CCO has moved its written exams away from paper and onto a single computer platform delivered in three ways. The exam content doesn't change between them. What changes is where you sit, who watches, and what you need to bring.
Why paper is going away
For years, many crane candidates took their written exams with a pencil and an answer sheet at a training site, then waited for results by mail. CCO has been replacing that with computer delivery. Paper and pencil testing is no longer a standard option; CCO approves it only as an exception, when site conditions rule out every computer-based method.
For candidates, the practical effects are faster scheduling and results, and a choice of where to test.
The three options side by side
| Option | Where you test | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| OPT: Online Proctored Testing | Your own computer, in a private room, watched by a remote proctor through your webcam | People with a reliable laptop or desktop, good internet and a quiet room with a door |
| TCT: Test Center Testing | A computer at a dedicated testing center | People who want a controlled room, or who need a testing accommodation |
| EOT: Event Online Testing | A computer at an authorized test site, scheduled with that site's test site coordinator | Groups testing together, such as a class or a company crew |
CCO lists the same fees for all three, and you can switch between them without an added charge, subject to its cancellation rules.
What online proctoring asks of you
OPT is the most flexible option and the one with the most ways to go wrong. You need a computer that meets CCO's technical requirements with a working webcam and microphone. CCO's secure browser asks you to share your screen. Before the exam starts, the proctor checks your room, so you need a mirror or phone handy to show your workspace, then you put it out of reach.
The room has to be private with the door closed, with no books, papers or extra devices in it. A truck cab, a break room or a kitchen table in a busy house won't work. A small whiteboard is allowed for scratch work. CCO says OPT exams can be scheduled on short notice, which helps if a course ends and you want to test right away.
Event testing for a class or a crew
EOT puts candidates in front of computers at an authorized site on a set date. You apply in myCCO at least two business days ahead, then coordinate the appointment with the site's test site coordinator. Employers often like it because a crew can test together, and nobody has to set up a home room for proctoring.
How to pick
- Strong internet and a private room at home: OPT is usually the quickest.
- Shared housing, unreliable internet or a lot of test anxiety: a test center (TCT) removes variables.
- Need an accommodation: plan on TCT, and send documentation well ahead.
- Testing with classmates or coworkers: ask about EOT.
Whichever you choose, take CCO's online demo first so the on-screen load charts and calculator feel familiar. And remember the written exam is only half of certification: NCCCO also requires the practical exam, passed within 12 months of the written.
Where our training fits
Our job is to get you ready for the material; CCO handles the delivery and scoring. Our classroom work centers on what the written exams test, and our Seagoville yard is an NCCCO practical exam site. For lattice boom candidates, Mobile Crane Operations Lattice 40 Hours covers both written and practical preparation, and the lattice practical exam page explains the test in our yard. Riggers and signal persons can prepare through Rigger/Signal Person Certification Level I 28 Hours.
Questions about CCO testing formats
Is the exam content different between OPT, TCT and EOT?
No. CCO uses the same exam platform for all three, and supplements such as load charts and a calculator appear on screen when an exam needs them.
Can I still take a CCO written exam on paper?
Only in rare cases. CCO phased out paper and pencil testing as a standard option and now approves it only when no other testing method is possible.
Can I take the online proctored exam in my truck?
No. CCO requires a private, well-lit room with a closed door and no materials or extra devices in it.
