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Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors · checked 2026-10-21
Alabama General contractor License Requirements
Statewide general contractor license for prime contractors and subcontractors, issued by the Licensing Board for General Contractors. Changes to the exemptions in Code of Ala. § 34-8-7 take effect October 1, 2026. Prime contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
- 1SUB · Subcontractor time not stated
- 2PRIME · Prime contractor time not stated
License levels in Alabama
The Alabama path has 2 steps on this page: Subcontractor and Prime contractor.
| Level | Experience | Classroom | Time from start | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUB Subcontractor | none stated | — | time not stated | Not stated | Application $150 |
| PRIME Prime contractor | none stated | — | time not stated | Yes (PSI) | Application $300 |
Subcontractor (SUB)
Application with three references from general contractors, architects, engineers or awarding authorities the applicant has worked for. The page names no exam for subcontractors. Source: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply.
Prime contractor (PRIME)
Application on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting and a passed business and law exam given by PSI. Source: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply.
Exam
1 of the 2 levels listed here requires an exam: Prime contractor. The source does not print a pass mark. Testing vendor named: PSI.
Fees
- Subcontractor: application $150.
- Prime contractor: application $300.
The page does not state the job value above which a license is required; that threshold is in the statute, which was not read.
Reciprocity
The Alabama source names 5 partner states for general contractor licenses: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. Applicants licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina or Tennessee for one year in the same classification may apply by reciprocity. Source: Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply.
How Alabama compares
Alabama's source states no minimum time for the prime contractor, so it is not ranked against the other states on this site.
Same trade elsewhere: California · Florida · Pennsylvania · North Carolina · Michigan. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.
Other trades in Alabama
- Electrician: Electrical contractor: the source states no minimum time, plus an exam.
- Plumber: Master plumber: 3 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
All covered trades on one page: Alabama trade licenses.
Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · Trade license reciprocity between states.
Questions
Who issues the general contractor license in Alabama?
Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors. Statewide general contractor license for prime contractors and subcontractors, issued by the Licensing Board for General Contractors. Changes to the exemptions in Code of Ala. § 34-8-7 take effect October 1, 2026.
How long does it take to qualify for the Prime contractor in Alabama?
The source read (Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply) states no minimum time for the Prime contractor. Application on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting and a passed business and law exam given by PSI.
Does Alabama have general contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, with Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. Applicants licensed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina or Tennessee for one year in the same classification may apply by reciprocity.
What are the Alabama general contractor license fees?
Subcontractor: application $150. Prime contractor: application $300.
Sources and last checked
| What | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors | 2026-10-21 |
| SUB requirements | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply | 2026-10-21 |
| PRIME requirements | Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, How to apply | 2026-10-21 |
| Law cited | Code of Ala. Title 34, Chapter 8 (board page) | 2026-10-21 |
This page summarises what the Alabama source said on 2026-10-21. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.