100+ Free NCCCO Rigger Level I Practice Questions

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Question 1

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What does birdcaging in a wire rope sling indicate?

Permanent damage that requires removal from service

Lack of lubrication only

Normal wear that is acceptable

A condition that will work itself out under load

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NCCCO Rigger Level I Exam

Written Questions

NCCCO Rigger Level I blueprint

90 min

Written Exam Time

NCCCO scheduling

70%

Typical Passing Score

NCCCO Level I cut score

42%

Largest Domain

Execution of Rigging Activity

$200

Initial Level I Cost

Current NCCCO fees

5 years

Certification Validity

NCCCO policy

As of May 2026, the NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions weighted 15% Scope of the Rigging Activity, 13% Technical Knowledge, 30% Inspection, and 42% Execution of Rigging Activity. The exam tests basic rigging knowledge: OSHA 1926.1401 qualified-rigger definition, ASME B30.9 slings, sling angle factors, hitch capacity, wire rope clip installation, hook and shackle inspection, and basic knots. Level I qualifies riggers for basic, repetitive lifts; Level II is required for multiple-crane lifts, blind lifts, personnel hoisting, and lifts above 75 percent of rated capacity.

Sample NCCCO Rigger Level I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NCCCO Rigger Level I exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under OSHA 1926.1401, who qualifies as a qualified rigger for assembly and disassembly or basic lifts?

A.Any worker assigned to the crew that day

B.A person with the training, knowledge, and experience to solve rigging problems, determined by the employer or by certification

C.Only a person who holds a state journeyman license

D.Only a person who has worked five years on cranes

Explanation: OSHA 1926.1401 defines a qualified rigger as a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person. The employer determines qualification based on training, knowledge, and experience, or relies on third-party certification such as NCCCO Rigger Level I for basic lifts. Time on the job alone does not satisfy the standard.

2Which standard primarily governs slings used in rigging work?

A.ASME B30.5

B.ASME B30.9

C.ASME B30.20

D.ASME B30.26

Explanation: ASME B30.9 covers slings, including wire rope, synthetic web, synthetic round, chain, and metal mesh. B30.5 covers mobile cranes, B30.20 covers below-the-hook lifting devices, and B30.26 covers rigging hardware such as shackles and eye bolts.

3A sling has a vertical rated capacity of 4,000 lb. Using it in a basket hitch with the legs straight up and parallel, what is the rated capacity?

A.2,000 lb

B.4,000 lb

C.6,000 lb

D.8,000 lb

Explanation: A basket hitch with the legs vertical and parallel doubles the vertical rated capacity, so a 4,000 lb vertical sling can carry 8,000 lb in a true vertical basket. As the angle from horizontal drops below 90 degrees, the capacity is reduced by the sling angle factor.

4What is the rated capacity of a sling used in a choker hitch compared to its vertical rated capacity?

A.About 75 percent of vertical capacity

B.100 percent of vertical capacity

C.150 percent of vertical capacity

D.200 percent of vertical capacity

Explanation: A choker hitch typically reduces sling capacity to about 75 percent of the vertical rating because the sling bends sharply at the choke point. The exact reduction can be larger if the choke angle is less than 120 degrees, and manufacturer tables should be checked for specific values.

5What is the minimum recommended sling angle from horizontal during a two-leg lift?

A.15 degrees

B.30 degrees

C.60 degrees

D.90 degrees

Explanation: Industry guidance and ASME B30.9 references identify 30 degrees from horizontal as the minimum recommended sling angle. Below 30 degrees, sling tension rises sharply, hardware stresses increase, and the sling can fail unexpectedly even with a load that seems light.

6At a sling angle of 30 degrees from horizontal, what is the approximate sling angle factor (load multiplier per leg)?

A.1.0

B.1.155

C.1.414

D.2.0

Explanation: The sling angle factor at 30 degrees from horizontal is 2.0, meaning each sling leg carries twice the share of the load. The factor is 1.155 at 60 degrees, 1.414 at 45 degrees, and 1.0 only when the sling is truly vertical. This is why 30 degrees is the practical minimum.

7When installing U-bolt wire rope clips on a wire rope eye termination, which is correct?

A.Place all saddles on the dead end of the rope

B.Place the saddle of each clip on the live (load-bearing) end of the rope

C.Alternate the saddles between live and dead ends

D.It does not matter which side the saddle is on

Explanation: The phrase to remember is, Never saddle a dead horse. The saddle (the formed part of the clip) goes on the live, load-bearing side, and the U-bolt presses against the dead end. Reversing this crushes the live rope and severely weakens the termination.

8What is the minimum number of wire rope clips typically required for a 1/2 inch diameter wire rope termination?

A.2

B.3

C.4

D.5

Explanation: For 1/2 inch wire rope, three U-bolt clips are typically required, with about 3 inches spacing per common manufacturer tables. Larger ropes need more clips: four for 3/4 inch, five for 1 inch, and clip spacing of about six rope diameters between clips.

9Which inspection condition requires immediate removal of a synthetic web sling from service?

A.Slight surface fuzzing from normal use

B.Cuts, holes, or tears through the load-bearing webbing

C.A sling tag that is dusty but readable

D.Light dirt from a clean job site

Explanation: ASME B30.9 lists cuts, holes, tears, snags, broken stitching in load-bearing splices, melted or charred areas, and missing or illegible tags as removal-from-service conditions for synthetic web slings. Surface fuzz alone is generally not a removal condition.

10Which sling tag information is required before the sling can be used?

A.Only the manufacturer name

B.Only the date of purchase

C.Rated capacities, manufacturer name or trademark, and sling identification

D.Only the rated capacity for vertical use

Explanation: ASME B30.9 requires sling tags to show the manufacturer name or trademark, sling identification, rated loads for hitches in use, and other identifying information. A sling with missing or unreadable tag information is removed from service until properly identified.

About the NCCCO Rigger Level I Exam

The NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam covers basic rigging knowledge: the OSHA 1926.1401 qualified-rigger definition, sling types and capacities, sling angles, hitches, rigging hardware, inspection and removal-from-service criteria, hand signals, and basic load-control procedures. Level I qualifies riggers for simple, repetitive lifts and crane assembly/disassembly work.

Assessment

60-question Level I written exam plus a Level I practical exam covering pre-use inspection, hitches, connections, and basic knots

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$105 written + $95 practical ($200 total initial Level I) (NCCCO (written via OPT, EOT, or TCT; practical at NCCCO-accredited test sites))

NCCCO Rigger Level I Exam Content Outline

15%

Scope of the Rigging Activity

Load travel path, load weight and center of gravity, attachment points, electrical and environmental hazards, exclusion zones, communication, and stop authority.

13%

Technical Knowledge

ASME B30.9, B30.10, B30.20, B30.26 plus OSHA 1910.184, 1926.251, 1926.1401, 1926.1408, and 1926.1431 concepts that govern Level I rigging.

30%

Inspection

Frequent-inspection judgment for wire rope, chain, synthetic web, and synthetic round slings, plus hooks, shackles, eye bolts, hoist rings, and below-the-hook devices.

42%

Execution of Rigging Activity

Sling angles, vertical/choker/basket hitches, wire rope clip installation, tag lines, basic knots (bowline, clove hitch, sheet bend, two half hitches), and post-lift procedures.

How to Pass the NCCCO Rigger Level I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: 60-question Level I written exam plus a Level I practical exam covering pre-use inspection, hitches, connections, and basic knots
Time limit: 90 minutes
Exam fee: $105 written + $95 practical ($200 total initial Level I)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NCCCO Rigger Level I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the OSHA 1926.1401 qualified-rigger definition. Many Level I questions test the difference between qualified rigger requirements at Level I (basic lifts, assembly/disassembly) and Level II (complex lifts).

2Memorize the sling angle factors: 90 degrees = 1.0, 60 degrees = 1.155, 45 degrees = 1.414, 30 degrees = 2.0. Below 30 degrees from horizontal is the practical danger zone.

3Learn hitch capacity ratios cold: vertical = 100%, choker = approximately 75%, basket (vertical legs) = 200%. Real exam questions often manipulate these numbers.

4Know wire rope clip counts: 3 clips for 1/2 inch, 4 clips for 3/4 inch, 5 clips for 1 inch, spacing 6 rope diameters apart, saddle on the live end.

5Memorize synthetic round sling color-to-capacity: purple 2,600; green 5,300; yellow 8,400; tan 10,600; red 13,200; white 16,800; blue 21,200.

6Drill removal-from-service criteria for each sling type. Inspection is 30 percent of the written exam.

7Know which standard governs what: B30.9 for slings, B30.10 for hooks, B30.20 for below-the-hook devices, B30.26 for hardware.

8Practice hand signals from ASME B30.5: HOIST (forearm vertical, finger circling), LOWER (forearm down, finger circling), STOP (one arm swing), EMERGENCY STOP (both arms swing).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam?

The NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam has 60 multiple-choice questions. Candidates also pass a Level I practical exam covering pre-use inspection, hitches, connections, and basic knots for initial certification.

What is the difference between NCCCO Rigger Level I and Level II?

Level I covers basic, repetitive lifts and crane assembly/disassembly. Level II is required for more complex work such as multiple-crane lifts, blind lifts, personnel hoisting, lifts above 75 percent of rated capacity, and lifts that require pre-lift engineering.

What is the passing score for the NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam?

NCCCO commonly uses a 70 percent cut score for Level I written exams, though specific results are reported as pass/fail. Always confirm the current passing criteria in the latest NCCCO Rigger Candidate Handbook.

How much does the NCCCO Rigger Level I exam cost?

The Rigger Level I written exam is $105 and the Level I practical exam is $95, for a combined initial Level I total of $200 before training or travel costs.

How long is NCCCO Rigger Level I certification valid?

NCCCO Rigger Level I certification is valid for five years. Recertification is completed during the 12 months before expiration, and a practical exam is generally not required for standard recertification.

What standards does the NCCCO Rigger Level I written exam reference?

Key references are ASME B30.9 (slings), B30.10 (hooks), B30.20 (below-the-hook devices), and B30.26 (rigging hardware), plus OSHA 1910.184 (slings), 1926.251 (rigging equipment), 1926.1401 (qualified rigger definition), 1926.1408 (power-line clearances), and 1926.1431 (hoisting personnel).