that decision-making process before test day can create a more organized exam strategy.

The Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course provides a focused preparation path for candidates who want to strengthen roofing knowledge, work more effectively with the exam references, and approach the PSI examination with a structured study plan.

How many questions are on the Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor exam?

The examination contains 60 questions and allows 150 minutes for completion.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 70%, which equals 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.

Is the Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book and allows approved reference materials under PSI's examination rules.

What is the largest subject area on the exam?

Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including built-up roofing and waterproofing, is the largest section with 27 questions.

Does the course cover estimating and plan reading?

Yes. Estimating and Plan Reading accounts for 10 questions on the examination and is an important part of the preparation structure.

Does the course cover both steep-slope and membrane roofing?

Yes. Preparation includes both steep-slope roofing and low-slope or membrane roofing systems using the applicable NRCA references.

Which building code is associated with the exam?

The examination reference list identifies the International Building Code, 2021.

Which roofing manuals are associated with the exam?

The reference list includes NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems and NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roofing Systems.

Does the course include OSHA preparation?

Yes. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 supports the Safety section of the examination and is incorporated into the preparation approach.

Can approved books be highlighted and tabbed for the PSI exam?

Yes. Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, indexed, and fitted with permanent tabs. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed.

Who administers the Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractor exam?

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

Is Roofing and Sheet Metal an Alabama contractor classification?

Yes. Roofing & Sheet Metal is recognized as a Building Construction specialty classification under Moisture Protection.