100+ Free NCCER Rigger Practice Questions
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A choker hitch with a choke angle of 120 degrees or greater is rated at approximately what percentage of the vertical sling rating?
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Key Facts: NCCER Rigger Exam
65 / 100
Basic / Advanced Written Questions
NCCER Rigger and Advanced Rigger Specifications (May 2025)
80%
Written Passing Score
NCCER Rigger Assessment Specifications
30 deg
Recommended Minimum Sling Angle
ASME B30.9 / Industry Practice
10
Broken Wires Per Lay (Removal)
ASME B30.9 Wire-Rope Sling Criteria
10 ft
Minimum Power-Line Clearance (<=50 kV)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1408 Table A
5 years
Certification Validity
NCCER credentialing policy
As of May 2026, the NCCER Rigger credential is issued in two stacked versions: Basic Rigger (65 written questions, 2 hours, 80% pass) and Advanced Rigger (100 written questions, 3 hours, 80% pass). Both meet and exceed OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC and ASME B30 standards. Candidates have 12 months to complete the written and practical components, which together earn the certified credential. NCCER is a separate certifying body from NCCCO - both are widely accepted on construction sites.
Sample NCCER Rigger Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NCCER Rigger exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which ASME standard specifically governs slings (wire rope, synthetic web, round, alloy chain, and metal mesh) used for lifting?
2Which federal regulation establishes the OSHA standard for cranes and derricks in construction, including rigging requirements during crane operations?
3Per ASME B30.9, a synthetic web sling must be removed from service if any of the following conditions are present EXCEPT:
4A 2,000-lb load is supported by two slings forming a 60-degree angle to the horizontal at the load. What is the tension in each sling? (Use T = (L/2) / sin theta)
5The same 2,000-lb load is now lifted with a two-leg bridle where each sling forms a 30-degree angle to the horizontal. What is the tension in each sling?
6ASME B30.9 generally recommends a minimum sling-to-horizontal angle of:
7What does the D/d ratio represent for a wire rope sling bent around a pin, hook, or load?
8A wire-rope sling is choked around a load at a D/d ratio of 1:1. Approximately what percentage of the sling's rated capacity remains, per published B30.9 efficiency tables?
9Per ASME B30.9, a single-part wire-rope sling in normal service must be removed from service when it has how many randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay?
10Per ASME B30.9 wire-rope sling inspection criteria, how many broken wires in one strand within a single rope lay require removal from service?
About the NCCER Rigger Exam
The NCCER Rigger certification validates the safe, OSHA-aligned rigging skills required on construction projects, from sling inspection to multi-leg bridle tension calculations. NCCER offers two stacked credentials: Basic Rigger for entry-level riggers and craft professionals who incorporate rigging into their work, and Advanced Rigger for experienced full-time riggers who plan and execute complex lifts. Both require a closed-book written assessment plus a corresponding hands-on practical performance evaluation at an NCCER-endorsed assessment center.
Assessment
Written + practical
Time Limit
~2 hours written + practical session
Passing Score
80% written; practical pass/fail
Exam Fee
Varies by endorsed provider (NCCER (Accredited Endorsed Assessment Programs))
NCCER Rigger Exam Content Outline
Rigging Safety and OSHA Compliance
Qualified rigger, signal-person, and A/D director requirements under OSHA 1926.1404, 1926.1419, 1926.1428, exclusion zones, fall protection, and PPE.
Hitches, Slings, and Sling Angles
Vertical, choker, basket, and bridle hitches, ASME B30.9 sling-angle factors (T = L/(2 sin theta)), choker reductions, and bridle leg sharing.
Wire Rope Sling Inspection
ASME B30.9 removal criteria including 10 random broken wires per lay, 5 broken wires in one strand, kinks, birdcaging, heat damage, and corrosion.
Synthetic and Chain Slings
Polyester/nylon web and round-sling color codes and removal criteria (cuts, melting, broken stitching) plus alloy chain sling stretch and link wear under B30.9.
Rigging Hardware (Shackles, Eyebolts, Hooks, Swivels)
ASME B30.10 hook throat-opening and 10-degree twist criteria, B30.26 shackle and eyebolt requirements, and proper load orientation.
Load Weight, Geometry, and Center of Gravity
Density-volume calculations for steel (490 lb/ft^3), concrete (150 lb/ft^3), and water (62.4 lb/ft^3), plus identifying the CG of regular and irregular loads.
Wire Rope Construction, D/d Ratios, and Reeving
IWRC vs fiber core, 6 x 19 and 6 x 36 lay classes, D/d capacity tables, parts of line and reeving, and ASME B30.5 minimum drum wraps.
Crane Operations and Communication
ASME B30.5 standard hand signals, two-blocking and anti-two-block (ATB) devices, OSHA 1926.1408 power-line clearance (10 ft below 50 kV), and weather limits.
Special Rigging and Multi-Crane Lifts
Spreader bars, equalizer beams, gantry systems, below-the-hook lifting devices (ASME B30.20), and tandem-crane lifts with engineered plans.
How to Pass the NCCER Rigger Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 80% written; practical pass/fail
- Assessment: Written + practical
- Time limit: ~2 hours written + practical session
- Exam fee: Varies by endorsed provider
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NCCER Rigger Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NCCER Rigger the same as NCCCO Rigger?
No. NCCER and NCCCO are two separate certifying bodies. Both issue rigger credentials that meet ASME B30.9 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC expectations for qualified riggers. NCCER is referenced to its Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Rigger curriculum (3rd edition) and is administered through NCCER-endorsed assessment centers. Many employers accept either certification.
How many questions are on the NCCER Rigger written exam?
The NCCER Basic Rigger written assessment is 65 questions over 2 hours. The Advanced Rigger written assessment is 100 questions over 3 hours. Both are closed-book exams; a basic non-printing calculator is allowed.
What is the passing score for the NCCER Rigger written exam?
Per the May 2025 NCCER Rigger Assessment Specifications, the minimum passing score is 80% on the written assessment. The corresponding hands-on practical performance evaluation is graded pass/fail. Both components are required for the certified credential.
How long is NCCER Rigger certification valid?
NCCER Rigger certifications are valid for 5 years. Recertification requires meeting NCCER's documented experience criteria and successful reassessment. Candidates also have a 12-month window between passing the written and practical examinations.
Does the NCCER Rigger written exam test sling-angle calculations?
Yes. Sling angles are an explicit topic in NCCER's Rigging Practices domain. Expect to apply the sling tension formula T = (Load / number of legs) / sin(angle from horizontal), recognize that capacity drops sharply below 30 degrees, and identify D/d ratio capacity reductions per ASME B30.9 efficiency tables.
What standards should I focus on for the 2026 NCCER Rigger exam?
Study ASME B30.9 (Slings), B30.10 (Hooks), B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices), B30.23 (Personnel Lifting Systems), and B30.26 (Rigging Hardware). For OSHA, focus on 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, especially 1926.1404 (qualified rigger and A/D director), 1926.1408 (power lines), 1926.1419-1428 (signaling), and 1926.1431 (personnel hoisting).