Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor

Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor Exam: Complete Study Guide (2026)

Picture this: you've got the skills, the tools, and the experience — but without your Alabama Drywall Contractor license, you can't bid the jobs that pay what you're worth. The Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor exam is the one thing standing between you and that license. The good news? It's a 40-question, open-book test, and with the right prep, it's very passable.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — exam format, topic weights, sample questions, approved references, and study strategies that actually work. We'll also point you toward a free practice exam so you can test yourself before the real thing.

Alabama Drywall Contractor Exam: Format and Fast Facts

The Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor exam is administered by PSI and consists of 40 scored questions. You have 120 minutes to complete it. To pass, you need to answer at least 28 questions correctly — that's a 70% passing score.

The exam is open book, which is a significant advantage. You're allowed to bring specific approved references into the testing center (more on those below). That said, open book doesn't mean easy — the clock moves fast, and flipping through unfamiliar material under pressure costs you time. The goal of good prep is knowing your references well enough to find answers quickly, not memorizing every number.

Registration is handled through PSI. Before you can schedule, the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors must approve your application. Once approved, your eligibility is valid for one year. Check the official exam bulletin for the most current details, and visit the state licensing website for application requirements.

What Topics Does the Exam Cover?

The exam spans five content areas. Here's a breakdown of each, along with how many items each one carries on the real exam:

Materials and Installation — 19 Items

This is the heaviest section by far — nearly half the exam. Expect questions on gypsum panel types and thicknesses, steel stud and runner selection, fastener types and sizing, installation methods (single-layer, double-layer, adhesive), and joint compound selection. Know the difference between setting-type and drying-type compounds. Know your screw types cold.

Estimating and Plan Reading — 6 Items

This section covers quantity takeoffs, material estimation, reading construction drawings, screw and fastener calculations based on framing spacing, and fire-resistance ratings with UL assembly designations. If you can read a set of plans and calculate material quantities, you're in good shape here.

Special Applications — 6 Items

Think outside the flat wall: curved surfaces, arch applications, exterior ceiling board, shaft wall systems, area separation fire walls, suspended ceiling systems, and one-piece metal door frame installation. These questions reward contractors who've worked on more than just standard residential builds.

Safety — 5 Items

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 is your reference here. Topics include PPE requirements, forklift and material handling safety, scaffolding and fall protection, ladder rules, and guardrail systems. Five questions doesn't sound like much, but each one is fully answerable if you know your OSHA standards.

Taping — 4 Items

Four questions covering the Level 0 through Level 5 finish system, embedding tape over flat joints and interior angles, fill and finish coats, fastener spotting, and corner bead application. Fewer questions, but the details matter — especially the tolerances and sequencing.

Study priority tip: Focus the bulk of your time on Materials and Installation, since it accounts for nearly half of your scored questions. Then work through Estimating, Special Applications, and Safety before polishing up on Taping.

Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor Exam: Sample Questions

Here are five sample questions drawn from actual exam topic areas. Read each one carefully — and see how many you can answer before checking. We don't reveal the correct answers here, but you can test yourself on our free practice exam.

Question 1 — Safety (Medium)
Which of the following materials is prohibited from being used as top rails or midrails in a guardrail system?
- A) Structural steel angles
- B) Wire rope flagged at 6-foot intervals
- C) Manila rope meeting minimum strength requirements
- D) Steel banding and plastic banding

Question 2 — Materials and Installation (Medium)
When attaching gypsum panels to a drywall suspension system, what is the required screw spacing at the periphery of gypsum panels?
- A) 12 inches on center
- B) 8 inches on center
- C) 16 inches on center
- D) 6 inches on center

Question 3 — Materials and Installation (Medium)
When attaching gypsum board to cold-formed steel framing that is less than 0.033 inch thick, what type of screw is required and what is the minimum penetration into the steel?
- A) Type S screw penetrating not less than 3/8 inch into the steel
- B) ASTM C954 screw penetrating not less than 1/4 inch into the steel
- C) Type W screw penetrating not less than 5/8 inch into the steel
- D) Type G screw penetrating not less than 1/2 inch into the steel

Question 4 — Taping (Hard)
When embedding joint tape over flat joints, what is the maximum thickness of joint compound that should remain under the tape edge?
- A) 1/16 inch
- B) 1/32 inch
- C) 1/64 inch
- D) 1/8 inch

Question 5 — Safety (Easy)
On a construction site, what is the maximum travel distance from any point of the protected building area to the nearest fire extinguisher?
- A) 75 feet
- B) 100 feet
- C) 50 feet
- D) 150 feet

Think you know them? Go find out on the free exam.

What Types of Questions to Expect (By Topic)

Our full Alabama Drywall Contractor PSI study content covers all five exam topic areas with 205 practice questions total. Here's what each section looks like in practice:

• Estimating and Plan Reading (50 practice questions): Material quantity calculations, takeoff methods for gypsum board and metal framing, screw and fastener usage math, interpreting construction drawings, and identifying fire-resistance ratings and UL assembly numbers from plan documents.

• Materials and Installation (72 practice questions): This is the biggest pool for good reason. Questions test your knowledge of panel types and thicknesses, stud gauge selection, fastener identification (Types S, W, G, and more), installation sequences for single- and double-layer systems, adhesive application, and joint compound selection.

• Taping (30 practice questions): Questions focus on the five finish levels and their definitions, proper tape embedding technique, fill and finish coat application, fastener head treatment, and corner bead and trim accessory methods.

• Special Applications (26 practice questions): Expect questions on shaft wall assembly, area separation systems, curved and arch installations, one-piece metal door frames, exterior ceiling boards, and suspended ceiling systems.

• Safety (27 practice questions): OSHA-based questions on PPE selection, fall protection systems (guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest), scaffolding requirements, ladder rules, and forklift and material handling procedures.

Start with the free practice exam to get a feel for the format. When you're ready to do serious prep, the full practice exam matches the real test — 40 questions, 120-minute timer, same topic breakdown — and pulls from a large pool so you get a different exam every attempt.

Required and Recommended Study Materials

This is an open-book exam, so your references do double duty — they're both your study materials and your test-day tools. The approved references are:

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 — Required for the Safety section. Get the OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and tab your fall protection, scaffolding, and PPE sections before exam day.

• International Residential Code (2021) — Also on the approved list. The IRC 2021 covers residential construction standards you'll see referenced in plan reading and materials questions.

• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition (2014) — This is your core reference for everything gypsum: installation, taping, special applications, and more. It is required in the approved reference list but not available via our affiliate links — source it independently.

• International Building Code (2021) — Also approved. Available through your code supplier.

For organizing all of these references, two tools make test day much smoother:

• Sharpie Tank Highlighters — A 12-pack with multiple fluorescent colors. Use different colors for different topic areas so key passages jump out when you're under the clock.

• Redi-Tag Permanent White Tabs — 375 tabs per pack. These are what the exam allows (permanent tabs only — no loose papers, no sticky notes). Tab every major section of each reference before exam day.

Note: References must be clean — no writing in them, no loose or attached papers. Only permanent tabs are permitted.

Our courses are also designed specifically to help you get comfortable with these references and find information quickly, because speed matters on a timed exam. The Alabama Business and Law exam (also required for licensing) is included with course purchase.

Study Tips That Actually Move the Needle

Know your references before test day. Open book sounds forgiving, but 120 minutes for 40 questions goes faster than you'd expect once you're flipping pages under pressure. Tab your references by topic and practice locating answers before the exam.

Trust your gut on unfamiliar answer choices. If you've studied the material and an option is full of terms you don't recognize at all, that's usually a distractor. Choices that look foreign after solid prep rarely turn out to be correct.

Practice in the real format. Our full practice exam mirrors the real PSI exam — 40 questions, 120-minute timer, same topic mix. Getting comfortable with that format now means no adjustment period on test day.

Target your weak spots. After each practice session, note which topics you missed. Spending your next session drilling those areas will boost your score far more than re-reading sections you already know well.

Weight your prep time by exam weight. Materials and Installation is 19 of your 40 questions. That's where your score is won or lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor exam?
The exam has 40 scored questions.

What is the passing score?
You need a 70% — that's 28 correct answers out of 40.

How much time do I have?
You get 120 minutes to complete the exam.

How much does it cost?
The exam fee is $96 per registration, whether it's your first attempt or a retake.

How do I register?
You can register online through PSI (available 24/7) or call PSI at (855) 257-1619. Phone hours are Monday–Friday 6:30 am–9:00 pm CT and Saturday–Sunday 8:00 am–4:30 pm CT. Your application must be approved by the Alabama Licensing Board before you can schedule. Use the exam registration page to get started.

How many times can I retake if I don't pass?
Unlimited retakes within your 1-year eligibility window. If you don't pass within that year, you'll need to reapply with the state.

How long is my eligibility valid?
One year from the date your application is received by the state.

Is it open book?
Yes. You can bring specific approved references into the testing center.

What references are allowed?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926, International Building Code (2021), International Residential Code (2021), and the Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition (2014). References must be clean — no writing, no loose papers, permanent tabs only.

What ID do I need?
One valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) with both your photo and signature. The name must match what you used when registering.

Can I use a calculator?
Yes — a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator is allowed. No paper tape, no alphabetic keyboard.

When do I get my results?
Immediately — your pass/fail result appears on screen when you finish. If you don't pass, you'll receive a diagnostic report by topic and a score report by email.

You've Got This — Start Preparing Now

The Alabama Metal Stud and Drywall Contractor exam is straightforward for contractors who know their trade and their references. Forty questions, two hours, open book — the format works in your favor when you're prepared.

Start with our free practice exam to see where you stand right now. Ten questions, no account required, no pressure. Then move to the full practice exam when you're ready to simulate the real thing. Between targeted practice and well-tabbed references, you'll walk into that PSI testing center ready to pass on your first try.