Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor

Alabama Remodeling Contractor Exam: Complete 2026 Study Guide

You've built a solid reputation doing remodeling and renovation work in Alabama. Now it's time to make it official. Passing the Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor exam is your ticket to a state license — and with it, the ability to bid on larger projects, work with commercial clients, and prove your skills are legitimate. This guide covers everything you need to know: exam format, topic breakdown, sample questions, approved study materials, and smart study strategies. Let's get you ready.

Exam Overview

The Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor exam is administered by PSI. Here's the basic structure:

• Questions: 60 scored questions
• Time limit: 120 minutes (2 hours)
• Passing score: 70% — that means 42 correct answers out of 60
• Format: Multiple choice, open book
• Administered by: PSI at licensed exam centers

Yes, you read that right — the exam is open book. You can bring approved reference materials into the testing room. That sounds like a huge advantage, and it is, but don't let it lull you into complacency. With only 120 minutes for 60 questions, you can't afford to flip through books hunting for every answer. You need to know the material cold enough that you're only reaching for references to confirm details or work through calculations. Check the official exam bulletin for the most current testing center and scheduling information.

Topics Covered on the Exam

Here's how the 60 scored questions break down across topic areas — ranked from heaviest to lightest weight:

Rough Carpentry — 16 questions
This is the single biggest topic on the exam. Framing systems, lumber grading, floor systems, wall framing, roof framing, sheathing — it's all fair game. Give this category serious study time.

Finish Carpentry — 16 questions
Tied with Rough Carpentry as the top priority. Stairway construction, trim installation, millwork, drywall finishing as it applies to finish work, and fire-rated assemblies all fall here.

Concrete — 7 questions
Mix design, placement, curing, and formwork. Expect some calculation-based questions.

Masonry — 7 questions
Brick, block, and stone work including layout methods, mortar, and structural considerations.

Safety — 6 questions
OSHA regulations, hazard identification, and contractor responsibilities on the job site. Don't underestimate this section.

Windows and Doors — 3 questions
Installation methods, flashing, and rough opening sizing.

Siding — 3 questions
Exterior cladding installation, moisture barriers, and fastening requirements.

Drywall — 2 questions
Board types, fastening schedules, and fire-resistance requirements.

Your study time should mirror this distribution. Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry together make up more than half the exam — 32 of 60 questions.

Sample Questions

These five questions come straight from the exam topic areas. Read through them carefully — but we're not giving away the answers here. After you've thought them through, head over to our free practice exam to test yourself for real.

Question 1 — Masonry
A contractor is laying out building lines for a new masonry addition and needs to establish a perfect right angle at a corner. Which method uses a 3-4-5 triangle to verify the corner is square?

A) The 3-4-5 method, with multiples such as 6-8-10 or 9-12-15 for larger layouts
B) The transit offset method using a 45-degree angle
C) The plumb-bob method
D) The diagonal bisection method

Question 2 — Rough Carpentry
You are working on a remodeling project that involves framing a platform-frame house. What is the correct general sequence after installing the first-level floor joists and sheathing the subfloor?

A) Frame and sheath exterior walls before building the second level
B) Pour the second-level slab, then erect interior partitions
C) Install the roof trusses, then frame the second-level walls
D) Install ceiling joists, then frame and sheath exterior walls

Question 3 — Finish Carpentry
You are remodeling a home and need to install drywall on the wall separating the attached garage from the living space, and on the garage ceiling beneath a second-floor bedroom. What type of drywall is required by code for these locations?

A) Standard ½-inch drywall
B) Moisture-resistant green board
C) Foil-backed drywall, ½ inch thick
D) Type-X fire-code drywall, 5/8 inch thick

Question 4 — Finish Carpentry
In stairway construction, what is the term for the long piece of 2× lumber that supports the stairs?

A) Tread
B) Riser
C) Skirtboard
D) Stringer

Question 5 — Safety
As a remodeling contractor, you have subcontracted a portion of your project to another firm. Regarding OSHA compliance responsibilities for the subcontracted work, which of the following best describes the relationship between you as the prime contractor and your subcontractor?

A) OSHA compliance responsibility transfers entirely to whichever party has the most employees on site.
B) Only the subcontractor is responsible for OSHA compliance on their portion of the work.
C) The prime contractor and subcontractor have joint responsibility for OSHA compliance on the subcontracted work.
D) Only the prime contractor is responsible for OSHA compliance on all work, including subcontracted portions.

Think you know the answers? Take the free practice exam to find out.

What Types of Questions to Expect

Our full practice exam bank covers 300 questions across all eight topic areas. Here's what each section tests and how many practice questions we offer per topic:

• Rough Carpentry (80 practice questions): Framing sequences, lumber sizing, floor joist spans, stud layout, header sizing, sheathing installation, and platform vs. balloon framing distinctions.
• Finish Carpentry (80 practice questions): Stair component terminology, fire-rated drywall requirements, trim installation, door and window casing, and millwork details.
• Safety (30 practice questions): OSHA Part 1926 regulations, fall protection, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and prime/subcontractor compliance responsibilities.
• Concrete (35 practice questions): Mix design ratios, slump testing, curing methods, formwork pressure calculations, and concrete placement procedures.
• Masonry (35 practice questions): Layout methods including the 3-4-5 triangle, mortar types, brick and block coursing, and structural masonry concepts.
• Windows and Doors (15 practice questions): Rough opening sizing, flashing and weather barrier installation, and door hardware requirements.
• Siding (15 practice questions): Lap siding installation, moisture barrier requirements, and fastening schedules for various cladding types.
• Drywall (10 practice questions): Board types and thicknesses, screw and nail spacing, and fire-resistance assembly requirements.

Study Materials

Because this is an open-book exam, you'll actually bring your reference books into the test room. That means your study books and your test-day books are the same ones. Buy them, tab them (with permanent tabs, not Post-It notes), and know where everything is.

Here are the approved references for this exam:

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 — The federal safety standard for construction. The Safety section of the exam pulls directly from this. Know the subcontractor liability provisions cold.

• Carpentry and Building Construction — Your primary reference for Rough Carpentry. Covers framing systems, lumber, floor and wall systems, and roof structures in thorough detail.

• Finish Carpenter's Manual — Essential for the Finish Carpentry section. Stair construction, trim, and finish details are all here.

• IBC 2021 — The International Building Code covers fire-rated assemblies, occupancy requirements, and construction standards you'll see referenced in finish and structural questions.

• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures (16th Ed.) — The go-to reference for the Concrete section. Mix proportions, water-cement ratios, and curing procedures are all detailed here.

• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone (9th Ed.) — Covers layout methods, mortar types, and masonry construction techniques you'll need for the Masonry section.

• The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction — Referenced for finish carpentry and cabinetry details.

Note: All references must be clean copies without loose papers or additional attachments. Permanent tabs are fine; Post-It notes must come out.

Study Tips

Start with the heavy hitters. Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry are each worth 16 questions — together they're 53% of your score. If you do well there, you're more than halfway to passing before you even touch the other topics.

Practice under timed conditions. Two hours for 60 questions gives you two minutes per question. That's enough time if you're prepared, but it disappears fast if you're searching through books on every question. Our full practice exam replicates the real exam format — same question count, same time limit — so you build both knowledge and pacing.

Take the free exam first, then go full. Start with our free practice exam (10 questions, no account needed) to get a feel for question style. When you're ready to prep seriously, the full practice exam draws from a 300-question pool, so every attempt gives you a fresh set. The detailed score breakdown by topic shows exactly where you need more work.

Skim the answer choices before you commit. You're looking for the key term or code concept that signals the right answer. The more you've practiced, the faster the correct wording stands out — even in a room full of open books.

Aim above 70%. A 70% passing score means you can afford to miss 18 questions. But aim for 80%+ in practice so passing feels routine on test day, not a close call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Alabama Remodeling, Alteration, and Maintenance Contractor exam?
The exam has 60 scored questions.

What is the passing score?
You need a 70% — that's 42 correct answers out of 60.

How much time do I have?
120 minutes (2 hours) total.

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

Is the exam open book?
Yes. You can bring the approved reference books listed above into the exam room. Tabs are allowed; loose papers and Post-It notes are not.

Can I bring a calculator?
Yes — a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator with no alphabetic keyboard is permitted.

How do I register?
First, apply for approval through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. Once approved, register online through PSI or call PSI at (855) 257-1619. Online registration is available 24 hours a day.

How many times can I retake the exam?
Unlimited times within your 1-year eligibility period. Each attempt costs $96. If you don't pass within that year, you'll need to reapply with the state.

What ID do I need on test day?
One valid, government-issued photo ID with your signature — a driver's license, state ID, or passport works. The name must match exactly what you used when scheduling.

You're Closer Than You Think

The Alabama Remodeling Contractor exam is challenging, but it's built around skills you already use on the job. The key is knowing the code language and exam format well enough to work efficiently under time pressure. Start with the free practice exam to see where you stand, then use the full practice exam and the approved reference books to close the gaps. Get consistent scores above 70% in practice, and you'll walk into the testing center with real confidence. Good luck — you've got this.