Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor Exam Book Package

The Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor Exam Book Package brings together the technical references used to prepare for the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination. This package is designed for contractors and construction professionals working with structural steel erection, miscellaneous steel, steel joists and girders, steel decking, rigging operations, commercial construction, attachment methods, and construction safety.

Structural and miscellaneous steel work requires a combination of practical field knowledge and familiarity with specialized construction standards. Contractors may be responsible for receiving and handling steel, coordinating lifting operations, erecting structural members, installing joists and girders, placing steel deck, completing connections, and maintaining safe operations throughout the erection process. The Alabama examination reflects these responsibilities through questions covering materials, rigging, steel erection, attachment, and safety.

This package includes Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009; Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008; Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 2019, 10th Edition; Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); and the SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck.

The Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination is an open-book test administered through PSI. Candidates can use approved references during testing under the applicable examination rules. Working directly with the books during preparation helps candidates develop familiarity with terminology, tables, illustrations, procedures, safety requirements, and the organization of each reference.

Structural & Miscellaneous Steel is recognized within Alabama's contractor classification system. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees contractor licensing and classification, while PSI administers the applicable trade examination.

What You Get

• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 2019, 10th Edition
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck

These references create a focused study library for candidates preparing for the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor exam. Together they cover rigging, structural steel erection, joist and girder handling, steel deck construction, commercial construction methods, attachment practices, materials, and OSHA construction safety.

Exam Details

The Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination is administered by PSI for candidates pursuing the applicable contractor classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

• Exam: Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 40
• Time Allowed: 120 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%, or 28 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The major subjects covered on the examination include materials, rigging, steel erection, attachment, and safety. These categories reflect the practical responsibilities involved in handling and erecting structural and miscellaneous steel systems.

Rigging preparation should include lifting equipment, slings, hardware, load handling, safe lifting practices, and the principles used to plan and execute material movement. Structural steel members can be large and heavy, making proper rigging knowledge important for both examination preparation and field safety.

Steel erection preparation should include structural members, joists, girders, decking, erection sequencing, temporary stability, connections, and safe handling practices. Candidates should also be familiar with the relationships between individual steel components and the larger structural system.

Attachment questions may involve the methods used to secure steel members, joists, girders, and decking. Candidates should understand the purpose of proper attachment and how connections contribute to stability during erection and in the completed structure.

With 40 questions and 120 minutes available, candidates have an average of approximately three minutes per question. That gives time for reference use, but efficient navigation remains important.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination is an open-book test. Approved references may be used during the examination in accordance with PSI testing requirements.

Permitted references may be highlighted and indexed, and permanent tabs may be used for navigation. Candidates should prepare their books in accordance with applicable testing rules and become familiar with each reference before arriving at the examination center.

The open-book format makes book selection an important skill. A rigging question should lead candidates toward Handbook of Rigging. Questions involving steel joists or joist girders may direct candidates to Technical Digest No. 9, while steel deck topics can be researched using the Steel Deck Institute manual.

Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction supports broader commercial construction knowledge, materials, systems, and construction practices. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 is particularly important for safety requirements and steel erection practices.

Candidates should avoid trying to research every question from the beginning. A more efficient method is to understand the subject, identify the likely reference, and use the book to verify technical details or locate specific requirements.

Timed reference-navigation practice can be useful. Select a topic such as rigging, steel joists, deck construction, attachment, or safety and practice locating the relevant material. Repeated use of the books can make navigation more deliberate and efficient.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates contractor classifications subject to Alabama general contractor licensing law. Structural & Miscellaneous Steel is recognized within Alabama's contractor classification structure.

1. Identify the appropriate classification. Determine that Structural & Miscellaneous Steel corresponds with the work your contracting business intends to perform.
2. Select the correct application type. Alabama maintains separate application processes for prime contractors and subcontractors.
3. Complete the contractor application. Provide the information and supporting documentation required by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
4. Document qualifying experience. Applicants must demonstrate construction experience related to the classification requested.
5. Provide required work and project references. The Board evaluates documented project experience when determining classification eligibility.
6. Receive examination eligibility. Candidates must complete the applicable state licensing process before scheduling the required examination.
7. Schedule the trade examination. Eligible candidates can schedule the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination through PSI.
8. Pass the trade examination. Candidates must earn at least 70%, or 28 correct answers out of 40 questions.
9. Complete Business and Law. Alabama applicants subject to contractor testing requirements must also complete the applicable Business and Law examination.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Final classification and license approval are determined by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The examination is one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy the experience, application, documentation, and other requirements associated with the contractor classification they are seeking.

State Requirements

Alabama's contractor classification rules recognize Structural & Miscellaneous Steel Erection within the Building Construction specialty classifications under Metal. The state's Heavy & Railroad classification structure also identifies Structural & Miscellaneous Steel as an available specialty for applicants with qualifying experience.

Applicants seeking a specialty classification must provide documented construction experience supporting the classification requested. Current Alabama application materials require qualifying work and project references so the Board can evaluate whether the applicant has appropriate experience.

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 contractor licensing requirements. Prime contractors and subcontractors use separate application processes.

Structural steel applicants should document projects involving work consistent with the requested classification. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines classification eligibility based on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and supporting information.

Reference Books

• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
  This comprehensive rigging reference covers lifting practices, rigging equipment, slings, hardware, load handling, calculations, and safety considerations. It supports preparation for the Rigging portion of the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  This Steel Joist Institute technical reference addresses handling and erection practices for steel joists and joist girders. It supports preparation involving lifting, placement, temporary stability, erection procedures, and safe handling of joist systems.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 2019, 10th Edition
  This commercial construction reference provides broader coverage of materials, structural systems, construction practices, sequencing, and methods used on commercial projects. It supports general construction knowledge related to structural steel work.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction safety reference contains requirements relevant to steel erection, fall protection, cranes and derricks, rigging, personal protective equipment, material handling, access, and other hazards encountered during structural steel construction.
• SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  This Steel Deck Institute reference provides guidance for construction with steel deck and supports preparation involving handling, placement, fastening, erection practices, and floor and roof deck systems used in steel-framed construction.

Exam Room Approved Books

The reference materials associated with the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor examination include:

• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition
  Used for rigging equipment, lifting operations, load handling, and related practices.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Used for joist and girder handling and erection preparation.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
  Used for commercial construction methods, materials, and structural systems.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Used for construction safety and steel erection requirements.
• SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Used for steel deck construction and installation topics.

Candidates should become familiar with the organization of each reference before test day. Knowing whether a question belongs in the rigging handbook, steel joist technical digest, commercial construction reference, OSHA, or steel deck manual can reduce unnecessary searching.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive study plan should divide preparation among the five major examination areas: Materials, Rigging, Steel Erection, Attachment, and Safety.

For Materials, review the types of structural and miscellaneous steel components encountered in commercial construction and how those components function within a structural system. Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction can support broader understanding of materials and construction systems.

Rigging should receive dedicated preparation using Handbook of Rigging. Review lifting equipment, sling configurations, hardware, load-control concepts, safe handling procedures, and the terminology used in rigging operations.

For Steel Erection, work with OSHA, the Steel Joist Institute technical digest, and the commercial construction reference. Review handling, placement, temporary stability, joists, girders, structural framing, erection sequencing, and safety.

Attachment preparation should include the methods used to secure structural members, joists, and steel decking. The Steel Deck Institute manual is particularly useful for understanding good construction practices associated with deck installation.

Safety should be studied continuously rather than as a separate final topic. Structural steel work can involve work at elevation, heavy suspended loads, cranes, rigging, fall exposure, dropped-object hazards, and material handling. OSHA should be one of the references candidates use most frequently during preparation.

Practice answering questions under timed conditions while using the books. Start by identifying the subject area, then choose the most relevant reference and locate the information. This process can help candidates strengthen both trade knowledge and open-book navigation skills.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

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

The Structural and Miscellaneous Steel exam combines several specialized construction disciplines. Candidates must understand rigging, structural erection, joists, girders, deck construction, attachment methods, materials, and OSHA safety. Organizing preparation around these areas can make the study process more manageable.

1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to work directly with the examination references while reviewing technical subjects. Candidates can practice recognizing which book applies to a particular question before beginning a lookup.

Practice-oriented preparation can also reveal areas that deserve additional attention. A contractor with extensive steel erection experience may need additional work with steel deck requirements or rigging calculations, while an experienced rigger may benefit from more review of joist erection or OSHA steel erection rules.

Reference familiarity is especially useful during an open-book examination. Candidates who understand the terminology and organization of their books can use the available testing time more efficiently.

The Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor Exam Book Package provides a focused technical library for candidates who want to prepare across the major subjects represented on the trade examination while strengthening their ability to work with the approved references.

How many questions are on the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor exam?

The examination contains 40 questions. Candidates have 120 minutes to complete the test.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 70%, which equals 28 correct answers out of 40 questions.

Is the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book and permits approved references under PSI's testing rules.

What subjects are covered on the exam?

The major exam subjects are Materials, Rigging, Steel Erection, Attachment, and Safety.

Does the package include a rigging reference?

Yes. Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009 is included for preparation involving lifting, rigging equipment, load handling, and related practices.

Does the package cover steel joists and girders?

Yes. Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008 is included.

Does the package include OSHA?

Yes. Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 is included for construction safety and steel erection preparation.

Does the package include a steel deck reference?

Yes. The SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck is included for steel deck construction and installation preparation.

Who administers the Alabama Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Contractor exam?

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

Is Structural and Miscellaneous Steel an Alabama contractor classification?

Yes. Structural & Miscellaneous Steel is recognized within Alabama's contractor classification system for applicants with qualifying experience.

Do Alabama applicants also take Business and Law?

Alabama applicants subject to contractor testing requirements must complete the applicable Trade examination as well as the required Business and Law examination.