NCCCO Rigger Level I Is a Written Exam Plus a Hands-On Practical
The NCCCO Rigger Level I certification is built for workers who perform basic rigging activities under supervision: identifying hazards, inspecting gear, selecting and using basic rigging hardware, applying common hitches, controlling a load, and using basic knots.
Search results for this exam are crowded with training providers, flashcards, and paid practice sites. The common problem is that they blur Level I and Level II or talk about qualified riggers without explaining what NCCCO actually tests. For Level I, focus on two things: the 60-question written blueprint and the practical exam tasks.
Exam Snapshot
| Item | 2026 detail |
|---|---|
| Certification | NCCCO Rigger Level I |
| Exam owner | National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators |
| Written exam | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Written time limit | 60 minutes |
| Practical exam | Required for initial Level I certification |
| Current listed fees | $105 written + $95 practical, before optional training or travel |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Written delivery | NCCCO online proctored, event online, or test center modalities where available |
| Practical delivery | NCCCO-accredited practical exam site |
| Best next step | Free NCCCO Rigger practice and study guide |
Level I vs Level II
Level I is not a lift-planning credential. It covers basic rigging activity within the limits of a qualified person or lift director's plan. Level II moves into more advanced responsibilities, including more independent rigging decisions, load-weight calculations, center of gravity, and more complex rigging selection.
If you are new to certification, do Level I first unless your employer or training provider has specifically mapped your role to Level II.
Official Written Domains
| Domain | Weight | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of the Rigging Activity | 15% | Load path, hazards, load characteristics, attachment points, special handling, unsafe practices |
| Technical Knowledge | 13% | OSHA and ASME references, slings, hooks, rigging hardware, below-the-hook devices, personnel hoisting concepts |
| Inspection | 30% | Removal-from-service criteria for slings, hooks, hardware, and below-the-hook devices |
| Execution of Rigging Activity | 42% | Hitches, hardware use, tag lines, basic knots, controlling, disconnecting, and stowing gear |
Execution and Inspection together make up 72% of the written exam. That is where your study time should go.
Practical Exam Tasks
The Level I practical exam is hands-on. Expect tasks similar to:
- Pre-use rigging inspection.
- Rigging hitches.
- Rigging connections.
- Basic knots.
You cannot prepare for the practical with reading alone. Handle actual slings, shackles, hooks, and hardware under a qualified trainer. Practice identifying defects out loud and explaining why gear should be removed from service.
High-Yield Written Topics
Inspection: Know synthetic sling cuts, melted or charred areas, illegible tags, broken stitching, wire rope kinks, birdcaging, broken wires, chain stretch, cracks, hooks with throat opening or twist, damaged latches, and hardware deformation. The exam rewards remove-from-service judgment.
Execution: Practice vertical, choker, and basket hitches; sling angle effects; shackles; hooks; tag lines; load control; pinch-point avoidance; and post-lift gear handling. If a question asks what to do first, the safest answer usually controls the hazard before the load moves.
Scope: Read the lift area before choosing gear. Identify overhead power lines, unstable landing zones, pinch points, sharp edges, load integrity, center of gravity concerns, and whether attachment points are approved.
Technical knowledge: Know which references govern common subjects: OSHA 1926.251 for rigging equipment in construction, OSHA 1926.1401 for crane terms including qualified rigger, ASME B30.9 for slings, B30.10 for hooks, B30.20 for below-the-hook devices, and B30.26 for rigging hardware.
4-Week Study Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scope of activity, hazard recognition, load path, attachment points, communication |
| 2 | Sling, hook, shackle, hardware, and below-the-hook device inspection |
| 3 | Hitches, sling angle, tag lines, basic knots, load control, disconnect and stowage |
| 4 | Timed 60-question written sets plus hands-on practical task rehearsal |
Qualified Rigger and OSHA Context
OSHA uses the term qualified rigger in crane and derrick rules, and employers are responsible for ensuring workers are qualified for the rigging task at hand. NCCCO certification is one way to demonstrate third-party assessed knowledge and practical skill, but employers still need to match the worker to the specific rigging task and site conditions.
Review OSHA definitions at 29 CFR 1926.1401 and construction rigging equipment requirements at 29 CFR 1926.251.
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