Crane operators in California must be certified by June 1, 2005, as required by 8 California Code of Regulations §5006.1. The California Occupational and Health Safety Standards Board declined to extend the certification deadline at its February 17, 2005, meeting.

The regulations require certification of fixed and mobile crane operators. However, there are exemptions from the certification requirements:

		Operators of mobile cranes with a boom length of less than 25 feet or with a maximum rated load capacity of less than 15,000 pounds.
		Operators of cranes in marine terminals and on trucks that service electric lines.

Certification consists of a physical examination, a substance abuse test, and written and practical examinations. The written examination covers crane operational characteristics and controls, emergency control skills, basic arithmetic skills necessary for crane operation, and applicable chapters of standards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Certification is available through an accredited certifying entity. The state will not issue separate licenses. The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and offers certification to California crane operators. The NCCCO written examination consists of a 90-question Core Exam and four 26-question Specialty Exams. All questions are multiple-choice. Study materials for the written examination are available on the NCCCO Web site at www.nccco.org/. The written examination costs between $165 and $195, depending on how many specialty exams the applicant takes.

The practical examination consists of four tasks, each of which should be completed within optimum times. The four tasks are placing the overhead ball in the stop circle, following hand signals, placing the ball in barrels, and negotiating a zigzag corridor both backward and forward. Optimum times vary according to the type of crane on which the applicant is being tested and are available on the NCCCO Web site. The practical exam may be taken on one of three crane types: a lattice boom crane, a small telescopic crane (less than 17.5 tons) and a large telescopic crane (more than 17.5 tons). It costs $60 to be tested on one crane type; $70 to be tested on two crane types; and $80 to be tested on three crane types.

Local 12 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, based in the San Diego area, offers certification tests to its members.

Certification is good for five years. After five years, the operator must be re-certified. The practical examination need not be repeated if the operator has at least 1,000 hours of experience operating the specific type of crane for which re-certification is sought. The operator must, however, re-take and pass the physical exam, substance abuse test and written examination to be re-certified.

To schedule an exam and for more information, contact NCCCO at 703-560-2391 or at www.nccco.org/.

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