NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator Exam
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete Test
Prep & Practice Q&A PDF
1. What action does a signal person intend the operator to perform if he extends his arm
at shoulder height, makes a fist with his hand, and sticks his/her thumb up?
a. Boom down
b. Swing
c. Boom up
d. Extend boom - correct answerc.
2. When hoisting personnel, within what percentage of level must a telescopic boom
crane be in order for the gross ratings in the load chart to remain valid?
a. 1%
b. 2%
c. 5%
d. 8% - correct answera.
3. The load line of the crane you're operating contacts an energized power line. There's
no sign of any other danger, such as fire. What should you do?
a. Climb down carefully from the crane cab
b. Jump down, feet together
c. Stay in the cab until the lines are de-energized
d. Get as far away from the crane as possible - correct answerc.
4. According to OSHA 1926.1413, how many randomly distributed broken wires in
rotation-resistant rope are cause for replacement of the rope?
a. 1 broken wire in 6 rope diameters
b. 2 broken wires in 30 rope diameters
c. 3 broken wires in one strand in one lay
d. 2 broken wires in 6 rope diameters - correct answerd.
5. What is the net capacity of a crane on main boom unless the manufacturer states
otherwise?
a. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging and all
attachments
b. The capacity listed in the load chart plus the weight of the rigging and all attachments
c. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging and all
attachments not in use
,d. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging alone - correct
answera.
6. What may happen to a properly rigged load when lifted off the ground unless the
operator takes account of boom deflection?
a. It could swing out away from the crane
b. It could swing in towards the crane
c. It could raise absolutely vertically
d. It could shift in its rigging - correct answera.
7. What Standard Method hand signal is being illustrated?
a. Swing
b. Stop
c. Emergency Stop
d. Travel - correct answera.
8. Who should an operator respond to a "stop" signal from?
a. Appointed signal person only
b. Project manager only
c. Superintendent only
d. Anyone - correct answerd.
9. Which area do truck cranes without a 5th outrigger generally have no lifting capacity
unless the manufacturer states otherwise?
a. The side
b. The rear
c. The front
d. The outriggers - correct answerc.
10. What is the definition of "operating radius?"
a. The distance from the base of the boom to the center of the load b. The distance from
the front of the crane to the center of gravity of the load
c. The distance from the center of rotation of the crane to the center of the load
d. The distance from the center of rotation of the crane to the center of gravity of the
load - correct answerd.
11. What applies to the capacities below the bold line shown on a load chart?
a. They are based on the structural strength of the crane
b. They must not be used
c. They are based on the stability of the crane
d. They should only be used if the crane is set up on outriggers - correct answerc.
12. In which quadrant are rough terrain crane capacities generally greater?
a. Over the front
b. Over the rear
, c. Over the right side
d. Over the left side - correct answera.
13. According to federal requirements, under what conditions is it okay for a person to
ride the headache ball?
a. When there is no other way to gain access
b. When the lift has been approved by an engineer
c. When other means would be more dangerous
d. It is never okay - correct answerd.
14. By what percentage do most manufacturers require a crane's load chart capacity to
be reduced by for duty cycle operations such as high-volume concrete placement?
a. 10%.
b. 15%.
c. 20%.
d. 30%. - correct answerc.
15. From which two points should the boom be measured?
a. From the base of the boom to the center of the boom tip sheave
b. From the boom hinge pins to the boom tip
c. From the boom hinge pins to the center of the boom tip sheaved. d. From the base of
the boom to the boom tip - correct answerc.
16. What is the preferred method of installing wire rope from a reel onto a hoist drum?
a. The rope runs from the top of the reel to the bottom of the drum
b. The rope runs from the bottom of the reel to the top of the drum
c. The rope runs from the top of the reel to the top of the drum
d. There is no preferred method - correct answerc.
17. Over which quadrant are truck crane capacities usually greater?
a. Over the front.
b. Over the rear.
c. Over the front right outrigger.
d. Over the side. - correct answerb.
18. According to OSHA, which accessible area of an operating crane must always be
barricaded?
a. The swing radius of the crane
b. The carbody or chassis
c. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
d. The distance between the car body or chassis and the boom tip - correct answerc.
19. What is the OSHA regulation governing cranes in construction?
a. 1910.180
b. 1926.1400
c. 1926.556
(2025/2026 Latest Update) | Complete Test
Prep & Practice Q&A PDF
1. What action does a signal person intend the operator to perform if he extends his arm
at shoulder height, makes a fist with his hand, and sticks his/her thumb up?
a. Boom down
b. Swing
c. Boom up
d. Extend boom - correct answerc.
2. When hoisting personnel, within what percentage of level must a telescopic boom
crane be in order for the gross ratings in the load chart to remain valid?
a. 1%
b. 2%
c. 5%
d. 8% - correct answera.
3. The load line of the crane you're operating contacts an energized power line. There's
no sign of any other danger, such as fire. What should you do?
a. Climb down carefully from the crane cab
b. Jump down, feet together
c. Stay in the cab until the lines are de-energized
d. Get as far away from the crane as possible - correct answerc.
4. According to OSHA 1926.1413, how many randomly distributed broken wires in
rotation-resistant rope are cause for replacement of the rope?
a. 1 broken wire in 6 rope diameters
b. 2 broken wires in 30 rope diameters
c. 3 broken wires in one strand in one lay
d. 2 broken wires in 6 rope diameters - correct answerd.
5. What is the net capacity of a crane on main boom unless the manufacturer states
otherwise?
a. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging and all
attachments
b. The capacity listed in the load chart plus the weight of the rigging and all attachments
c. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging and all
attachments not in use
,d. The capacity listed in the load chart minus the weight of the rigging alone - correct
answera.
6. What may happen to a properly rigged load when lifted off the ground unless the
operator takes account of boom deflection?
a. It could swing out away from the crane
b. It could swing in towards the crane
c. It could raise absolutely vertically
d. It could shift in its rigging - correct answera.
7. What Standard Method hand signal is being illustrated?
a. Swing
b. Stop
c. Emergency Stop
d. Travel - correct answera.
8. Who should an operator respond to a "stop" signal from?
a. Appointed signal person only
b. Project manager only
c. Superintendent only
d. Anyone - correct answerd.
9. Which area do truck cranes without a 5th outrigger generally have no lifting capacity
unless the manufacturer states otherwise?
a. The side
b. The rear
c. The front
d. The outriggers - correct answerc.
10. What is the definition of "operating radius?"
a. The distance from the base of the boom to the center of the load b. The distance from
the front of the crane to the center of gravity of the load
c. The distance from the center of rotation of the crane to the center of the load
d. The distance from the center of rotation of the crane to the center of gravity of the
load - correct answerd.
11. What applies to the capacities below the bold line shown on a load chart?
a. They are based on the structural strength of the crane
b. They must not be used
c. They are based on the stability of the crane
d. They should only be used if the crane is set up on outriggers - correct answerc.
12. In which quadrant are rough terrain crane capacities generally greater?
a. Over the front
b. Over the rear
, c. Over the right side
d. Over the left side - correct answera.
13. According to federal requirements, under what conditions is it okay for a person to
ride the headache ball?
a. When there is no other way to gain access
b. When the lift has been approved by an engineer
c. When other means would be more dangerous
d. It is never okay - correct answerd.
14. By what percentage do most manufacturers require a crane's load chart capacity to
be reduced by for duty cycle operations such as high-volume concrete placement?
a. 10%.
b. 15%.
c. 20%.
d. 30%. - correct answerc.
15. From which two points should the boom be measured?
a. From the base of the boom to the center of the boom tip sheave
b. From the boom hinge pins to the boom tip
c. From the boom hinge pins to the center of the boom tip sheaved. d. From the base of
the boom to the boom tip - correct answerc.
16. What is the preferred method of installing wire rope from a reel onto a hoist drum?
a. The rope runs from the top of the reel to the bottom of the drum
b. The rope runs from the bottom of the reel to the top of the drum
c. The rope runs from the top of the reel to the top of the drum
d. There is no preferred method - correct answerc.
17. Over which quadrant are truck crane capacities usually greater?
a. Over the front.
b. Over the rear.
c. Over the front right outrigger.
d. Over the side. - correct answerb.
18. According to OSHA, which accessible area of an operating crane must always be
barricaded?
a. The swing radius of the crane
b. The carbody or chassis
c. The swing radius of the rear of the rotating superstructure
d. The distance between the car body or chassis and the boom tip - correct answerc.
19. What is the OSHA regulation governing cranes in construction?
a. 1910.180
b. 1926.1400
c. 1926.556
