AL Home Builders License Exam

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AL Home Builders License Exam

Shelby Pracht
Property Manager · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Member since 2014 · 263 posts · 230 votes

Hey BP! I am almost finished with our first major project here in Alabama that we are intending to flip. However, the inspector stopped by and we learned that if we do the work ourselves, we aren't legally allowed to sell the property within a year unless we are licensed as home builders in the state of Alabama. (Had to permit because there was more than $10k worth of work done.)

I'd really prefer not to rent this property for a year just because of this statute. I'm contemplating taking the home builders license exam so that I don't run into this issue again.

First: Are there any ways people in Aabama are flipping without this license? What am I missing here?

Second: Does anyone have the exam study materials (the three books that are allowed in the exam room) that they are willing to sell used? It looks like I can only get them new on the internet and they run about $700 total.

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Greg ParkerBusiness Member
Realtor, Contractor, Property Manager · Montgomery AL and Kowaliga, AL · Member since 2017 · 670 posts · 536 votes
7y

Yep, take the test.  It sucks, but you will have it forever.  Good luck.

[email protected]
MGM Property Pros LLC
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  • Greg ParkerBusiness Member
    Realtor, Contractor, Property Manager · Montgomery AL and Kowaliga, AL · Member since 2017 · 670 posts · 536 votes
    7y

    Yep, take the test.  It sucks, but you will have it forever.  Good luck.

    [email protected]
    MGM Property Pros LLC
    View Page
    3Reply
  • Shelby Pracht
    OP
    Property Manager · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Member since 2014 · 263 posts · 230 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Greg Parker:

    Yep, take the test.  It sucks, but you will have it forever.  Good luck.

    Thanks Greg! Any chance you have a lead on where to find the study materials used?

    0Reply
  • Greg ParkerBusiness Member
    Realtor, Contractor, Property Manager · Montgomery AL and Kowaliga, AL · Member since 2017 · 670 posts · 536 votes
    7y

    Alabama Home Builders  association.  I think Ahba.org.  

    [email protected]
    MGM Property Pros LLC
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    0Reply
  • Jon Wright
    Real Estate Agent · Tuscumbia, AL · Member since 2015 · 47 posts · 26 votes
    7y

    make sure you get the current books. There are only 2 needed now. A large study guide book https://nascla.1examprep.com/products/residential-home-builder-study-guide?variant=7450620755996&utm_campaign=gs-2019-03-08&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Yve_dCe5QIVksDICh13YgWvEAQYAyABEgIM0PD_BwE

    and the NASCLA book https://nascla.1examprep.com/collections/nascla-books/products/alabama-nascla-contractors-guide-to-business

    A lot of the websites that sell Alabama books will still show a collection of 5 or 6 books that were used for the old exam. Best of luck. 

    0Reply
  • Charles Goodwin
    Investor · Piedmont, AL · Member since 2015 · 19 posts · 3 votes
    7mo

    Shelby, How difficult was the exam. If its open book it can't be that bad, right? We are coming across the same bridge and my wife is going after it as I am preparing for my CPA exams.

    0Reply
    • Shelby Pracht
      OP
      Property Manager · Mammoth Lakes, CA · Member since 2014 · 263 posts · 230 votes
      7mo
      Quote from @Charles Goodwin:

      Shelby, How difficult was the exam. If its open book it can't be that bad, right? We are coming across the same bridge and my wife is going after it as I am preparing for my CPA exams.

      It wasn't terrible! I studied about two weeks and passed on the first try. You can see via my report that some sections were a lot easier than others (at least for me). Id tell her to spend a lot of time familiarizing herself with where to find things in the book as opposed to trying to actually learn the material. Its honestly more test taking skills than anything. 
      1Reply
    • Charles Goodwin
      Investor · Piedmont, AL · Member since 2015 · 19 posts · 3 votes
      6mo

       Thanks for the insight Shelby!

      0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    6mo

    Interesting...just curious....so it's not a real measure of skill, background or anything? What's the point then? They let you actually build houses for people?

    I only know about the CA and AZ licenses and they are very hard to get, and you need to prove 4 yrs of journeyman level experience, have a GC sign for that, take both Law and Trade exams...and the pass rate is only 12%.....I've seen very experienced construction guys fail

    1Reply
    • Alan F.
      Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      6mo
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

      Interesting...just curious....so it's not a real measure of skill, background or anything? What's the point then? They let you actually build houses for people?

      I only know about the CA and AZ licenses and they are very hard to get, and you need to prove 4 yrs of journeyman level experience, have a GC sign for that, take both Law and Trade exams...and the pass rate is only 12%.....I've seen very experienced construction guys fail


       Lots of states are like that, its essentially a glorified biz license. Procore has excellent information on contractors licensing accross all 50 states.

      1Reply
    • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
      Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
      6mo
      Quote from @Alan F.:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

      Interesting...just curious....so it's not a real measure of skill, background or anything? What's the point then? They let you actually build houses for people?

      I only know about the CA and AZ licenses and they are very hard to get, and you need to prove 4 yrs of journeyman level experience, have a GC sign for that, take both Law and Trade exams...and the pass rate is only 12%.....I've seen very experienced construction guys fail


       Lots of states are like that, its essentially a glorified biz license. Procore has excellent information on contractors licensing accross all 50 states.

      I guess I don't understand the point then...? Why even put people through the motions, I mean it's virtually worthless and does not give a homeowner any confidence in the 'Contractor'.

      Although I am generally against Govt interference/over-reach, I think that building a house is a serious enough endeavor to have the builder be verified as a competent Craftsman and also not a criminal (I had to get a LiveScan done and sent to the Feds for scrutiny).

      Oh well, I guess buyer beware.....

      1Reply
    • Alan F.
      Flipper/Rehabber · CA · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      6mo
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
      Quote from @Alan F.:
      Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

      Interesting...just curious....so it's not a real measure of skill, background or anything? What's the point then? They let you actually build houses for people?

      I only know about the CA and AZ licenses and they are very hard to get, and you need to prove 4 yrs of journeyman level experience, have a GC sign for that, take both Law and Trade exams...and the pass rate is only 12%.....I've seen very experienced construction guys fail


       Lots of states are like that, its essentially a glorified biz license. Procore has excellent information on contractors licensing accross all 50 states.

      I guess I don't understand the point then...? Why even put people through the motions, I mean it's virtually worthless and does not give a homeowner any confidence in the 'Contractor'.

      Although I am generally against Govt interference/over-reach, I think that building a house is a serious enough endeavor to have the builder be verified as a competent Craftsman and also not a criminal (I had to get a LiveScan done and sent to the Feds for scrutiny).

      Oh well, I guess buyer beware.....


       The point is revenue generation.

      I wholly agree on all that you brought up. But....it is what it is lol. Caveat Emptor indeed. 

      1Reply
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