NCCCO Tower Crane exam-day guide
NCCCO Tower Crane · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an original, unexpired ID with a name that exactly matches your registration. Accepted forms and whether a second ID is required vary by provider - confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam confirmation / scheduling notice
Have your confirmation showing the test site address, check-in time, and any candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is needed or a digital copy is acceptable.
Full PPE: hard hat, safety glasses, work gloves, hi-vis vest, protective footwear
Wear or bring site-appropriate PPE. Some sites supply certain items and some require you to bring your own, and footwear specs (steel toe, ankle coverage) vary - confirm the exact list with the provider.
Work clothing and personal grooming suitable for a crane cab
Fitted clothing with no loose sleeves, drawstrings, or dangling jewelry; secure long hair. Dress for the weather since tower crane work is outdoors.
Weather and comfort items
Rain gear, sunscreen, hat, and water for an outdoor site. Ask the provider about shelter and whether you can bring a bag onto the site.
Knowledge of the crane you will operate
Review the controls, load chart, and pre-shift inspection items for the crane model in use. Confirm with the provider which crane model and configuration the practical will use.
Hand signal review
Review standard crane hand signals and voice/radio commands; you may be required to work with a signalperson during the practical.
Any required medical or physical documentation
Requirements vary by provider and jurisdiction. Do not assume - confirm with the provider whether any fitness, medical, or drug/alcohol screening documentation is required.
Travel and parking plan
Confirm gate location, parking, and site access procedures in advance; industrial sites often require check-in at a gatehouse.
Provider contact information
Save the provider's phone number and your examiner contact in case of travel delay or site access problems.
Plan the day
Confirm date, check-in time, site address, and gate/parking instructions with the provider. Read the candidate handbook and the practical task descriptions. Confirm what equipment the site supplies (crane, rigging, radio, signalperson) versus what you must bring. Try on and pack your PPE.
Get normal sleep, avoid alcohol, and avoid heavy physical work the day before. Review pre-shift inspection items, load charts, and hand signals in short sessions rather than cramming.
Pack ID, confirmation, PPE, clothing, and weather gear in one bag. Check the forecast and plan for wind or rain contingencies. Confirm your route and departure time. Re-read the task descriptions once, then stop studying and rest.
Eat a real meal and hydrate. Arrive 30–45 minutes before your check-in time (confirm the required arrival window with the provider). Sign in, present your ID, and attend the site and safety briefing.
Participate in any site orientation. Ask the examiner about site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and how instructions will be given. Complete any pre-operational inspection in the manner the examiner directs.
Follow examiner instructions exactly and confirm you understood them before moving the load. Operate smoothly within the load chart, use the briefed hand signals or radio protocol, and complete one task at a time. If anything is unclear or unsafe, stop and ask the examiner.
Rules to check
Photo ID is required at check-in, and the name must match your registration. Confirm accepted ID forms with the provider in advance.
PPE must be worn whenever you are on site. Failure to wear required PPE or any unsafe act can result in the examiner stopping or terminating the test.
Keep phones silenced and stowed during testing unless the provider states otherwise; confirm the provider's policy on phones, smartwatches, and recording devices.
Only the examiner's instructions count. Coaching, prompting, or assistance from coworkers, signalpersons, or spectators is not permitted.
Follow all site rules and the directions of rigging and signal personnel. The examiner may end the test for unsafe conduct regardless of task performance.
Ask before taking a break. Break rules during a timed practical vary by provider - confirm with the provider how breaks are handled and whether a stopped task can be resumed.
Practical tasks are scored against defined criteria, and you generally must meet the criteria on each required task to pass. The exact scoring thresholds, retake windows, and fee policies vary - confirm them with the provider rather than relying on secondhand information.
Report any injury, equipment problem, or near miss to the examiner immediately; do not attempt to continue a task with damaged rigging or a crane fault.