FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In order to obtain a State of Alabama Home Builders License, one must:

• Complete the appropriate application form and return the notarized application with a check or money order made payable to the Home Builders Licensure Board in the amount of the application processing fee plus the applicable license fee.
  • Click here to obtain a free downloadable application package or provide a check or money order for $25 made payable to the Home Builders Licensure Board at the Home Builders Licensure Board offices at 445 Herron Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104 or with a written request to Home Builders Licensure Board, P. O. Box 303605, Montgomery, AL 36130-3605. Be sure to state whether you are requesting an unlimited license application package, a limited license application package, or a roofers license application package.
• Satisfy the Board that the applicant possesses the experience and ability to engage in residential homebuilding.
  • For an unlimited license, take and pass the Alabama Home Builders Exam. No authorization is required to take the exam.
  • For a limited or roofers license, provide a copy of a business or occupational license as a contractor issued by a municipality, township, or county in the state that you currently hold or held one (1) year prior to the date of the application.
• Satisfy the Board that the applicant possesses the business-related financial responsibility to engage in residential homebuilding.
  • For an unlimited or limited license, request that a current credit report on the individual or business who is making application be sent to the Board directly from a credit-reporting agency.
  • For a roofers license, request that a $10,000 License/Permit Bond naming the Board as the Obligee be submitted directly to the Board by the Surety issuing the bond. A sample bond is available with the application package.
• If applying as a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership,
  1. Provide a Certificate of Compliance from the Alabama Department of Revenue.
  2. Provide notarized minutes identifying the designated qualifying representative as an officer of the corporation, general partner of the partnership/limited partnership, member of the member-managed limited liability company or manager of the manager-managed limited liability company.
• If applying as a foreign (out-of-state) corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, also provide a Certificate of Existence from the Alabama Secretary of State.

If you hold an Unlimited Home Builders License, you are qualified to engage in residential roofing and DO NOT need a Roofers License.

If you hold a Limited Home Builders License, you ARE required to get a Roofers License to engage in residential roofing.

Click here to obtain a free downloadable application package or provide a check or money order for $25 made payable to the Home Builders Licensure Board at the Home Builders Licensure Board offices at 445 Herron Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104 or with a written request to Home Builders Licensure Board, P. O. Box 303605, Montgomery, AL 36130-3605. Be sure to state whether you are requesting an unlimited license application package, a limited license application package, or a roofers license application package.

Processing of an application, including receipt of the application with required documentation, test scores and credit reports or bond information, and review by the Board takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Applications must be on file in the Board’s office and be deemed complete seven days prior to a scheduled meeting of the Board in order for that application to be reviewed.

A test score is valid for three (3) years from the date of the test.

Testing information, including testing sites and registration, is available at http://provexam.com/. (Please note that the Board does not administer testing and all questions regarding testing should be directed to the testing provider, Prov). To download your Candidate Information Bulletin that will answer all of your exam questions for the Alabama Home Builders exam, click here.

The Board does not offer training classes or study materials. However, the Candidate Information Bulletin  in the application packet provides basic information and references to study materials. Independent vendors will sometimes offer classes and study materials for the examination; if vendors provide the Board with information regarding the classes and study materials, the Board provides that information to applicants. Training classes, study classes, and study materials provided by vendors ARE NOT offered by, approved by, or supported by the Board.

If you hold a residential construction license in the States of Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, or North Carolina you may be exempt from the Skills section of the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board Exams, but are still required to take and pass the Business and Law section. If you hold a current and valid residential builder’s license in another state, provide a copy of your out-of-state license with your application.

If you are not sure whether a license is required for a particular job, please contact the Board’s office and ask to speak to someone in the Legal Division.

No. The law regulating residential home builders does not address insurance. However, insurance may be required under other state laws. You should contact the Department of Labor for more information regarding insurance requirements.

Click on the appropriate item below for information on the documentation required for Board review in regards to credit issues:

• Bankruptcy
• Collection(s) or Child Support
• Judgment(s) or Lien(s)

All documentation must be returned to the Board office no later than 7 days prior to the Board meeting date of the application’s review.

Yes. In the State of Alabama, one who engages in the construction of commercial or public properties where the cost of the undertaking including labor and materials is $100,000 or more and swimming pool construction of $5,000 or more is considered a General Contractor. A residential Home Builder is one who engages in the construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential structure where the cost of the undertaking including labor and materials exceeds $10,000, unless the work performed is not within the jurisdiction of the Board.

Anyone holding a General Contractor License issued prior to the passing of the statute that brought into being the Home Builders Licensure Board in 1992 may engage in residential construction. This would include ONLY General Contractors License numbers from 1 to 18907. Anyone holding a General Contractors License with a license number of 18908 or higher MUST hold a Home Builders License to perform residential construction.

The statute is silent as to an age limit requirement. In order to follow the Board’s Rules and Regulations, a license holder must be old enough to enter into a contract with a homeowner. The statute in Alabama states that a person must be 19 years of age to enter into a contract.

The Home Builders Association of Alabama offers a sample home warranty to its members. If you are not a member, consult with your attorney to write a home warranty specifically for your contracts.