Alabama runs separate boards for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing and heating and air conditioning, so the rules for each trade live in different places. This guide brings the verified requirements for all four into one page, with a link to every official source.
Below, the guide works through each trade in turn. Inside each section the facts are grouped by topic: who issues the license, the license levels, experience, the exam, fees and renewal. Each one is quoted from an official Alabama page and linked. Where we haven't verified something, we say so and point you to the board.
A practical tip: write down which license you actually need before you compare fees or exams. Contractor licenses (for businesses that bid and contract work) and individual trade licenses (for the person doing the work) often have different requirements, and the scope label on each fact tells you which one it belongs to.
Check a Alabama license: we don't hold a bulk license file for Alabama, so use the board's own search, linked from Alabama licensing board website.
Verified facts at a glance
Chart sources (exam fee):
- Alabama electrician: $165 — Electrical contractor exam fee $165. (Contractor license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
- Alabama electrician: $115 — Journeyman electrician exam fee $115. (Individual worker license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
Alabama contractor license
Here is what the official Alabama pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Alabama general contractor license requirements page.
Exam
- Applicants must take a Trade exam and the Business and Law exam. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: Testing – Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
- Applicants must take a Business and Law Exam administered by PSI. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: al_genconbd_how_to_apply.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
Fees
- Prime contractor application fee $300. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: al_genconbd_how_to_apply.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
Reciprocity & endorsement
- Reciprocity with Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: al_genconbd_how_to_apply.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
Other notes
- Home builders: Roofers License requires a $10,000 License/Permit Bond. (Contractor license (AL Home Builders Licensure Board)) — source: al_hblb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Alabama from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Alabama licensing board website or our Alabama general contractor page.
Alabama electrician license
Here is what the official Alabama pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Alabama electrician license requirements page.
Exam
- The Board offers online examination and licensing for journeyman electricians. (Individual worker license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
Fees
- Electrical contractor exam fee $165. (Contractor license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
- Journeyman electrician exam fee $115. (Individual worker license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
- License fees: Electrical Contractor $150, Journeyman $35. (Contractor & journeyman licenses (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
Continuing education
- Electrical contractors must obtain 14 hours of CE before renewal in 2027 for 2028. (Contractor license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: 2027 Continuing Education – Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
Reciprocity & endorsement
- The Board no longer shares reciprocity with Georgia. (Contractor & journeyman licenses (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
- The NASCLA Electrical Contractors Exam is accepted to qualify for reciprocal licensing. (Contractor license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Alabama from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Alabama licensing board website or our Alabama electrician page.
Alabama plumber license
Here is what the official Alabama pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Alabama plumber license requirements page.
Experience / hours
- 2 years of current work experience for the journeyman exam; 1 year for the master exam. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: Exams – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
Exam
- After passing the Journeyman Plumber exam, 90 days to pay fees and become certified. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: How Do I Become Licensed? – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
Reciprocity & endorsement
- Holders of a Mississippi Board of Contractors license may request an Alabama Master Plumber license by reciprocation. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: Reciprocation – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
- Out-of-state journeyman plumbers may take the Alabama exam if their license was issued by exam with a 70% minimum score. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: How Do I Become Licensed? – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified fees for Alabama from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Alabama licensing board website or our Alabama plumber page.
Alabama HVAC license
Here is what the official Alabama pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Alabama hvac license requirements page.
Exam
- One calendar year from exam application approval to take the exam. (Contractor license (AL HVACR Board)) — source: How long after I am approved to sit for the exam test do I have to take the exam? – Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
Renewal
- Certification lapses if not renewed by December 31 each year. (Contractor license (AL HVACR Board)) — source: When does my license expire? – Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
Continuing education
- 4 continuing education hours each year. (Contractor license (AL HVACR Board)) — source: How many continuing education hours do I need each year? – Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified fees for Alabama from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Alabama licensing board website or our Alabama hvac page.
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Alabama from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Alabama licensing board website or our Alabama hvac page.
Before you apply: a practical checklist
- Confirm which license you need. Is it a contractor (business) license, an individual trade license, or both? The scope label on each fact above tells you which one it describes.
- Collect proof of experience early. Boards usually want employer-signed records, and gathering them takes longer than people expect.
- Read the exam information on the official page before you book: provider, reference books allowed, and how retakes work.
- Budget for every fee, not just the application. Exam, license and renewal fees are often separate.
- Check local rules. Cities and counties can add their own registration or permit requirements.
- Keep your renewal date and any continuing education in your calendar once you're licensed.
How to use this guide
- Every fact above links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the board before you apply or pay.
- To check whether a specific person or company holds a license, use our license lookup (TX, CA, WA, OR, NY and Québec RBQ data) or the board's own search.
- Moving between states or provinces? See the electrician reciprocity matrix and our Red Seal guide.
FAQ
How much does it cost? (Alabama contractor license)
Prime contractor application fee $300. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: al_genconbd_how_to_apply.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Alabama contractor license)
Applicants must take a Trade exam and the Business and Law exam. (Contractor license (AL General Contractors Board)) — source: Testing – Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
How much does it cost? (Alabama electrician license)
Electrical contractor exam fee $165. (Contractor license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: al_aecb_how_to_get_licensed.pdf, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Alabama electrician license)
The Board offers online examination and licensing for journeyman electricians. (Individual worker license (AL Electrical Contractors Board)) — source: Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Alabama plumber license)
After passing the Journeyman Plumber exam, 90 days to pay fees and become certified. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: How Do I Become Licensed? – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
How much experience do I need? (Alabama plumber license)
2 years of current work experience for the journeyman exam; 1 year for the master exam. (Individual worker license (AL Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board)) — source: Exams – State of Alabama – Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Alabama HVAC license)
One calendar year from exam application approval to take the exam. (Contractor license (AL HVACR Board)) — source: How long after I am approved to sit for the exam test do I have to take the exam? – Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, verified 2026-10-18
How often must the license be renewed? (Alabama HVAC license)
Certification lapses if not renewed by December 31 each year. (Contractor license (AL HVACR Board)) — source: When does my license expire? – Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors, verified 2026-10-18