Last updated 2026-08-21
TL;DR
A rigger picks slings, shackles, and hitches, inspects them, and connects a load so a crane can lift it safely. Federal OSHA issues no rigger license. It requires a "qualified rigger" for tasks like rigging materials when workers are in the fall zone. You start with jobsite time, dated training records, and often a card such as NCCCO Rigger Level I. Confirm any state card with that board.
What is a rigger?
A rigger is the worker who picks, inspects, and attaches the slings and hardware that tie a load to a crane or hoist. The job is making a lift happen without the load shifting, a hitch slipping, or a component going past its working load limit. Running the crane is a different job.
On construction work under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, OSHA writes "qualified rigger" when it wants a person who also meets the qualified person test. [1][6] OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1401 says, "Qualified rigger means a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person." [1] Same section: a qualified person has a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or has shown through knowledge, training, and experience that they can solve problems on that work. [1]
People also say "rigger" for entertainment truss, shipyard lifts, and plant moves. The physics carries over. The paper does not. This guide is construction and industrial lifting under OSHA, because that is where most new people get hired and where the federal text is public.
A rigger finds a real weight (or stops the lift if nobody has one), checks the center of gravity, picks a hitch, checks sling angle, and stays out of the fall zone except when the standard allows hooking or guiding. The operator does not make those calls for you. Guess the weight and you own the guess.
BLS tracks the occupation under SOC 49-9096, Riggers, and posts employment and wage estimates on its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics table. [7] Open that table when you talk pay. A school brochure is not a wage source.
How do you start as a rigger?
You start by getting on a site where lifts happen, working under people who already rig, and keeping training records that can survive an OSHA interview. There is no federal starter license. Most people get hired as a laborer, ironworker apprentice, millwright helper, or crane oiler, then pick up simple choker work.
Here is the path I would follow. Get a diploma or GED if you lack one. Get an OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour construction card so a contractor can walk you through the gate. That card does not make you a qualified rigger. It shows you sat through outreach training, nothing more. Then find paid work around cranes. Union ironworker, millwright, and operating engineer apprenticeships give the cleanest paper trail. Open-shop contractors will train you if they need deckhands.
While you work, write down every lift type you touch. Basket hitch on rebar. Vertical hitch on a concrete bucket. Two-leg bridle on a beam. Keep inspection sheets if your employer lets you copy them. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 says rigging equipment for material handling "shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during its use to ensure that it is safe." [4] If you cannot talk through that inspection, you are not ready to be the qualified rigger.
After months of real picks, sit a third-party written and practical exam if your market asks for a card. NCCCO Rigger Level I is the one most contractors recognize. [9] Some owners want it. OSHA does not. Keep going until you can build a lift that is not a copy of yesterday's lift.
State paper comes last, and only if your state writes it. Washington does. Most states do not. Read a state guide before you mail a check. California's starting path is a common search, and the details live in how to start rigger in California, not in a national story.
Does OSHA require a rigger license?
No. Federal OSHA issues no rigger license and requires no national rigger certificate. It requires a qualified rigger for listed tasks. Those are different things.
The construction crane rule in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2010. [12] It created duties around assembly, signal persons, and keeping people out of the fall zone. It did not create a federal rigger bureau.
The task that catches most new workers is 29 CFR 1926.1425. When employees are hooking, unhooking, or guiding the load, or making the initial connection, and they are in the fall zone, OSHA says the materials "must be rigged by a qualified rigger." [2] Assembly and disassembly work also pulls in a qualified rigger. 29 CFR 1926.1404 says, "A qualified rigger (a rigger who is also a qualified person) must inspect the rigging prior to each shift." [3]
Employers can meet that duty with in-house training plus experience. They can also use a certificate from NCCCO or another body as evidence. A plastic card is not the legal requirement. Demonstrated ability is. If a school tells you OSHA "requires NCCCO," they are selling. Walk.
General industry slings sit in 29 CFR 1910.184, a different book than construction Subpart CC. [5] If you work in a plant, read both. Do not assume a construction card answers a plant audit.
| Paper | Who issues it | OSHA require it? | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal rigger license | No one | No | It does not exist |
| Qualified rigger file | Your employer | Yes, for listed tasks | Proof you meet 1926.1401 |
| NCCCO Rigger Level I or II | NCCCO | No | Hiring filters and owner specs |
| Washington rigger rule | WAC 296-155-53306 | N/A (state duty) | Confirm current text with L&I |
What makes someone a qualified rigger?
You are a qualified rigger when you meet OSHA's qualified person test for the rigging in front of you. The test is competence on that work, not a lifetime rank.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1401 defines a qualified person as "a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, successfully demonstrated the ability to solve/resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project." [1]
Read the "or." A certificate is one path. Knowledge, training, and experience is another. You still have to show the ability. A weekend class with no practical time does not get you there. Ten years of guessing weights does not either.
I would document three things, whether I were the employer or the worker protecting himself. Training outlines with dates and topics. A written test or field evaluation signed by someone already qualified. A short list of lift types you are signed off on, and a list you are not. Nobody has good public data on how often employers actually keep that file. The binding text is still 1926.1401. [1]
Signal person is a separate qualification under 29 CFR 1926.1428. [11] Do not blur the cards in your head. You can hold both. Many people do. The evaluations are different. Crane operator training duties sit in 29 CFR 1926.1430 and do not turn you into a rigger by themselves. [13]
Do you need NCCCO rigger certification to work?
You need it if your employer, a project owner, a union dispatch, or a state rule asks for it. You do not need it to satisfy federal OSHA's qualified rigger duty. That is the whole distinction.
NCCCO offers Rigger Level I and Rigger Level II. [9] Level I is built for basic, repetitive rigging. Level II is for people who plan or run rigging that is not a copy of a standard hitch. Confirm current exam outlines, fees, and retake rules on NCCCO's own pages before you pay a test site. Those numbers move. I will not invent them here.
Is the card worth it? In a lot of markets, yes, as a hiring filter. It is a waste if you buy the card, never inspect a sling, and call yourself done. I have more respect for a helper who can explain sling angle than for a wallet full of unearned plastic.
If you want a single packet of practice items and lift-plan worksheets while you study the public OSHA text, RiggerPath sells a $149 one-time NCCCO Rigger + Lift-Plan Kit. You can also study from the CFR and a used ASME B30.9 book and spend that money on boots.
Other groups, including some employers, run their own rigger evaluations. Those can meet the OSHA qualified person test if the content is real. Ask to see the written criteria. If they cannot show you any, treat the evaluation as theater.
What paper should you collect in year one?
Collect paper that answers two questions: can this person inspect and select gear, and who says so.
The year one file I would keep is simple. Government ID and the I-9 documents your employer already needs. An OSHA 10 or 30 outreach card as a gate pass, not as a rigger qualifier. An employer qualified-rigger evaluation, dated, with the lift types listed. An NCCCO Rigger Level I result if you sat the exam. [9] A signal person evaluation if you also give signals. [11] Any state card, only if your state issues one. Sling and hardware inspection sheets you actually filled out.
You do not need a limited liability company to work as a rigger for a contractor. You do not need a "national rigger registry." Those sites are usually selling decals.
Lift plans are project paper, not a license. Some employers want a written plan for anything beyond a standard pick. Subpart CC expects planning for certain work, including assembly. [6][3] If someone hands you a blank lift-plan form on day three, that is normal. If they hand you a filled one and tell you to sign it without walking the load, refuse.
Confirm every fee and form with the issuer. RiggerPath is not a board and does not process applications.
How much does it cost to start rigger work?
Plan for training and PPE you will actually use. Ignore the lifetime-certification upsells.
Honest ranges, with the uncertainty named. OSHA 10 outreach often runs about $25 to $90 through a community college or union hall. Confirm with the trainer. Online mills vary and some contractors reject them. Work boots and gloves that survive a yard run about $120 to $250 if you buy once. Cheap boots cost more.
NCCCO written and practical fees are published by NCCCO and the test site, not by me. Confirm on the current NCCCO fee page before you budget. [9] State cards exist only where a state writes one. Washington's process is in WAC 296-155-53306. Confirm current fees with L&I. [10]
Skip a full personal set of slings. Your employer should furnish inspected gear. Buying your own alloy chain as a first-year is usually a waste.
BLS publishes wage estimates for Riggers (SOC 49-9096). [7] Related crane operator pay is on the Occupational Outlook Handbook page for crane and tower operators. [8] I am not going to freeze a median here because those tables update. Open the table the week you negotiate.
Anyone quoting a single national "rigger license fee" is inventing a federal product that does not exist.
What does a rigger actually do on a lift?
Before the hook moves, you identify the load, the weight, the center of gravity, the pick points, and the landing. You pick slings and hardware with a working load limit that covers the tension you will actually put on each leg, not the load divided by the number of slings like a wish. You inspect the gear that shift. [4] You check the hook latch. You read the wind and the tag line plan. Then you connect the hitch and get out of the fall zone unless you are the person OSHA allows to stay for hooking or guiding. [2]
During the pick you watch the load. You stop the lift if a sling starts to slip, if a shackle pin walks, or if the load is not the load you were told. After the set you disconnect, inspect again if anything took a shock, and put the gear back so the next shift does not inherit a cut sling.
Entertainment rigging uses different codes and often ETCP credentials. Do not mix that paper with construction Subpart CC.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 requires rigging equipment for material handling to be inspected prior to use on each shift. [4] That sentence is the one I would tape inside a gang box.
What is the difference between Rigger Level I and Level II?
NCCCO splits the credential. Level I covers basic hitch work and inspection on straightforward lifts. Level II covers more complex rigging, including work that needs planning beyond a standard hitch. [9] Confirm the current knowledge domains on NCCCO's outlines. They publish them. I will not paraphrase an old outline as if it were today's test.
OSHA does not use Level I or Level II in 1926.1401. [1] Those names are NCCCO product names. A Level I card can be strong evidence that you are qualified for simple work. It does not automatically make you qualified for a multi-crane pick or a load with a shifting center of gravity.
Hiring a first-year, I would rather see Level I plus six months of real choker work than Level II taken with no yard time. If I were you, I would take Level I once I can inspect a sling and explain a 60 degree bridle without a pep talk. Wait on Level II until you have been the person who had to stop a bad lift.
Which states add their own rigger rules?
Most states do not sell a rigger license. They enforce OSHA or an OSHA state plan and leave qualification to the employer. A handful write extra text. Washington is the one people hit first. WAC 296-155-53306 sets rigger qualifications for that state's construction crane rules. [10] Read the current WAC before you pay a class that calls itself "the Washington license."
California certifies crane operators under Title 8 CCR 5006.1. [14] That is operator paper, not automatically a rigger license. If you are going to work there, use the state pages. Start with rigger license in California and how to start rigger in California.
Colorado and Connecticut searches come up a lot too. The paper path is local. See how to start rigger work in Colorado, rigger license in Colorado, how to start a rigger career in Connecticut, and rigger license in Connecticut. Alabama and Alaska have their own starting notes in how to start rigger in Alabama and how to start rigger in Alaska.
Never read a course catalog as the statute. Confirm with the board or state plan office that actually writes the rule. No article can promise approval or a processing time.
What tools should you buy first?
Buy PPE that fits and a way to write numbers down. That is the first-year kit.
A hard hat, class-rated glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and boots with a defined heel so you do not skate off a flange. A pocket notebook or a notes app you can show a supervisor. A 25-foot tape. A marker for tag lines you are allowed to mark. That is enough.
Do not buy a personal set of wire rope slings in month one. You will not control the inspection program, and you do not want your name on gear that sat in a truck bed. Do not buy a $40 "rigger card" off a website that emails a PDF in ten minutes. Do not buy a load-cell you cannot calibrate.
A used copy of the OSHA sling and crane text, plus ASME B30.9 if you can find it used, will teach you more than branded merch. Sling angle still does the same math it did when Subpart CC published in 2010. [12] Learn that before you buy another gadget.
If you later need signal-person or operator paper, that is a different shopping list.
How long until you are employable, and what should you confirm?
You can be useful on a crew in weeks if you show up, keep your hands off a load you do not understand, and learn the inspection. You are not a qualified rigger on day ten. I would not put my name on your evaluation until you can reject a damaged sling and explain why a basket hitch is wrong for that load.
Apprenticeships run years because the rest of the trade is bigger than rigging. You can still be the designated rigger on simple picks well before you turn out.
Confirm these variable facts with the issuer. Do not take them from a blog, including this one, as if they were frozen. NCCCO fees, exam outlines, and ID rules. [9] Any state application fee or training-hour count, especially Washington's WAC 296-155-53306. [10] Whether your contractor accepts online OSHA 10. Whether a project owner wrote NCCCO into the spec.
If you want the study kit mentioned earlier, it is at /start. RiggerPath is an independent publisher. It is not a law firm, not a union, and not a service company that can declare you qualified.
Nobody can honestly guarantee how long a board or a test site will take. Anyone who does is guessing with your money.
Frequently asked questions
What is rigger?
A rigger picks, inspects, and attaches slings and hardware so a crane or hoist can lift a load without the hitch failing or the load shifting. On OSHA construction sites the legal phrase is often "qualified rigger," which means the person also meets the qualified person test in 29 CFR 1926.1401. It is not the same job as operating the crane.
How do you start rigger?
Get on a crew that already makes lifts, usually as a laborer, apprentice, or oiler. Keep an OSHA 10 or 30 card for the gate, then collect employer evaluations and inspection practice. Add NCCCO Rigger Level I if your market asks for a card. Check your state, because most do not issue a rigger license and a few, such as Washington, write extra rules.
Is a rigger the same as a crane operator?
No. The rigger builds the connection between the load and the hook. The operator runs the crane. OSHA writes separate duties for each. Operator training sits in 29 CFR 1926.1430. Qualified rigger duties show up in 1926.1404 and 1926.1425. Some people hold both skills. The paper and the evaluations stay separate.
Does OSHA require NCCCO for riggers?
No. Federal OSHA requires a qualified rigger for listed tasks. It does not name NCCCO. An employer may use an NCCCO Rigger Level I or Level II card as evidence of qualification. A project owner or a state rule can also demand that card. Confirm any "OSHA requires this school" claim against the CFR text.
How often must rigging be inspected?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 requires rigging equipment for material handling to be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use to make sure it is still safe. 29 CFR 1926.1404 also requires a qualified rigger to inspect the rigging prior to each shift on assembly and disassembly work. Damaged gear comes out of service immediately.
What is a qualified rigger?
Under 29 CFR 1926.1401, a qualified rigger is a rigger who meets the criteria for a qualified person. That means a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training, and experience, plus a showing that you can solve problems on that work. The status is about the lift in front of you, not a lifetime title.
Do I need a state rigger license?
Usually no. Most states do not sell a standalone rigger license. They enforce OSHA or a state plan and leave qualification to the employer. Washington writes extra rigger qualifications in WAC 296-155-53306. California's Title 8 crane-operator rules are not automatically a rigger license. Confirm with that state's board before you pay a class.
What is Rigger Level I?
Rigger Level I is NCCCO's entry rigger credential. It is aimed at people doing basic, repetitive hitch work and inspection. OSHA does not use the Level I name. Contractors and owners often ask for it anyway. Confirm current exam content and fees on NCCCO's rigger pages before you schedule a test site.
Can I start with only an OSHA 10 card?
You can often get through a contractor gate with OSHA 10. You cannot honestly call yourself a qualified rigger on that card alone. OSHA 10 is outreach training. Qualified rigger status needs knowledge, training, and experience on slings, hardware, hitches, and inspection, plus a showing that you can solve problems on that work.
How much does rigger certification cost?
There is no federal rigger license fee. NCCCO written and practical fees are set by NCCCO and the test site and change, so confirm them on the current NCCCO page. OSHA 10 often costs about $25 to $90. State cards exist only where a state writes one. Treat any single national price quote as a sales pitch.
Is entertainment rigging the same paper?
No. Theatrical and arena rigging often uses ETCP and venue rules. Construction and industrial lifts sit under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC and 1926.251, or 1910.184 in general industry. The knots and hardware can look familiar. The statute and the card that gets you hired are not the same. Do not mix them on a resume.
Does a lift plan replace a qualified rigger?
No. A lift plan is project paper that records weights, radii, gear, and steps. It does not replace the person who has to inspect the rigging and make the hitch. OSHA still wants a qualified rigger for the tasks listed in 1926.1425 and 1926.1404. Signing a plan you did not walk is a bad habit. Refuse that.
Sources
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1401 Definitions: Defines qualified rigger as a rigger who meets the qualified person criteria, and defines qualified person.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1425 Keeping clear of the load: Materials in the fall zone during hooking, unhooking, guiding, or initial connection must be rigged by a qualified rigger.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1404 Assembly/Disassembly: A qualified rigger must inspect the rigging prior to each shift during assembly and disassembly.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling: Rigging equipment for material handling shall be inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.184 Slings: General industry sling rules are in 1910.184, separate from construction Subpart CC.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1400 Scope: 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC is the construction cranes and derricks standard that houses qualified rigger duties.
- BLS OEWS Riggers SOC 49-9096: BLS classifies Riggers under SOC 49-9096 and publishes national employment and wage estimates.
- BLS OOH Crane and Tower Operators: BLS publishes outlook and pay data for the related crane and tower operator occupation.
- NCCCO Rigger certification program: NCCCO offers Rigger Level I and Rigger Level II certification programs.
- Washington WAC 296-155-53306 Rigger qualifications: Washington writes its own construction rigger qualification rule in WAC 296-155-53306.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1428 Signal person qualifications: Signal person qualification is a separate OSHA duty from qualified rigger status.
- Federal Register, Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule: OSHA published the Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule on August 9, 2010.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1430 Training: Subpart CC training duties for crane-related work are stated in 1926.1430 and do not by themselves create rigger qualification.
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 CCR 5006.1 Mobile Crane and Tower Crane Operator Qualifications and Certification: California Title 8 CCR 5006.1 addresses crane operator certification, which is separate from a rigger license.