NCCCO Rigger
NCCCO Rigger Certification (Rigger Level I and Rigger Level II)
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CCO Rigger certification is a nationally recognized, internationally accredited credential for the people who handle and move loads - iron workers, millwrights, electricians, mechanics, laborers, linemen, pipe fitters and others who rig as part of their trade. Two levels are offered. Level I covers simple, repetitive rigging tasks where the load weight, center of gravity, rigging and configuration are already known to the rigger; Level II adds weight and center-of-gravity estimation, lift point identification, capacity-based rigging selection, lift-point inspection, and load dynamics. Both levels require a multiple-choice written exam plus a practical exam. Level I's written exam has 60 questions in 60 minutes; Level II's has 50 questions in 60 minutes. The Level I practical demonstrates basic rigging competency; the Level II practical adds rigging a load for a level lift and for rotating a load. Certification is valid for five years. Preparation means supervised hands-on time with synthetic, chain, wire rope and metal mesh slings and with rigging hardware, plus the Candidate Handbook's instructions on applying, testing and recertifying. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCCCO.
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About NCCCO Rigger preparation
What is the written exam format?
Multiple choice. The Rigger Level I written exam has 60 questions in 60 minutes; the Rigger Level II written exam has 50 questions in 60 minutes. CCO offers three ways to sit it: Online Proctored Testing, Test Center Testing, and Event Online Testing.
How long do I have to pass both exams at one level?
The written and practical exams may be taken in either order. From the date you pass the first of the two at a given level, you have 12 months to pass the other. Any tests passed within a 12-month period count toward certification.
Can I test for Level I and Level II at the same time?
Yes. Candidates may schedule and take both levels' written and practical exams at the same time. However, Rigger Level II certification is valid only if Rigger Level I certification is also current, so Level I must stay in force.
What does the practical exam require?
The Level I practical demonstrates a candidate's basic rigging competency. The Level II practical demonstrates competency in rigging a load for a level lift and for rotating a load, so hands-on practice with actual slings and hardware before test day matters.
How many times can I retake a failed exam?
The certification overview does not state an attempt limit or a waiting period between attempts; it only sets the 12-month window for completing the written and practical pair. Scheduling and retake details are covered in the Candidate Handbook and the How to Test pages.
What is required to recertify?
Recertification is a written exam only - there is no practical examination requirement. All requirements must be completed during the 12 months before your expiration date, and there is no grace period; a lapsed certification means retaking the full written and practical exams.
I hold Level II. Do I have to retest at both levels?
No. Rigger Level II certificants must only take and pass the Rigger Level II written exam to maintain both their Rigger Level I and Rigger Level II certifications.
Am I eligible to certify?
You must be at least 18 years old, comply with CCO's Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics, and pass both the written and practical exams. The exams are designed for people who have already been trained to handle and move loads.
In what order should I study?
Build the Level I base first: pre-use inspection of rigging, hitch configurations and capacities, hazard recognition, and application of the various sling and hardware types. Then add the Level II layer - estimating weight and center of gravity, identifying lift points, selecting rigging by capacity, and understanding load dynamics.
What do candidates most often underestimate?
Inspection and hazard recognition carry weight at both levels, and Level II adds estimation and capacity-based selection - judgment tasks rather than recall. Candidates who memorize hardware ratings but never practice pre-use inspection or load-angle factors on real gear are the least prepared for either practical exam.