Eligibility, fees and recertification

Who can apply

• Be at least 18 years old
• Comply with CCO's Substance Abuse Policy
• Comply with CCO's Code of Ethics
• Pass the written exams (Core plus at least one Specialty) and the practical exam for each Specialty

Exam fees

Specialties: Lattice Boom, Telescopic Boom—Fixed Cab, Telescopic Boom—Swing Cab. NCCCO's exam fees for Core plus one Specialty (written and practical) add up to $290. Fees as listed on NCCCO's fee page, effective January 1, 2024. Test sites and training providers may charge separately for the practical exam, crane time or training.

The exams

• Core written: 95 questions in 90 minutes, no calculator.
• Each Specialty written: 28 questions in 60 minutes, calculator allowed.
• Practical: Hands-on inspection, hoisting, booming, swinging, hand signals, and combined operations with and without a load.
• Criterion-referenced; CCO does not publish a percentage cut score.

Practise with the Core practice exam, the Specialty practice exam and the crane lab (load charts, hand signals, wire rope).

Your 12-month window

You have 12 months after you pass your first exam to pass the corresponding exam(s) for the same designation.

Recertification every 5 years

• Pass the Mobile Crane Operator written exam(s) during the 12 months before your certification expires
• Keep complying with the Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics
• Skip the practical if you can attest to at least 1,000 hours of crane-related experience (operating, maintaining, inspecting or training on cranes) during your certification period
• There is no grace period: if your certification lapses, you take both the written and practical exams again