Alabama License Classes and Contractor Credentials
Alabama licenses the business for the contractor families (general contractor, home builder, electrical contractor, HVAC/R) and the individual for the plumber and gas fitter certificates. 17 classification rows are seeded across five credential families — general contractors (ch. 8), residential home builders (ch. 14A), electrical (ch. 36), plumbers/gas fitters (ch. 37) and HVAC/R (ch. 31). There is no catch-all "contractor" class: the threshold and the board that apply depend on whether the work is residential.
01 Five credential families, two thresholds
ALBGC ch. 8 — $100,000 non-residential+HBLB ch. 14A — $10,000 residential+AECB ch. 36+PGFB ch. 37+HACR ch. 31
- General contractors — non-residential — §34-8-1(a) requires an ALBGC general contractor licence for non-residential work of $100,000 or more (pools $5,000); §34-8-7 adds the specialty/subcontractor classes. (Rule AL-GC-LICENSE.) S-AL-GC-LAW
- Home builders — residential — §34-14A-2(12) requires an HBLB licence over $10,000, including a residential roofer over $2,500; an Unlimited licence covers roofing without a separate roofer licence. (Rules AL-HB-LICENSE, AL-HB-ROOFER.) S-AL-HBLB-LAW
- Electrical is an individual + business credential — §34-36-13 bars the electrical contracting business and master/journeyman work without an AECB licence. (Rule AL-ELEC-LICENSE.) S-AL-AECB-LAW
- Plumbing/gas is an individual certificate — the PGFB certifies plumbers, gas fitters and medical gas piping fitters (§34-37-1); a minimum apprentice card is required to perform gas fitting. (Rules AL-PLUMB-LICENSE, AL-PLUMB-GAS.) S-AL-PGFB-LAW
- HVAC/R is a business licence — chapter 31 licenses the heating, air conditioning and commercial refrigeration contractors industry; a new applicant must provide the $20,000 performance bond. (Rule AL-HVAC-LICENSE.) S-AL-HACR-BOND
02 General contractor classes — Code of Alabama ch. 8, Title 34 (ALBGC)
General Contractor License (ALBGC — chapter 8, Title 34; required for non-residential work 'where the cost of the undertaking including labor and materials is $100,000 or more' and swimming pools of $5,000 or more; subcontractors on ≥$100,000 contracts under a licensed prime must also be licensed; NO surety bond is published by the board — see CONFLICT-AL-001)
| Code | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC-BLDG | General Contractor — Building Construction | A 'general contractor' is one who, for a fixed price, commission, fee or wage, undertakes to construct or superintend the construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, reclamation or demolition of any building, highway, sewer, structure, site work, grading, paving or project or any improvement in the State of Alabama where the cost of the undertaking including labor and materials is $100,000 or more (Act 2024-277, effective 2024-10-01; formerly $50,000). A person who performs those acts is deemed to be engaged in the business of general contracting. §34-8-2 provides for licensure and CLASSIFICATION of contractors by the board. | Code of Alabama §34-8-1(a), (c); §34-8-2 (chapter 8, Title 34) | S-AL-GC-LAW |
| GC-HWY | General Contractor — Highway, Heavy, Municipal and Utility Construction | The same §34-8-1(a) definition extends to the construction, alteration, repair or demolition of 'any … highway, sewer, structure, site work, grading, paving or project or any improvement' at $100,000 or more; the board classifies a licence for highway/heavy, municipal and utility construction work. An awarding authority must ascertain that a contractor is duly licensed before permitting it to bid on a project of $100,000 or more (§34-8-8). | Code of Alabama §34-8-1(a); §34-8-2 (chapter 8, Title 34) | S-AL-GC-LAW |
| GC-SPEC | Specialty Contractor (Registered Subcontractor) | 'Subcontractors performing minimum contracts including labor and materials of $100,000 ($5,000 swimming pools) under contract to a licensed prime contractor must be licensed by the board.' §34-8-7 also exempts, among others, temporary labour provided by a labour broker under the supervision and control of a general contractor (the temporary workers fall under the general contractor's licence), while barring a labour broker from acting as a subcontractor. | Code of Alabama §34-8-1(c); §34-8-7 (chapter 8, Title 34) | S-AL-GC-LAW |
| GC-POOL | Swimming Pool Contractor | 'Swimming Pool construction of $5,000 or more' is within the §34-8-1 definition (the pool threshold is $5,000, not $100,000), and subcontractors on pool contracts of $5,000 or more under a licensed prime must be licensed. Act 2026-396 (effective 2026-10-01) added an exemption in §34-8-7 for the construction and repair of residential swimming pools. | Code of Alabama §34-8-1; Act 2026-396 (§34-8-7) | S-AL-GC-LAW |
The GC classes are NON-residential (except swimming pools)
The ALBGC classes cover non-residential commercial, industrial and public work of $100,000 or more and swimming pools of $5,000 or more. Residential home building is the separate HBLB jurisdiction at the much lower $10,000 threshold. S-AL-GC-LAW
03 Residential home builder classes — ch. 14A, Title 34 (HBLB)
Residential Home Builder License (HBLB — chapter 14A, Title 34; required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)' and for a residential roofer over $2,500; issued ANNUALLY through a qualifying representative; §34-14A-19 liability insurance before construction; Homeowners' Recovery Fund)
| Code | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB-UNL | Residential Home Builder — Unlimited | A person who constructs a residence or structure for sale, or for a fixed price/commission/fee/wage undertakes the construction or superintending of any residence or structure 'that is not over three floors in height and that does not have more than four residential units, or the repair, improvement, or reimprovement thereof, to be used by another as a residence when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)'. All residential home builders must be licensed ANNUALLY (§34-14A-5). An Unlimited licence is qualified to engage in residential roofing without a separate roofer licence. | Code of Alabama §34-14A-2(12); §34-14A-5 | S-AL-HBLB-LAW |
| HB-LTD | Residential Home Builder — Limited | §34-14A-5 authorises the board to issue licences that 'vary in scope of work authorized, including … licenses without limitation and with limitation' and to vary the requirements for licensure (experience/ability, financial responsibility) by the cost of the undertaking. The Limited tier is the scoped residential-building licence. | Code of Alabama §34-14A-5(a)(3)-(4) | S-AL-HBLB-LAW |
| HB-ROOF | Residential Roofer | A 'residential roofer' is 'a person that installs products or repairs surfaces on the external upper covering of a residence or structure that seals, waterproofs, or weatherproofs the residence or structure'. The residential home builder definition expressly 'includes a residential roofer when the cost of the undertaking exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)'. A person that holds an Unlimited Home Builders licence is qualified to engage in residential roofing and does not need a separate roofer licence. | Code of Alabama §34-14A-2(12)-(13) | S-AL-HBLB-LAW |
The $2,500 roofer tier is the lowest threshold
A residential roofer must be licensed when the cost exceeds $2,500; an Unlimited home builders licence is qualified to engage in residential roofing without a separate roofer licence. S-AL-HBLB-LAW
04 Electrical classes — ch. 36, Title 34 (AECB)
Electrical Contractor License (AECB — chapter 36, Title 34; §34-36-13 licence required; the business licence plus the JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN certificate; §34-36-7 examination with reciprocity; 14-hour continuing education in a CE year)
| Code | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELEC-CON | Electrical Contractor | No person shall engage in the electrical contracting business or perform work as a master or journeyman electrician without a licence from the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors (§34-36-13). An applicant for an electrical contractor licence must submit a completed application, application fee and supportive documentation of qualifications before taking the examination (§34-36-7). The electrical contractor license requires that the business employ/qualify through an individual holding the appropriate electrician qualification. | Code of Alabama §34-36-13; §34-36-7 (chapter 36, Title 34) | S-AL-AECB-LAW |
| ELEC-JRN | Journeyman Electrician | A 'journeyman electrician' is a person who possesses the necessary qualifications, training and technical knowledge to install electrical wiring, apparatus or equipment. §34-36-13 bars performing work as a journeyman electrician without a licence. The journeyman electrician licence fee is $35.00 and must satisfy all licensure requirements before issuance (Administrative Code chapter 303-X). | Code of Alabama §34-36-1; §34-36-13 (chapter 36, Title 34) | S-AL-AECB-LAW |
The business is the electrical contractor
Alabama licenses the electrical contractor (business) with a qualifying master electrician; the journeyman electrician holds the individual certificate. Local further electrical-contractor licensing for the same purpose is preempted. S-AL-AECB-LAW
05 Plumber / gas fitter certificates — ch. 37, Title 34 (PGFB)
Plumber / Gas Fitter Certification (PGFB — chapter 37, Title 34; the board shall 'examine, certify, and regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters'; individual certificates: master/journeyman/apprentice plumber and gas fitter; ANNUAL certificate, renewal October 1–December 31, 4-hour CE; a minimum Apprentice card is required to perform gas fitting)
| Code | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLB-MST | Master Plumber | The PGFB 'shall examine, certify, and regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters' (§34-37-1). A MASTER plumber/gas fitter certificate authorises engaging in the business of plumbing and/or gas fitting within Alabama and requires annual registration on board forms (Administrative Code 720-X-17-.01). Certificates are annual and run the calendar year, with renewal October 1 through December 31 and 4-hour continuing education. | Code of Alabama §34-37-1; §34-37-9 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
| PLB-JRN | Journeyman Plumber | An applicant for examination for a journeyman plumber or gas fitter certificate must submit proof of two years of current work experience (Code of Alabama §34-37-6). A journeyman works under the employment and direction of a master plumber/gas fitter. The certificate is annual (calendar year). | Code of Alabama §34-37-6 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
| PLB-APR | Apprentice Plumber | An 'apprentice gas fitter or plumber' is a person other than a master or journeyman holding 'a current annual certificate issued by the board' (§34-37-1). An apprentice works under the supervision of a master or journeyman plumber/gas fitter. The certificate is annual (calendar year). | Code of Alabama §34-37-1 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
| GAS-MST | Master Gas Fitter | The PGFB examines, certifies and regulates GAS FITTERS alongside plumbers and medical gas piping fitters (§34-37-1); a MASTER gas fitter certificate authorises engaging in the business of gas fitting within Alabama and requires annual registration (Administrative Code 720-X-17-.01). The certificate is annual (calendar year) with renewal October 1 through December 31 and 4-hour CE. | Code of Alabama §34-37-1; §34-37-9 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
| GAS-JRN | Journeyman Gas Fitter | A journeyman gas fitter certificate requires two years of current work experience and is examined by the board (§34-37-6); a journeyman gas fitter works under the employment and direction of a master gas fitter. The certificate is annual (calendar year). | Code of Alabama §34-37-6 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
| GAS-APR | Apprentice Gas Fitter | An apprentice gas fitter is a person other than a master or journeyman gas fitter holding a current annual certificate issued by the board (§34-37-1). A minimum apprentice card is required in order to perform gas fitting (board forms page). The certificate is annual. | Code of Alabama §34-37-1 (chapter 37, Title 34) | S-AL-PGFB-LAW |
Gas fitting has an explicit floor credential
There is no separate plumbing-contractor business licence — Alabama certifies the individual plumber/gas fitter. A person engaging in the business of plumbing and/or gas fitting must register annually, and a minimum apprentice card is required to perform gas fitting. S-AL-PGFB-FORMS
06 HVAC/R classes — ch. 31, Title 34 (HACR)
HVAC/R Contractor License (HACR — chapter 31, Title 34; licence by examination under §34-31-28, further testing by localities prohibited; a NEW applicant must provide a $20,000 performance bond under Administrative Code rule 440-X-3-.04(5))
| Code | Classification | Official scope | Citation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HACR-HVAC | Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor | 'Certification or license' means the process of testing to determine the knowledge and skill of an individual with respect to heating, air conditioning and refrigeration work (§34-31-18). The board examines applicants for certification/licensure (§34-31-28); a locality may not impose further testing. A NEW heating & air conditioning contractor applicant must provide a performance bond of $20,000 (Administrative Code rule 440-X-3-.04(5)). | Code of Alabama §34-31-18; §34-31-28 (chapter 31, Title 34) | S-AL-HACR-LAW |
| HACR-REF | Refrigeration Contractor | The HACR board regulates the 'heating, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration contractors industry' (Administrative Code 440-X-1-.01); the chapter 31 certification/licence covers refrigeration as well as heating/air conditioning, and a NEW refrigeration contractor applicant must likewise provide the $20,000 performance bond (rule 440-X-3-.04(5)). | Code of Alabama chapter 31, Title 34; Administrative Code 440-X | S-AL-HACR-BOND |
New HVAC/R applicants post a $20,000 bond
A new heating/air-conditioning or refrigeration contractor applicant must provide a performance bond of $20,000 (Administrative Code rule 440-X-3-.04(5)), and localities may not impose further testing (§34-31-28). S-AL-HACR-LAW
07 Deterministic scope limits
- alabama:gc-general-building — non residential construction of 100000 dollars or more including labor and materials (Code of Alabama §34-8-1(a), (c)) S-AL-GC-LAWThe GC class covers non-residential commercial/industrial/public construction and swimming pools; the cost is the undertaking INCLUDING labour and materials.
- alabama:gc-general-building — residential home building which is the separate home builders board jurisdiction (Code of Alabama §34-14A-6(3); §34-14A-2(12)) S-AL-HBLB-EXEMPTIONSThe two-threshold boundary: a residential job is judged by the HBLB's $10,000/$2,500 thresholds, not by the ALBGC's $100,000.
- alabama:gc-general-building — own property construction by the owner acting as their own contractor (Code of Alabama §34-8-7; Act 2026-396) S-AL-GC-EXEMPTIONS-2026The 2026 routine-maintenance exemption is intentionally open — the board asks specific projects to be confirmed with it before bidding.
- alabama:home-builder-unlimited — residential construction repair or improvement of 10000 dollars or more on a structure of no more than four units (Code of Alabama §34-14A-2(12)) S-AL-HBLB-LAWThe residential class is bounded by structure size (≤4 units, ≤3 floors) as well as by cost.
- alabama:residential-roofer — residential roofing where the cost exceeds 2500 dollars (Code of Alabama §34-14A-2(12)-(13)) S-AL-HBLB-LAWThe $2,500 roofing threshold is the lowest residential threshold; an Unlimited home builder licence covers roofing without a separate roofer licence.
- alabama:home-builder-unlimited — proof of liability insurance prior to the commencement of residential home building (Code of Alabama §34-14A-19) S-AL-HBLB-RECOVERYA statutory condition of building a residence; the amount is NOT_VERIFIED.
- alabama:electrical-contractor — engaging in the electrical contracting business (Code of Alabama §34-36-13) S-AL-AECB-LAWAlabama licenses the electrical contractor business; the qualifying individual is a master electrician and journeymen hold individual certificates.
- alabama:electrical-contractor — requiring a separate local electrical contractor license for the same purpose (Code of Alabama chapter 36, Title 34) S-AL-AECB-LAWCERTAINTY NOTE: the exclusivity clause was not fully extracted from the binary PDF — recorded as reported, not confirmed.
- alabama:master-plumber — engaging in the business of plumbing and or gas fitting (Code of Alabama §34-37-1; Administrative Code 720-X-17-.01) S-AL-PGFB-LAWAlabama certifies the individual plumber/gas fitter; there is no plumbing-contractor business licence.
- alabama:master-gas-fitter — at least an apprentice card to perform gas fitting (Code of Alabama §34-37-1; PGFB forms page) S-AL-PGFB-FORMSGas fitting has an explicit floor credential — the apprentice card.
- alabama:hvac-contractor — localities imposing further testing on a state licensed hvac contractor (Code of Alabama §34-31-28) S-AL-HACR-LAWAlabama expressly prohibits local HVAC further testing.
- alabama:hvac-contractor — a 20000 dollar performance bond for new applicants (Administrative Code rule 440-X-3-.04(5)) S-AL-HACR-BONDThe only state contractor bond Alabama publishes; $20,000 per the official rule.
- alabama:home-builder-unlimited — municipal building permit issued by the local building department (Code of Alabama §34-8-9) S-AL-GC-LAWThe state-vs-local boundary; no municipal page is created (research brief §20).
These limits feed the deterministic rules (AL-TWO-THRESHOLD, AL-GC-LICENSE, AL-HB-LICENSE, AL-ELEC-LICENSE, AL-PLUMB-LICENSE, AL-HVAC-LICENSE, AL-LOCAL-PERMIT) that project pages evaluate — missing facts return NOT_DETERMINED, never a forced answer.
08 Sources
S-AL-AECB-LAWstatute
Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors — chapter 36, Title 34 (official full-text law PDF)
https://aecb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Section34LAW.pdfS-AL-GC-EXEMPTIONS-2026bulletin
ALBGC — New contractor licensing exemptions take effect October 1, 2026 (Act 2026-396)
https://genconbd.alabama.gov/14534/new-contractor-licensing-exemptions-take-effect-october-1-2026/S-AL-GC-LAWboard page
Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors — Contractor Licensing Law (chapter 8, Title 34)
https://genconbd.alabama.gov/about/law/S-AL-HACR-BONDregulation
Alabama Administrative Code rule 440-X-3-.04 — Forms of licensing (HACR performance bond)
https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/440-X-3-.04S-AL-HACR-LAWstatute
Alabama HACR — chapter 31, Title 34 (official law PDF, §§34-31-18 et seq.)
https://hacr.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Updated-Code-of-Alabama-1975-Section-34-31-18-et-seq.pdfS-AL-HBLB-EXEMPTIONSboard page
Home Builders Licensure Board — Exemptions (chapter 14A, Title 34)
https://hblb.alabama.gov/exemptions/S-AL-HBLB-LAWstatute
Home Builders Licensure Board — Home Builders Licensure Law (chapter 14A, Title 34)
https://hblb.alabama.gov/law/S-AL-HBLB-RECOVERYfaq
Home Builders Licensure Board — §34-14A-15 Recovery fund
https://hblb.alabama.gov/faq/%C2%A7-34-14a-15-recovery-fund/S-AL-PGFB-LAWstatute
Alabama State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board — chapter 37, Title 34 (official law PDF)
https://pgfb.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PGFB-Law-from-Legislature-2022-draft-from-signed-bill.pdf