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The Alabama Runway Contractor Exam Book Package brings together the two technical references identified for candidates preparing for the Alabama Runway Contractor examination administered by PSI. This focused package is designed for contractors preparing to demonstrate knowledge of runway construction, sitework, FAA construction standards, airfield lighting, soils, foundations, and related airport construction practices.
Runway construction requires specialized knowledge that differs from ordinary road or building work. Contractors may need to understand soil conditions, grading, subgrade preparation, pavement construction, drainage, airport specifications, construction tolerances, runway systems, and lighting-related requirements. The Alabama Runway Contractor examination reflects that specialized scope through a concise exam focused on sitework, runways, FAA regulations, and lighting.
This package includes Soils and Foundations by Cheng Liu and Jack B. Evett, 2008, 7th Edition, and Airport Construction Standards FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370-10, 2011. Together, these references support both the geotechnical and airport-specific portions of exam preparation.
The Alabama Runway Contractor examination is an open-book exam, making direct familiarity with the approved references an important part of preparation. Candidates should understand which reference applies to each subject and practice locating information efficiently before test day. With only two primary references, the exam library is relatively compact, but candidates still need to know how those books are organized and how their technical content connects to runway construction.
Runways are recognized within Alabama's Heavy & Railroad contractor classification structure. Applicants pursuing this specialty must satisfy the applicable licensing requirements established by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, document qualifying experience, complete the required examinations, and meet the Board's remaining licensing requirements.
These references create a streamlined study library for the Alabama Runway Contractor examination. Soils and Foundations supports the sitework and geotechnical knowledge needed for construction involving subgrades, soil behavior, compaction, foundations, and earthwork. The FAA Airport Construction Standards reference supports runway construction requirements, airport-specific specifications, FAA-related content, and other technical subjects associated with airfield construction.
The Alabama Runway Contractor examination is administered by PSI for candidates pursuing the Runways specialty classification through the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
The examination contains four primary subject areas. Sitework accounts for 10 questions, Runways accounts for 15 questions, FAA Regulations accounts for 3 questions, and Lighting accounts for 2 questions.
Runways is the largest section, accounting for half of the examination. Candidates should devote substantial preparation time to airport pavement construction, construction standards, runway-related technical requirements, materials, installation procedures, and the specifications contained in the FAA reference.
Sitework is the second-largest category with 10 questions. This area can involve the earthwork and geotechnical principles necessary to prepare a stable runway construction site. Candidates should be familiar with soil properties, compaction, subgrades, grading, moisture relationships, foundations, and related construction concepts.
FAA Regulations contains 3 questions, while Lighting contains 2 questions. Although these are smaller sections, they still represent important points toward the required passing score and should be included in a complete study plan.
The exam provides 75 minutes for 30 questions, giving candidates an average of approximately two and a half minutes per question. Efficient use of the two approved references can help candidates manage the available testing time effectively.
The Alabama Runway Contractor examination is an open-book test. PSI permits the approved reference materials identified for this examination to be used in the testing center under its reference-material rules.
The approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. They must otherwise remain unmarked and cannot contain handwritten notes or additional papers, whether loose or attached. Permanent tabs may be used for indexing, while temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not permitted.
The approved references are not supplied at the examination center. Candidates are responsible for bringing the permitted books they intend to use during the test.
Because this exam uses only two primary references, candidates should learn the role of each book very clearly. Soils and Foundations is the natural source for questions involving soil behavior, compaction, site preparation, earthwork, and foundation-related concepts. Airport Construction Standards FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370-10 is the primary reference for airport construction specifications, runway requirements, FAA-related topics, and related airfield construction practices.
Open-book testing does not eliminate the need to understand the material. Candidates should be able to recognize the subject first and then select the correct reference. Searching blindly through both books for every question can consume valuable time, especially on a 75-minute examination.
A useful preparation method is to practice timed lookups. Select a runway or sitework subject, determine which reference is most likely to contain the answer, locate the information, and review the surrounding section. Repeating this process can improve both trade knowledge and book-navigation skills.
The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates contractor classifications subject to Alabama general contractor law. Runways is recognized as a specialty classification within the Heavy & Railroad major classification.
Applicants should remember that passing the trade exam is only one part of the licensing process. The Board also evaluates experience, project history, application documentation, financial information, and other requirements applicable to the requested license and bid limit.
Runways is recognized as a specialty classification under Alabama's Heavy & Railroad classification. Heavy & Railroad includes construction involving railroads, bridges, foundations, pile driving, cofferdams, tunnels, drainage projects, irrigation projects, hydro-electric development, transmission lines, pipelines, marine construction, runways, and work incidental to those areas.
Applicants with qualifying experience may request the specific Runways specialty rather than the broader Heavy & Railroad major classification. Alabama licensing materials require applicants requesting classifications to document relevant work history and qualifying projects.
Current Alabama contractor classification procedures require work or job references that verify experience in the classification requested. Applicants seeking a classification amendment are also required to successfully pass the examinations associated with the requested classification.
Alabama's general contractor licensing law applies to covered construction undertakings valued at $100,000 or more, including labor and materials. The current $100,000 threshold became effective October 1, 2024.
Subcontractors performing covered work at the applicable statutory threshold are also subject to Alabama contractor licensing requirements. Prime contractors and subcontractors use separate state application processes.
Because runway construction involves specialized airport work, applicants should make sure their documented experience supports the Runways specialty requested. The Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors determines final classification eligibility based on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and supporting documentation.
The reference materials identified by PSI for use during the Alabama Runway Contractor examination are:
PSI permits the approved reference materials to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are allowed, while temporary tabs are not permitted. The books must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers.
Candidates should bring their own approved references to the testing center because PSI does not provide them for the examination.
A productive study plan should begin with Runways because this section contains 15 of the 30 exam questions. Candidates should spend significant time working with the FAA Airport Construction Standards reference and becoming familiar with the structure of the publication.
Review runway construction specifications, materials, construction procedures, tolerances, pavement-related requirements, and other airport construction standards represented within the FAA document. Learn how the publication is organized so that applicable sections can be located efficiently during the open-book examination.
Sitework accounts for another 10 questions and should receive substantial preparation. Use Soils and Foundations to review soil classification, soil behavior, compaction, moisture relationships, foundation principles, earthwork, and the preparation of stable construction surfaces.
Runway performance depends heavily on what is underneath the pavement system. Candidates should understand why soil conditions, compaction, drainage, and subgrade preparation are critical to airport construction rather than treating sitework as a separate subject unrelated to runway performance.
FAA Regulations accounts for 3 questions. Use the FAA reference to become familiar with the standards and requirements that guide airport construction. Candidates should understand the role of FAA specifications and how those requirements influence construction methods and quality expectations.
Lighting accounts for 2 questions. Although this is the smallest category, it should not be ignored. Airfield lighting is an important part of runway infrastructure, and candidates should include the applicable material from the FAA reference in their preparation.
Because the test contains only 30 questions, every question represents a meaningful portion of the final score. Candidates need 21 correct answers to achieve the required 70% passing score. Missing several questions in a smaller category can therefore affect the final result more than it might on a much longer examination.
Practice timed reference navigation with both books. For each study question, first determine whether it is primarily a sitework or airport construction issue. Then select the most relevant book and locate the supporting material. Over time, this process can make reference use faster and more deliberate.
Contractor Exam Prep supports Alabama Runway Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and confidence-building study structure.
The Runway Contractor examination has a relatively focused reference list, but the technical material can still be specialized. Candidates need to understand both geotechnical sitework principles and FAA airport construction standards. Organizing study around the published exam categories can make preparation more efficient.
Contractor Exam Prep encourages candidates to divide preparation into Runways, Sitework, FAA Regulations, and Lighting. This helps candidates direct their attention according to the examination content rather than reading both references from beginning to end without a plan.
Reference navigation is especially important because the examination is open book. Candidates can practice determining whether a question belongs in Soils and Foundations or the FAA Airport Construction Standards before beginning a lookup.
Practice-oriented preparation can also reveal weak areas. A contractor with extensive pavement experience may need additional review of soil mechanics or FAA specifications, while someone with strong earthwork experience may need more focused preparation involving runway construction standards or airport lighting.
The Alabama Runway Contractor Exam Book Package provides the focused technical reference library candidates need to prepare for the PSI trade examination while developing stronger familiarity with airport construction and sitework information.
The Alabama Runway Contractor examination contains 30 questions. Candidates are allowed 75 minutes to complete the test.
The minimum passing score is 70%, which equals 21 correct answers out of 30 questions.
Yes. PSI identifies the Alabama Runway Contractor examination as an open-book test and permits the approved references under its examination rules.
The examination covers Sitework, Runways, FAA Regulations, and Lighting. Runways is the largest section with 15 questions, followed by Sitework with 10.
The package includes Soils and Foundations by Cheng Liu and Jack B. Evett, 2008, 7th Edition, and Airport Construction Standards FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370-10, 2011.
Soils and Foundations supports preparation involving soils, compaction, foundations, earthwork, and related geotechnical concepts represented in the Sitework portion of the exam.
Airport Construction Standards FAA Advisory Circular AC 150/5370-10, 2011 is the primary reference for runway construction and FAA-related airport construction topics.
PSI permits approved references to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are permitted, but temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed.
No. Candidates are responsible for bringing the approved reference materials they intend to use during the examination.
Yes. Runways is recognized as a specialty classification within Alabama's Heavy & Railroad contractor classification structure.
PSI administers the trade examination as part of the licensing process overseen by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Yes. Alabama applicants subject to contractor examination requirements must complete the applicable Trade examination as well as Business and Law.
