Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Alabama Roofing and Sheet Metal 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
150 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Alabama State Portion 60 questions
Estimating and Plan Reading
10 Q · 17%
Measuring roof area using positive and negative methodsRoof slope calculation and conversion (rise/run, pitch, degrees)Roof-slope factors and rafter length calculation from plan dimensionsCalculating net versus gross roof area and allowance factorsHip and valley length determination using slope factors and appendix tablesLabor unit price calculation and adjusting for actual crew wagesProduction rate formulas and project duration estimationArea modification factors and use of published estimating guides
Surface Preparation and Planning
8 Q · 13%
Roof deck inspection and pre-installation requirementsWood panel (plywood and OSB) deck selection, grading standards, and minimum thickness requirementsStructural load-bearing capacity and deflection limitations for roof decksRoof slope and drainage requirements including minimum slope standards by system typeUnderlayment types, selection criteria, and installation requirements by roof covering and slopeAir and vapor retarder design and placement within roof assembliesRigid board insulation types, R-values, multilayer installation, and cover board requirementsDeck surface condition, moisture control, and treatment considerations for preservative- and fire-retardant-treated panels
Steep and Low Slope Roofing, including BUR, Waterproofing
27 Q · 45%
Asphalt shingle materials, types, and installation requirementsBuilt-up roofing (BUR) composition, bitumens, and surfacing typesSingle-ply membrane systems (EPDM, TPO, PVC) attachment methodsPolymer-modified bitumen (APP and SBS) membrane systemsUnderlayment types, configurations, and installation for steep-slope systemsClay, concrete tile, and slate roof system materials and installationWood shake and wood shingle grading, materials, and installationRoof insulation types, R-values, and thermal performance for low-slope assemblies
Roofing Components
9 Q · 15%
Roof deck and sheathing types (solid vs. spaced decking, plywood, board sheathing)Underlayment materials and classifications (asphalt felt, synthetic sheet, polymer-modified bitumen, self-adhering membranes)Underlayment application requirements by roof slope and covering typeIce barrier and water/ice-dam protection membrane requirementsFlashing types and installation (drip edge, valley, step, apron, counterflashing, crickets/saddles)Roof accessories (equipment curbs, expansion joint covers, prefabricated pipe flashings, roof vents, skylights, snow guards)Fire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, C) and wind resistance requirementsMembrane roof system surfacings (aggregate, ballast, coatings, vegetative)
Safety
6 Q · 10%
Fall protection requirements for roofing work (low-slope and steep roofs)Personal fall arrest systems — components, criteria, and inspectionGuardrail systems — specifications and installation requirementsScaffold safety — erection, use, fall protection, and falling object protectionLadder and stairway safety requirementsFire protection and prevention — extinguishers, flammable liquids, and fire prevention programsPersonal protective equipment — head, eye, face, foot, and hearing protectionGeneral safety and health provisions — employer responsibilities, safety training, and housekeeping
Key Distinctions
Wood Shingles (naturally durable)vsWood Shakes (naturally durable)
Wood shingles may be Grade 1, 2, or 3 per CSSB rules, while wood shakes require a minimum of Grade 1 only.
IBC 2021, Table 1507.8.5Nail penetration – wood plank/board deckvsNail penetration – plywood deck (<¾ inch)
Nails must penetrate at least ¾ inch into wood plank/board decks, but need only extend a minimum of ⅛ inch through the underside of plywood decks less than ¾ inch thick.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.2—Asphalt Shingle Roof System Design and Installation (Fasteners)Class A Roof AssemblyvsClass B Roof Assembly
Class A is effective against severe fire-test exposure, while Class B is effective against moderate fire-test exposure.
IBC 2021, Section 1505.2Class B Roof AssemblyvsClass C Roof Assembly
Class B is effective against moderate fire-test exposure, while Class C is effective against light fire-test exposure.
IBC 2021, Section 1505.3ASTM D7158 Class G shinglevsASTM D7158 Class H shingle
Class G shingles pass wind resistance testing up to a basic wind speed of 120 mph, while Class H shingles pass up to 150 mph.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Wind Resistance (ASTM D7158)ASTM D3161 wind classificationvsASTM D7158 wind classification
ASTM D3161 uses fan-induced wind tests with Class A (60 mph), D (90 mph), and F (110 mph) designations, while ASTM D7158 uses Class D (90 mph), G (120 mph), and H (150 mph) designations keyed to basic design wind speeds.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Wind Resistance (ASTM D3161)Positive method (roof area measurement)vsNegative method (roof area measurement)
The positive method divides the irregular roof into rectangles and adds their areas, while the negative method extends roof lines to form one large rectangle and subtracts non-roof areas; both yield identical results.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 1, Pages 7-8Slate shingle deck requirementvsWood shingle/shake deck requirement
Slate shingles must be fastened to a solidly sheathed deck, whereas wood shingles and shakes may permit spaced sheathing.
IBC 2021, Section 1507.7.1Cricket (chimney flashing)vsBacker flashing (chimney flashing)
NRCA recommends a cricket for chimneys or curbed penetrations wider than 24 inches, while backer flashing is generally limited to penetrations 24 inches wide or less.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems — Chapter 7Scaffold fall protection threshold (Subpart L)vsGeneral walking/working surface fall protection threshold (Subpart M)
Employees on scaffolds must be protected from falls when more than 10 feet above a lower level, whereas the general threshold on other walking/working surfaces is 6 feet.
29 CFR 1926, §1926.451(g)(1)2-inch sawn tongue-and-groove deckingvs3-inch and 4-inch sawn tongue-and-groove decking
Two-inch sawn tongue-and-groove decking requires a single tongue-and-groove pattern, while 3-inch and 4-inch sawn decking must be machined with a double tongue-and-groove pattern.
2021 IBC, Section 2304.9.5.1ASHRAE 90.1 closed-cell SPF air retarder criteriavsIECC closed-cell SPF air retarder criteria
ASHRAE 90.1 requires 2.0 lbs./ft.³ density and minimum 1 inch thickness, while IECC requires 1.5 lbs./ft.³ density and minimum 1½ inches thickness for deemed-to-comply closed-cell spray polyurethane foam.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roof Systems, Page 116Key Terms
Class A Roof Assembly (IBC 2021, Section 1505.2) IBC 2021, Section 1505.2
A roof assembly effective against severe fire-test exposure, tested per ASTM E108 or UL 790; qualifying examples include minimum 16 oz/ft² copper sheets over combustible decks and slate over ASTM D226 Type II underlayment.
Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood Shakes/Shingles (IBC 2021, Section 1505.6) IBC 2021, Section 1505.6
Wood shakes and shingles treated by impregnation with chemicals using the full-cell vacuum-pressure process in accordance with AWPA C1 to qualify as fire-retardant roof coverings.
Slate Shingle Deck Requirement (IBC 2021, Section 1507.7.1) IBC 2021, Section 1507.7.1
Slate shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed roofs only; spaced sheathing is not permitted for slate installations.
Metal Roof Covering – Galvanized Steel Minimum Standard (IBC 2021, Table 1507.4.3(2)) IBC 2021, Table 1507.4.3(2)
Galvanized steel used in metal roof coverings must meet ASTM A653 G90 zinc-coated as the minimum corrosion resistance standard.
Wood Shake Grade Requirement (IBC 2021, Table 1507.9.6) IBC 2021, Table 1507.9.6
Wood shakes of naturally durable wood used as roof covering require a minimum Grade 1 per Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) grading rules.
Zinc Minimum Thickness – Metal Roof Covering (IBC 2021, Table 1507.4.3(1)) IBC 2021, Table 1507.4.3(1)
Zinc used as a metal roof covering must be a minimum of 0.027 inch thick, using 99.995% electrolytic high-grade zinc with alloy additives.
3- and 4-Inch T&G Decking Pattern (IBC 2021, Section 2304.9.5.1) 2021 IBC, Section 2304.9.5.1
Three-inch and four-inch sawn tongue-and-groove roof decking must be machined with a double tongue-and-groove pattern, as opposed to the single pattern required for 2-inch decking.
Scaffold Fall Protection Height (29 CFR 1926, §1926.451(g)(1)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.451(g)(1)
Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling, a threshold distinct from the 6-foot general industry standard.
ASTM D3462 NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Asphalt Shingle Standards
The standard specification for asphalt shingles made from glass felt and surfaced with mineral granules, addressing tear strength, fastener pull-through resistance, and pliability; NRCA recommends designers specify shingles complying with this standard.
ASTM D1970 NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials
The standard specification for self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet materials used as steep roofing underlayment for ice dam protection, addressing thickness, tear resistance, adhesion, low-temperature flexibility, and thermal stability.
ASTM D8257 NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials (Synthetic Sheets)
The standard specification for mechanically attached polymeric (synthetic) roof underlayments used in steep-slope roofing, originally approved December 2020 and referenced in IBC 2024 and IRC 2024.
UL 2218 Impact Resistance Classification NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Impact Resistance Rating
A four-class rating system for prepared roof coverings where Class 1 provides the least impact resistance and Class 4 provides the greatest level of impact resistance.
Impermeable Synthetic Sheet Underlayment NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials (Synthetic Sheets)
A synthetic underlayment with a water vapor transmission rating of less than 0.1 perms; NRCA recommends against using these over unvented or inadequately ventilated attics.
Cricket (Chimney) NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems — Chapter 7
A peaked water-diverting structure installed at the upslope side of a chimney or curbed penetration wider than 24 inches to redirect water around the obstruction.
Battens (Tile Roof) Tile Roofing, Chapter 7
Horizontal strips installed on tile roofs that are optional at slopes of 2½:12 and steeper but are required on slopes of 7:12 and steeper.
ASTM C406 (Slate) IBC 2021, Section 1507.7.5
The material standard that slate shingles must comply with per IBC Section 1507.7.5, distinct from ASTM C1167 (clay tile) and ASTM C1492 (concrete tile).
Formulas to Know
Roof Area – Positive Method
Total Roof Area = Sum of all individual rectangle areas (Rectangle 1 + Rectangle 2 + … + Rectangle n)Roof Area – Negative Method
Total Roof Area = Large enclosing rectangle area − Sum of non-roof areasRoof Slope Ratio
Slope = Rise (inches) : Run (12 inches), e.g., 4:12 means 4 inches of rise per 12 inches of horizontal runShingle Exposure (Three-Tab)
Exposure = (Shingle length − Headlap) ÷ 2Number of Shingle Courses
Number of Courses = Rake height (inches) ÷ Shingle exposure (inches)Squares of Roofing Material Needed
Squares = Total Roof Area (ft²) ÷ 100Material Quantity with Waste Factor
Adjusted Squares = Squares × (1 + Waste Factor %)