Key Takeaways
- NCCCO Rigger Level I covers repetitive rigging tasks with a pre-determined rigging plan, while Level II adds independent planning, weight estimation, hardware selection, and crew supervision.
- OSHA does not mandate NCCCO certification for riggers, but most general contractors, insurers, and federal project owners require the credential as proof of qualified rigger status.
- Level II certificants only need to pass one written exam at recertification to maintain both Level I and Level II, which reduces long-term training costs for employers.
- The Level II written exam shifts emphasis from inspection and execution to planning and component selection, with those two domains accounting for 49% of the exam.
- Candidates can take both Level I and Level II exams at the same testing event, but Level II certification requires a current Level I credential.
When you compare NCCCO rigger level 1 vs level 2, the differences go beyond exam difficulty. Each rigger certification level defines a distinct scope of work, and choosing the wrong one can leave your crew uncovered for the lifts they actually perform. American Crane & Safety helps employers and individual riggers prepare with its online NCCCO Prep Course for Level I and its Rigging Courses, delivered online and on-site.
This article breaks down the scope, exam content, eligibility requirements, and practical implications of each NCCCO rigger certification level so you can make the right training decision for your crew.
What OSHA Requires: Qualified Rigger Standards
OSHA does not mandate NCCCO certification for riggers. Unlike crane operators under 29 CFR 1926.1427, riggers have no federal certification requirement.
OSHA does require a qualified rigger under two specific conditions:
- 29 CFR 1926.1404(r)(1): Assembly and disassembly work
- 29 CFR 1926.1425(c): Whenever workers are in the fall zone and hooking, unhooking, or guiding a load
A “qualified rigger” under 29 CFR 1926.1401 is a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or through extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to resolve problems related to rigging work.
Per the OSHA Qualified Rigger Fact Sheet, riggers do not have to be certified by an accredited organization. Employers must, however, be able to demonstrate the basis for each rigger’s qualification.
In practice, most general contractors, insurers, and federal project owners require the NCCCO card as that documentation. If your workers lack it, you may face project delays, contract disqualification, or OSHA citations. OSHA adjusts penalty amounts annually. See current penalty amounts for details.
NCCCO Rigger Level I: Scope and Job Duties
According to the NCCCO Candidate Handbook, a Certified Rigger Level I can perform simple, repetitive rigging tasks when the load weight, center of gravity, rigging, and rigging configuration are provided or known through experience or on-the-job training.
Key characteristics of the Level I scope:
- Works from a pre-determined rigging plan
- Inspects rigging gear before use
- Selects sling hitches from a pre-approved configuration
- Attaches and detaches loads
- Uses tag lines and communicates with the crane operator
- Operates under the supervision of a Level II rigger or lift director
Level I riggers do not independently calculate load weight, determine center of gravity, or select rigging hardware based on loading capacity.
NCCCO Rigger Level II: Scope and Job Duties
A Certified Rigger Level II can perform everything a Level I rigger does, plus additional responsibilities that require independent judgment. Per the NCCCO Candidate Handbook, a Level II rigger can select rigging components and procedures based on rigging capacity.
Level II adds these capabilities:
- Estimate load weight and determine center of gravity
- Identify lift points on irregular or asymmetric loads
- Select rigging hardware based on calculated loading
- Understand load dynamics and associated hazards
- Develop rigging configurations and lift plans
- Direct and supervise rigging crews
- Perform rigging tasks unsupervised
The distinction is straightforward. Level I riggers execute plans that someone else creates. Level II riggers create those plans and supervise the execution.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Category | Rigger Level I | Rigger Level II |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Simple, repetitive tasks with known load data | Independent planning, hardware selection, weight estimation |
| Supervision | Works under supervision | Works unsupervised, supervises Level I riggers |
| Prerequisite | None (must be 18+) | Current Level I certification |
| Written Exam | 60 questions, 60 minutes | 50 questions, 60 minutes |
| Calculators Permitted | No | No |
| Key Written Domains | Inspection (30%), Execution (42%) | Selection of Rigging Components (34%), Planning (15%) |
| Practical Exam | Inspect hardware, select hitches from pre-specified configuration, attach/detach loads, tag line use | Weight calculation, CG determination, hardware selection from kit, lift plan development, crew direction |
| Certification Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
| Recertification | Written exam only | Written exam only (maintains both Level I and Level II) |
| Typical Roles | Working rigger on standard lifts | Lead rigger, lift director, supervisor |
| ANSI Accreditation | ISO 17024 | ISO 17024 |
All exam data comes from the NCCCO 2024 Candidate Handbook. For current exam fees, visit nccco.org.
Written Exam Breakdown
The written exams for each level test different knowledge areas at different weights. Understanding these domain breakdowns helps you focus study time where it matters most.
Level I Written Exam Domains
| Domain | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Scope of the Rigging Activity | 15% |
| Technical Knowledge | 13% |
| Inspection | 30% |
| Execution of Rigging Activity | 42% |
Level I emphasizes hands-on execution and inspection. Nearly three-quarters of the exam (72%) focuses on inspecting rigging gear and performing rigging tasks correctly.
Level II Written Exam Domains
| Domain | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Scope of the Rigging Activity | 15% |
| Planning the Rigging Activity | 15% |
| Selection of Rigging Components | 34% |
| Technical Knowledge | 13% |
| Inspection | 10% |
| Execution of Rigging Activity | 13% |
Level II adds two entirely new domains: Planning the Rigging Activity and Selection of Rigging Components. Together, these account for 49% of the exam. Meanwhile, Inspection drops from 30% to 10%, and Execution drops from 42% to 13%. The shift reflects what a Level II rigger does on the job: less hands-on execution, more planning and component selection.
Both exams reference the following ASME standards:
- ASME B30.9 (Slings)
- ASME B30.10 (Hooks)
- ASME B30.20 (Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices)
- ASME B30.26 (Rigging Hardware)
Both exams also cover OSHA regulations including 29 CFR 1910.184, 29 CFR 1926.251, and 29 CFR 1926.1431.
AMC&S offers a Rigging Pocket Guide (also available in Spanish) as a reference tool for candidates studying these standards and preparing for exam day.
Practical Exam Differences
Both levels include a practical exam administered by an NCCCO-accredited practical examiner.
Level I Practical
Candidates demonstrate basic rigging competency through these tasks:
- Inspecting rigging hardware for damage and wear
- Selecting sling hitches from a pre-specified configuration
- Attaching and detaching loads safely
- Communicating with the crane operator using standard signals
- Controlling the load with tag lines
Level II Practical
Candidates demonstrate advanced rigging competency, including:
- Calculating load weight from dimensions and material density
- Determining center of gravity
- Selecting rigging hardware from a provided kit based on calculated loading
- Developing a rigging plan for a level lift
- Rigging a load for rotation
- Directing the rigging crew during the lift
The Level II practical tests whether a candidate can walk onto a site, assess a load they have never seen before, and develop a safe rigging plan from scratch.
Which Level Do Your Workers Need?
Use this framework to match rigger certification levels to actual job duties and project requirements.
Level I is sufficient when your crew:
- Performs standard daily rigging on typical construction sites
- Handles single-crane, single-point lifts of common loads
- Works from a rigging plan developed by a supervisor or engineer
- Inspects rigging gear as part of daily pre-use checks
- Rigs loads at distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, or general construction sites
Level II is required or strongly recommended when your crew:
- Performs multi-crane (tandem) lifts
- Executes critical or engineered lifts requiring written rigging plans
- Handles irregular, oversized, or asymmetric loads
- Works industrial turnaround, shutdown, or heavy equipment installation projects
- Deploys below-the-hook lifting devices
- Works on federal construction projects governed by USACE EM 385-1-1
- Must independently calculate load weight, determine center of gravity, and select rigging hardware
- Supervises other riggers on site
Recommended Crew Structure
A common approach for projects requiring both levels:
- 1 Level II rigger serving as lead rigger or lift director
- 2 to 4 Level I riggers as the working crew
- 1 designated signal person (who may also hold a rigger credential)
The Level II rigger handles planning, calculations, and supervision. Level I riggers handle hands-on rigging based on the approved plan.
Stepping Up from Level I to Level II
Candidates who already hold Level I can add Level II at any time. Per NCCCO, the process works as follows:
- Pass the Level II written exam (50 questions, 60 minutes)
- Pass the Level II practical exam within 12 months of passing the written exam
- NCCCO encourages taking both exams at the same testing event
An important timing detail: if a Level I certificant is in the final year of their certification period, they can take the Level II written exam in place of the Level I recertification exam. This saves time and money because passing the Level II written exam at recertification maintains both credentials for another five years.
Candidates can also take both Level I and Level II exams at the same testing event if they are pursuing both certifications from scratch. Level II certification will not be issued until the candidate holds a current Level I credential.
Recertification Rules
- Both certifications are valid for 5 years
- Recertification requires passing the written exam only (no practical exam)
- There is no grace period after expiration. If certification lapses, the candidate must retake both written and practical exams
- Level II certificants only need to pass the Level II written exam to maintain both credentials
That last point matters for employers tracking crew credentials. Maintaining a Level II rigger through recertification is simpler than maintaining Level I and Level II separately, because one exam covers both.
NCCCO offers three testing options for both levels: Online Proctored Testing (OPT), Test Center Testing (TCT), and Event Online Testing (EOT). Details are available on the NCCCO Rigger Certification Overview page.
How American Crane & Safety Prepares Candidates
AMC&S offers an online prep course for the Level I exams and its own rigging certificates. The relevant courses include:
- NCCCO Prep Course: Online preparation for the NCCCO Rigger Level I written and practical exams, covering the ASME standards, OSHA regulations, and rigging principles. AMC&S does not offer a Level II prep course.
- Rigging Courses: Focused instruction on rigging hardware, sling selection, load control, and inspection procedures. AMC&S also offers its own Certified Rigger Level 2 certificate, on-site or virtual. It is an AMC&S certificate, not NCCCO Level II prep.
The NCCCO Prep Course is online only. Rigging Courses are available through the online course catalog for self-paced study, or as on-site training delivered at your location for team-wide preparation.
For employers with crews working across multiple states, AMC&S provides rigger training and NCCCO prep organized by state.
The Rigging Pocket Guide is a portable reference covering sling capacities, hitch configurations, and inspection criteria that candidates can use during study and on the job.
If you have questions about which certification level fits your crew or how to schedule training, visit the FAQ page or contact American Crane & Safety directly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does OSHA require NCCCO Rigger certification?
No. OSHA requires a qualified rigger under 29 CFR 1926.1404 and 1926.1425, but does not mandate third-party certification. However, most general contractors, insurers, and federal project owners accept the NCCCO credential as documentation of qualified rigger status.
Can a worker take the Level I and Level II exams at the same time?
Yes. NCCCO allows candidates to sit for both written and practical exams at the same testing event. However, Level II certification will not be issued until the candidate holds a current Level I credential.
How long is the NCCCO Rigger certification valid?
Both Level I and Level II certifications are valid for five years. There is no grace period after expiration. If certification lapses, the candidate must retake both written and practical exams.
Does American Crane & Safety offer training for both rigger levels?
American Crane & Safety offers an online NCCCO Prep Course for the Level I exams, plus Rigging Courses online and on-site. It does not offer NCCCO Level II prep. Its own Certified Rigger Level 2 certificate is the next step after its Certified Rigger Level 1.
Do Level II certificants need to recertify for both levels separately?
No. A Level II certificant only needs to pass the Level II written exam at recertification. Passing it maintains both the Level I and Level II credentials for another five years.