Lift Director
Program Overview
The CCO Lift Director certification is a nationally recognized and internationally accredited program for professionals who direct and oversee lifts. Specialty certifications are available for each: A/D Director Mobile (ADM) and A/D Director Tower (ADT).
Who Is a Lift Director?
Within the confines of the responsibilities outlined in ASME B30 and in accordance with OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, a Lift Director oversees the work being performed by a crane and associated rigging crew and has demonstrated competence in areas that include pre-lift planning, preparation, and coordination for crane operations; coordinating communications among relevant personnel; attending to aspects of safety associated with the crane(s), equipment, load, and environmental conditions, and addressing hazards where they exist; ensuring that personnel involved in crane operations understand their responsibilities, assigned duties, and the associated hazards; informing crane operators of the weight of loads to be lifted, as well as the lifting, moving, and placing locations for these loads; and ensuring proper rigging and balancing of loads.
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Standard
ASME B30.3 · ASME B30.5 · ASME B30.9 · ASME B30.10 · ASME B30.20 · ASME B30.26 · ASME B30.29
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Exam Format
Written
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Validity
5 Years
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Accredited by
ANAB
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The Path to Certification
Follow these four steps to earn your CCO Lift Director certification.
01 Confirm Eligibility
Be at least 18 years old and comply with CCO’s Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics.
02 Apply Online
Submit your application and pay the exam fees through the myCCO portal.
03 Take the Written Exam
Take and pass the written exam. Choose from online proctored, event-based, or test-center testing.
04 Take the Practical Exam
Schedule with a CCO Practical Proctor to complete and pass the hands-on exam at an approved site.
Lift Director Specialties
LDM
Lift Director Mobile Crane
LDT
Lift Director Tower Crane
Certification Exam Options
Use this table to determine which exams you need for the certification you’re seeking.
| If You Are Seeking Certification For: | Take The Corresponding Written Exams: |
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| Lift Director—Mobile Cranes |
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| Lift Director—Tower Cranes |
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| Lift Director—Mobile Cranes AND Lift Director—Tower Cranes |
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Written Exam Content
Written
Written Exam Content
Exam Format
Core Written Examination: Calculator permitted • Tests knowledge and skills related to lift planning and oversight for mobile and tower crane operations.
Knowledge Areas
- Roles, Responsibilities & Qualifications (22%) – Lift director responsibilities, pre-lift meetings, lift planning, personnel roles, qualifications, and coordination with crane crews and site personnel.
- Rigging (29%) – Rigging inspections, standards and regulations, safe rigging practices, equipment selection, load calculations, center of gravity, and lifting requirements.
- Signals (16%) – Hand signals, voice signals, non-standard signals, signaling requirements, crane dynamics, load paths, and safe load movement.
- Site Safety (33%) – Power line hazards, communication tower hazards, critical lifts, personnel lifts, multi-crane lifts, and site-specific safety considerations.
Exam Format
Core Written Examination: Calculator permitted • Tests knowledge and skills related to lift planning and oversight for mobile and tower crane operations.
Knowledge Areas
- Roles, Responsibilities & Qualifications (22%) – Lift director responsibilities, pre-lift meetings, lift planning, personnel roles, qualifications, and coordination with crane crews and site personnel.
- Rigging (29%) – Rigging inspections, standards and regulations, safe rigging practices, equipment selection, load calculations, center of gravity, and lifting requirements.
- Signals (16%) – Hand signals, voice signals, non-standard signals, signaling requirements, crane dynamics, load paths, and safe load movement.
- Site Safety (33%) – Power line hazards, communication tower hazards, critical lifts, personnel lifts, multi-crane lifts, and site-specific safety considerations.
Exam Format
Core Written Examination: Calculator permitted • Tests knowledge and skills related to lift planning and oversight for mobile and tower crane operations.
Knowledge Areas
- Roles, Responsibilities & Qualifications (22%) – Lift director responsibilities, pre-lift meetings, lift planning, personnel roles, qualifications, and coordination with crane crews and site personnel.
- Rigging (29%) – Rigging inspections, standards and regulations, safe rigging practices, equipment selection, load calculations, center of gravity, and lifting requirements.
- Signals (16%) – Hand signals, voice signals, non-standard signals, signaling requirements, crane dynamics, load paths, and safe load movement.
- Site Safety (33%) – Power line hazards, communication tower hazards, critical lifts, personnel lifts, multi-crane lifts, and site-specific safety considerations.
What It Costs to Certify
Written Exam
Per written exam, across any modality (OPT, EOT, or TCT).
$160
Fees are paid through the myCCO portal at the time of application.
Prepare to Succeed
Candidate Handbook
Get the official Lift Director candidate handbook which contains the exam outline, program overview, reference list, and policies.
Download Handbook →
Training Providers
Find an Accredited Training Provider (ATP) or other providers near you offering Lift Director program training.
Find a Provider →
Exam Reference Materials
See the reference materials used by Subject Matter Experts to develop exam content for this program.View Reference Materials →
Exam Prep Materials
Purchase ASME standards to help you prepare for the exam through the CCO Store.
Visit CCO Store →
Ready to Get Certified?
Apply for your Articulating Crane Operator exam through the myCCO portal today.