Alabama general contractor license

1. Who needs a license

$100,000 or more for a job (labor and materials) means a license is needed. (source: ALBGC: Law (opens in a new tab))

A general contractor license is needed for building, highway, site work and similar projects costing $100,000 or more including labor and materials, or swimming pools of $5,000 or more. (source: ALBGC: Law (opens in a new tab))

• Subcontractors on contracts of $100,000 or more ($5,000 for pools) under a licensed prime must also be licensed. (source: ALBGC: Law (opens in a new tab))
• A subcontractor may bid before being licensed but must be licensed before starting work. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))

2. General contractor license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. File early Prime applications must be on file 30 days before a quarterly board meeting. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
2. Pass the exam All primes take a Business and Law exam administered by PSI. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
3. Subcontractor references Subcontractors submit 3 references from general contractors, architects, engineers or awarding authorities. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. Exams are run by PSI. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))

• Business and Law exam (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))

Bond

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ALBGC website (opens in a new tab).

Insurance

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ALBGC website (opens in a new tab).

Renewal

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ALBGC website (opens in a new tab).

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the ALBGC website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search the General Contractors board's License Roster. For home builders, use the Home Builders Licensure Board's Look Up a License. (source: ALBGC: Law (opens in a new tab), source: Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

• Arkansas: After 1 year licensed in the same classification (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
• Louisiana: After 1 year licensed in the same classification (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
• Mississippi: After 1 year licensed in the same classification (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
• North Carolina: After 1 year licensed in the same classification (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
• Tennessee: After 1 year licensed in the same classification (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• A subcontractor starting work on a $100,000+ job before being licensed. (source: ALBGC: How to Apply (opens in a new tab))
• A pool builder on a $5,000+ job without a license. (source: ALBGC: Law (opens in a new tab))
• An unlicensed home builder. The HBLB says they may face felony charges. (source: Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

We're still verifying this, check the official board: ALBGC website (opens in a new tab).