Whether you are a tradesmen or a homeowner it can be challenging in Alabama to figure out who you need to call or even where to start looking about licensing, regulations, or whom to report a problem. With that in mind here is a list of the most common boards, agencies, and departments that impact the construction fields.
For homeowners the top two sections contain boards that require anyone doing that type of work to be licensed. It would behoove you to verify that anyone working on your house or properties is properly licensed. If your house happens to be built before 1978 you also need to check with ADPH (first agency listed in the third set) to make sure they are licensed & qualified to work on your home.
For those looking at starting a business or becoming a tradesman, you should also check out the appropriate board as some require individual licensing. At the end we also included links to the states online directory for all the counties & cities that may have their own special requirements, permits, and licenses. We also included a link to your local Chamber of Commerce which can help you sort through this morass and hopefully succeed.
Construction & Trade Related Boards:
- Residential Construction (Structural or over 10k): Home Builders Licensure Board ~ www.hblb.state.al.us
- Commercial Construction (Land clearing, commercial, storm cleanup, projects over 50k with the exception of houses): Board of General Contractors ~ http://genconbd.alabama.gov
- Plumbing & Gas: Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board ~ www.pgfb.state.al.us
- Electrical: Board of Electrical Contractors ~ www.aecb.state.al.us
- HVAC (Heating & Air Conditioning): Board of Heating, Air Conditioning Contractors and Refrigeration ~ www.hvac.alabama.gov
- Propane: Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board ~ http://lpgb.alabama.gov
- Septic Systems: Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board ~ http://aowb.alabama.gov
- Low Voltage Lighting, Security Systems: Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure ~ www.aesbl.com (all salesmen & installers have to be registered)
Related Fields & Groups:
- Architects: Alabama Board of Architects ~ www.boa.alabama.gov
- Engineers & Surveyors: Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors ~ www.bels.state.al.us
- Landscape Architects: Alabama Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects ~ www.abela.state.al.us
- Home & EIFS Inspectors: Alabama Building Commission ~ www.bc.alabama.gov
- Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers ~ www.idboard.alabama.gov (One must not be licensed or registered with them – it is more of a promotion based board)
- Real Estate Appraisers Board ~ www.reab.state.al.us
State Agencies / Departments:
- Department of Public Health ~ http://adph.org (Lead, Asbestos, Septic Systems…)
- Department of Environmental Management ~ http://adem.alabama.gov (Storm Water, Trash Disposal, etc…)
- Department of Revenue ~ www.ador.state.al.us
- Department of Labor ~ www.alalabor.state.al.us
- Public Service Commission ~ www.psc.state.al.us
- State Health Planning and Development ~ www.shpda.state.al.us
- Alabama Real Estate Commission ~ www.arec.alabama.gov
Other Directories:
- Directory of Alabama Counties: http://info.alabama.gov/directory_county.aspx
- Directory of Alabama Cities: http://info.alabama.gov/directory_city_1.aspx
- Directory of all Alabama Boards & Agencies: http://info.alabama.gov/directory.aspx?range=2
- Directory of local Chamber of Commerce’s: http://alabamachambers.org/members/
- Numerous other job related groups & resources courtesy of Mike Rowe Works: http://www.mikeroweworks.com/job-site/state-resources/AL/
