The three pieces
For mobile cranes, candidates pass a core written exam, a specialty written exam for the crane type, and a practical exam on that type of crane. Tower crane candidates have their own written exam and practical. Rigger Level I and signalperson are separate credentials with their own tests.
Written and practical must both be passed within 12 months. A course completion slip is not the card. You can finish class, fail an exam, and still need to retest. We do not promise a pass.
Which course matches which exam
- Mobile Crane Operations Fixed/Swing Cab 120 Hours and the 40-hour version prepare you for telescopic fixed cab and swing cab.
- Lattice crane course compares the 40-hour and 20-hour lattice options.
- Tower Crane Operations 40 Hours and the 20-hour tower course prepare you for tower crane exams.
- Rigger/Signal Person Certification Level I 28 Hours prepares you for Rigger Level I and signalperson. The 4-hour qualification is a Miller Crane Works qualification, not an NCCCO card.
Practical exam layouts are described on the mobile, lattice and tower practical pages.
State and city licenses
Some states and cities add a license on top of NCCCO. New York City licenses hoisting machine operators. Massachusetts has a hoisting license. California and Washington have their own crane rules. We do not issue those licenses. If your job needs one, apply to that agency. Our courses cover the NCCCO exams for the crane types above.
Federal construction rules in 29 CFR 1926.1427 require certification for the type of crane you run. Employers still decide which designation they will accept. Ask them before you pick a week.
Who can test
NCCCO candidates must be 18 or older, meet its physical requirements and follow its substance abuse policy. Bring a photo ID to class.
The old address /nccco-certification points here.