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The path to a rewarding career as a crane operator resides with certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). But by taking the time to prepare for the NCCCO, you can be equipped to meet that challenge and achieve either first-time NCCCO certification or recertification.
Regulations, set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), state that any individual seeking to operate a crane that weighs 2,000 pounds or more must first be certified by an accredited crane operator testing organization, or qualified through an audited employer program.
For most, this means testing through the NCCCO to achieve certification. But you need not go it alone in lining up the required tests and preparing for the exam. Performance Training Solutions has a variety of tools available to help you prepare for the NCCCO prior to the accreditation exam. Whether you are new to crane operation as a career, or a veteran of the field looking to brush up prior to recertification, PTS has the solutions to get you where you want to go.
Whether It’s Your First Try, or Re-try, Prepare for the NCCCO
If you’re seeking NCCCO Crane Certification for the first time, you should be aware of the specifics of the exam. Maybe you’ve already had some on-the-job training, or even taken part in crane operator training. This will give you some baseline experience and knowledge to use for a comprehensive exam that will consist of both practical (in the equipment) and written portions.
The written crane certification test will feature a Core section that will ask you to display general knowledge about crane operations. Also included will be up to four crane specialty (load chart) examinations. To complete certification, you will need to pass both the Core section and at least one specialty component. The written test will have 90 multiple-choice questions regarding the Core component, and 26 multiple-choice questions for each specialty section selection. For example, if you wanted to test for two of the four allowed specialties, then you would need to answer 90 core questions and 52 additional specialty questions.
In the practical section, operators will be asked to show their proficiency in Telescopic Boom Cranes — in either a Swing Cab (TLL) or Fixed Cab (TSS) set up. In this part of the exam, operators will need to complete six tasks that progressively increase in the skill needed to finish them, including equipment inspection, hoisting, booming, swinging, following hand signals, and combination (or multifunctional) operations. You will be asked to operate the crane both with and without, load.
Meanwhile, if you’re seeking NCCCO Crane Recertification, then you’ll already be familiar with the layout and scope of the exam — and have obviously passed it at least once before. However, certification is only valid for five years, and when seeking to extend that certification candidates must complete all of their requirements (including the exam) in the 12-month window prior to the certification expiration date.
Certification is a necessary and important part of being a crane operator. It’s a clear sign to potential or current employers that you have the third-party verified knowledge and expertise to operate a piece of expensive, powerful, and complex equipment. It’s proof you have the training needed to execute the tasks asked of you and will mitigate the potential risk that comes with any job site. Certification is the key to unlocking expanded job opportunities; it should be approached with the seriousness and dedication of any job.
With that in mind, finding a way to prepare for the NCCCO prior to, or heading into, the exam should be a priority.
PTS Has the Programs to Get You Prepared
Whether you’re starting fresh, or need a quick gauge of where your knowledge is at, Performance Training Solutions can help you determine the level of expertise you need, and then provide the training to meet and exceed it.
Should you go ahead and arrange a certification exam as soon as possible, or is more baseline training required first? Get the answer you need with our Crane Pre-Certification Quiz. The trained instructors at PTS will score the quiz, quickly return the results to you, and those who score 70% or higher will be sent NCCCO Candidate Application Written Exam forms and a payment authorization form for entry into the PTS Prep & Test program — a fast-track toward recertification.
The Prep & Test program is ideally designed for crane operators with working experience but no initial certification, or those seeking to finish recertification before their five-year window closes. It is not intended for newcomers to crane operation; those individuals should instead invest in the three-week training program at PTS to gain a more first understanding of the basics and fundamentals of crane operator training.
The Test & Prep program will help you prepare for the NCCCO and enable you to approach the certification exam with confidence. A three-day refresher course, the program includes classroom reviews covering legal standards and load chart practice tests. Tuition cost for this program also includes the NCCCO exam fees.
But no matter your experience level, Performance Training Solutions will offer you many ways to prepare for the NCCCO and achieve eventual certification thanks to the dedication and experience of one of the top heavy equipment operator training schools in the country.
Seating is limited for the Test & Prep program, so if interested you should contact Rich Lee at 614-863-8830 as soon as possible to reserve your spot.