Why the New A/D Director Certification Matters for Safety, Consistency, and Career Growth

Crane safety begins long before the first lift. It starts during assembly and disassembly, when planning, sequencing, site logistics, crew coordination, and execution all have to come together. This phase carries major responsibility, but for years the A/D Director role has lived in a gray area on many jobsites. That is exactly why CCO Certification’s new Assembly/Disassembly Director Certification matters. It creates a clearer, nationally recognized standard for one of the most safety-critical roles on a project.

Since the program’s launch in January 2026, more than 60 certifications have already been granted across Mobile and Tower A/D Director designations, a clear sign that the industry is motivated to put greater emphasis on a role that has long needed a stronger definition.

What the A/D Director Certification Establishes

To earn either the Mobile or Tower A/D Director certification, candidates must be at least 18 years old, comply with CCO Certification’s Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics, and pass the written exam for the applicable designation.  Each written exam includes 45 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it. Once passed, the certification is valid for five years.

The program was developed to establish a clear and nationally recognized standard for planning and overseeing crane assembly and disassembly, an area recognized as one of the highest-risk scopes on a project. It also gives employers a more consistent and defensible benchmark when designating A/D Directors and strengthening overall jobsite safety.

A Field Perspective on Why This Matters

Kellen Evangelista understands responsibility from the ground up. He started in construction in 2002, began operating cranes in 2009, and has been CCO Certified since 2014. Today, he works in heavy civil construction in Washington State, where large projects and complex crane activity are part of daily operations.

Kellen pursued the A/D Director Certification as soon as it launched because it was the first nationally accredited certification available. For him, the certification represented both a personal milestone and a practical step forward. “I wanted to get ahead of it,” he said, “so the day it became available, I signed up.” That mindset reflects exactly what this certification is designed to support: professionals who want to deepen their qualifications and employers who want stronger standards in place.

The Role of A/D Directors on Real Jobsites

According to Kellen, “Before a crane even shows up, the A/D Director needs to read the book, make sure they have plans for everything for assembling that crane, and make sure they have all their safety protocols in place.” In his view, that responsibility reaches all the way down to trucking, traffic control, crew size, sequencing, and selecting the right assist crane.

Though planning is only one part of the job, the execution is critical. “I could plan for days on everything, but if it’s not executed correctly, it can be a problem,” Kellen explained. On active construction sites with limited space and demanding schedules, assembly and disassembly can turn chaotic quickly when details are overlooked.  For Kellen, that accountability is personal. “In the end, I’m the one putting my stamp on that, saying that this crane is safe to run,” he emphasized. “I want to make sure I can sleep well at night knowing that that crane is safe.”  Comments like Kellen’s, capture why the A/D Director role deserves clear standards and why certification carries real value in the field.

Projects already rely on certified operators and qualified riggers, and signalpersons to support safe operations. A/D Directors should be held to the same standard, and CCO Certification helps organizations identify personnel who have met a nationally recognized benchmark instead of relying on informal training or site-by-site assumptions. CCO is proud to offer the only accredited certification in the country for Assembly / Disassembly director.  For more information on becoming certified, go to: https://ccocert.org/en/certifications/assembly-disassembly-director/