Special Rigger License
For general exam information see the submenu above.
Scoring of Practical Examination
The exercises are grouped into sections. To pass, you must score 70% or higher overall and pass all critical exercise(s).
Your practical examination score report will be sent to you via U.S. Mail within four (4) to six (6) weeks of the date of your examination.
Content Online
The content outline for the New York City Special Rigger and Special Sign Hanger practical examinations are provided below. In addition to the Exercises listed below, both Special Rigger and Special Sign Hanger candidates must pass an English Literacy examination to demonstrate their ability to read and write in English pursuant to NYC Administrative Code §28-401.6.
Scope of the Special Rigger Examination
The Special Rigger practical examination assesses a candidate’s skill in applying the relevant portions of the NYC Codes, Rules, and Regulations, as well as trade-specific industry knowledge. Please note that the exercises and list of materials are specific to each scheduled examination only. If you reschedule, future examinations may include different exercises and required equipment, so you must review the information provided in your Admission Notice carefully prior to each scheduled practical examination.
Special Rigger Written Examination
| Number of Questions | Minimum Passing Score |
Time Allowed |
| 8 | 70% | 45 minutes |
| Examination Exercises |
| 1. Tying Knots |
| 2. Rigging Procedures |
| 2. Rigging Procedures |
| 3. NYC Construction Codes applied to Rigging |
| 4. Rope Knowledge |
| 5. Rigging to Scaffold |
| 6. Rigging Equipment Knowledge |
| 7. Scaffold Safety Parameters |
| 8. Calculating Counterweight |
Reference List
The reference list provided below includes suggested materials that could assist you in preparing for the examination. The examination questions reference NYC Codes, Rules, and Regulations. Please note that the references below may cite portions of other codes, rules, or regulations. You may be tested on information in these additional sources that are applicable to your trade. The knowledge that will be tested in the examinations will be taken from these materials in addition to applied field knowledge of the Special Rigger and Special Sign Hanger trades.
This is not an open book examination; you are not allowed to bring reference materials into the testing site.
| Reference List | Special Rigger | Special Sign Hanger |
| 2014 NYC Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 4: Licensing and Registration of Businesses, Trades and Occupations Engaged in Building Work. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3301: General, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3303: Safeguards and Maintenance of Site, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3314: Scaffolds, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3316: Hoisting Equipment, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3317: Material Hoists and Bucket Hoists, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3319: Cranes and Derricks, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Section 3320: Material Handling Equipment, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | X |
| Rules of the City of New York Title 1 Chapter 3300: Safeguards during Construction or Demolition, Sections 3310-01, 3316-01, 3319-01. https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/title-1-rules-of-the-city-of-new-york.page | X | X |
| New York City Department of Buildings – Industrial Rope Access: Application Procedures. https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/industrial-rope-access-application-procedure.page | X | X |
| 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Building Code, Appendix H: Outdoor Signs, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | |
| Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, Chapter 10: Drums for Derrick Load and Boom Hoists. https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/title-1-rules-of-the-city-of-new-york.page | X | X |
| Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, Chapter 27, Section 27-01: Signs. https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/title-1-rules-of-the-city-of-new-york.page | X | |
| Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, Chapter 49: Outdoor Signs. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | |
| Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, Chapter 100: Administration; §104-20, Supervisory Responsibilities of a Licensed Rigger. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | |
| Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, Chapter 100: Administration; §104-21, Supervisory Responsibilities of a Licensed Sign Hanger. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page | X | |
| New York City Department of City Planning, Zoning Resolution (Zoning Resolution), December 2022. | X |
Appealing Examination ResultsCPS HR’s goal is to provide quality examinations and a pleasant testing experience for candidates. If you are dissatisfied with either and believe CPS HR can correct the problem, please use the comment forms available during your written examination administration or following your practical examination. Your comments will be reviewed by CPS HR. If you fail the written examination by not more than five (5) percentage points or by only one section of the practical exam, you may submit an appeal. The appeal must state the title of the license examination, your name, return address, the date of the test, and a detailed statement of the grounds for appeal. Your appeal must be received no later than thirty (30) days from the date of notification of failure to pass the license examination. An appeal form can be found at the CPS HR website: https://link.cpshr.us/DOBAppealForm . |