Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Alabama Carpentry and Framing Contractor
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
60
Passing score
70%
Exam time
180 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Alabama State Portion 60 questions
Estimating and Plan Reading
9 Q · 15%
Reading and interpreting span tables for headers, girders, joists, and raftersCalculating board feet of lumber from nominal dimensionsEstimating quantities of framing materials for walls, floors, and roofsReading architectural plan views, elevations, and section viewsInterpreting architectural symbols, abbreviations, and drawing conventionsUsing scale drawings and architect's scale for measurementsUnderstanding schedules and specifications in a plan setTypes of cost estimates including pre-design, quantity takeoff, and unit-cost methods
Layout
7 Q · 12%
Site layout methods using reference lines and surveying instrumentsTypes of surveying instruments (builder's level, transit, theodolite, laser level, GPS)Setting up and leveling a transit or level over a station markLaying out right angles and simple rectangles using a level or transitSetting up batter boards to establish building outlineEstablishing grades and measuring differences in elevation using differential levelingCalculating excavation volume in cubic yardsSoil bearing capacity, porosity, and overdig considerations
Walls
14 Q · 23%
Wood wall framing stud size, height, and spacing requirementsWall bracing methods and braced wall panel constructionHeader and girder spans for wall openingsFastening schedules for wall framing connectionsDrilling and notching limitations for studs and top platesWall anchorage to foundations and seismic requirementsCold-formed steel wall framing member sizing and connectionsCripple wall construction and bracing requirements
Floors and Stairs
13 Q · 22%
Floor framing components: posts, girders, sill plates, joists, and subfloorFloor joist span tables and allowable spans by species, grade, and spacingSubfloor installation: panel sheathing types, fastening schedules, and glue-nailingSpecial floor framing conditions: openings, bearing walls, cantilevers, and bathroom framingStair terminology and parts: treads, risers, stringers, handrails, and balustersStair code requirements: riser height, tread depth, headroom, width, and baluster spacingStringer layout and construction: cut-stringer, cleat-stringer, and housed-stringer methodsCutting, notching, and drilling restrictions for floor joists
Roofs
12 Q · 20%
Rafter sizing and span tables for wood roof framingRidge board and ridge beam requirementsRoof framing members: collar ties, purlins, braces, and ceiling joistsRoof sheathing materials and installationRoof covering types and minimum slope requirementsRoof ventilation and attic access requirementsRoof drainage, flashing, and weather protectionRoof truss design, bracing, and installation
OSHA Safety
5 Q · 8%
Fall protection requirements and systems (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)OSHA employer and employee rights, responsibilities, and general safety provisionsPersonal protective equipment (PPE) selection, use, and employer obligationsHand tool and power tool safety requirementsLadder and stairway safety requirementsHazard communication and hazardous materials on construction sitesFire protection and prevention on construction sitesFirst aid, medical services, and emergency action plans
Key Distinctions
Nominal dimensions (plans/callouts)vsNet (actual) dimensions (structural computations)
Per IBC 2301.2 lumber dimensions on documents are deemed nominal unless specifically designated as actual (a 2×4 is really 1½" × 3½"), but per IBC 2304.2 computations for required member sizes must be based on net/actual dimensions.
IBC 2021 Section 2301.2Board-foot calculation (nominal)vsFraming layout/fit (actual)
Board feet are always figured with nominal dimensions (a 2×6 counts as 2" × 6"), even though the dressed board actually measures 1½" × 5½".
IRC Section R602.1, R602.3; IRC 2018 Section R602.1Quantity takeoff estimatevsPre-design and parametric estimates
A quantity takeoff is made after design is complete by counting and measuring actual material quantities from finished construction documents, while pre-design estimates are rough approximations made before drawings exist and parametric estimates use historical cost-per-unit data.
IRC Section R602.3, Table R602.3(1)Unit-cost estimate unit for wallsvsUnit-cost estimate unit for floors and roofs
In a unit-cost estimate interior partition walls are measured in lineal feet (LF), with the per-foot cost covering framing through finish, while floors and roofs are measured in square feet (SF).
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.4, Pages 61-62Underlayment at eavesvsDrip edge at rake edges
Per IBC 1507.2.8.3 the underlayment goes over the drip edge along eaves, whereas the drip edge goes over the underlayment along rakes; drip edge is mechanically fastened at not more than 12 inches on center.
IBC 2021 Section 1507.2.8.3High rod readingvsLow rod reading
With a level, a higher rod reading means lower ground elevation, so a 6'6" reading at B versus 4'6" at A means point B is 2 feet lower than point A.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation2×6 bearing-wall studsvs2×4 nonbearing-wall studs
Per IBC Table 2308.5.1, 2×6 studs in bearing walls are limited to a 10-foot laterally unsupported height, while 2×4 studs in nonbearing walls are permitted up to 14 feet at 24 inches on center (the 20-foot height applies only to nonbearing walls).
IBC 2021 Table 2308.5.1Notching studs in nonbearing partitionsvsNotching studs in exterior walls/bearing partitions
Per IBC 2308.5.9, a stud in a nonbearing partition carrying only its own weight may be cut or notched up to 40 percent of its depth, a less restrictive limit than the 25 percent maximum for exterior walls and bearing partitions.
IBC 2021 Section 2308.5.9Exterior bearing wall header (roof and ceiling only)vsInterior bearing wall header (one floor only)
At a 24-foot building width, IBC Table 2308.4.1.1(1) gives a 2-2×10 a 6'-10" span (so it is the minimum for a 6-foot opening at 30 psf ground snow), while IBC Table 2308.4.1.1(2) limits a 2-2×8 interior header supporting one floor to 5'-5".
IBC 2021 Table 2308.4.1.1(1)Hip and valley raftersvsCommon rafters
Hip and valley rafters should be 2 inches wider in nominal dimension than the common rafters (2×8 hips with 2×6 commons) to give full bearing to the ends of intersecting jack rafters.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 18, Page 504Ridge boardvsRafter stock
The ridge board is nominal 2" lumber slightly wider than the rafters it supports (2×10 ridge with 2×8 rafters) so the angled rafter end cuts bear fully on it.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 19.1, Page 530Panel stamp number before the slash (32/16)vsPanel stamp number after the slash
On a performance-rated panel, the first number is the maximum support spacing in inches for roof sheathing use and the second number is the maximum spacing for subflooring use.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 19.5, Pages 562-563Joists resting on top of a wood girdervsJoists framing into the side of a wood girder
Per Section R502.6.2, joists framed into the side of a wood girder must be supported by approved framing anchors or on ledger strips not less than nominal 2×2, rather than simply bearing on top.
IRC 2021 Section R502.6.2Builder's level (dumpy level)vsTheodolite
A builder's level is the least expensive instrument and a good model is accurate to about ±1/4" at 75', while a theodolite is a transit that reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically on an LCD screen with no vernier scale, used where extreme accuracy is required.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of Instruments / LevelsKey Terms
Nominal dimension IBC 2021 Section 2301.2
Per IBC 2301.2, the size designation used for lumber on construction documents unless actual dimensions are specifically designated (e.g., a 2×4 that actually measures 1½" × 3½").
Net dimension IBC 2021 Section 2304.2
Per IBC 2304.2, the actual size of a wood member, which must be used for computations determining required member sizes.
Span table Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 13.2, Page 355
A list of the distances a particular structural product can span between structural supports such as walls or columns, supplied by manufacturers with recommended installation details.
Rafter span IRC Section R802.4.1; IRC 2018 Section R802.4.1
Per IRC R802.4.1, the rafter span used with span tables is measured along the horizontal projection of the rafter, not along the actual rafter length.
Rafter span adjustment factor (HC/HR) IRC Table R802.4.1(9); IRC 2018 Table R802.4.1(9)
Per IRC Table R802.4.1(9) and IBC Table 2308.7.2(7), a multiplier applied to tabulated rafter spans when ceiling joists or rafter ties sit higher in the attic; at HC/HR = 1/3 the factor is 0.67, the most restrictive value.
Schedule (window/door) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 16.2, Page 440
A chart included in building plans that gives rough-opening sizes and related information for windows and doors, used for layout and estimating.
Room-finish schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A schedule identifying the materials and finishes for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room and hallway.
Truss design drawing IBC 2021 Section 2303.4.1.1
Per IBC 2303.4.1.1, a drawing that must include at minimum the slope or depth, span and spacing of the truss, plus joint and support locations, number of plies, required bearing widths, and design loads.
Wood structural panel identification IBC 2021 Section 2303.1.5
Per IBC 2303.1.5, each panel must be identified by the trademark of an approved testing and grading agency for grade, bond classification, and Performance Category.
Shear wall Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 14.1, Page 14-11 (Book Page 378)
A wall designed to resist lateral (sideways) forces, often created by a specified sheathing nail spacing and commonly used to strengthen houses in seismic zones.
Collar tie Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 17.1, Page 468
A horizontal tie connecting opposite pairs of rafters to help stiffen the roof.
Purlin strut (brace) IBC 2021 Section 2308.7.7
Per IBC 2308.7.7, a brace supporting a purlin that must slope not less than 45 degrees from the horizontal, be not less than a 2×4, and have an unbraced length not exceeding 8 feet.
Differential leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
The process of determining differences in elevation between remote points that requires one or more additional intermediate instrument setups.
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 it without a surveying instrument.
Batter boards Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards
Corner layout boards set on three 2×4 stakes driven at each building corner at least 4 feet beyond the foundation lines to keep them clear of excavation.
Porosity Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation
The measurement of the ability of water to flow through soil; poor drainage may require excavating and replacing soil.
Bearing capacity / presumptive load-bearing value Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — The Excavation / Soil Testing
A measure of how well soil can support the weight of a house, determined by test borings; per IRC Table R401.4.1 sandy gravel and gravel (GW and GP) are assigned 3,000 pounds per square foot.
Handrail/guard load exception for one- and two-family dwellings IBC 2021 Section 1607.9.1, Exception 1
Per IBC 1607.9.1 Exception 1, only the single 200-pound concentrated load of Section 1607.9.1.1 must be applied, rather than both the linear and concentrated loads.
Formulas to Know
Board feet of a piece of lumber (nominal sizes)
Board feet = (nominal thickness in inches × nominal width in inches × length in feet) ÷ 12; e.g., 2×10×22' = (2 × 10 × 22) ÷ 12 = 36.67 bd ft, × 24 pieces ≈ 880 bd ft; 2×4×10' = (2 × 4 × 10) ÷ 12 = 6.67 bd ft, × 35 = 233 bd ft; a 2×6×12' = 12 bd ft, × 50 = 600 bd ftBoard feet from a per-100-square-foot table
Board feet = (surface area ÷ 100) × table factor; 2×6 rafters at 16" OC = 102 bd ft per 100 sq ft, so 2,100 sq ft → 21 × 102 = 2,142 bd ft (includes rafters, hips/valleys, ridge, collar ties); 2×6 ceiling plank at 16" OC = 88 bd ft per 100 sq ft (63 at 24" OC; 2×4 at 16" OC = 42; 2×8 at 16" OC = 117)Excavation volume in cubic yards
Add clearance to each side, then Volume (cu ft) = length × width × depth and cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 (27 cu ft = 1 cu yd); e.g., 26'×40' house with 2' clearance each side and 7' depth → 30 × 44 × 7 = 9,240 cu ft ÷ 27 ≈ 342 cu ydExcavation volume using the depth factor method
Cubic yards = excavation area (sq ft) × factor for depth (0.259 cu yd per sq ft at 7 ft deep); 44' × 30' = 1,320 sq ft × 0.259 = 341.88 ≈ 342 cu ydTrench excavation from a per-100-lineal-foot factor
Cubic yards = factor per 100 LF × (trench length ÷ 100); a 42" deep × 18" wide trench = 19.4 cu yd per 100 LF, so 30 ft → 19.4 × 0.30 = 5.82 cu ydStud count for a wall at 16" OC
Studs = (wall length in feet ÷ 1.333) + 1 (not counting extras for corners and openings); 48 ft → (48 ÷ 1.333) + 1 = 37 studsRoof sheathing panel count with waste
Panels = roof area ÷ 32 sq ft per panel, then add 5% for trim and waste; 72.19 × 0.05 = 3.6; 72.19 + 3.6 = 75.79 → 76 sheetsReading a ¼" = 1'-0" scale drawing
Actual length = drawing measurement in inches ÷ 0.25 (each ¼ inch = 1 foot); a 3-inch measurement = 3 ÷ 0.25 = 12 feet3-4-5 squaring rule (and multiples)
Measure 3 ft on one leg and 4 ft on the other; the diagonal must read exactly 5 ft for a 90° corner (a 5'-1" reading means adjust a layout line). In multiples: 9 ft and 12 ft legs must give a 15-ft diagonal.Rain load on an undeflected roof
R = 5.2(ds + dh), where ds is the static head (depth of water up to the secondary drainage inlet with the primary system blocked) and dh is the hydraulic head above that inlet at design flowFooting size increase for wide buildings
Where building width perpendicular to the wall footing exceeds 32 ft, increase footing width by 2 inches and footing depth by 1 inch for every 4 ft of added building width; a 36-ft-wide building = +2" width and +1" depthRough material cost estimate (unit-cost approach)
Step 1: floor area = length × width per level (20' × 40' = 800 sq ft); then apply the board-feet-per-100-sq-ft factor from the table and multiply by cost per board foot