Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Repair Contractor Book Package

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Repair Contractor Book Package brings together the core construction references used to prepare for the Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor examination. This package is designed for contractors who work across multiple areas of building renovation, repair, carpentry, concrete, masonry, cabinetry, interior finishes, and construction safety and want a focused reference library for exam preparation.

Remodeling and maintenance work often requires knowledge from several construction trades on the same project. A contractor may need to evaluate existing framing, modify openings, repair walls, install doors and windows, complete finish carpentry, work with concrete or masonry, perform cabinetry work, and maintain a safe jobsite. The Alabama examination reflects this broad scope by testing candidates across rough carpentry, finish carpentry, windows and doors, siding, drywall, concrete, masonry, and safety.

This package includes the Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016; Finish Carpenter's Manual by Jim Tolpin, 1993; International Building Code, 2015; Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition; Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter; and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction, 2001.

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor examination is an open-book test administered by PSI. Candidates can benefit from preparing with the reference books well before test day so they understand how each publication is organized and where different construction subjects are located.

A strong preparation strategy combines practical construction knowledge with efficient book navigation. Contractors who already have extensive field experience may know many answers from their work, but the references remain useful for confirming technical details, locating code requirements, reviewing unfamiliar topics, and strengthening areas where additional preparation is needed.

What You Get

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
• Finish Carpenter's Manual, Jim Tolpin, 1993
• International Building Code, 2015
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter
• The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction, 2001

Together, these books support preparation across the major construction disciplines associated with remodeling, alterations, building maintenance, and repair. Candidates can use the package to develop stronger knowledge of framing, finish carpentry, cabinetry, masonry, concrete, building-code requirements, and OSHA construction safety.

Exam Details

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor examination is administered by PSI as part of the licensing process overseen by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

• Exam: Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 60
• Time Allowed: 120 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%, or 42 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The examination content outline includes 6 Safety questions, 3 Windows and Doors questions, 16 Rough Carpentry questions, 16 Finish Carpentry questions, 3 Siding questions, 2 Drywall questions, 7 Concrete questions, and 7 Masonry questions.

Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry are the two largest subject areas, with 16 questions each. Together, they account for more than half of the examination. Candidates should therefore spend substantial preparation time reviewing framing, measurements, layout, construction methods, trim, finish work, cabinetry, fitting, materials, and installation procedures.

Concrete and Masonry each account for 7 questions. Candidates should be comfortable with basic concrete materials and construction principles as well as brick, block, stone, mortar, and masonry practices. Safety accounts for another 6 questions and should receive dedicated study using the OSHA construction regulations.

Windows and Doors, Siding, and Drywall contain fewer questions individually, but these areas remain important. A passing result depends on performance across the complete examination rather than only the largest categories.

Open Book Test

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may use approved reference materials under PSI's examination rules.

The open-book format makes familiarity with the books an important part of preparation. Candidates have 120 minutes to answer 60 questions, giving an average of approximately two minutes per question. Spending several minutes searching randomly through a book for every answer can make time management difficult.

A more effective strategy is to associate each major subject with the reference most likely to contain the information. OSHA supports safety questions. Carpentry and Building Construction provides broad coverage of framing and construction methods. Finish Carpenter's Manual supports detailed finish carpentry topics, while The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction provides material related to cabinetry, joinery, and woodworking.

The International Building Code supports applicable building-code questions. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures provides technical information for concrete-related preparation, while Modern Masonry supports brick, block, stone, mortar, and related masonry construction topics.

Practice using the books during study sessions. Select a subject, decide which reference is most likely to contain the answer, locate the information, and review the surrounding material. Repeating this process develops both technical understanding and faster book navigation.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates covered general contracting and specialty construction work in the state. Remodeling and Alteration is recognized within Alabama's Building Construction classification structure, while Building Maintenance Repair is also recognized within the Board's classification system.

1. Identify the appropriate classification. Determine which Alabama contractor classification corresponds with the remodeling, alteration, maintenance, and repair work you intend to perform.
2. Select the appropriate application type. Alabama maintains separate application processes for prime contractors and subcontractors.
3. Complete the required application. Applicants must provide the information and documentation requested by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
4. Document qualifying experience. The Board classifies contractors based on documented work experience relevant to the classification requested.
5. Provide required work and project references. Applicants seeking classifications must submit qualifying experience information according to the applicable application requirements.
6. Receive examination eligibility. The Board reviews the application and determines whether the applicant is eligible to proceed with required testing.
7. Schedule the trade examination through PSI. Eligible candidates can register for the Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor examination.
8. Pass the trade examination. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70%, or 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.
9. Complete applicable Business and Law testing. Applicants subject to Alabama's contractor examination requirements must satisfy the testing requirements associated with their licensing application.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Final license approval and issuance are handled by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The trade examination is one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also demonstrate qualifying experience and satisfy the Board's application, documentation, financial, and other requirements that apply to their license type.

State Requirements

Alabama's general contractor licensing law applies to covered construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, reclamation, demolition, and related construction undertakings when the total cost of the project, including labor and materials, is $100,000 or more. 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 through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The Board classifies contractors according to the work they are qualified to perform. Applicants seeking Remodeling and Alteration or related work classifications must provide documented experience that supports the requested scope.

Current Alabama application materials require applicants seeking classifications to provide qualifying project experience and work references. Contractors whose experience is concentrated within a particular specialty may request the classification or subclassification supported by their documented work history.

Because remodeling and maintenance work can overlap with many trades, contractors should make sure their requested classification accurately matches the work they intend to contract for. The classification granted by the Board defines the areas in which the contractor has demonstrated qualification.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction safety reference supports preparation involving personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolds, fall protection, tools, electrical hazards, material handling, demolition, and other jobsite safety requirements commonly encountered during remodeling and maintenance projects.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  This broad construction reference provides information on framing, floors, walls, roofs, openings, doors, windows, materials, tools, measurements, and general construction practices. It is especially useful for the Rough Carpentry portion of the examination.
• Finish Carpenter's Manual, Jim Tolpin, 1993
  This specialized finish carpentry reference supports preparation involving trim, fitting, layout, measurements, interior woodwork, installation methods, cabinetry, tools, and techniques used to produce accurate finished construction.
• International Building Code, 2015
  The 2015 International Building Code provides building requirements applicable to commercial and other structures within its scope. It supports preparation involving construction types, structural considerations, interior construction, alterations, materials, and other code-related topics.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This concrete reference covers cementitious materials, aggregates, mixture properties, proportioning, placement, curing, durability, and quality considerations. It supports preparation for the Concrete portion of the examination.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter
  This trade reference covers masonry materials, tools, mortar, brick, concrete block, stone, layout, installation practices, and related masonry construction concepts. It supports the Masonry portion of the exam.
• The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction, 2001
  This illustrated woodworking reference provides detailed information on cabinetry, furniture construction, materials, components, joinery, assembly, and fabrication techniques relevant to finish carpentry and remodeling work.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive study plan should begin with Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry because these two sections together account for 32 of the 60 examination questions. Candidates should devote significant preparation time to framing terminology, measurements, layout, fastening, walls, floors, roofs, openings, trim, fitting, cabinets, and interior finish work.

Use Carpentry and Building Construction as a central resource for rough carpentry preparation. Become familiar with framing methods, building components, terminology, and the relationship between individual structural elements. Remodeling often requires contractors to understand existing construction before modifying or repairing it.

For Finish Carpentry, work with Finish Carpenter's Manual and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction. Review detailed installation methods, trim work, cabinetry, joinery, measurements, fitting, finishing, and woodworking techniques.

Concrete and Masonry together account for 14 questions. Use Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures to reinforce concrete materials and construction concepts, while Modern Masonry can help candidates review brick, block, stone, mortar, and masonry procedures.

Safety preparation should include regular navigation of 29 CFR Part 1926. Instead of trying to memorize the entire OSHA regulation, learn how the major construction safety subjects are organized and practice locating applicable requirements.

For Windows and Doors, Siding, and Drywall, candidates should review relevant construction and installation concepts within the carpentry and building references. Even though these categories contain fewer questions, a complete study plan should account for each published exam area.

Timed practice can help candidates become more comfortable with the pace of the examination. Work through questions while using the reference books and pay attention to how long it takes to locate supporting information. The goal is to combine trade knowledge with efficient reference use.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, construction-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and confidence-building study structure.

Because this examination covers several construction trades, organization is especially valuable. Candidates can build their preparation around Rough Carpentry, Finish Carpentry, Safety, Concrete, Masonry, Windows and Doors, Siding, and Drywall instead of reading every reference without a clear plan.

1 Exam Prep emphasizes working directly with the applicable reference books. Candidates can practice determining which book applies to a question, locating the supporting information, and reviewing the surrounding material to understand why the answer is correct.

Reference navigation is an important part of open-book preparation. Becoming familiar with indexes, chapters, tables, illustrations, terminology, and major sections can help candidates use the available testing time more effectively.

Practice-oriented preparation also makes it easier to identify weaker subjects. A contractor with extensive framing experience may need additional work with concrete or masonry, while an experienced finish carpenter may benefit from more OSHA or building-code review. A structured approach allows study time to be directed toward areas that need the most attention.

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Repair Contractor Book Package provides a broad construction reference library designed to support preparation across the complete exam outline while helping candidates develop stronger navigation skills for the open-book PSI examination.

How many questions are on the Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor exam?

The examination contains 60 questions. Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the test.

What score is required to pass?

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

Is the Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, allowing approved references to be used under PSI's testing rules.

What subjects are covered on the examination?

The examination covers Safety, Windows and Doors, Rough Carpentry, Finish Carpentry, Siding, Drywall, Concrete, and Masonry.

Which subjects have the most questions?

Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry are the two largest sections with 16 questions each. Together, they account for 32 of the 60 questions.

Does this package include OSHA?

Yes. The package includes the Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 for construction safety preparation.

Does this package include carpentry books?

Yes. The package includes Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016; Finish Carpenter's Manual; and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction.

Does the package include concrete and masonry references?

Yes. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition supports concrete preparation, while Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone supports masonry preparation.

Who administers the Alabama contractor examination?

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

What is Alabama's current general contractor licensing threshold?

For covered work under Alabama's general contractor licensing law, the current threshold is $100,000 or more, including labor and materials.