Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam
Practice at the real exam's pace
Every practice exam shows your time per question against the real exam's clock (2:43 here), and each topic lands in one of these:
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 110Topics
Business Organization
Key Concepts
Sole proprietorship (Ch. 2, Sole Proprietorships, p. 2-1): the simplest ownership form; you own the assets, and selling the business means selling its assets. A fictitious name certificate is typically filed at a local or state government office if the business uses a name different from your own. You bear personal liability for all actions undertaken in the name of the business; net income is reported as ordinary income; the business is terminated upon the owner's death.
General partnership (Ch. 2, Partnerships, p. 2-2): a relationship between two or more persons who join to carry on a trade or business, each contributing money, property, labor, or skill. It can be formed by oral agreement, but a written…
Risk Management
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam Source: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Ed., Chapter 3, Managing Risk (pages 3-1 to 3-9)
Key Concepts
Risk management benefits (Risk Management Benefits section, p. 3-1). Good risk management provides three benefits: lower business and liability insurance premiums, reduce chances of being sued, and improve chances of prevailing in a lawsuit.
Risk assessment (Risk Management Benefits section, p. 3-1). You must determine the probability of loss occurring and the consequences if it occurs. A large-loss/low-probability risk is handled differently from a minimum-loss/high-likelihood risk. Risk must be examined on both a project and overall business basis.
Project Management
Key Concepts
Scheduling process elements. During the project scheduling process, the sequence of tasks, activity duration, contingency time, task time ranges, and float time are determined (Scheduling and Project Management chapter — Scheduling Process; Final Inspection, p. 8-11). Some tasks run concurrently while others must precede the next — interior and exterior paint may be applied at the same time, but drywall must be completed before paint (Sequence of Tasks, p. 8-1).
Activity duration depends on size of the project, labor hours estimated, and length of time dedicated to the task each day. The source's example: a task estimated at four hours with a crew that has only two hours per day yields a two-working-day duration (Activity Duration, p.…
Estimating
Source: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Bidding and Estimating chapter. Section names are given below; page numbers are those cited in the verified practice questions.
Key Concepts
Bid Documents (Page 7-1). A competitive bid package often includes an invitation to bid, bid instructions, bid forms (bid sheet, bid schedule, bidder's questionnaire, copy of the contract), and supplements (property survey, soil analysis). All instructions must be followed; a bidder can be found "unresponsive" if information is incorrectly submitted or omitted altogether. If changes are made to a bid package before it is due, an addendum is issued. The addendum becomes part of the bid documents and, ultimately, part of the contract when awarded. Pre-bid meetings may…
Safety and Environmental
Key Concepts
The three construction OSHA standards (Safety Standards section, p. 11-1): - 29 CFR 1926 — Safety and Health Regulations for the Construction Industry - 29 CFR 1910 — Occupational Safety and Health Standards - 29 CFR 1904 — Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
OSHA was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). All employers are subject to federal OSHA requirements; some states have adopted a state plan, and state standards are at least as strict as the federal plan (Safety Standards section, p. 11-1).
Labor Laws
Key Concepts
Alabama Workers' Compensation — coverage and exemptions - Coverage is not mandatory for an employer who regularly employs fewer than five employees in any one business; the article also excludes employers of domestic employees, farm laborers, casual employment, and municipalities under 2,000 population. Such an employer may voluntarily accept coverage by filing written notice with the department. — § 25-5-50(a) - An officer electing exemption files written certification with both the department and the employer's insurance carrier; the exemption (or reinstatement) becomes effective the first day of the calendar month following the filing. It does not relieve the employer of coverage for other eligible employees. — § 25-5-50(b) - The chapter applies to employees of all counties…
Payroll and Employment Taxes
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam
Key Concepts
Employer Identification Number - The EIN is a 9-digit IRS number arranged 00-0000000, used to identify employer tax accounts; use it on all items sent to the IRS and SSA. Only sole proprietorships with no employees filing no excise or pension tax returns, and single-owner LLCs (where the owner files employment tax returns), do not need one — they use the owner's social security number (NASCLA Tax Basics — Employer Identification Number). - Obtain an EIN by calling the Business and Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933, faxing or mailing Form SS-4, or applying online at www.irs.gov (same section).
Financial Management
Based on the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Financial Management chapter
Key Concepts
Bookkeeping (Financial Management chapter — Bookkeeping section). Bookkeeping is the first step in the accounting process: the accurate recording of all financial transactions. Tips include keeping a separate business checking account, keeping all receipts, recording expenses when they occur, avoiding paying with cash so you have a "paper trail," balancing the checking account monthly, and keeping financial records for the time the IRS designates.
The accounting cycle (The Accounting Cycle section). In order: (1) classifying and recording transactions, (2) posting transactions, (3) preparing a trial balance, (4) preparing an adjusted trial balance, (5) preparing financial statements, (6) analyzing financial statements.
Contracts
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam · Contracts
Key Concepts
Four required elements of a binding contract — offer and acceptance, consideration, competent parties, legal purpose (Required Contract Elements).
- Offer and acceptance: An estimate or bid submitted for work is an offer. Acceptance is agreeing to the offer, generally by signing. A counteroffer is not acceptance — acceptance occurs only when both parties agree to the same contract terms (Offer and Acceptance / Acceptance section). If no acceptance deadline is stated, the offer expires in a "reasonable time," which is up to court interpretation case by case.
- Consideration: Both parties must give up something of value — usually money, but it can be anything of value (Consideration section). -…
Lien Laws
Key Concepts
Who gets a lien (§ 35-11-210). Every mechanic, person, firm, or corporation who does work or labor upon, or furnishes any material, fixture, engine, boiler, waste disposal services and equipment, or machinery for any building or improvement on land — or for repairing, altering, or beautifying it — under contract with the owner or proprietor, or his agent, architect, trustee, contractor, or subcontractor, has a lien on the building/improvement and the land.
Extent of land (§ 35-11-210). The lien reaches all the right, title and interest of the owner or proprietor, and in area: the entire lot or parcel if in a city or town; **or, if not in a city or town, one acre in addition…
Licensing Laws
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam
Key Concepts
Board composition and operation - The Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors consists of nine members appointed by the Governor — one from each congressional district plus two at-large members, who must be members of the Alabama State Electrical Workers Association (§ 34-36-4(b), (c); Rule 303-X-1-.06). - Five members constitute a quorum and are competent to act; every decision is by majority vote of those present (§ 34-36-4(d); Rule 303-X-1-.09(2)). - A congressional-district appointee must be an Alabama citizen and resident, actively engaged in the electrical construction business with an electrical construction background of not less than five consecutive years, and hold certificates validating competence as an electrical contractor (§ 34-36-4(b)). - Statute: initial…
General Electrical Knowledge
Key Concepts
Ohm's law and complete DC circuits. The resistance of an entire dc circuit is the sum of the generator (internal) resistance, both line conductors, and the load; then I = E/R (American Electricians' Handbook, 17th Ed., Division 1, Sec. 109).
Series, parallel, and combination networks. Joint resistance of parallel conductors is R = 1 ÷ (1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3) — e.g., 5, 10, and 15 Ω in parallel = 30/11 = 2.73 Ω (Division 3, Sec. 8). In combination circuits, reduce parallel banks first, then add series elements; equal parallel branches divide by the number of branches (three 18 Ω branches = 6 Ω).
Grounding and Bonding
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam — 9 questions (8% of exam)
Key Concepts
Effective ground-fault current path - Equipment and wiring must create a low-impedance circuit facilitating operation of the overcurrent device; "The earth shall not be considered as an effective ground-fault current path" — 250.4(A)(5). The same prohibition applies to ungrounded systems — 250.4(B)(4).
Connections and surfaces - Permitted connection means include listed pressure connectors, terminal bars, exothermic welding, and machine screws engaging not less than two threads — 250.8(A). Fittings depending solely on solder shall not be used — 250.8(B); connections to electrodes depending on solder are likewise prohibited — 250.70(A). - Paint, lacquer, and enamel must be removed from threads and contact surfaces, or fittings designed to…
Conductors and Cables
Key Concepts
Minimum sizes and stranding - Minimum conductor size for general wiring rated up to and including 2000 volts: 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum or copper-clad aluminum (310.3(A)). - Where installed in raceways, conductors 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded, unless specifically permitted or required elsewhere to be solid (310.3(C)). - Conductors may be connected in parallel only in sizes 1/0 AWG and larger (310.10(G)(1)). Paralleled conductors must be the same length, same conductor material, same circular mil area, same insulation type, and terminated in the same manner (310.10(G)(2)). - Fixture wires shall not be smaller than 18 AWG (402.6).
Raceways and Boxes
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam · 8 questions (7%)
Key Concepts
Protection of wiring through wood framing (300.4) - Holes bored through wood members must have the edge of the hole not less than 32 mm (1 1/4 in.) from the edges of the wood member. Where that distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway must be protected from screws or nails by a steel plate — NEC 300.4(A)(1). - Cables or raceways in notches in wood members must be protected by a steel plate at least 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) thick, of appropriate length and width, covering the area of the wiring — NEC 300.4(A)(2). - Cables and raceways run parallel to framing members where nails or screws…
Special Occupancies and Equipment
Key Concepts
Hazardous location classification - Where Class I liquids or gaseous fuels are stored, handled, or transferred, wiring and utilization equipment must be designed for Class I, Division 1 or 2 (NEC 511.3). A Class I location does not extend beyond an unpierced wall, roof, or solid partition. - Parking garages used for parking or storage are permitted to be unclassified [511.3(A)]. - Major repair garages (where Class I liquids or gaseous fuels are transferred or dispensed), heavier-than-air fuel: up to 450 mm (18 in.) above floor level is Division 2 for the entire floor area, but unclassified where ventilation of at least 0.3 m³/min/m² (1 ft³/min/ft²) of floor area is provided with suction within 300 mm (12…
Electrical Power
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam | 3 questions (3% of exam)
Key Concepts
Generators (NEC Article 445)
- Ampacity of conductors — 445.13(A): The ampacity of conductors from the generator output terminals to the first distribution device(s) containing overcurrent protection shall not be less than 115 percent of the generator nameplate current rating. Exception: where the design and operation of the generator prevent overloading, the ampacity shall not be less than 100 percent of nameplate current rating.
- Listing — 445.6: Stationary generators shall be listed. Exception: one-of-a-kind or custom manufactured generators are permitted to be field labeled.
- Terminal housings — 445.17: Generator terminal housings shall comply with 430.12. Where a horsepower rating is needed to size the housing,…
Motors
Key Concepts
Conductor sizing — single motor. Conductors supplying a single motor in a continuous duty application must have an ampacity of not less than 125 percent of the motor full-load current rating as determined by 430.6(A)(1) (430.22).
DC motor from a rectified single-phase supply. Conductors between the field wiring output terminals of the rectifier and the motor: 190 percent of motor FLC for a single-phase half-wave bridge; 150 percent for a single-phase full-wave bridge. Conductor ampacity on the input of the rectifier is 125% of the rated input current to the rectifier (430.22(A)).
Low Voltage
Key Concepts
Class 1 circuits (Article 724) - Class 1 circuits shall be supplied from a source with a rated output of not more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes (NEC 724.40). Transformers are permitted (724.40(A)). - Power sources other than transformers must be protected by overcurrent devices rated not more than 167 percent of the source volt-ampere rating divided by rated voltage; VAmax is limited to 2500 volt-amperes, and Imax × Vmax shall not exceed 10,000 volt-amperes (724.40(B)). - Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 7 amperes for 18 AWG and 10 amperes for 16 AWG; 14 AWG and larger are protected per conductor ampacity without the ampacity adjustment and correction factors of 310.15 (724.43). - 18 and 16…
Lighting
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam · 3 questions (3% of exam)
Key Concepts
Luminaires near and over combustible material - Luminaires shall be constructed, installed, or equipped with shades or guards so combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F) — NEC 410.11 (same requirement for lampholders, 410.97). - Lampholders installed over highly combustible material shall be of the unswitched type. Unless an individual switch is provided for each luminaire, lampholders shall be located at least 2.5 m (8 ft) above the floor, or located/guarded so lamps cannot be readily removed or damaged — NEC 410.12.
Illuminated Signs
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam — 2 questions (2%)
Key Concepts
Branch circuits - Each commercial building and each commercial occupancy accessible to pedestrians shall have at least one outlet in an accessible location at each entrance to each tenant space for sign or outline lighting use; the outlet(s) shall be supplied by a branch circuit rated at least 20 amperes that supplies no other load — 600.5(A). Exception No. 1: not required at entrances for deliveries, service corridors, or service hallways used only by service personnel or employees. Exception No. 2: the circuit may supply loads directly related to control of the sign (electronic or electromechanical controllers). - Branch circuits supplying signs are considered continuous loads for calculations —…
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Key Concepts
Scope and general rules - Article 760 covers wiring and equipment of fire alarm systems, including all circuits controlled and powered by the fire alarm system (760.1). Only those sections of Article 300 referenced in Article 760 apply (760.3). - Fire alarm circuits must be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner, supported by straps, staples, hangers, listed cable ties identified for securement and support, or similar fittings; installation also complies with 300.4 and 300.11 (760.24(A)). - Accessible portions of abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed; cables identified for future use with a tag must have a tag durable enough for the environment (760.25). - Fire alarm circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations…
Safety Information
Key Concepts
Working space depth — Table 110.26(A)(1). Depth depends on nominal voltage to ground and the condition of the space. For 240 V (≤150 V to ground) the minimum is 36 in. (NEC 110.26(A)(1)). For 151–600 V: Condition 1 = 3 ft; Condition 2 (exposed live parts on one side, grounded parts — including a grounded concrete wall — on the other) = 3½ ft; Condition 3 (exposed live parts on both sides, e.g., front and rear) = 4 ft.
Working space width — 110.26(A)(2). The width of the working space shall be the width of the equipment or 762 mm (30 in.), whichever is greater, and must permit at least a 90-degree opening of equipment doors or…
Overcurrent Protection
Key Concepts
- Conductor protection baseline. Conductors (other than flexible cords, flexible cables, fixture wires) are protected per their ampacities in 310.14 unless 240.4(A) through (H) permits otherwise (NEC 240.4).
- Power loss hazard. Conductor overload protection is not required where interruption of the circuit would create a hazard, such as a material-handling magnet circuit or fire pump circuit; short-circuit protection shall be provided (240.4(A)).
- Small conductors. 18 AWG Cu – 7 A (continuous loads ≤ 5.6 A, with listed/marked devices or Class CC, CF, J, or T fuses); 16 AWG Cu – 10 A (continuous ≤ 8 A); 14 AWG copper-clad Al – 10 A; 14 AWG Cu – 15 A; 12 AWG Al/CCA – 15 A;…
Service, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
Alabama Electrical Contractor Exam · 10 questions (9%)
Key Concepts
The 125% continuous-load rule appears in three places — know all three. - Branch-circuit OCPD: rating not less than noncontinuous load plus 125% of continuous load (210.20(A)). Branch-circuit conductors follow the same rule (210.19(A)). - Feeder conductors: ampacity not less than noncontinuous load plus 125% of continuous load (215.2(A)(1)); feeder OCPD the same (215.3). - Service-entrance conductors: ampacity not less than the sum of noncontinuous loads plus 125% of continuous loads (230.42(A)(1)). - Exception in each case: if the assembly including the overcurrent device is listed for operation at 100% of its rating, conductors may be sized at continuous plus noncontinuous load.