1
NCCCO Tower Crane Operator
Certification Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Pass Guarantee
Q001: A tower crane operator is setting up a new freestanding tower on a 1.5 m
thick concrete foundation. The engineer’s drawing specifies 12 mm anchor bolts
torqued to 1,200 N·m. After initial tightening, the operator notices one bolt
protrudes 5 mm higher than the others. Which action is required?
Options:
A. Accept the variance as within tolerance
B. Re-torque all bolts to 1,400 N·m to equalize stretch
C. Replace the anchor bolt and re-torque to specification
D. Back the high bolt out ½ turn and retorque
ANSWER: C
Q002: Using the manufacturer load chart, the operator must lift a 9,500 kg load at a
35 m radius. The chart indicates 10,200 kg allowable for this radius on the 45 m
jib. Wind is 12 m/s gusting to 16 m/s. What is the next required step?
Options:
A. Proceed with the lift at 90 % chart capacity
B. Reduce radius to 30 m to increase capacity margin
C. De-rate the chart by 20 % and check if load is still within limits
D. Increase hoist speed to minimize wind exposure time
, 2
ANSWER: C
Q003: During pre-start inspection, the operator finds the hoist brake holding torque
is 85 % of OEM specification. The crane has been idle for 18 hours. Which
regulation applies?
Options:
A. OSHA 1926.1433(f)(1) – brake torque must equal 100 % rated load
B. ASME B30.3-2026 allows 75 % minimum after idle periods
C. No action required until torque falls below 70 %
D. Adjust brake only if load slips during first lift
ANSWER: A
Q004: A two-block warning system activates while telescoping the jib out under
load. The load is 6 t at 28 m radius. The operator’s immediate response should be:
Options:
A. Boom down slowly to clear limit switch
B. Hoist up slowly to reset the switch
C. Stop all functions and assess rigging height vs. jib tip
D. Bypass the limit and finish the lift
ANSWER: C
Q005: The tower crane is fitted with an anemometer reading 18 m/s at 80 m height.
The load chart wind limit is 14 m/s. The jobsite superintendent orders the lift to
continue. Which action is correct?
Options:
A. Obey the superintendent and make the lift quickly
B. Record the order in the log and proceed
C. Refuse the lift and reference OSHA 1926.1435(b)(4)
D. Reduce load by 15 % and proceed
, 3
ANSWER: C
Q006: A tower crane operator is using a 4-part line reeving system. The hoist drum
shows two visible wire breaks per lay. ASME B30.3 specifies:
Options:
A. Remove 1 part and continue with 3-part reeving
B. Replace the entire rope before further service
C. Monitor weekly and log breaks
D. Apply grease to suppress further breaks
ANSWER: B
Q007: While climbing the tower, the operator notices the hydraulic climbing
cylinder pressure gauge fluctuates ±10 bar above normal. The most probable cause
is:
Options:
A. Normal pressure modulation
B. Internal cylinder bypass or seal wear
C. Atmospheric pressure change
D. Over-greased cylinder rods
ANSWER: B
Q008: The operator must lift a 7 t precast panel with certified 10 t slings. The sling
angle from vertical is 30°. What is the actual tension in each sling leg?
Options:
A. 3.5 t
B. 4.0 t
C. 4.5 t
D. 5.0 t
, 4
ANSWER: B
Q009: During a night lift, one of the tower aviation obstruction lights is out. The
operator has confirmed the load is within chart limits. Which action is required?
Options:
A. Complete the lift and replace the bulb in the morning
B. Notify tower maintenance but proceed with lift
C. Stop crane operations until light is repaired per FAA AC 70/7460-1
D. Reduce hoist speed by 50 %
ANSWER: C
Q010: A tower crane load moment indicator (LMI) displays 85 % capacity while
swinging. The operator notes the radius has decreased from 40 m to 38 m due to
load drift. The correct action is:
Options:
A. Continue swing; capacity margin has increased
B. Stop and re-evaluate radius and load chart
C. Hoist up to decrease moment
D. Boom down to increase radius
ANSWER: B
Q011: A new operator is certified but has never run this specific model. The
employer must provide:
Options:
A. A 15-minute walk-through of cab controls
B. Model-specific training and documentation per OSHA 1926.1427(f)
C. A copy of the load chart only
D. Supervision for the first lift only
NCCCO Tower Crane Operator
Certification Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Pass Guarantee
Q001: A tower crane operator is setting up a new freestanding tower on a 1.5 m
thick concrete foundation. The engineer’s drawing specifies 12 mm anchor bolts
torqued to 1,200 N·m. After initial tightening, the operator notices one bolt
protrudes 5 mm higher than the others. Which action is required?
Options:
A. Accept the variance as within tolerance
B. Re-torque all bolts to 1,400 N·m to equalize stretch
C. Replace the anchor bolt and re-torque to specification
D. Back the high bolt out ½ turn and retorque
ANSWER: C
Q002: Using the manufacturer load chart, the operator must lift a 9,500 kg load at a
35 m radius. The chart indicates 10,200 kg allowable for this radius on the 45 m
jib. Wind is 12 m/s gusting to 16 m/s. What is the next required step?
Options:
A. Proceed with the lift at 90 % chart capacity
B. Reduce radius to 30 m to increase capacity margin
C. De-rate the chart by 20 % and check if load is still within limits
D. Increase hoist speed to minimize wind exposure time
, 2
ANSWER: C
Q003: During pre-start inspection, the operator finds the hoist brake holding torque
is 85 % of OEM specification. The crane has been idle for 18 hours. Which
regulation applies?
Options:
A. OSHA 1926.1433(f)(1) – brake torque must equal 100 % rated load
B. ASME B30.3-2026 allows 75 % minimum after idle periods
C. No action required until torque falls below 70 %
D. Adjust brake only if load slips during first lift
ANSWER: A
Q004: A two-block warning system activates while telescoping the jib out under
load. The load is 6 t at 28 m radius. The operator’s immediate response should be:
Options:
A. Boom down slowly to clear limit switch
B. Hoist up slowly to reset the switch
C. Stop all functions and assess rigging height vs. jib tip
D. Bypass the limit and finish the lift
ANSWER: C
Q005: The tower crane is fitted with an anemometer reading 18 m/s at 80 m height.
The load chart wind limit is 14 m/s. The jobsite superintendent orders the lift to
continue. Which action is correct?
Options:
A. Obey the superintendent and make the lift quickly
B. Record the order in the log and proceed
C. Refuse the lift and reference OSHA 1926.1435(b)(4)
D. Reduce load by 15 % and proceed
, 3
ANSWER: C
Q006: A tower crane operator is using a 4-part line reeving system. The hoist drum
shows two visible wire breaks per lay. ASME B30.3 specifies:
Options:
A. Remove 1 part and continue with 3-part reeving
B. Replace the entire rope before further service
C. Monitor weekly and log breaks
D. Apply grease to suppress further breaks
ANSWER: B
Q007: While climbing the tower, the operator notices the hydraulic climbing
cylinder pressure gauge fluctuates ±10 bar above normal. The most probable cause
is:
Options:
A. Normal pressure modulation
B. Internal cylinder bypass or seal wear
C. Atmospheric pressure change
D. Over-greased cylinder rods
ANSWER: B
Q008: The operator must lift a 7 t precast panel with certified 10 t slings. The sling
angle from vertical is 30°. What is the actual tension in each sling leg?
Options:
A. 3.5 t
B. 4.0 t
C. 4.5 t
D. 5.0 t
, 4
ANSWER: B
Q009: During a night lift, one of the tower aviation obstruction lights is out. The
operator has confirmed the load is within chart limits. Which action is required?
Options:
A. Complete the lift and replace the bulb in the morning
B. Notify tower maintenance but proceed with lift
C. Stop crane operations until light is repaired per FAA AC 70/7460-1
D. Reduce hoist speed by 50 %
ANSWER: C
Q010: A tower crane load moment indicator (LMI) displays 85 % capacity while
swinging. The operator notes the radius has decreased from 40 m to 38 m due to
load drift. The correct action is:
Options:
A. Continue swing; capacity margin has increased
B. Stop and re-evaluate radius and load chart
C. Hoist up to decrease moment
D. Boom down to increase radius
ANSWER: B
Q011: A new operator is certified but has never run this specific model. The
employer must provide:
Options:
A. A 15-minute walk-through of cab controls
B. Model-specific training and documentation per OSHA 1926.1427(f)
C. A copy of the load chart only
D. Supervision for the first lift only
