Not yet re-checked against the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors; verify before relying on it.
Alabama subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Alabama, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Alabama
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State-issued contractor license or registration.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
License required for projects over $50,000.
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
The bond the state requires for a contractor's license or registration; ask the sub for a copy.
General contractors with projects over $50,000 must be licensed by the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors (ASLC). Subs over $50K also need a license.
Alabama is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
Bond required as part of ASLC license application
- ASLC: Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors
- ALDOL: Alabama Department of Labor
Summary for Alabama
Alabama requires licensure for general contractors on projects over $50K. Federal OSHA applies.
Track all of this automatically in Alabama
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for Alabama, with alerts before anything expires.
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Alabama compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Alabama?+
General contractors with projects over $50,000 must be licensed by the Alabama State Licensing Board for General Contractors (ASLC). Subs over $50K also need a license.
Does Alabama follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Alabama is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Alabama?+
Yes. Bond required as part of ASLC license application
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Alabama agencies before relying on them.