Before you can begin preparing for your exams, you must determine which ones you must take. Alabama contractor applicants are required to take two types of exams:

• Business Law Exam: covers tax, business, and other regulatory information applicable to contractors in the state
• Technical Exam: covers topics specific to the license's scope of work. Some license specialties do not require a technical exam.

Each licensing board in Alabama has its own Business Law exam for construction contractors.

The Alabama General Contractor Business Law Exam is required for all applicants of the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The Alabama Home Builder Business Law Exam is required for all unlimited license applicants of the Alabama Home Builders Commission.

Alabama Construction Contractors have multiple options for licensing exams: the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors accepts the National NASCLA Commercial Building Contractor Exam, which is also accepted in 16+ other states, and also administers its own state exams.

Building contractors can take an Alabama-specific exam such as the Building Contractor Under Four Stories (BCU4) Exam or take the National NASCLA Exam instead.

Home Builder license applicants must take a Skill Exam if applying for an Unlimited Home Builders license, which is required for any work covering multiple trades or affecting the structural integrity of a residential building.