Rigger license in colorado: what you actually need to know

Last updated 2026-08-18

Do you need a license to work as a rigger in Colorado?

No. Colorado has no state rigger license. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) does not issue or oversee a rigger credential, and no Colorado statute makes you get one before you touch a load. ^[1]

That does not mean you show up cold. Federal OSHA's construction crane standard, 29 CFR 1926.1426, says anyone who attaches or detaches rigging from a crane hook has to be a "qualified rigger." The standard defines that person as someone who, "by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project." ^[2] That language is straight from OSHA's regulatory text.

Colorado employers read "qualified rigger" almost universally as NCCCO Rigger Level I or Level II. OSHA does not name NCCCO in the rule. But NCCCO is an ANSI-accredited certification body, and holding the card is the cleanest way to document qualification without an argument. On any large commercial or industrial site in Colorado, expect to hand over your NCCCO card before the foreman lets you near a hook.

What is the NCCCO rigger certification and which level do you need?

NCCCO, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, runs two rigger levels. Level I is written-exam only. Level II adds a hands-on practical. Most entry jobs start at Level I; Level II is for lift planning and complex work. ^[3]

Rigger Level I covers basic sling selection, load weight estimation, hardware inspection, and hitching. Rigger Level II adds multi-leg slings, complex lifts, and working next to the lift director, and it tests your hands.

Here is a quick comparison:

Feature	Rigger Level I	Rigger Level II
Written exam	Yes	Yes
Practical exam	No	Yes
ANSI/ASME standard	B30.9, B30.26	B30.9, B30.26
Typical total fee	~$150-$230	~$250-$420
Renewal cycle	5 years	5 years
Good for	General rigging, helper roles	Lift planning, complex multi-crane ops

Most entry-level rigger jobs in Colorado start with Level I. If you're heading toward a lift director role or heavy industrial projects, Level II opens those doors. Some contractors require Level II for anyone who writes or reviews a critical lift plan.

Comparing requirements across state lines? See how neighbors handle it: rigger license in arizona and rigger license in california both have their own wrinkles.

How much does getting your rigger certification in Colorado cost?

Budget $150 to $230 all-in for Level I if you self-study, and $250 to $420 for Level II. There are no Colorado state fees because there is no state license. The cost splits two ways: exam fees paid to NCCCO, and whatever you spend on study materials or a prep course. ^[3]

NCCCO exam fees (as of mid-2025, confirm current amounts at nccco.org before you apply):

• Rigger Level I written exam: approximately $106 per attempt
• Rigger Level II written exam: approximately $106 per attempt
• Rigger Level II practical exam: approximately $50-$100, plus a testing facility charge that adds $75-$200 depending on location

Re-takes cost the same as the first attempt. That is the whole reason to prep properly the first time.

Study materials are a separate line. A textbook like Rigging Math Made Simple runs about $25 to $40. A full prep kit from an independent publisher like RiggerPath (riggerpath.com) is $149 one-time and covers both written exam content and lift-plan documentation, which helps if you are also prepping for a lift director assessment.

Classroom prep from a community college or union training center in Colorado usually runs $300 to $800 for a two-to-four-day course. Worth it or not depends on where you start. Two-plus years on job sites and a mentor? Self-study plus a practice exam set is usually enough for Level I. Complete beginners get more out of a structured course, because the math and load-table reading take real feedback to click.

Add it up: $200 to $450 total for Level I on your own, $500 to $1,200 if you take a course and pay exam fees for both levels.

How long does it take to become a certified rigger in Colorado?

Plan on two to four months for Level I alone, and four to six months if you go straight through to Level II. That assumes self-study around a full-time job. The timeline has three phases: study, scheduling, and waiting for your card.

Study time for Rigger Level I runs four to eight weeks at an hour or two a day after work. The exam covers sling angles, load calculations, hardware ratings, and inspection criteria. None of it is wildly hard, but the math needs real practice. Level II adds practical skills and another four to six weeks on top.

You schedule the written exam through NCCCO's testing partner, Pearson VUE. ^[4] Colorado has Pearson VUE centers in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, among others. Scheduling waits run one to three weeks out. The Level II practical needs an approved testing event, which NCCCO posts on its site. Those events are less frequent and may mean some travel.

Once you pass, NCCCO processes results and mails your wallet card. Processing takes two to four weeks, though digital confirmation shows up faster in your NCCCO online account.

Take a concentrated week-long course and some people sit the exam within a month of starting. Self-study around a full-time job stretches it out.

To compare the Colorado path to how neighbors work, how to start rigger in arizona and how to start rigger in california cover those timelines.

What does federal OSHA actually require for riggers on Colorado job sites?

OSHA's construction cranes and derricks standard, 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart CC, took effect in 2010 and was updated through 2014. ^[2] Colorado runs under federal OSHA jurisdiction, so the U.S. Department of Labor enforces these rules directly. Colorado has no state-plan OSHA agency for private sector construction. ^[5]

The requirements that hit riggers directly:

1. You must be a "qualified rigger" before you attach or detach rigging. OSHA expects the employer to document how you qualify. 2. The employer has to provide training specific to the equipment, site conditions, and load types you will rig. ^[2] 3. All rigging hardware and slings must meet ASME B30.9 and B30.26. Defective hardware comes out of service immediately. ^[6] 4. A written plan is required for critical lifts. OSHA treats a lift over 75 percent of the crane's rated capacity, or a lift with more than one crane, as critical. ^[2]

OSHA does not require NCCCO by name. But in an inspection, a compliance officer asks how the employer documented your qualification. An NCCCO card answers that in one motion. An undocumented claim of experience does not.

Working multi-state? States with their own OSHA plans can differ slightly. how to start rigger in alaska is one example of a state with its own occupational safety framework.

Does OSHA require a rigger to have a lift plan?

Yes, for critical lifts. Under 29 CFR 1926.1431, a lift over 75 percent of a crane's rated capacity, or one involving more than one crane, needs a written critical lift plan. ^[2] The lift director owns the plan. In practice, the rigger fills in the rigging configuration, sling geometry, and hardware selection sections.

For routine lifts below the threshold, no formal written plan is federally required. Plenty of Colorado general contractors require one anyway under their own safety management systems. So even a Level I rigger on ordinary picks needs to read and contribute to a lift plan.

Aiming for a lift director role? NCCCO runs a separate Lift Director certification with its own written and practical parts. That is a different credential from the Rigger Level I and II track, though the knowledge overlaps heavily.

Are there union or apprenticeship paths for riggers in Colorado?

Yes. The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 9 covers Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of surrounding states, and runs an apprenticeship that includes rigging as part of heavy equipment operator training. ^[7] The International Brotherhood of Teamsters also holds jurisdiction over some crane and rigging work in Colorado.

Union apprenticeships run three to four years and mix on-the-job hours with classroom instruction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median pay for riggers at about $56,020 a year as of May 2023, with the top 10 percent over $84,000. ^[8] Colorado's construction market has been tight since about 2018, and rigger wages in the Denver metro and mountain corridor, driven by commercial construction and resort infrastructure, tend to run above national medians.

Apprenticeships pay you while you train. That is a real advantage over paying out of pocket for a course. The tradeoff: application windows, waitlists, and geographic requirements. Want to start working sooner and self-fund your certification? That path is open too.

Researching neighboring states? rigger license in alaska and rigger license in alabama cover how union and apprenticeship structures shift by region.

What equipment inspections and ASME standards do Colorado riggers need to know?

Two ASME standards show up most in rigging work: B30.9 (slings) and B30.26 (rigging hardware). Both are referenced in OSHA's crane standard and in most employer safety programs. Both get tested on the NCCCO exams. ^[6]

ASME B30.9 covers wire rope slings, chain slings, synthetic web slings, and round slings. It sets load ratings at various sling angles, inspection criteria, and removal conditions. A wire rope sling with a kinked leg, a broken wire count over the standard's threshold, or heat discoloration comes out of service. ^[6]

ASME B30.26 covers the hardware: shackles, hooks, turnbuckles, eyebolts, and hoist rings. Every piece carries a working load limit (WLL) stamped or tagged on it, and that rating assumes the load pulls in the direction the hardware was built for. Side-load a shackle pin and the WLL drops. B30.26 tables show exactly by how much.

Pre-use inspection is not optional. OSHA requires rigging equipment be inspected before each shift, with a more detailed inspection periodically depending on service conditions. ^[2] In Colorado's mountain environment, temperature swings and UV exposure chew through synthetic slings faster. Write your inspections down. It protects you and your employer if something goes wrong.

The NCCCO Rigger Level I and II exams test this material directly. Expect questions on angle derating, removal criteria, and hardware compatibility.

How do you actually apply for NCCCO rigger certification?

Create a candidate account at nccco.org, pick your certification, pay the exam fee, and get an authorization-to-test notice. From there you schedule the written exam directly through Pearson VUE using that authorization. ^[4] That is the whole front end.

For Level II, after you pass the written exam, you submit a separate application for the practical and find a scheduled testing event near you. NCCCO posts event calendars on its site. Some crane dealerships and training centers host practical events in Colorado, and the Denver and Front Range area usually sees several per year.

On exam day, bring two forms of ID, one government-issued and photo-bearing. No reference materials in the written exam. The exam is computer-based at Pearson VUE centers.

Fail a module and NCCCO lets you re-take after a waiting period (currently 30 days for written exams). Passing modules carry forward for a set window, so you do not restart from scratch if you pass two of three sections. Confirm current re-take policies with NCCCO before you test, since these details update.

Once all modules are passed and your application is complete, NCCCO issues certification good for five years. Renewal takes continuing education hours or a re-exam, depending on the cycle. ^[3]

What should a Colorado rigger know about working at altitude and mountain conditions?

Crane load charts are rated at sea level. Colorado is not. At altitude, air density drops and diesel engine power falls off, and that changes what a machine can safely do. This is not a certification question, but experienced Colorado riggers flag it constantly.

Colorado worksites range from 5,000 feet in the Denver metro to well above 10,000 feet on mountain infrastructure jobs. Rigging up there means checking the crane manufacturer's documentation for altitude derating. For rough-terrain and lattice-boom cranes above 5,000 feet, some manufacturers publish derating tables. Others say the load chart holds to a certain altitude and require engineering review above it. Some OEMs specify roughly 3 percent per 1,000 feet above 3,000 feet for diesel machines, though the exact factor varies by model. None of this is in 29 CFR 1926, but it is part of a competent lift plan.

Wind is the other Colorado factor. OSHA's crane standard bars operation when wind would affect the load or machine stability, and requires a wind speed assessment as part of pre-operation inspection. ^[2] In the mountains and high plains, afternoon thunderstorm buildup and gusts are predictable. Riggers who plan lifts for morning windows and write clear shutdown criteria into their lift plans skip the guessing game.

Is NCCCO certification enough, or do Colorado employers want anything else?

NCCCO Rigger Level I or II satisfies the "qualified rigger" documentation requirement for most Colorado employers and project owners. A few extras come up regularly on top of it.

OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards get requested often on commercial projects. OSHA does not legally require them for riggers, but plenty of general contractors add them to subcontractor qualification requirements. An OSHA 10 card takes 10 contact hours and costs around $100 to $200 through an authorized trainer. ^[9]

Entertainment rigging is its own world. Concert staging and theatrical fly systems fall under different guidelines, and ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) offers Rigger: Theatre and Rigger: Arena tracks that are separate from NCCCO and not interchangeable with it. ^[10] Eyeing Denver's event and entertainment sector? ETCP is the credential that matters there.

Oil and gas riggers, and that sector does exist along the Front Range and in the DJ Basin, usually layer in site-specific orientation, H2S awareness training, and sometimes contractor management platform credentials (ISNetworld, Avetta, and the like). None of those replace NCCCO. They stack on top of it.

RiggerPath (riggerpath.com) publishes a one-time $149 kit covering NCCCO Rigger written exam prep and lift-plan documentation, built for exactly this: get the core credential clean before you worry about the site-specific add-ons.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a state license to work as a rigger in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not issue a state rigger license through any agency, including DORA. Federal OSHA rules under 29 CFR 1926.1426 require riggers to be "qualified," and employers document that qualification almost universally through NCCCO Rigger Level I or Level II certification. No state application, no state fee, no state exam.

How much does NCCCO rigger certification cost in Colorado?

Plan on $150 to $230 total for Rigger Level I (written exam fee plus study materials) or $250 to $420 for Level II (written plus practical exam, plus testing facility fees). There are no Colorado state fees. Re-takes cost the same as first attempts. Classroom prep courses add $300 to $800 if you go that route. Confirm current NCCCO exam fees at nccco.org before applying.

How long does it take to get a rigger certification in Colorado?

Most candidates take two to four months from start to card-in-hand for Rigger Level I, and four to six months for Level II, assuming part-time self-study alongside a full-time job. Study time is four to eight weeks for Level I. Add two to three weeks to schedule the Pearson VUE exam, then two to four weeks for NCCCO to process and mail your card after you pass.

Is NCCCO the only way to prove you're a qualified rigger under OSHA?

No. OSHA's "qualified rigger" definition under 29 CFR 1926.1426 does not name any specific certification. Employers can document qualification through demonstrated experience and training. In practice, NCCCO is the standard documentation because it is ANSI-accredited and instantly recognizable to compliance officers. Some employers accept documented in-house training, but that is rare on multi-employer sites.

What is the difference between NCCCO Rigger Level I and Level II?

Rigger Level I is a written-only exam covering basic sling selection, load math, and hardware inspection. Rigger Level II adds a hands-on practical exam and covers complex lifts, multi-leg sling systems, and lift plan contributions. Level I suits entry-level and helper roles. Level II is expected for riggers who work on critical or engineered lifts or who are moving toward a lift director credential.

Does Colorado have a state OSHA plan for construction workers?

No. Colorado operates under federal OSHA jurisdiction for private sector employment, including construction. The U.S. Department of Labor enforces 29 CFR 1926 directly in Colorado. This means the federal qualified-rigger requirement applies without any state-level modification. Public sector state and local government workers in Colorado are covered under separate rules, but that does not affect most rigging work.

How do I find NCCCO practical exam events near Denver or Colorado Springs?

NCCCO publishes a testing event calendar on its website at nccco.org. Search by state or region for Colorado events. Practical exam events for Rigger Level II are hosted by approved sites, including crane dealerships, training centers, and some union facilities. Events in the Denver and Front Range area typically occur several times a year. Availability changes, so check the calendar early and register as soon as you pass the written exam.

Can I work as a rigger in Colorado while my NCCCO application is pending?

OSHA requires you to be a qualified rigger before performing rigging work, not after. If you have passed your exams but are waiting for your card, NCCCO provides documentation of passing status through your online candidate account. Many employers accept that documentation temporarily while the physical card is processed. Confirm with your specific employer before assuming they will.

What ASME standards cover the rigging equipment I use in Colorado?

ASME B30.9 covers slings (wire rope, chain, synthetic web, round slings) including load ratings, inspection criteria, and removal-from-service requirements. ASME B30.26 covers rigging hardware: shackles, hooks, hoist rings, eyebolts, and turnbuckles. Both are referenced in OSHA's 29 CFR 1926 crane standard and tested directly on the NCCCO Rigger Level I and II written exams.

Does altitude affect rigging and crane operations in Colorado?

Yes, practically. Crane load charts are typically rated at sea level. At altitude, diesel engines lose power output and air density drops. Some crane manufacturers publish altitude derating tables, and engineering review may be required above certain elevations. If you are rigging at high-altitude Colorado worksites, check the crane OEM's documentation. This is a lift planning issue, not an OSHA certification requirement, but it is real operational knowledge.

Do Colorado riggers need OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards?

Not by law, but commonly by contract. Federal OSHA does not require OSHA 10 or 30 cards for riggers specifically. Many general contractors and project owners in Colorado list them as a subcontractor qualification requirement in their site safety plans. An OSHA 10-hour construction card takes one day and costs roughly $100 to $200 through an OSHA-authorized training provider.

Is NCCCO rigger certification valid in other states?

Yes. NCCCO certification is a national credential and is recognized across all states that reference federal OSHA standards or that explicitly accept NCCCO under their own crane operator laws. If you move from Colorado to a state with different requirements, check that state's specific rules. Some states add crane operator licensing layers that go beyond NCCCO alone.

What's the median pay for riggers in Colorado?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median wage for riggers of about $56,020 per year as of May 2023. Colorado's tight construction labor market, especially in the Denver metro and mountain corridor, typically pushes wages above the national median. Exact Colorado figures vary by region and employer. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tool allows state-level lookups for current data.

Is there a union apprenticeship for riggers in Colorado?

IUOE Local 9, covering Colorado and Wyoming, runs apprenticeship programs that include rigging as part of heavy equipment operator training. Programs typically run three to four years with paid on-the-job hours plus classroom instruction. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters also has jurisdiction over some crane and rigging work in Colorado. Contact Local 9 directly for current application windows and eligibility requirements.

Sources

1. Colorado DORA, Division of Professions and Occupations, licensure search: Colorado DORA does not list a rigger license category in its licensed professions database
2. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1426, Cranes and Derricks in Construction: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1426 requires that riggers be qualified persons and defines qualified rigger criteria; 1926.1431 requires critical lift plans at 75% rated capacity
3. NCCCO, Rigger Level I certification program page: NCCCO Rigger Level I and Level II exam structure, five-year renewal cycle, and exam fee amounts
4. OSHA, State Plans: Colorado does not have a state OSHA plan for private sector employment; federal OSHA has direct jurisdiction
5. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.251, Rigging equipment for material handling: ASME B30.9 and B30.26 set inspection, load rating, and removal-from-service requirements for rigging slings and hardware
6. IUOE Local 9, Colorado and Wyoming jurisdiction: IUOE Local 9 covers Colorado and Wyoming and operates apprenticeship programs including rigging-related training
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Riggers: National median annual wage for riggers was $56,020 as of May 2023; top 10 percent earned over $84,000
8. OSHA, Outreach Training Program, Construction: OSHA 10 and 30-hour construction outreach training courses are available through authorized trainers; not legally required for riggers but commonly required by GCs
9. ETCP, Entertainment Technician Certification Program: ETCP offers Rigger: Theatre and Rigger: Arena certifications separate from and not interchangeable with NCCCO