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 (11 inches from centerline)vsWood Shingle Valley Flashing (7–10 inches from centerline)
Wood shake valley flashing must extend at least 11 inches from centerline each way, while wood shingle flashing varies by slope: 10 inches for slopes under 12:12 and 7 inches for slopes 12:12 and greater.
International Residential Code For One- And Two-Fa, Section R905.8.8Backspan-to-Cantilever Ratio for Balcony Joists (2:1)vsBackspan-to-Cantilever Ratio for Joists Supporting Bearing Wall and Roof (3:1)
Floor joists supporting an exterior balcony require a minimum 2:1 backspan-to-cantilever ratio, whereas cantilever joists supporting a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof require the stricter 3:1 ratio.
International Residential Code, Table R502.3.3(2), Note bDirect (Job) Overhead CostvsDirect Construction Cost
Direct overhead costs are administrative costs tied to a specific job but not to a specific trade (e.g., traffic control, barricades), while direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment costs directly tied to a construction phase (e.g., pipe materials, backhoe rental).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-213/8-inch Gypsum Panel (max 16-inch framing spacing)vs1/2-inch and 5/8-inch Gypsum Panels (max 24-inch framing spacing)
3/8-inch gypsum panels are limited to framing centers up to 16 inches on center, while 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch panels can be used with framing centers up to 24 inches on center.
Gypsum Construction Handbook, Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)Casement WindowvsDouble-Hung Window
A casement window has a side-hinged sash that swings fully open, allowing the entire window area to be used for ventilation, whereas a double-hung window limits ventilation to only a portion of its total area.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Types of Windows sectionMuntinvsMullion
A muntin is a vertical or horizontal piece within a single window sash that holds individual panes of glass, while a mullion strip is a vertical piece that separates two combined window units.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows sectionSolid-Core DoorvsHollow-Core Door
Solid-core doors contain a solid interior (wood strips, particleboard, or rigid foam) and are preferred for exterior use due to reduced warping and greater fire resistance, while hollow-core doors are lighter and less fire-resistant.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionFinger-Jointed Stock (paint-grade)vsSolid Wood Molding (stain-grade)
Finger-jointed stock is made from short glued pieces and is suitable only for painting because paint conceals the joints, whereas solid wood molding can be stained or painted since it has no visible finger joints.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)Egress Window on Upper Floor (min 5.7 sq. ft. open area)vsEgress Window on Grade Floor (min 5.0 sq. ft. open area)
Upper-floor egress windows require a minimum unblocked open area of 5.7 square feet, while grade-floor egress windows have a reduced minimum requirement of 5.0 square feet.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements sectionFive-Bag Concrete MixvsSix-Bag Concrete Mix
A five-bag mix (five bags of cement per cubic yard) is the minimum acceptable for most concrete work, while a six-bag mix is specified where high strength is needed or where steel reinforcement is used.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226Extruded Expanded Polystyrene (XPS) InsulationvsExpanded Polystyrene (EPS) Insulation
XPS has greater compressive strength than EPS and is specifically suitable for below-grade foundation wall use, while EPS has lower compressive strength and is not rated for below-grade applications.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-ValueTheodolitevsStandard Transit
A theodolite reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays measurements on an LCD screen without a vernier scale, while a standard transit requires manual reading of a vernier scale.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of InstrumentsKey Terms
Concrete Floor Slab Minimum Thickness 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
Per IBC Section 1907.1, concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground shall be not less than 3½ inches thick.
Polyethylene Vapor Retarder (Under Slab) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
Per IBC Section 1907.1, a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches must be placed between the base course or subgrade and a concrete floor slab.
Plain Concrete Footing Minimum Thickness (Group R-3) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1906.1
Per IBC Section 1906.1, plain concrete footings for Group R-3 occupancies of light-frame construction may be as thin as 6 inches provided the footing does not extend more than 4 inches on either side of the supported wall.
Anchor Bolt Embedment Depth 2021 International Building Code, Section 1905.1.8
Per IBC Section 1905.1.8, anchor bolts attaching wood sill plates to concrete foundations must be embedded a minimum of 7 inches into the concrete.
Truss Design Drawings and Placement Diagram 2021 International Building Code, Sections 2303.4.1.1 and 2303.4.2
Per IBC Sections 2303.4.1.1 and 2303.4.2, truss design drawings and a truss placement diagram must be provided with every shipment of trusses delivered to the job site.
Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Standard 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.6
Per IBC Section 2303.4.6, the design, manufacture, and quality assurance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses shall be in accordance with TPI 1.
Minimum Studs at Exterior Wall Corners 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.5.2
Per IBC Section 2308.5.2, not less than three studs shall be installed at each corner of an exterior wall in conventional light-frame construction.
Floor Joist Minimum Bearing Length 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.4.2.2
Per IBC Section 2308.4.2.2, the ends of each floor joist shall have not less than 1½ inches of bearing on wood or metal, or not less than 3 inches on masonry.
Maximum Hole Diameter in Floor Joists 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.4.2.4
Per IBC Section 2308.4.2.4, holes bored in floor joists shall not exceed one-third the depth of the joist and must be at least 2 inches from the top or bottom of the joist.
Differential Leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
The process of determining differences in elevation between remote points that require one or more intermediate instrument setups to complete the measurement.
Consolidation (Concrete) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
A concrete placement process that removes air pockets and forces concrete into all parts of the forms, accomplished by vibrating, tamping, spearing with a spade, or tapping forms with a hammer.
Batter Boards Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards
Temporary boards set on 2×4 stakes driven at least 4 feet beyond each foundation corner, used to maintain layout strings during excavation and foundation work.
Crawl Space Minimum Ventilation Ratio Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Crawl-Space Ventilation
A minimum of 1 square foot of net ventilation area is required for every 150 square feet of crawl space floor area when a vapor retarder is present.
Egress Window Ventilation Area Requirement Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements section
Building code requires that total openable window area for ventilation be not less than 4 percent of the room's floor area, unless mechanical ventilation is provided.
U-Value (Window Energy Rating) Windows & Skylights chapter, Energy Efficiency - Ratings section
A measure of a window's heat transfer rate; a lower U-value indicates greater insulating performance and less heat loss, and it functions inversely to R-value.
Gain (Door Hinge Mortise) Residential Doors chapter, Hinges section
A shallow mortise cut into the door edge or jamb to receive a single hinge leaf, with depth equal to the thickness of one leaf so the door closes flush.
Formulas to Know
Excavation Volume (Cubic Yards)
[(Length + clearance both sides) × (Width + clearance both sides) × Depth] ÷ 27Crawl Space Ventilation Area (sq. ft.)
Crawl Space Floor Area (sq. ft.) ÷ 150Ceiling Plank Board Feet
(Surface Area ÷ 100) × Board Feet Factor from table (e.g., 88 BF per 100 sq. ft. for 2×6 at 16" OC)Elevation Difference Between Two Points
Higher Elevation − Lower Elevation = DifferenceMinimum Required Window Ventilation Area
Room Floor Area × 0.04 = Minimum Openable Window AreaMinimum Required Window Glass Area (Natural Light)
Room Floor Area × 0.08 = Minimum Total Glass Area