Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Alabama Building Contractor Under Four Stories
Alabama · PSI Services Contractor
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
90
Passing score
70%
Exam time
230 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Alabama State Portion 90 questions
Sitework, Footings and Foundation
8 Q · 9%
Soil classification and presumptive load-bearing valuesFooting size, depth, and frost protection requirementsFoundation wall types: concrete, masonry, and woodExcavation safety: sloping, benching, shoring, and cave-in protection (OSHA Subpart P)Soil compaction methods, testing, and moisture content requirementsDampproofing, waterproofing, and foundation drainage systemsReinforcement placement in footings and foundation wallsSite layout, grading, and drainage away from foundations
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement
8 Q · 9%
Concrete mixture proportions and water-cementitious materials ratioConcrete materials: cement types, aggregates, water, and admixturesCompressive strength testing and acceptance criteria (ASTM C31, C39)Concrete durability requirements and exposure categories (ACI 318 Chapter 4)Reinforcing steel types, grades, placement tolerances, and concrete coverDevelopment length, lap splices, and standard hooks for reinforcementFormwork design, loads, safety requirements, and form removalJoints in concrete: contraction, isolation, and construction joints
Metals
5 Q · 6%
Steel joist types and designation systems (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, joist girders)Erection bridging requirements by joist span and seriesSteel joist and joist girder receiving, unloading, and jobsite storageMetal decking types, profiles, and installation methodsColumn anchorage and structural stability during steel erectionOSHA Subpart R fall protection and safety requirements for steel erectionCold-formed steel framing members, tools, and fastening methodsIBC Chapter 22 standards for structural steel, cold-formed steel, and aluminum construction
Masonry
6 Q · 7%
Mortar types, proportions, and properties (ASTM C270 Types M, S, N, O, K)Masonry unit types and classifications (brick, CMU, stone, AAC, glass unit)Grout materials, placement, and grouting methods (low-lift and high-lift)Masonry wall systems (solid, hollow, cavity, composite, reinforced, veneer)Footings and foundation walls for masonry constructionAnchors, ties, and joint reinforcement in masonry assembliesMasonry design methods (allowable stress, strength design, empirical design)Masonry fireplaces and chimneys (construction requirements, flue, firebox, hearth)
Carpentry
16 Q · 18%
Wood framing materials: lumber grades, species, and moisture contentWall framing components and construction (studs, plates, headers, sheathing)Floor framing systems (joists, girders, subfloor, span tables)Roof framing types and rafter layout (common, hip, valley, and jack rafters)Roof truss handling, installation, temporary restraint, and permanent bracingEngineered wood products (plywood, OSB, LVL, I-joists, glulam)Finish carpentry: doors, windows, stairs, molding, trim, cabinets, and finish flooringBuilding codes, permits, inspections, and architectural plan reading
Roofing
10 Q · 11%
Roof framing terminology (span, run, rise, slope, pitch, unit run, unit rise)Common rafter layout and sizing (Pythagorean theorem, unit-length method, step-off method, rafter span tables)Hip, valley, and jack rafter layout and length calculationsRoof sheathing materials and installation requirements (lumber and wood structural panel sheathing)Roof covering types and installation requirements (asphalt shingles, wood shingles and shakes, clay and concrete tile, metal roofing, built-up and modified bitumen roofing)Underlayment types, application methods, and ice barrier requirementsFlashing installation (valleys, step flashing, drip edge, crickets and saddles, vent stack flashing)Roof drainage, ventilation, and attic access requirements
General Code and Construction Knowledge
20 Q · 22%
Occupancy classification and use groups (IBC Chapter 3)Building height, area, and type of construction limitationsFire-resistance ratings and fire/smoke protection featuresMeans of egress requirements, occupant load, and exit sizingAutomatic sprinkler systems and fire protection/life safety systemsBuilding energy efficiency and thermal envelope requirements (IECC)Accessibility requirements and accessible routesBuilding permits, inspections, and code administrationEnergy code compliance (IECC 2018): building thermal envelope insulation R-values and fenestration U-factors, air leakage testing, duct and piping insulation, mechanical and lighting provisions, compliance paths
Associated Trades
10 Q · 11%
Plumbing systems: water supply, distribution, and backflow preventionSanitary drainage, venting, and trap requirementsElectrical rough-in: service sizing, branch circuits, receptacle placement, and GFCI/AFCI protectionMechanical systems: HVAC equipment, duct construction, exhaust systems, and combustion airFuel gas piping, appliances, and venting requirementsGypsum board and plaster installation: framing, cladding, finishing levels, and fire/sound ratingsThermal and acoustical insulation: R-values, vapor retarders, and energy code complianceInterior finishes: flame spread classifications, floor coverings, and paint application
OSHA Safety
7 Q · 8%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Scaffold types, capacities, and safety requirementsLadder safety, types, and proper useExcavation, trenching, and cave-in protectionPersonal protective equipment selection and useFire protection, prevention, and flammable liquid storageElectrical safety and hazard prevention on construction sitesHazardous and toxic substances exposure limits and controls (including asbestos, silica, lead)
Key Distinctions
Wood shake valley flashing widthvsWood shingle valley flashing width
Shake valley flashing must extend not less than 11 inches from the centerline each way, while shingle valley flashing varies by slope (10 inches for slopes less than 12:12 and 7 inches for slopes 12:12 and greater).
IRC 2021 For One- And Two-Fa, Section R905.8.8; IRC 2018 Section R905.8.8Backspan-to-cantilever ratio for balcony joists (2:1)vsBackspan-to-cantilever ratio for joists supporting light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof (3:1)
Floor joists cantilevered to support an exterior balcony need a backspan at least 2 times the cantilever, while cantilevers carrying a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof require 3:1.
IRC 2021 Table R502.3.3(2), Note b; IRC 2018 Table R502.3.3(2)Direct construction costvsDirect (job) overhead cost
Direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment tied to a trade or phase (pipe materials, backhoe rental, pipe bedding aggregate), while direct job overhead is administrative cost caused by that job but not tied to a specific trade or phase (traffic control with barricades/flaggers/lane delineators, pipe and soil density testing).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-213/8″ gypsum panelsvs1/2″ and 5/8″ gypsum panels
3/8″ panels are designed for framing centers up to 16″ on center, whereas 1/2″ and 5/8″ panels are designed for framing centers up to 24″ on center.
Gypsum Construction Handbook (7th ed.), Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)SlopevsPitch
Slope is the ratio of rise to run (the term best suited to roof framing), while pitch is the ratio of rise to span.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 470MuntinvsMullion strip
A muntin is the vertical or horizontal piece within a sash that holds an individual pane of glass, while a mullion strip is the vertical piece separating combined window units.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows sectionHollow masonry unitvsSolid masonry unit
A hollow unit has net cross-sectional area less than 75 percent of its gross area measured in any plane parallel to the surface containing voids; a solid unit has 75 percent or more.
ACI 530/530.1-11, TMS 402 Code Chapter 1, Section 1.6 Definitions, Page C-16Egress window on an upper floor (5.7 sq. ft.)vsEgress window on the grade floor (5.0 sq. ft.)
Upper-floor egress windows must have not less than 5.7 sq. ft. of unblocked open area, while grade-floor windows require not less than 5.0 sq. ft.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements sectionWindow area required for ventilation (4%)vsWindow glass area required for natural light (8%)
Openable window area for ventilation must be not less than 4 percent of floor area unless mechanical air conditioning/ventilation is provided, while 8 percent applies to total window glass area for natural light.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements sectionSolid-core doorvsHollow-core door
Solid-core construction (wood strips, particleboard, or rigid foam covered by thin veneer) reduces warping and is more fire-resistant, so it is generally preferred for exterior doors over hollow-core.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionJoist bearing on wood or metal (1½ in.)vsJoist bearing on masonry (3 in.)
Each joist end must have not less than 1½ inches of bearing on wood or metal, but not less than 3 inches on masonry.
IBC 2021 Section 2308.4.2.2Five-bag concrete mixvsSix-bag concrete mix
Five bags of cement per cubic yard is the minimum considered acceptable for most work, while six-bag mix is specified where high strength is needed or steel reinforcement is used.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226Brick veneer tie fastener in Seismic Design Categories D₀, D₁, D₂vsBrick veneer tie fastener in lower seismic design categories
SDC D₀–D₂ requires a minimum 8d ring-shank nail (2½ in. × 0.131 in.) for corrugated sheet metal veneer ties, an upgrade from the standard 8d common nail allowed in lower categories.
IRC 2021 Table R703.8.4(1), footnote c; IRC 2018 Table R703.8.4(1)U-valuevsR-value
U-values are reversed from R-values: a lower U-value means less heat loss or gain and greater insulating performance.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Windows & Skylights chapter, Energy Efficiency - Ratings sectionKey Terms
Fire wall IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Fire Wall)
A fire-resistance-rated wall with protected openings that restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.
Area, building IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Area, Building)
The area within surrounding exterior walls, or exterior walls and fire walls, exclusive of vent shafts and courts; unwalled areas are included if they fall within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.
Occupant load IBC 2021 202
The number of persons for which the means of egress of a building or portion thereof is designed — a design value, not the actual number of people present.
Story above grade plane IBC 2021 Section 202 (Definitions - Story Above Grade Plane)
Any story with its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in which the finished surface of the floor next above is more than 6 feet above grade plane (or more than 12 feet above finished ground level at any point).
Cavity wall ACI 530/530.1-11, TMS 402 Code Chapter 1, Section 1.6 Definitions, Page C-14
A masonry wall of two or more wythes, at least two of which are separated by a continuous air space, with the separated wythes connected by wall ties.
Hollow masonry unit ACI 530/530.1-11, TMS 402 Code Chapter 1, Section 1.6 Definitions, Page C-16
A masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area is less than 75 percent of its gross cross-sectional area measured in any plane parallel to the surface containing voids.
TPI 1 IBC 2021 Section 2303.4.6
The standard governing the design, manufacture, and quality assurance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses.
Consolidation Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process that removes air pockets and forces concrete into all parts of the forms, done with a concrete vibrator, tamping, spearing with a spade, or tapping forms with a hammer.
Shear wall Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 378
A wall designed to resist lateral (sideways) forces, often created by a specific sheathing nail spacing and properly fastened to the framing above and to the sill plate and foundation below.
Racking Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 29.3, Page 852
A structural failure in which a wall shifts and studs are forced out of plumb; properly fastened full-height plywood/OSB sheathing braces the wall against racking and twisting.
Differential leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
Determining differences in elevation between points remote from each other, requiring one or more additional intermediate instrument setups.
Theodolite Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments
A transit that reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays measurements on an LCD screen (no vernier scale), used where extremely accurate measurements are required.
Reference line Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Basic Techniques / Measuring From a Reference Line
An existing line such as a street or marked property line that a building is planned parallel to, allowing the site to be staked out by measuring from that line without a surveying instrument.
Gain Residential Doors chapter, Hinges section
A mortise (notch) cut for a hinge whose depth equals the thickness of a single hinge leaf, with one gain in the door edge and one in the jamb so the closed door sits flush.
Finger-jointed stock Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
Molding/trim made from short lengths of solid wood finger-jointed and glued together; a paint-grade product suitable for painting but not staining because paint conceals the joints.
Plyform Modern Masonry (9th ed.), Chapter 19, Page 402
An exterior-type plywood specially designed for concrete forming, made from special wood species and veneer grades and available in Class I and Class II grades.
Jointer (jointing tool) Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 24, Page 688
A shaped metal bar run over masonry joints to pack mortar into them and give the joints a particular shape.
Room-finish schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A plan schedule identifying the materials and finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room and hallway.
Formulas to Know
Excavation volume for a foundation (cubic yards)
[(house length + clearance both sides) × (house width + clearance both sides) × depth] ÷ 27; e.g., 44' × 30' × 7' = 9,240 cf ÷ 27 ≈ 342 cyConcrete quantity for a slab, deck, driveway, or footing
Volume (cf) = area (sf) × thickness in feet (inches ÷ 12); cy = cf ÷ 27, rounded UP when ordering whole yards (e.g., 540 sf × 5/12 = 225 cf = 8.33 cy; driveway + sidewalk 265 cf = 9.81 cy → order 10 cy)Formwork contact area and formwork labor price
Contact area = length × form height × number of faces (200' × 1.0' × 2 = 400 sf); labor = area × unit rate, then × 1.25 for 25% burden, then × 1.15 for 15% O&P (400 × $1.25 = $500 → $625 → $718.75)Roof rise and ridge elevation
Run = span ÷ 2; rise = run × (pitch rise/12); ridge elevation = top-of-wall elevation + rise (e.g., 63' span: run 31.50' × 8/12 = 21.00' rise; 12.00' + 21.00' = 33.00')Sloped (common) rafter length
Rafter = √(run² + rise²) (e.g., √(28² + 14²) = 31.30'); or run × printed slope factor (12' × 1.054 = 12.6 lin ft)True hip rafter length
Hip = √(run₁² + run₂² + rise²) (e.g., √(18² + 18² + 9²) = √729 = 27.00 ft)Roof area and squares using the slope factor
Slope factor = √(12² + rise²) ÷ 12 (6:12 = 1.118); roof area = footprint × slope factor; squares = roof area ÷ 100 (2,160 sf × 1.118 = 2,415 sf = 24.2 squares); use each plane's own factor for separate takeoffs (porch 20 × 10 = 200 sf × 1.031 for 3:12 = 206 sf)Top chord slope angle from horizontal
Angle = arctan(rise ÷ run), with rise = top elevation − bearing elevation and run = span ÷ 2 (arctan(12/24) = 26.6°)Crawl-space net ventilation area
1 sq ft of net vent area per 150 sq ft of crawl-space area (1,200 ÷ 150 = 8 sq ft)Average lot elevation and fill volume
Average elevation = sum of corner spot elevations ÷ 4; average fill depth = finished elevation − average existing; fill cy = lot area × average depth ÷ 27 (6,000 sf × 1.00' = 6,000 cf ÷ 27 = 222.2 cy); maximum corner difference = highest − lowest corner