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State files updated Oct 27, 2026
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Alabama contractor licenseRequirements, cost, exam

Alabama licenses general contractors through the Licensing Board for General Contractors. You need an Alabama general contractor license for any project where labor and materials cost $100,000 or more, and subcontractors on those projects…1

Alabama · general contractor

State license required

Experience
3 reference forms on commercial/industrial work.2
Exam
Yes: Business & Law (PSI) plus trade exams as board determines.2
Bond
Alabama does not require a bond for a general contractor license.3
Insurance
The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors does not require liability insurance as a condition of a license.4
Fees
A prime contractor application costs $300 and a subcontractor application costs $150.5
Renewal
Licenses renew every year in a month set by the first letter of the company name (for example March for I through L and December for A).6

Licensing Board for General Contractors

How do you get an Alabama contractor license?

  1. Check that you need a license

    You need an Alabama general contractor license for any project where labor and materials cost $100,000 or more, and subcontractors on those projects…1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    3 reference forms on commercial/industrial work.2

  3. Apply to the board$300

    A prime contractor application costs $300 and a subcontractor application costs $150.5

    Licensing Board for General Contractors site
  4. Pass the exam

    Yes: Business & Law (PSI) plus trade exams as board determines.2

    What's on the exam
  5. File the bond and insurance

    Alabama does not require a bond for a general contractor license. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors does not require liability insurance as a condition of a license.3

    Alabama bond and insurance rules
  6. Get the license, then renew

    Licenses renew every year in a month set by the first letter of the company name (for example March for I through L and December for A).6

    Renewal and CE

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Alabama

Which license class do you need in Alabama?

Prime (commercial/industrial), Subcontractor.2

Classes with the most active holders in the state file, 2026-10-275.

All 15 classes

Subcontractor: Plumbing · D Demolition · Subcontractor: Drywall And Metal Studs

Does Alabama have license reciprocity?

Alabama has reciprocity with Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.5

Do you need workers' comp?

Workers' compensation insurance is required if you regularly employ five or more employees.2

Alabama insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. Licensing Board for General Contractors: who needs a license (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. Licensing Board for General Contractors: experience (alison.legislature.state.al.us, 2026-10-27)
  3. Licensing Board for General Contractors: bond (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  4. Licensing Board for General Contractors: insurance (alison.legislature.state.al.us, 2026-10-27)
  5. Licensing Board for General Contractors: fees (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. Licensing Board for General Contractors: renewal (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  7. Licensing Board for General Contractors: Testing (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  8. Licensing Board for General Contractors: 230 X 1 .19 (admincode.legislature.state.al.us, 2026-10-27)
  9. Licensing Board for General Contractors: 230 X 1 .43 (admincode.legislature.state.al.us, 2026-10-27)
  10. Licensing Board for General Contractors: New contractor licensing exemptions take effect october 1 2026 (genconbd.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  11. Home Builders Licensure Board (hblb.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  12. Electrical Contractors Board (aecb.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  13. Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examiners Board (pgfb.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)
  14. Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors (hacr.alabama.gov, 2026-10-27)