NCCER Rigger · Advanced Rigger
NCCER Rigger Certification Prep Online
Prices as shown on qsafetyacademy.com, October 16, 2026
NCCER rigger certification prep online covers the coursework your rigger needs before the NCCER written assessment and practical. Q Safety Academy sells it as one package: 12 months of online access, three digital NCCER books, a hands-on day, and the assessment itself.
Your rigger studies on their own schedule, then finishes in person at a Q Safety Academy location. The first attempt at each test is included in the price.
NCCER Certified Rigger (Basic Rigger) · $1,500 · Online + 1 day hands-on
NCCER Rigger Certification Requires a Written Test and a Practical
NCCER issues the rigger credential after the candidate passes its written assessment and a hands-on performance verification. Q Safety Academy packages both: the online coursework with three digital NCCER books, the assessment and practical at its locations, and a free hands-on practice session.
The coursework is online; the practical is in person, at a Q Safety Academy location. Q Safety Academy lists training locations in Schertz (San Antonio) and Katy (Houston), Texas, and states it travels to clients elsewhere in the USA. Confirm where and when your rigger can test before you buy.
NCCER Certified Rigger (Basic Rigger) Course
NCCER now calls its entry credential Rigger; Q Safety Academy notes it used to be called Basic Rigger.
NCCER Advanced Rigger Certification
Advanced Rigger is the next NCCER level. Use the current NCCER outline at nccer.org to check which tasks each level covers before you choose.
Online NCCER Rigger Training Schedule
The online portion is self-paced with 24/7 access for 12 months, and the online tests are available seven days a week. After the coursework, your rigger schedules the hands-on day and the assessment with Q Safety Academy.
The first attempt at each test is included. Q Safety Academy charges a retest fee for each retry and states that testing fees go directly to NCCER.
NCCER Rigger Certification Cost
| Course | Price | Length | Format | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCCER Certified Rigger (Basic Rigger) | $1,500 | Online + 1 day hands-on | Online + in person | NCCER Rigger |
| NCCER Advanced Rigger | $1,800 | Online + 1 day hands-on | Online + in person | NCCER Advanced Rigger |
Q Safety Academy also offers payment plans: three payments of $550 or four of $450 for Rigger, and three payments of $650 or four of $550 for Advanced Rigger.
OSHA Requires a Qualified Rigger, Not a Specific Card
Under 1926.1425(c), riggers hooking, unhooking, or guiding loads in the conditions that standard lists must be qualified riggers; 1926.1404(r) applies the same requirement to crane assembly and disassembly. OSHA defines qualification by ability, not by a named credential.
An NCCER credential gives you third-party documentation of that ability. Many general contractors and owners write it into their site requirements, so check the bid documents for the level they expect.
Signal persons are a separate qualification under 1926.1428. For shorter online courses on crane and rigging duties, see competent person training.
Related reading: NCCER Rigger Certification Levels: Rigger vs. Advanced Rigger.
NCCER Rigger Certification FAQ
How do I get NCCER rigger certification?
Complete the training, then pass the NCCER written assessment and the hands-on performance verification. Q Safety Academy includes the online coursework, the assessment, and the practical in one price.
Can you get NCCER rigger certified online?
Only partly. The coursework and online tests are online; the practical and assessment take place in person at a Q Safety Academy location.
How much does NCCER rigger certification cost?
On October 16, 2026, Q Safety Academy listed NCCER Certified Rigger at $1,500 and NCCER Advanced Rigger at $1,800. Retest fees apply after the first attempt at each test.
What is the difference between Basic Rigger and Rigger?
They are the same credential. NCCER renamed Basic Rigger to Rigger, and Q Safety Academy still notes the old name on its course page.
Does OSHA require NCCER rigger certification?
No. OSHA requires a qualified rigger for the tasks listed in 1926.1425(c) and 1926.1404(r) but does not name a credential. Many contractors require NCCER in their site rules.