The 1 Package: All-Inclusive Alabama Home Builders HBLB Contractor Exam, Licensing & Business Setup Solution

Take a comprehensive approach to becoming an Alabama home builder with The 1 Package, an all-inclusive solution that combines contractor exam preparation, highlighted and tabbed rental books, licensing application support, business formation services, EIN filing assistance, contractor compliance guidance, and extended course access. This package is designed for candidates pursuing the Alabama Unlimited Home Builders License who want to bring the major pieces of exam preparation, licensing, and business setup together in one organized program.

The package includes the references used across the Alabama Home Builders licensing examinations: the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2015, the Residential Home Builder Study Guide, and the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law & Project Management, Alabama, Residential Construction, 4th Edition. The books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation to help candidates become more efficient when working through the open-book examinations.

The 1 Package goes beyond books and exam study. It includes 1 year of course access, Application Service, Business Formation for an LLC or Corporation, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance. These services are designed to support the transition from exam candidate to properly structured contracting business while keeping the preparation process organized.

Alabama Home Builders candidates must prepare for both technical residential construction subjects and business and law requirements. The Skills Exam addresses areas such as plan reading, foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, finishes, associated trades, and safety. The separate Business and Law Exam addresses business organization, contracts, estimating and bidding, financial management, licensing laws, project management, taxes, and other business responsibilities.

Book Preparation: All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

Exam Details

The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board contracts with Prov to administer the examinations required for Alabama home builder licensing. Candidates seeking an Unlimited Home Builders License must successfully complete two examinations: the Alabama HBLB Skill Exam and the Alabama HBLB Business and Law Exam.

The Alabama HBLB Skill Exam contains 80 questions and provides 4 hours for completion. The required passing score for the Alabama Home Builder examination is 66%.

The current technical examination outline includes:

• Plan Reading: 10 questions
• Sitework & Foundations: 10 questions
• Concrete and Reinforcement: 7 questions
• Masonry: 6 questions
• Carpentry: 20 questions
• Roofing: 7 questions
• Interior Finish: 4 questions
• Exterior Finish: 5 questions
• Associated Trades: 6 questions
• OSHA: 5 questions

Carpentry represents the largest portion of the Skills Exam with 20 questions. Plan reading and sitework and foundations each account for 10 questions. Candidates must also prepare for concrete and reinforcement, masonry, roofing, finishes, associated trades, and safety.

The separate Alabama HBLB Business and Law Exam contains 40 questions and provides 2 hours for completion. The passing score is 70%. Its content includes business organization, contract management, estimating and bidding, financial management, labor laws, licensing laws, lien laws, project management, risk management, safety reporting, Board rules, and tax laws.

Open Book Test

Both Alabama Home Builders examinations are administered as open book tests. Authorized references may be brought into the testing center and used during the examination in accordance with Prov's reference-material rules.

The current examination rules permit approved references to be highlighted, underlined in ink, and prepared with permanent tabs. Handwritten notes are not permitted in the reference books, moveable tabs and Post-it notes are not allowed, and unauthorized materials cannot be added to the books.

All books included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. This preparation is especially valuable on an open-book exam because candidates need to locate information efficiently. The Skills Exam provides an average of approximately three minutes per question, while the Business and Law Exam also requires candidates to manage their reference searches carefully within the available testing time.

Candidates should practice using their books throughout the course rather than waiting until exam day. Repeated navigation using tabs, indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, and highlighted passages can help create a more organized search process when a question requires reference research.

Licensing Steps

The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board regulates residential home builders in Alabama. Candidates seeking an Unlimited Home Builders License must complete the licensing process in addition to passing the required examinations.

1. Select the Unlimited Home Builders License. Alabama provides Unlimited, Limited, and Roofers license categories through the Home Builders Licensure Board.
2. Complete the appropriate application. Applicants must submit the application materials required for their individual or business entity structure.
3. Demonstrate experience and ability. Applicants must satisfy the Board that they possess the experience and ability necessary to engage in residential home building.
4. Pass the required examinations. Unlimited-license applicants must complete the Alabama Home Builders Skill Exam and the Alabama HBLB Business and Law Exam. Prior Board authorization is not required before taking the exams.
5. Demonstrate business-related financial responsibility. Unlimited and Limited applicants must have a current credit report on the individual or business making application sent directly to the Board from a credit-reporting agency.
6. Provide required business documentation. Corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and foreign business entities must provide the applicable organizational documentation required by the Board.
7. Provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence. Applicants must provide acceptable documentation as part of the licensing process.
8. Complete Board review. The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board reviews the complete application and supporting materials before a license is issued.

Application Service is included with The 1 Package, giving customers additional support as they work through the licensing application process.

State Requirements

Alabama residential home builders are regulated under the state's Home Builders Licensure Law. Licensing generally applies to qualifying residential construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, or reimprovement work when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $10,000.

The law generally applies to qualifying residences and structures that are no more than three floors in height and contain no more than four residential units. Residential roofing is also specifically addressed under Alabama's home builder licensing law when the cost of the roofing undertaking exceeds $2,500.

Applicants seeking an Unlimited Home Builders License must demonstrate experience and ability, satisfy business-related financial responsibility requirements, and successfully complete the required examinations. The applicant must also complete the documentation requirements associated with the individual or business entity applying for the license.

The Board states that an Unlimited Home Builders License also qualifies the license holder to perform residential roofing within the scope of the license, so an Unlimited license holder does not need a separate Roofers License.

Reference Books

• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2015
  Included Book: The 2015 International Residential Code is an authorized reference for the Alabama HBLB Skill Exam. It addresses residential building planning, foundations, floors, wall construction, roof-ceiling construction, roof assemblies, structural provisions, residential systems, and other requirements for one- and two-family dwellings. This rental book is highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.
• Residential Home Builder Study Guide
  Included Book: This authorized Skills Exam reference supports preparation across the residential construction subjects included in the Alabama examination outline. It provides technical study material that complements the International Residential Code and is included highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law & Project Management, Alabama, Residential Construction, 4th Edition
  Included Book: This is the authorized reference for the Alabama HBLB Business and Law Exam. It supports preparation in business organization, contracts, estimating and bidding, financial management, licensing requirements, project management, risk management, and other business-related examination areas. It is included highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong preparation plan should address both the technical Skills Exam and the Business and Law Exam. The included 1 year of course access gives candidates time to work through the material systematically, revisit difficult subjects, and practice using the highlighted and tabbed books throughout their preparation.

For the Skills Exam, carpentry deserves significant attention because it represents 20 questions. Plan reading and sitework and foundations are also major categories, with 10 questions each. Candidates should then build study time around concrete, reinforcement, masonry, roofing, finishes, associated trades, and OSHA-related safety.

The Business and Law Exam requires a different preparation approach. Candidates should become comfortable with business terminology, contract responsibilities, estimating and bidding, financial management, licensing laws, project management, risk management, and tax-related topics while learning how the NASCLA Alabama reference is organized.

Reference navigation should be practiced regularly. Candidates can select a question, identify the key subject, determine which book is appropriate, and use permanent tabs, chapter headings, the table of contents, or the index to locate the information. Practicing this process under time limits can help expose subjects where additional familiarity is needed.

The combination of course access and prepared references allows candidates to alternate between instructional study and active book navigation. This can be more effective than simply reading each book from beginning to end because it reinforces the connection between exam topics and the references used to answer questions.

Business Formation, EIN Filing and Contractor Compliance

The 1 Package is designed to extend beyond exam preparation into the practical setup of the contracting business. Business Formation for an LLC or Corporation is included to help establish the customer's business entity and create an organized legal structure for operating as an Alabama residential home builder.

EIN Filing with the IRS is also included. An Employer Identification Number can be used when opening business bank accounts, managing business taxes, hiring employees when applicable, and establishing the contracting company as a distinct business operation.

The package also includes Contractor Compliance Guidance to assist customers in understanding ongoing requirements that may apply to Alabama home builders. This support is intended to help customers organize the licensing and business setup process as they establish their contracting operation.

Rental and Refundable Deposit Information

The package cost is listed at $2,245. A $350 refundable deposit applies to the rental books. The deposit is refundable when the books are returned in similar condition within 1 year.

The stated all-inclusive total for The 1 Package is $2,545. All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Alabama Home Builders candidates through an organized process that combines exam preparation, reference navigation, licensing assistance, and business setup services. Instead of treating the exam, application, and business formation as completely separate tasks, The 1 Package brings these major steps together in one solution.

Trade-focused study helps candidates work through plan reading, foundations, concrete, reinforcement, masonry, carpentry, roofing, finishes, associated trades, and safety. Business and law preparation adds focused review of contracts, estimating, financial management, licensing, project management, and other responsibilities associated with operating a contracting business.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to use their references actively. The highlighted and tabbed books can be incorporated into study sessions so candidates become familiar with where information is located before sitting for the open-book exams.

The included 1 year of course access provides extended time for review. Application Service supports the licensing process, while Business Formation, EIN Filing, and Contractor Compliance Guidance help customers organize the business side of becoming an Alabama residential contractor.

The result is a comprehensive preparation structure designed to help candidates move from exam study toward licensing and business setup with the major resources and services organized into a single package.

What is included in The 1 Package?

The 1 Package includes highlighted and tabbed rental books, 1 year of course access, Application Service, Business Formation for an LLC or Corporation, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

Which books are included?

The package includes the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2015; Residential Home Builder Study Guide; and NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law & Project Management, Alabama, Residential Construction, 4th Edition.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

How long is the course access?

The 1 Package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included as part of The 1 Package.

Does the package include business formation?

Yes. Business Formation for an LLC or Corporation is included to help establish the customer's contracting business entity.

Is EIN filing included?

Yes. EIN Filing with the IRS is included as part of the business setup services.

Is the book deposit refundable?

Yes. The $350 book deposit is refundable when the books are returned in similar condition within one year.

Is the Alabama HBLB examination open book?

Yes. Both the Alabama HBLB Skill Exam and Business and Law Exam are open book and permit authorized references according to Prov's testing rules.

How many questions are on the Alabama HBLB Skill Exam?

The Skills Exam contains 80 questions and allows four hours for completion. The passing score is 66%.

Does passing the exams automatically issue my license?

No. Passing the required examinations is one component of the licensing process. Applicants must also complete the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board application requirements and receive Board approval.