Key Takeaways
- OSHA does not mandate a specific rigging certification, but employers must document how each rigger became qualified, and training records from a recognized provider are strong evidence.
- Online rigging training can cover the NCCCO exam content, but both Rigger Level I and Level II also require a separate practical examination, so candidates need hands-on practice too.
- NCCCO certifications are accredited by ANSI to ISO 17024 and are valid for five years, making them portable across employers and jobsites.
- A provider that offers both online and on-site training can support written exam prep and hands-on practice before the NCCCO practical exam.
- Completion certificates should include the course name, date, hours, standards covered, and instructor name to satisfy OSHA recordkeeping requirements.
Choosing Rigging Training Online: Six Questions That Matter
If you are comparing options for rigging training online, you need more than a course description and a price tag. You need a structured way to evaluate whether a provider’s training will hold up when an OSHA compliance officer asks for documentation, when a general contractor checks credentials at the gate, or when your crew sits for an NCCCO exam. American Crane & Safety built the following six questions as a practical checklist. Use them to vet any provider, including AMC&S.
1. Does the Training Align with OSHA Rigging Standards?
OSHA defines a “qualified rigger” under 29 CFR 1926.1401 as someone who, through a recognized degree, certificate, professional standing, or extensive knowledge and experience, has demonstrated the ability to solve problems related to rigging work. OSHA does not mandate a specific certification. Instead, employers carry the burden of proving how each rigger became qualified.
According to the OSHA Qualified Rigger Fact Sheet, completion of a recognized training program is one of the strongest forms of evidence an employer can produce. That fact sheet also specifies when qualified riggers are required: during assembly and disassembly work under 1926.1404(r)(1), and whenever workers are in the fall zone hooking, unhooking, or guiding loads under 1926.1425(c).
Any online rigging course you consider should cover the following regulatory references at minimum:
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction)
- 29 CFR 1926.251 (Rigging Equipment for Material Handling): working load limits, inspection intervals, and removal-from-service criteria
- ASME B30 series standards, including ASME B30.26-2015 (Rigging Hardware), which requires that all personnel using rigging hardware receive training in selection, inspection procedures, personnel safety precautions, and proper rigging practices
What to ask the provider: Does your curriculum explicitly reference OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, 1926.251, and the applicable ASME B30 standards? Can you provide a content outline showing where each standard is addressed?
If the answer is vague or the provider cannot produce a content outline mapped to these regulations, move on. OSHA adjusts penalties annually, and violations related to unqualified riggers can carry significant consequences. See OSHA’s penalties page for current amounts.
2. Does the Course Prepare You for a Recognized Certification?
There is a meaningful difference between a proprietary certificate of completion and preparation for a nationally recognized credential. A certificate of completion from an unknown provider may satisfy internal recordkeeping. It will not carry the same weight on a jobsite controlled by a GC who requires NCCCO credentials.
NCCCO is the most widely recognized certification body for riggers, crane operators, and signal persons. NCCCO certifications are accredited by ANSI to ISO 17024. Here is what the exams look like, per the NCCCO Rigger Candidate Handbook:
| Certification | Written Exam | Questions | Time | Practical Exam Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCCCO Rigger Level I | Yes | 60 multiple-choice | 60 minutes | Yes |
| NCCCO Rigger Level II | Yes | 50 multiple-choice | 60 minutes | Yes |
The Rigger Level I written exam covers scope of rigging activity (approximately 15%), technical knowledge (approximately 13%), inspection (approximately 30%), and execution of rigging activity (approximately 42%).
NCCCO rigger certification is valid for five years. Recertification requires passing the applicable written exam during the 12 months before the certification expires. There is no grace period.
Other recognized credential paths include NCCER Rigger Levels 1, 2, and 3. For entertainment rigging professionals, the ETCP certification program administered by ESTA offers Theatrical Rigger and Arena Rigger credentials.
What to ask the provider: Does your online course map directly to the NCCCO exam blueprint? Can you show me which exam domains your modules address?
AMC&S offers the online NCCCO Prep Course for NCCCO Rigger Level 1, built around that exam’s content so your study time directly supports certification.
3. What Are the Instructor’s Credentials?
OSHA’s performance-based approach means training quality depends on who designed the course and who delivers it. An instructor’s credentials should include both certifications and documented field experience.
Look for instructors who hold:
- NCCCO certifications (Rigger, Operator, Signal Person, or Inspector)
- Documented field experience in rigging operations
- Working knowledge of the ASME B30 series, including B30.9 (Slings), B30.10 (Hooks), B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices), and B30.26 (Rigging Hardware)
ASME B30.26-2015 explicitly requires that training on rigging hardware be conducted by qualified personnel. An online course designed by someone without real rigging experience will miss the practical context that ties standards to jobsite conditions.
What to ask the provider: Who developed the course content? What certifications and field experience do your instructors hold? Can I review instructor bios?
You can learn more about the AMC&S team and their background on the About Us page.
4. Does the Course Format Support Actual Learning?
Not all online training is the same. A passive video with no interaction will not prepare someone for a 60-question, timed NCCCO written exam. Effective online rigging courses include active learning elements.
When evaluating course format, look for:
- Knowledge checks at the end of each module, not just a final quiz
- Practice exams that mirror the NCCCO exam format and time constraints
- Scenario-based questions that require applying rigging principles to realistic situations
- Downloadable study materials such as reference guides and workbooks
- Self-paced access so workers can train around project schedules, pause, and resume as needed
Key content areas an online rigging course should cover, based on the NCCCO exam blueprint:
- Rigging equipment inspection
- Hitch configurations (vertical, choker, basket)
- Load weight estimation and center of gravity
- Sling angles and load angle factors
- Rigging hardware selection
- Hazard recognition
- Signal operations
Online Training Needs Hands-On Practice Too
This is critical. Both NCCCO Rigger Level I and Level II require a separate practical examination where the candidate demonstrates hands-on rigging skills. An online course can cover the practical exam content, but candidates still need time with real rigging gear before they sit the practical exam.
A provider that offers both online and on-site training from the same organization simplifies that preparation. You complete exam prep online, then schedule on-site training for hands-on rigging instruction at your location.
AMC&S provides self-paced courses through the online course catalog and instructor-led on-site training for hands-on practice. Riggers can prepare for the NCCCO Rigger Level 1 exams and get hands-on rigging time through a single provider.
AMC&S also offers a Rigging Pocket Guide as a supplemental field reference (also available in Spanish).
5. What Completion Documentation Do You Receive?
OSHA can ask an employer to demonstrate how a rigger became qualified at any time. Per the OSHA Qualified Rigger Fact Sheet, training records are a primary form of evidence. If your online training provider issues a vague certificate with no detail, you have a documentation gap.
A proper completion certificate should include:
- Course title (matching a recognized training program name)
- Completion date
- Total hours of instruction
- Content summary referencing the OSHA and ASME B30 standards covered
- Instructor name and credentials
- Verifiable certificate with a unique identifier or verification method
What to ask the provider: What does your completion certificate look like? Does it list the standards covered? Can my employer verify the certificate independently? Does your system maintain records I can retrieve later if I need a replacement?
Training coordinators managing multiple workers should also ask whether the provider’s learning management system allows administrators to pull completion reports and track who has finished which courses.
6. Will Employers and General Contractors Accept This Training?
Training that is not accepted on the jobsite is wasted money. Multiple factors affect whether your rigging training will be recognized by employers, GCs, and project owners.
Third-Party Certification Is Portable
NCCCO certification is tied to the individual, not the employer. A worker who passes the NCCCO Rigger exam carries that credential to every jobsite and every employer for five years. Employer-evaluated qualification, by contrast, applies only at that employer. If the worker changes companies, the qualification does not transfer. The same portability principle applies to signal person qualification under OSHA 1926.1428(a)(2).
Compliance Platforms Check Credentials
ISN, Avetta, Veriforce, and similar compliance platforms flag workers who lack recognized training documentation. If your rigging training certificate comes from a provider with no connection to NCCCO, OSHA standards, or ASME B30, compliance platforms may not accept it.
Entertainment Rigging Has Its Own Path
If your crews work in entertainment or live event production, GCs and venue operators may require ETCP certification rather than NCCCO. Make sure the provider offers training relevant to your sector. AMC&S serves both markets with construction-focused rigging courses and dedicated Entertainment Rigging Courses.
What to ask the provider: Does your training prepare workers for NCCCO, NCCER, or ETCP certification exams? Can you provide documentation that GCs and compliance platforms will accept?
You can also find location-specific training options on the AMC&S rigger training and NCCCO prep by state page.
Evaluation Summary: What to Look For vs. Red Flags
| Criteria | What to Look For | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA alignment | Curriculum references 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, 1926.251, ASME B30 | No mention of specific OSHA or ASME standards |
| Certification prep | Course maps to NCCCO or NCCER exam blueprint | Provider issues only a proprietary certificate with no exam prep |
| Instructor credentials | Instructors hold NCCCO certifications and have field experience | No instructor bios or credentials listed |
| Course format | Knowledge checks, practice exams, scenario-based questions, self-paced | Passive video only, no quizzes or interaction |
| Documentation | Certificate lists course name, hours, standards, instructor, date | Generic certificate with no detail or verification method |
| Employer acceptance | Training prepares for portable third-party certification | Provider cannot explain how training is recognized beyond their own certificate |
How to Use This Checklist
Print these six questions or save them for reference. Apply them to every provider on your shortlist. Ask for specifics, not marketing language. Any provider that meets all six criteria is worth your time and budget.
American Crane & Safety offers courses that support this checklist: the NCCCO Prep Course for Rigger Level 1, Rigging Courses, the Certified Crane Signal Person Course, the Crane Awareness Course, Authorized Person Fall Protection, and Entertainment Rigging Courses. Browse the online course catalog for self-paced options or request on-site training for your crew. For additional questions about course delivery and enrollment, visit the FAQ page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get fully certified as a rigger through online training alone?
No. NCCCO Rigger Level I and Level II both require a written exam and a practical examination. Online training can cover the exam content, but you still need hands-on practice and a practical examination to earn certification.
Does OSHA require a specific rigging certification?
OSHA does not require a specific third-party certification. However, employers must demonstrate how each rigger became qualified under 29 CFR 1926.1401. A training certificate from a recognized provider is one of the strongest forms of documentation.
How long is NCCCO rigger certification valid?
NCCCO rigger certification is valid for five years. Recertification requires passing the applicable written exam during the 12 months before the certification expires. There is no grace period.
What should a rigging training completion certificate include?
At minimum, the certificate should list the course name, completion date, total hours, content summary referencing OSHA and ASME B30 standards, and the instructor’s name. This documentation supports OSHA recordkeeping if an inspector requests proof of rigger qualification.
Does American Crane & Safety offer both online and on-site rigging training?
Yes. American Crane & Safety provides self-paced online courses through their course catalog and instructor-led on-site training at your location. This combination supports written exam prep for NCCCO Rigger Level 1 and hands-on rigging practice.