Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs

About Our Program

Q. Do you offer Spanish courses?

At this time, we do not offer Spanish crane operator certification courses.

Q. How do I choose the best crane operator school for me?

When choosing a crane school, we recommend considering a couple of items.

1. How much does the crane school cost?
2. How long is the course?
3. Can the prep class, written exams, and hands-on exams be completed during the course?
4. What are the crane school pass rates for the written exams?

Here at California Crane School we not only offer the fastest path to crane operator certification but we have had some of the highest pass rates in the country for over 18+ years. The best part? We guarantee that you pass your NCCCO crane operator certification written exams or our class is FREE until you do! To learn more about choosing a crane school, read our informative blog, including why some courses are longer and more expensive than others.

Q. How many days long is the course?

California Crane School offers the following courses:

  • 3-Day Course: NCCCO Crane Operator Operator Certification test preparation course for swing and fixed cab cranes (includes service truck cranes).
  • 5-Day Course: For beginners. This package includes NCCCO Crane Operator Operator Certification test preparation course for swing and fixed cab cranes (includes service truck and boom truck cranes), an CCS rigger/signal person certification course, and two days of field operations with up to 16 hours of field training.
  • 1/2 Day Course: CCS Rigger/Signal certification course.

Q. Is ther anything I need to bring to class?

Everything needed will be provided upon arriving to California Crane School’s NCCCO mobile crane operator certification course. However, it is required that students bring their own personal protection equipment including a hard hat and boots for their hands-on crane training and NCCCO practical exams in the field.

Q. What happens in the case that I do not pass?

We GUARANTEE students will pass the NCCCO written exams or our class is FREE until you do! The only fee required will be the NCCCO retesting fee ranging from $60 to $240 depending on the NCCCO written exam type failed.

Signing Up

Q. Do I need to reserve a spot in the class while I complete my application?

You may reserve your spot in one our classes by completing our short enrollment application and submitting the non-refundable deposit upon completion. To get started, give us a call at 888-957-7277.

Q. How do I know if there is availability at your next open enrollment class?

Once you begin the sign-up process and enter the prompted password, you will see all upcoming classes per location. Our enrollment system will automatically close out dates if the class is full or the deadline has passed. To get a password unique to your crane operator certification needs and continue with the signup process, give us a call us at 888-957-7277.

Q. Is there an office I can visit to sign up?

You can sign up directly through our website by clicking the red “Sign Up” button at the top of your screen. Additionally, you may call or text us at 888-957-7277 to begin your enrollment process! We have dedicated enrollment specialists standing by to help answer any questions or concerns you have along the way. From application to certification, we’re with you every step of the way! Call today at 888-967-7277 or pass@californiacraneschool.com

Payments & Billing

Q. Do you have any optiosn for financial aid in paying for the course?

We offer payment installments through PayPal Pay Later or our in-house financing option.

PayPal Pay Later.
This option requires a debit/credit card or bank account number as well as a soft credit check, but allows the student to sign up without putting anything down (although some interest rates may apply.) Please contact our office and a link will be provided to you.

In-house Financing.
Students can make a $500 non-refundable deposit upon sign up and the remaining balance can be paid in installments, however the balance must be paid off two weeks prior to the first day of class.

View Terms & Conditions.

For more information please call our office at 888-957-7277.

Q. How much is due at the time of sign-up?

A small non-refundable deposit in the amount of $500 will be due at the time of sign up. The remaining course fees will be due two (2) weeks before the first day of class. Additionally, students may call in to make payments before the start of class. Employers who send one or more of their employees to CCS’s crane operator certification course will be set up on a Net 15 billing cycle.

Q. Is the GI Bill accepted to help pay for the course?

We are not able to accept the GI Bill at this time, however, we do provide a $100 military discount. In addition, NCCCO offers certification fee reimbursements through the GI Bill. You can find this information here – https://www.nccco.org/nccco/resources/military-personnel/certification-fees-reimbursement.

Testing

Q. How long does it take to get the results of the test?

The testing company typically takes 2 – 3 weeks to send the candidates the results of their written tests and about 3 – 5 weeks to send candidates the results of their practical tests. If your results have not come in by that time you should call International Assessment Institute (IAI) at (727) 449-8525.

Q. What happens if the candidate fails? Does the candidate have to do everything over again?

No. For instance if a candidate was to fail 1 specialty written test, the testing company would charge the candidate $65 to retest. It the candidate was to fail any other specialty exams, the testing company would charge $10 for each additional exam, and if the candidate was to fail the core test, the testing company would charge $165. California Crane School does not charge for any candidates who come back for retesting to attend the class or to sit in on the written test. If the candidate was to fail a practical exam, California Crane School charges $250 to retest; this price includes the testing fees to IAI the testing company.

Q. When must I be signed up for the testing?

Candidates must be signed up 2 weeks in advance to take the written tests. Or the testing company International Assessment Institute (IAI) will charge a $50 late fee (no proceeds from late or incomplete fees go to California Crane School). Candidates must be signed up for the written tests at least one week in advance or the IAI will no allow them to test. Candidate wishing to take only the practical exam can call California Crane School at (800) 496-3648 and schedule this at any time. All crane certification paperwork including candidate’s photo is done on site.

Q. Who administers the tests?

An independent contractor hired by International Assessment Institute (IAI) administers the written tests, and an accredited practical examiner administrates the practical exams.

Practical Exam

Q. What kind of cranes do you use for the practical exams?

Since most of the practical exams require that a crane boom lengths be set to 70% – 75% for testing, we use the smallest cranes possible to meet the requirement. It makes the test easier. All of our cranes are Cal-OSHA certified and are used only for practical testing.

Q. If I take my crane operator certification practical exam on a little Grove 18 ton rough terrain crane, am I certified to operator a 1,200 ton crane?

Yes! California Crane School does not set the standards we are simply the ones that get you to meet them. Once you are certified you have met the minimum requirement, however this does not mean that you are a super duper crane operator.

Q. Which hand signals will be used on the crane operator certification practical exam?

You should familiarize with all of the crane hand signals but the ones that will be the most important for the practical exam are:

(this task is not timed)
Crane Hand Signals for Practical Exam - Lower the Boom and Raise the Load, Swing, Move Slowly, Stop

Eligibility

Q. Are there any requirements needed to be met prior to enrolling?

The only eligibility requirement to attend our course is the requirements set forth by the certification company, NCCCO. NCCCO guidelines state that you must:

Q. Do I need a diploma or degree to take the class?

No, you do not need a high school diploma or college degree to attend California Crane School. The only eligibility requirements to attend our course is that set forth by the certification company, NCCCO. NCCCO guidelines state that you must:

Q. Do I need to have my physical exam and drug test before taking the test?

You will need to declare that you have taken a physical exam and passed a drug test when you sign your NCCCO application. Proof of physical exam and drug test will not be collected.

Crane Operator FAQs

Q. I have a DUI, can I still attend the crane school?

Yes, you can still attend California Crane School’s NCCCO Crane Operator Certification course even if you have a DUI on your record. However, some employers may require a clean driving record as part of their employment process.

Q. I have never operated a crane before and I want to be come a crane operator. Can you help me?

Sometimes the less a candidate knows about cranes the better they will do on the written tests. The reason for this is; candidates that have been operating cranes for years learned things a different way than the books want them to do it. This makes it more difficult for them to unlearn their ways and learn to do it by the book. This is what they are tested on with the crane certification exams.

If you have never operated a crane before we probably could not turn you into a super duper crane operator in 3 days. However, if you need to get certified, you come to the right place. If a candidate can add, subtract, and speaks English, we can easily get them passed the written tests the first time. If the candidate speaks English as a second language, we can also make it happen as we have done for hundreds of English as second language candidates.

As far as the practical exams go, if a candidate knows how to stop the load or hook from swinging, with a few pointers they can typically pass the practical exams. If not, they need to get some time on a crane. If no cranes are available to the candidate, our cranes are available at a cost of $100 per hour with an instructor. We can typically get a candidate who has never been on a crane through the practical test in less than 2 hours to pass the practical exams. This class is never meant to replace years of experience in the field or an 8400 hour apprenticeship program. The purpose of this program is to get that certification card in your pocket. California Crane School does not write the standards of what a crane operator should know, we are just the most effective program that gets candidates to meet the certification requirements.

Q. Is a driver’s license required to operate a crane?

No, you do not need a driver’s license to attend California Crane School’s crane operator certification program. However, your current or future employer may require that you have a valid driver’s license as part of their employment process.

Q. What industries use a mobile crane?

Mobile cranes are the most commonly used across construction sites. A variety of industries across the United States, and internationally, use mobile cranes such as utility, oil & drilling, tree services, crane services, and many more.

Employer FAQs

Q. How do I make sure candidates are qualified to take the course?

The only eligibility candidates must meet in order to take the California Crane School course and the NCCCO exams administered during the course, are the eligibility requirements set forth by NCCCO. This includes:

Q. What do I need to do to set up a private class?

Private classes can be a great option for companies looking to certify more than eight students all while saving time and money in the process. To get a FREE private class quote, begin by filling out our private class request. If you have any questions please call us at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

Q. Who is responsible for paying fo rhte crane oeprator certification course?

The employer is responsible for paying for their employee’s crane operator certification fees according to OSHA Final Rule. “1926.1427(c)(3): No cost to employees. Whenever operator certification/licensure is required under this section, the employer must provide the certification/licensure at no cost to employees.”

Ready to Enroll? Give us a Ring!

888-967-PASS (7277)

Private Class students studying for crane operator recertification written exam
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