Construction / Specialty Contractor License / Alabama
- Alabama
- Specialty Contractor
- Carpentry & Framing
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Alabama Carpentry & Framing Specialty Contractor License
Alabama licenses specialty trades through the Licensing Board for General Contractors. This page covers the Carpentry & Framing classification: who needs it, the two exams and how to apply.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors requirements
Application fee
$300
Plus $96 per PSI exam (trade and Business & Law)
Exam time
5 hrs
Trade exam (3 hrs) + Business & Law (2 hrs)
Time to get license
~3 yrs
3 years of hands-on carpentry experience
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE for renewal
Overview
Do you need an Alabama specialty contractor license?
In Alabama, you need a Carpentry & Framing specialty license for carpentry work on non-residential projects valued at $50,000 or more. Your classification and bid limit decide which projects you can take on.
License required when
- Building, altering or repairing floors, walls, partitions and roofs on non-residential projects of $50,000 or more
- Excavation and foundation work incidental to those structures
- Interior nonstructural alterations and repairs on existing buildings over three stories
Common exceptions
- Work on projects over three stories must be done under the supervision of a licensed General Contractor or Construction Manager
- Our sources don’t list other exemptions, so ask the Board before you bid
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our sources don’t list specific penalties. In general, the Licensing Board for General Contractors can take action against people who contract without the right license, so get licensed before you bid work over the threshold.
Your fast-track Alabama specialty contractor license checklist
The Alabama application, one page
- Proof of 3 years of hands-on carpentry experience
- Records of at least 3 completed carpentry projects
- Current financial statement
- General liability insurance certificate
- Passing trade and Business & Law exam scores
- Licensing fees paid
Types
Alabama specialty contractor license types and classifications
Specialty licenses are issued by classification. This page covers Carpentry & Framing; your bid limit is set by the Board based on your application and financials.
CARP
Specialty
Carpentry & Framing Contractor
Floors, walls, partitions and roofs on non-residential projects of $50,000 or more, plus incidental excavation and foundation work.
Exam
Trade + Business & Law
Limit
Set by the Board
Requirements
Alabama specialty contractor license requirements, class by class
Here’s what the Board asks for in a Carpentry & Framing application. Your experience records help the Board decide the level and amount of work you can do.
| Requirement | Carpentry & Framing |
|---|---|
| Experience | 3 years hands-on carpentry |
| Projects | At least 3 completed carpentry projects |
| Financial statement | Current statement required |
| Insurance | General liability |
| Trade exam | 70% (42 of 60 correct) |
| Business & Law exam | 70% or greater |
| Renewal | Annual, no CE |
Steps
How to get your Alabama specialty contractor license, step by step
- Document your experienceBefore you apply
Gather proof of 3 years of hands-on carpentry experience and at least 3 completed carpentry projects, plus your education and work records. - Get exam pre-approvalBefore the exam
Pre-approval is required before you can schedule with PSI. - Pass your exams with PSIExam day
Book the Carpentry & Framing trade exam and Business & Law at candidate.psiexams.com or (833) 333-4751. Both are open book, 70% to pass. - Get your insurance and financialsBefore you apply
You’ll need proof of general liability insurance and a current financial statement. - Apply to the BoardAfter you pass
Submit your application to the Licensing Board for General Contractors with your records and fees. Call 334-272-5030 or visit genconbd.alabama.gov. - Receive your licenseAfter Board review
The Board sets your classification and bid limit. Renew every year.
Exam
What to expect on the Alabama specialty contractor exam
You take two open-book exams with PSI: the Carpentry & Framing trade exam and the Alabama Business & Law exam. Permitted references are listed in the PSI candidate bulletin.
Format
Open book
Questions
60 + 50
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- Trade exam: 60 questions, 180 minutes, 42 correct to pass
- Trade topics: estimating and plan reading, layout, walls, floors and stairs, roofs, OSHA safety
- Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 70% to pass
- Business & Law topics: licensing, bidding, liens, finances, payroll and taxes, labor, project management, contracts, risk and safety recordkeeping
- References can be tabbed and highlighted
Retake policy
- Waiting periods between attempts aren’t stated in our sources
- Each PSI attempt costs $96, and you can retest as often as you need within your 1-year eligibility
- Pre-approval is required before you schedule
Exam references · Open book
The Alabama Carpentry and Framing Contractor exam and the Business and Law exam are both open book. You can tab and highlight the approved references below and bring them into the test.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) — Carpentry and Framing exam | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| International Residential Code (IRC) — Carpentry and Framing exam | 2021 | Allowed in exam |
| Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Edition — Carpentry and Framing exam | 2016 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926: Construction Industry Regulations — Carpentry and Framing exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Alabama General Contractors) — Business and Law exam | 3rd edition | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Alabama specialty contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does an Alabama specialty contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $300 |
| Trade exam fee (PSI) | Fixed | $96 |
| Business & Law exam fee (PSI) | Fixed | $96 |
| Financial statement preparation | Variable | Varies |
| General liability insurance | Variable | Varies |
| Reference books | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes financial statement, insurance and books | $492 |
Fees from the Licensing Board for General Contractors’ application page and the PSI candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Alabama accept out-of-state specialty contractor licenses?
Alabama has reciprocity agreements with four states. Our sources don’t say exactly what each one waives, so confirm with the Board before you apply.
Arkansas — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Ask the Board how your Arkansas license applies.
Louisiana — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Ask the Board how your Louisiana license applies.
Mississippi — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Ask the Board how your Mississippi license applies.
Tennessee — reciprocity agreement
Details of what’s waived aren’t stated in our sources. Ask the Board how your Tennessee license applies.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant and pass both exams.
Local
Do Alabama cities and counties have their own specialty contractor licensing rules?
Your specialty license comes from the state. Cities and counties still handle permits and inspections.
State handles
- Specialty classifications and bid limits
- Exams, through PSI
- Annual license renewal
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- Building permits and inspections
- Local business licenses where required
Governance
Who regulates specialty contractors in Alabama
Licensing authority
Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
334-272-5030
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues general and specialty contractor licenses
- Reviews experience to set the level and amount of work you can do
- Approves candidates for the trade and Business & Law exams
- Handles annual license renewals
Maintenance
How to renew your Alabama specialty contractor license and keep it active
Alabama specialty licenses renew every year for $200, and no continuing education is required. If your financial information arrives after the 90-day extension period, you’ll owe a $50 late penalty.
Renewal cycle
Every year
CE hours
Not required
Renewal fee
$200
Late penalty
$50
FAQ
Alabama specialty contractor license FAQs
When do I need a carpentry and framing license in Alabama?
For carpentry work on non-residential projects valued at $50,000 or more.
How much experience do I need?
Proof of 3 years of hands-on carpentry experience and at least 3 completed carpentry projects.
What exams do I take?
Two: the Carpentry & Framing trade exam (60 questions, 180 minutes) and the Alabama Business & Law exam (50 questions, 120 minutes). You need 70% on each.
Is the Alabama specialty exam open book?
Yes. Both exams are open book with the references listed in the PSI candidate bulletin.
Can I work on buildings taller than three stories?
You can do interior nonstructural alterations and repairs on existing buildings over three stories. For projects over three stories, work must be supervised by a licensed General Contractor or Construction Manager.
Is continuing education required?
No. Alabama doesn’t require continuing education, but you renew your license every year.
Does Alabama accept out-of-state licenses?
Alabama has reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Ask the Board what each agreement waives.
Sources
Official sources for the Alabama specialty contractor license
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors
- PSI, Alabama contractor candidate information bulletin
- PSI, exam scheduling
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, Carpentry and Framing classification
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to Apply for a License
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, Prime Contractor application (PDF)
- Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, 2026 Prime Contractor renewal (PDF)
- Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 230-X-1, Licensing Board for General Contractors
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.