Advanced Rigging (RA) exam-day guide
Advanced Rigging (RA) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the exact name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a second form is required; if your ID name differs from your registration name, resolve it before test day.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your test date, time, and location. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Bring your own hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and work boots suitable for practical rigging tasks. Confirm with the provider the exact PPE list, since some sites supply shared equipment and others require candidate-owned gear.
Rigging hand tools you are permitted to use
Bring only tools the provider allows into the practical area. Confirm with the provider whether tools are supplied, whether personal tools are permitted, and whether inspection or tagging is required.
Reference materials and calculator
Confirm with the provider whether any reference tables, load charts, or a calculator are permitted. Do not assume a formula sheet is provided; if it is not allowed, memorize the load and tension relationships you expect to use.
Water, food, and any permitted medication
Practical tests can run long and are physically demanding. Bring water and a snack if the provider permits them in the holding area. Confirm rules on food, drink, and medication in the test area.
Know your reporting time and arrival buffer
Confirm with the provider the arrival time and how early to report. Late arrival can mean forfeiture, so plan to arrive with a buffer for parking, security screening, and check-in.
Review the candidate handbook and scoring criteria
Read the provider's handbook for the practical test structure, pass criteria, and retake policy. Confirm with the provider if any part of the scoring or task list is unclear.
Practice the physical tasks to standard
Rehearse inspections, hitch tying, and communication signals until they are automatic. Have a qualified person observe and critique your technique, and confirm with the provider which tasks are scored and how.
Plan your travel and lodging
Book travel and lodging early enough to avoid a same-day rush. Confirm with the provider the exact site address and any site-specific access or parking instructions.
Rest and hydration the night before
Avoid heavy physical work and alcohol in the final 24 hours. Practical rigging tests demand steady hands and clear judgment, and fatigue shows in technique and safety decisions.
Emergency contact and site safety briefing
Bring emergency contact information if the provider requests it. Expect a site safety briefing on arrival; confirm with the provider whether you must complete any online orientation beforehand.
Plan the day
Re-read the candidate handbook and confirm every logistical detail with the provider: reporting time, site address, PPE list, permitted tools, and what is supplied versus what you must bring. Rehearse the practical tasks you expect to be tested on, including pre-use inspection of slings, shackles, and hardware, tying and dressing common hitches, and giving and receiving hand signals. Practice load estimation and tension calculations under time pressure. Get full nights of sleep and avoid intense physical work that could leave you sore or injured.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, PPE, permitted tools, water, and snacks, and lay out your clothing. Confirm your route and travel time, and check for road, weather, or transit disruptions. Do a light review of key formulas and inspection criteria rather than learning anything new. Eat normally, hydrate, and avoid alcohol. Set two alarms and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a solid breakfast and hydrate. Arrive at the site with a generous buffer for parking, security, and check-in. Present your ID and confirmation, complete any sign-in and safety briefing, and listen carefully to examiner instructions. Do a personal check of your PPE and tools, and ask the examiner to clarify any instruction before the test begins rather than guessing mid-task.
Work at a steady, deliberate pace and prioritize safety over speed. Verbalize your inspection findings and your plan when the examiner expects it. Use clear, standard signals and confirm them with your partner. If you make a mistake, correct it calmly and continue. If you do not understand a task, ask for clarification; confirm with the provider how questions are handled during the test. Watch the clock and reserve time to finish and secure the work area.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in your registered name. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and what happens if your ID is expired or names do not match.
Follow all site safety rules and examiner directions at all times. Stop work immediately if the examiner calls a stop, and do not operate equipment or rig loads you have not been cleared to use.
Confirm with the provider the policy on breaks, water, restroom access, and whether you may leave the test area. Ask before the test starts so you are not caught off guard mid-task.
Confirm with the provider the scoring criteria, pass thresholds, and retake policy before test day. Understand which tasks are pass/fail and which are scored on a scale.
Do not bring unauthorized reference materials, notes, or communication devices into the test area. Confirm with the provider what is permitted and where personal items must be stored.
Treat examiners and other candidates professionally. Unsafe conduct, arguing with the examiner, or interfering with another candidate's test can result in removal; confirm with the provider the specific conduct rules.
If you are injured, ill, or unable to continue, tell the examiner immediately. Confirm with the provider in advance how illness or injury affects your test result and rescheduling options.
Report any equipment defect or unsafe condition you find to the examiner before using the equipment. Do not substitute equipment without examiner approval.