A/D DIRECTOR
Assembly / Disassembly Director — NCCCO Certification Prep
Full study guide, the top-10 things to know, standard-specific quizzes, a basic-knowledge quiz, and an advanced scenario quiz — all built around OSHA 1926.1404 and the standards that govern the NCCCO A/D Director certification.
Study Guide
What the A/D Director Certification Is
The NCCCO Assembly/Disassembly (A/D) Director certification was created in direct response to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1404 within Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction). It validates that a candidate possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to plan and direct the assembly and disassembly of cranes — one of the highest-risk activities on any crane jobsite. The credential aligns with ASME B30 and OSHA requirements and applies to both mobile and tower crane A/D operations.
Who Qualifies as an A/D Director
Per OSHA 1926.1404(a)(1), assembly/disassembly must be directed by a person who meets the criteria for BOTH a competent person AND a qualified person — OR by a competent person who is assisted by one or more qualified persons. Where A/D is performed by only one person, that person must meet both sets of criteria and is considered the A/D director (1926.1404(a)(2)). A general 'competent person' designation alone is NOT sufficient.
Governing Standards You Must Know
The A/D Director exam draws from a small, well-defined set of standards: OSHA 1926.1404 (A/D general requirements — the centerpiece), OSHA 1926.1402 (ground conditions), OSHA 1926.1403 (A/D procedures), OSHA 1926.1412 (inspections, including post-assembly), OSHA 1926.1413 (wire rope), OSHA 1926.1417 (operations, including 1417(o) A/D operation), OSHA 1926.1427 (operator certification), OSHA 1926.1434 (equipment modifications), and ASME B30.5 (mobile and locomotive cranes). Know which section governs which requirement — the exam tests that mapping heavily.
Core Responsibilities of the A/D Director
The A/D director must (1) understand the applicable A/D procedures (1404(b)), (2) review them immediately prior to commencement unless they have applied them to the same type and configuration before (1404(c)), (3) ensure the crew understands their tasks, hazards, and hazardous positions before work and whenever new tasks or personnel are added (1404(d)), (4) protect crew members who move out of the operator's view (1404(e)), and (5) ensure no employees are under the boom/jib during pin removal except under the documented site-constraint exception (1404(f)).
The Twelve Hazard Areas (1926.1404(h))
The A/D director must address twelve specific hazards: (1) site and ground bearing conditions, (2) blocking material, (3) proper location of blocking, (4) verifying assist crane loads, (5) boom and jib pick points, (6) center of gravity, (7) stability upon pin removal, (8) snagging of ropes/pendants, (9) struck by counterweights, (10) boom hoist brake failure, (11) loss of backward stability, and (12) wind speed and weather. These twelve are the single most-tested portion of the exam.
Post-Assembly Inspection & Component Weight
After assembly the equipment must be inspected to ensure it complies with the manufacturer's component selection and configuration (1926.1404(m)(2) and 1926.1412(c)). The weight of each component must be readily available (1926.1404(k)), and manufacturer limitations on cantilevered boom sections must not be exceeded (1926.1404(j)). Reusable shipping pins must be removed and stowed so they do not present a falling-object hazard (1926.1404(o)).
Exam Structure & How to Prepare
The A/D Director is a single written exam covering both mobile and tower crane A/D. A passing score is 70%. The most effective prep combines: reading OSHA 1926.1404 in full (the actual regulatory text, not just summaries), working through the twelve hazard areas, practicing component-weight and assist-crane-load calculations, and taking scenario-based quizzes like the ones below. Candidates who skip the 1404 regulatory text itself consistently miss the procedure-review and crew-instruction questions.
Top 10 Things to Know Before the Exam
A/D Director Must Be BOTH Competent & Qualified
Per 1926.1404(a)(1), A/D must be directed by a person meeting the criteria for both a competent person and a qualified person — or a competent person assisted by qualified persons. A bare 'competent person' designation is not enough.
1926.1404(a)(1)Procedures Must Be Reviewed Immediately Prior
The A/D director must review applicable A/D procedures immediately before starting — unless they understand them and have applied them to the same type and configuration of equipment before (1404(c)).
1926.1404(c)Crew Instructions Are Mandatory Before & When Adding Personnel
Before commencing, crew must understand their tasks, the hazards, and the hazardous positions to avoid. The same briefing is required whenever a crew member takes a new task or new personnel are added mid-operation (1404(d)).
1926.1404(d)Crew Out of View Must Inform the Operator
Before going to a location out of the operator's view (in/on/under the equipment), the crew member must inform the operator; the operator must not move anything until told via a pre-arranged system that the crew member is safe (1404(e)).
1926.1404(e)No Employees Under the Boom During Pin Removal
Employees must not be under the boom, jib, or other components when pins are removed, except where the employer demonstrates site constraints require it and procedures minimize risk, duration, and exposure (1404(f)).
1926.1404(f)Rated Capacity Limits Cannot Be Exceeded During A/D
Through every phase of A/D, rated capacity limits on the equipment, components, rigging, lifting lugs, and accessories must not be exceeded (1404(g)).
1926.1404(g)Address All Twelve Specific Hazards (1404(h))
Ground/blocking, assist crane loads, pick points, center of gravity, stability on pin removal, snagging, counterweights, boom hoist brake failure, backward stability, and wind — all twelve must be addressed.
1926.1404(h)Component Weight Must Be Readily Available
The weight of each component must be readily available so loads can be planned and capacity verified (1404(k)).
1926.1404(k)Post-Assembly Inspection Is Required
After assembly, the equipment must be inspected to ensure compliance with manufacturer component selection/configuration per 1404(m)(2) and 1926.1412(c).
1926.1404(m)(2)Outriggers Fully Extended or Per Load Chart
When used, outriggers/stabilizers must be fully extended or deployed as the load chart/manufacturer permits, on a firm foundation (1404(q)).
1926.1404(q)Quizzes
Start with the standard-specific 20-question quizzes, then test your overall command with the 30-question basic and advanced quizzes. Every missed question links you straight to the governing standard.
OSHA 1926.1404 — A/D General Requirements
The centerpiece standard — supervision, crew, hazards, and procedures.
OSHA 1926.1402 & 1403 — Ground Conditions & A/D Procedures
The foundation: what the equipment sits on and which procedures you must follow.
OSHA 1926.1412 & 1417 — Inspections & Operations
Post-assembly inspection, deficiencies, and the operation rules that govern A/D.
ASME B30.5 — Mobile & Locomotive Cranes
The industry consensus standard the A/D Director exam draws from heavily.
A/D Director — Basic Knowledge (30 Questions)
Broad fundamentals every candidate must know before the exam.
A/D Director — Advanced (30 Questions)
Scenario-driven application of the standards for exam-ready candidates.
Final Certification Exam (60 Questions)
Cumulative, timed, and written to NCCCO difficulty. Sixty scenario-driven questions drawn across every A/D Director topic — built to reward careful reading and trip up common traps. 60-minute timer, exam mode (no hints), 70% to pass.
Mock Practice Exam (45 Questions)
A second timed A/D Director practice exam — 45 questions drawn from OSHA 1926.1404 and the assembly/disassembly standards. 60-minute timer, exam mode (no hints), 70% to pass. Use it as a dress rehearsal alongside the 60-question final.
Tip: Each quiz's end-of-quiz report lists the exact OSHA or ASME section behind every missed question, with a direct link so you can confirm the correct answer against the source text.