NCCCO Rigger Level I and Signalperson Exam Guide: Questions, Cost and OSHA Rigging Rules
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The NCCCO Rigger Level I exam is a 60-question, 60-minute written test from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO). You also need to pass a practical exam to earn the 5-year certification. The written exam draws on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 and 1910.184 and on ASME B30 standards. This guide covers the format, fees, outline and OSHA sling numbers for Rigger I, Rigger II and Signalperson.
NCCCO Rigger and Signalperson Practice TestNCCCO Rigger Level I Full Mock Exam
NCCCO Rigger and Signalperson Exams at a Glance
| Certification | Written Exam | Written Fee | Practical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigger Level I | 60 questions, 60 minutes | $105 | Required ($95 listed) |
| Rigger Level II | 50 questions, 60 minutes | $105 | Required ($95 listed) |
| Signalperson | 60 questions, 60 minutes | $105 | Hand and voice signals ($95 listed) |
Exam details are from CCO's Rigger certification page and Signalperson page. Fees are from the CCO exam fee schedule, effective January 1, 2024. To be certified, candidates must be at least 18, follow the CCO Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics, and pass both the written and practical exams. You may take them in either order, but you must pass the second within 12 months of passing the first.
NCCCO Rigger Level I Written Exam Outline
| Domain | Share of Test |
|---|---|
| Scope of the Rigging Activity | About 15% |
| Technical Knowledge | About 13% |
| Inspection | About 30% |
| Execution of Rigging Activity | About 42% |
The Level I exam outline names ASME B30.5, B30.9, B30.10, B30.20 and B30.26, plus OSHA 1910.184, 1926.251 and 1926.1431. Our questions quote the OSHA text, which is free to read. The ASME standards are copyrighted and taught in your training course.
Rigger Level I vs Level II
A Level I rigger does simple, repetitive rigging when the load weight, center of gravity and rigging setup are already known. A Level II rigger can also estimate weight and center of gravity, identify lift points, select rigging based on loading and load angle factors, and work unsupervised. Passing the Level II written exam renews both levels.
Cost, Retakes and Open-Book Rules
The written exam fee is $105 for each designation. Practical test sites may charge their own fees on top. CCO written exams are closed book, and the CCO retake policy makes you wait four weeks before retaking the same exam. NCCCO's rigger pages don't publish a cut score, so check your Candidate Handbook.
OSHA 1926.251 and 1910.184 Sling Inspection Numbers
| Rule | OSHA Requirement |
|---|---|
| Rigging inspection | Before use on each shift, by a competent person |
| Chain sling periodic inspection | At least every 12 months, with a record of the month |
| Wire rope removal | 10 random broken wires in one lay, or 5 in one strand in one lay |
| Outside wire wear | One-third of the original diameter |
| Hook removal | Throat opened more than 15%, or twisted more than 10° |
| Chain heat | Remove above 1,000 °F. Derate above 600 °F. |
| Fiber core wire rope | Remove if exposed above 200 °F |
| Nylon and polyester web | Not above 180 °F. Polypropylene not above 200 °F. |
| Custom lifting accessories | Proof-tested to 125% of rated load |
The figures come from 29 CFR 1926.251 and 29 CFR 1910.184.
Sling Use Rules Riggers Are Tested On
- Never use a sling without legible identification markings, and never load it past its rated capacity.
- Don't shorten slings with knots or bolts, don't kink sling legs, and pad slings against sharp edges.
- Balance basket hitch loads to prevent slippage. Shock loading is prohibited.
- Keep your hands out from between the sling and the load while it tightens. Never pull a sling from under a resting load.
- Keep nylon web away from acids. Keep polyester and polypropylene web, and aluminum fittings, away from caustics.
- Wire rope eyes may not be formed with clips or knots. On U-bolt clips, the U goes on the dead end.
- Fiber rope eye splices need 3 full tucks in manila and 4 in synthetic.
OSHA Signal Rules for the NCCCO Signalperson Exam
Under 29 CFR 1926.1419–1422, hand signals must follow the Standard Method. Only one person may signal at a time, but anyone may give the stop or emergency stop signal. Directions are given from the operator's perspective. Radios must be tested on site, use a dedicated channel, and be received hands-free. A voice signal gives the function, then direction, then distance and/or speed, then function and stop. The signalperson practical exam assesses crane dynamics and operations under 29 CFR 1926.1428, which requires an oral or written test and a practical test.
Hoisting Personnel (1926.1431)
A suspended personnel platform's total load can't exceed 50% of rated capacity. The crane must be level within 1%. Rigging hardware must hold 5 times the maximum intended load, or 10 times where rotation-resistant rope is used. Sling eyes need thimbles. A trial lift is made before each shift, and the platform is proof-tested to 125%.
Recertification and Certification Time Frames
CCO certification lasts 5 years. The rigger recertification page says you must pass the written exam again within the 12 months before you expire. No practical is needed, and there is no grace period. Signalpersons recertify by retaking the practical exam instead. All your rigger and signalperson designations share one expiration date.
Rigging Hitch Definitions in 1910.184
Expect at least a few questions that ask you to name a hitch from its description. Here is how OSHA 1910.184 defines the common ones:
- Vertical hitch: the load hangs from a single, vertical part or leg of the sling.
- Choker hitch: one end of the sling passes under the load and through an end attachment, handle or eye on the other end.
- Basket hitch: the sling passes under the load, and both ends, end attachments, eyes or handles go on the hook or a single master link.
- Bridle wire rope sling: several wire rope legs whose top ends are gathered in a fitting that goes over the lifting hook.
Learn these together with the sling-angle and capacity tables in your course material. Level I questions usually give you the load weight and the rigging. Level II questions may ask you to work them out.
State Differences for NCCCO Rigger Certification
CCO describes its rigger program as nationally recognized and internationally accredited. The same written and practical exams and the same 5-year term apply in every state. For signal persons, OSHA 1926.1428 lets an employer use either a third-party qualified evaluator or its own qualified evaluator. An employer's own assessment is not portable to other employers. Crane operators deal with a different system, where some states and cities issue their own licences. Our NCCCO crane guide covers that.
Is the NCCCO Rigger Exam Hard?
CCO doesn't publish pass rates. You get 60 questions in 60 minutes, so you have one minute per question, and inspection is nearly a third of the Level I exam. Learn the removal-from-service numbers cold, so you can answer those quickly and spend the time on hitch and hardware questions.
NCCCO Rigger Study Plan
- Week 1: read 1926.251 and 1910.184 alongside the tables above.
- Week 2: cover the ASME B30.9, B30.10 and B30.26 material from your course, then signals and 1926.1425.
- Week 3: take our NCCCO Rigger and Signalperson Practice Test, then a timed NCCCO Rigger Level I Full Mock Exam. Aim for 85 percent or better.
Operators should see our NCCCO Mobile Crane Core Exam Guide: Format, Cost, Domains and the OSHA 1926 Subpart CC Rules It Tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the NCCCO Rigger Level I exam?
60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. The Rigger Level II written exam has 50 questions in 60 minutes, and the Signalperson written exam has 60 questions in 60 minutes.
How much does NCCCO rigger certification cost?
On the CCO fee schedule effective January 1, 2024, Rigger Level I, Rigger Level II and Signalperson each cost $105 for the written exam, with $95 listed in the practical column. Test sites may add their own fees.
What is the passing score for the NCCCO rigger exam?
NCCCO's rigger and signalperson pages don't publish a cut score. Check your Candidate Handbook, and aim for 85 percent or better on our practice test.
Is the NCCCO rigger exam open book?
No. CCO written exams are closed book. You can't bring manuals, notes or your own calculator.
What happens if I fail the rigger written exam?
NCCCO's retake policy requires you to wait four weeks before retaking the same exam.
How long is NCCCO rigger certification valid?
5 years. You recertify within the 12 months before expiry by passing the written exam again. No practical exam is needed, and there is no grace period.
What is the difference between Rigger Level I and Level II?
Level I riggers do simple, repetitive rigging when the load weight, center of gravity and rigging are known. Level II riggers can estimate weight and center of gravity, pick lift points and choose rigging based on loading without supervision.
Does OSHA require rigger certification?
OSHA 1926.1425 requires loads to be rigged by a qualified rigger when workers are in the fall zone hooking, unhooking or guiding a load. A qualified rigger is one who meets OSHA's definition of a qualified person. NCCCO certification is one way to show that.
Does OSHA require signal person qualification?
Yes. Under 1926.1428, a signal person needs documented qualification from a third-party or employer qualified evaluator, including an oral or written test and a practical test.
Is the rigger exam hard?
NCCCO doesn't publish pass rates. Inspection makes up about 30 percent of the Level I exam, so the OSHA removal-from-service numbers matter a lot.
TradeExamHub is independent and not affiliated with NCCCO/CCO or OSHA. Our questions quote OSHA regulations and are not CCO exam items.