Rigger License

NYC Admin. Code tit. 28, ch. 4, art. 404

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.1 Rigger license required.

§ 28-404.1 Rigger license required. It shall be unlawful to hoist or lower any suspended article, including but not limited to suspended scaffolds, on the outside of any building unless such work is performed by or under the direct and continuing supervision of a person licensed as a rigger under the provisions of this article. The provisions of this article shall also apply to the erection or dismantling of a tower crane. Exceptions: The provisions of this article shall not apply to: 1. The hoisting or lowering of signs if the person so doing possesses a license as a sign hanger, as provided in this chapter; 2. The loading or unloading of a material delivery truck if the material loaded or unloaded is not raised more than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the bed of the truck during the loading or unloading process; 3. The hoisting or lowering of suspended articles on the outside of a building where chapter 33 of the New York city building code authorizes such articles to be hoisted or lowered by or under the supervision of a qualified and/or competent person; or 4. The assembly or disassembly of a self-erecting tower crane, provided such operation is supervised by an assembly/disassembly director in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.2 Classification.

§ 28-404.2 Classification. Rigger licenses shall be classified as follows: 1. Master rigger license. Authorizes the holder thereof to install or use a suspended scaffold, or to hoist or lower any suspended article, irrespective of weight, on the outside of any building. 2. Special rigger license. Authorizes the holder thereof to: 2.1 Install or use a suspended scaffold; and 2.2 Hoist or lower any suspended article not exceeding 2,000 pounds (907 kg) in weight on the outside of any building with hoisting equipment, provided the manufacturer rated capacity of such hoisting equipment does not exceed 2,000 pounds (907 kg). 3. Tower crane rigger license. Authorizes the holder thereof to assemble, jump or disassemble a tower crane, or to supervise such work, and to install or use a derrick(s) in conjunction with such work and supervise such installation or use of the derrick. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.3 Qualifications.

§ 28-404.3 Qualifications. All applicants for a rigger license shall submit satisfactory proof establishing that the applicant meets the qualifications, as set forth below, for the type of license sought. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.3.1 Master rigger license qualifications.

§ 28-404.3.1 Master rigger license qualifications. All applicants for a master rigger license shall submit satisfactory proof establishing that the applicant: 1. Possesses valid certifications for both rigging supervision and lift direction. The certifications must be acceptable to the commissioner and be issued by a rigging supervision and lift direction certification program that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The certifications shall cover areas including, but not limited to, the inspection and use of rigging hardware, rigging techniques, signaling, hazards associated with rigging, and calculations and problem solving with respect to rigging; 2. Has, within the one (1) year prior to application, satisfactorily completed a department-approved training course for lift directing that is at least 32 hours in length and in accordance with the requirements of section 28-424.3 of this code; 3. Has, within the one (1) year prior to application, satisfactorily completed a department-approved training course for rigging supervision that is at least 32 hours in length and in accordance with the requirements of section 3316.9.2 of the New York city building code; and 4. Meets one of the following experience criteria: 4.1. Has at least five (5) years of experience, within the seven (7) years prior to application, working as a designated master rigging foreman in the city of New York under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed master rigger; 4.2. Is a licensed professional engineer and, within the five (5) years prior to application, has developed and provided onsite verification of the critical pick plan in accordance with section 3316.9.1 of the New York city building code for at least twenty-five (25) separate New York city certificates of on-site inspections; or 4.3. Has at least five (5) years of experience, within the seven (7) years prior to application, working as a licensed lift director in the city of New York. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.3.2 Special rigger license qualifications.

§ 28-404.3.2 Special rigger license qualifications. All applicants for a special rigger license shall submit satisfactory proof establishing that the applicant: 1. Has, within the one (1) year prior to application, satisfactorily completed a department-approved training course for special riggers that is at least 16 hours in length; 2. Has, within the one (1) year prior to application, satisfactorily completed a department-approved training course for suspended scaffold supervision that is at least 32 hours in length and in accordance with the requirements of section 3314.4.5.3 of the New York city building code; and 3. Meets one of the following experience criteria: 3.1. Has at least two (2) years of experience, within the three (3) years prior to application, working as a designated special rigging foreman in the city of New York under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed special rigger; or 3.2. Has at least three (3) years of experience, within the five (5) years prior to application, supervising the installation or use of suspended scaffolds in the city of New York in accordance with section 3314.4 of the New York city building code. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.3.3 Tower crane rigger license qualifications.

§ 28-404.3.3 Tower crane rigger license qualifications. All applicants for a tower crane rigger license shall submit satisfactory proof establishing that the applicant: 1. Has, within the one (1) year prior to application, satisfactorily completed a department-approved training course for tower crane rigging that is at least 30 hours in length and in accordance with the requirements of section 3319.10.1 of the New York city building code; and 2. Has at least five (5) years of practical experience in the tower crane rigging business in the city of New York within the seven (7) years prior to application. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.4 Additional requirements.

§ 28-404.4 Additional requirements. The additional requirements set forth in sections 28-404.4.1 through 28-404.4.3 shall apply to licensed riggers:

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.4.1 Danger warning.

§ 28-404.4.1 Danger warning. Every licensed rigger shall, while rigging operations are in progress at a job site, place, conspicuously, at such job site two plates or signs not less than 18 inches (457 mm) by 24 inches (610 mm) in size (i) displaying the word "danger" in letters not less than 6 inches (152 mm) high, and (ii) disclosing the rigger's name, business address, type of rigger license and license number. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.4.2 Rigger place of business.

§ 28-404.4.2 Rigger place of business. Every licensed master and special rigger shall have a place of business located within the city and shall display prominently at such place of business a plate or sign marked with the words "master rigger" or "special rigger," respectively, and his or her license number immediately thereunder. A master, special and tower rigger shall be a sole proprietor, a partner in the partnership or an officer of the corporation and shall be allowed to associate his or her license with only one other rigger business. Such businesses shall be located at the same place of business. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

NYC Admin. Code § 28-404.4.3 Fitness to perform work.

§ 28-404.4.3. Fitness to perform work. As a condition of license renewal, a licensed master or special rigger shall provide evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she is fit to perform the work. (Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-159554Fetched: 10/24/2026