NCCER Scaffolder study guide
NCCER Scaffolder · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
NCCER is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit education foundation that provides industry-recognized credentials, assessments, and accreditation for the construction industry. Its programs, in NCCER's own words, allow both emerging and experienced craft professionals to earn credentials and certifications that span all construction trades. The Scaffolder credential sits in that craft-assessment family: it is intended for men and women who erect, alter, and dismantle supported and suspended scaffolding on construction and industrial job sites, and for the supervisors and competent persons who oversee that work. Publicly available NCCER material does not currently publish this assessment's item count, time limit, passing score, fee, or retake rules, so treat any specific number you hear from a third party as unverified until NCCER or an accredited training center confirms it. The NCCER Scaffolder study guide has 5 sections and about 1,744 words.
01Scaffold Safety Fundamentals and Hazard Awareness
Every scaffold safety question starts with who is responsible. An authorized person is approved to work on or around scaffolds.
355 words, about 2 min02Scaffold Components, Materials, and Fittings
Tube-and-coupler scaffolds use steel or aluminum tubing joined by couplers. A right-angle coupler fixes two tubes at 90° and is a load-bearing connection.
347 words, about 2 min03Load Capacities, Foundations, and Structural Principles
OSHA groups scaffold platforms by intended load: light duty 25 psf , medium duty 50 psf , and heavy duty 75 psf . The scaffold and each component must support its own weight plus at least four times the maximum intended load without failure.
367 words, about 2 min04Erection, Dismantling, and Alteration Procedures
Erection and dismantling follow a written plan prepared or reviewed by a competent person. Build from the base up: set sills and base plates, erect the first bay, plumb and level it, install cross braces, then add tiers and secure ties as you reach tie levels.
345 words, about 2 min05Inspection, Access, Fall Protection, and Regulatory Compliance
A competent person inspects the scaffold before each work shift , after any alteration, and after events that could affect integrity - high wind, rain, ice, impact, or a near miss. Inspection covers foundation, plumb and level, connections and couplers, planking, guardrails, toeboards, access, ties, and fall protection.
330 words, about 2 min