Special Rigger License A DOB license authorizing a person to hoist or lower loads up to 2,000 pounds on the exterior of a building, relevant to scaffold and canopy installation over a sidewalk.
Earning this license requires passing a DOB exam, completing approved 16-hour and 32-hour training courses, and documented experience supervising suspended scaffold work, with renewal required periodically through refresher courses. For sidewalk-adjacent projects, a Special Rigger's supervision is what makes a suspended scaffold or sidewalk shed installation legal — heavier loads instead require a Master Rigger. Property owners hiring for canopy or scaffold work should confirm the crew includes a properly licensed rigger, since this is distinct from the DOT and HIC credentials that cover the concrete work itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Special Rigger License
What is a Special Rigger License?
A DOB license authorizing a person to hoist or lower loads up to 2,000 pounds on the exterior of a building, relevant to scaffold and canopy installation over a sidewalk.
How is it obtained?
By passing a DOB exam, completing approved training courses, and documenting supervised experience, with periodic renewal through refresher courses.
When is a Master Rigger required instead?
For loads heavier than the Special Rigger limit.
Does a concrete crew need one?
No. It applies to suspended scaffold and hoisting work, not to the sidewalk concrete work itself, which is covered by DOT registration and other credentials.