Core License Tiers
6 flagship general/engineering classifications — the primary licenses most Alabama contractors need.
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, alteration, and repair of commercial and industrial buildings regardless of height or project value statewide. Building Construction is the primary commercial GC classification. A license is required for commercial/industrial projects over $100,000.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 3+ years verifiable commercial construction experience.
- Pass the NASCLA National Commercial exam or AL BC trade exam and Business & Law exam.
- Financial statement demonstrating net worth per Board.
- Exam: NASCLA National Commercial Building Exam (accepted) OR AL Building Construction Trade Exam
- Exam: AL Business & Law Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL Building Construction qualifier sponsors your company to perform commercial and industrial building construction statewide.
AL-BCU4 — Building Construction Under Four Stories (BCU4)
Ala. Code § 34-8-1 et seq.
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, alteration, and repair of commercial and industrial buildings under four stories in height statewide. A scoped variant of Building Construction limited to low-rise buildings.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 3+ years verifiable construction experience.
- Pass the BCU4 trade exam and Business & Law exam.
- Exam: AL BCU4 Trade Exam
- Exam: AL Business & Law Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL BCU4 qualifier sponsors your company to perform low-rise commercial building construction statewide.
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, alteration, and repair of highways, streets, roads, bridges, overpasses, and related transportation infrastructure statewide.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 3 years verifiable highway/street construction experience.
- Pass the Highways & Streets trade exam and Business & Law exam.
- Exam: AL Highways & Streets Trade Exam
- Exam: AL Business & Law Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL Highways & Streets qualifier sponsors your company to perform transportation infrastructure construction statewide.
Statutory Scope of Work
Municipal and utility construction including water, sewer, gas distribution, and public works infrastructure statewide.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 3 years verifiable municipal/utility construction experience.
- Pass the Municipal & Utility trade exam and Business & Law exam.
- Exam: AL Municipal & Utility Trade Exam
- Exam: AL Business & Law Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL Municipal & Utility qualifier sponsors your company to perform municipal utility construction statewide.
Statutory Scope of Work
Heavy construction and railroad construction including earthwork, grading, rail lines, and heavy industrial infrastructure statewide.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 3 years verifiable heavy/railroad construction experience.
- Pass the Heavy & Railroad trade exam and Business & Law exam.
- Exam: AL Heavy & Railroad Trade Exam
- Exam: AL Business & Law Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL Heavy & Railroad qualifier sponsors your company to perform heavy and railroad construction statewide.
AL-HB — Residential Home Builder (HB)
Ala. Code § 34-14A-1 et seq.
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, alteration, and repair of residential structures on projects over $10,000 statewide. Licensed by the AL Home Builders Licensure Board under Ala. Code § 34-14A.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 2 years residential construction experience.
- Pass the Home Builder trade exam.
- Exam: AL Home Builder Trade Exam
Qualifier Role
An AL Home Builder qualifier sponsors your homebuilding company to perform residential construction statewide.
Specialty Sub-Trades
6 single-trade sub-licenses from the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC) — each covers one specific scope of work.
Electrical Contractor (ELE)
Installation, alteration, and repair of all electrical power and control systems statewide — commercial, industrial, and residential. Licensed by the AECB regardless of project value. Requires 14 hours CE every 2 years (7 hours NEC/NFPA). NASCLA Electrical exam accepted.
View AL-ELE guidePlumbing & Gas Fitting Contractor (PLU)
Installation, alteration, and repair of plumbing and gas fitting systems including water supply, sanitary drainage, and gas piping statewide. Licensed by the PGFB regardless of project value. Includes Master Plumber, Master Gas Fitter, and Medical Gas Pipe Fitter certifications. Requires 4 hours CE annually.
View AL-PLU guideHeating & Air Conditioning Contractor (HVAC)
Installation, service, and repair of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems statewide, including air duct cleaning, filter changing, and test-and-balance services. Licensed by the HACR regardless of project value. Requires 4 hours CE annually.
View AL-HVAC guideRefrigeration Contractor (REF)
Installation, service, and repair of commercial and industrial refrigeration systems statewide. Licensed by the HACR.
View AL-REF guideRoofing Contractor (ROOF)
Installation, repair, and replacement of roofing systems — shingle, metal, tile, and commercial flat roofing statewide. Performed under a GC license or as a specialty classification.
View AL-ROOF guideSwimming Pool Contractor (SWIM)
Construction, service, and repair of swimming pools and spas including shells, piping, equipment, and accessories statewide.
View AL-SWIM guideReady to License Your Company in Alabama?
IQS places pre-vetted Alabama qualifying agents or handles full application processing through our partners TLS & TLHQ.
