Frequently Asked Questions (Complete List)

California Crane School offers hands-on crane training packages. Our 5-day course comes with additional time in the field and on the cranes as well, which we recommend to anyone new to operating a crane.

OSHA’s Final Rule specifies that operators within the construction industry must be certified. NCCCO is the industry leader in certification for crane operators and is recognized nationwide (some employers only accept NCCCO certification), but aside from that NCCCO Certification is not required.

The only requirements that must be met to enroll and take the course are set in the NCCCO guidelines:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

California Crane School offers a test preparation course designed to help students pass their National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), an accredited certification company.

Yes. You can still attend California Crane School even if you have a DUI on your record. Some employers may require a clean driving record though.

You can call NCCCO Testing Services Department at 727-449-8525 to seek clarification regarding your written exam. California Crane School does not receive information regarding students’ tests other than if they pass or fail.

If your certification has expired—even by a single day—NCCCO requires you to retest as a new candidate. This means you’ll need to take both the written and practical exams again to become certified.

Yes. All your NCCCO mobile crane operator certification exams can being scheduled at the same time with California Crane School.

Written and practical tests can be taken on different days. This depends on the schedule of the class or training school that is conducting the training/testing course.

View California Crane School’s Course Details.

Yes. We can send an invoice directly to your company to pay for all the fees associated with your course. Please indicate that on any forms when signing up or discuss with our team when you call in at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

That depends on the package you choose. With our 3-day crane operator certification course, you’ll receive a 20-minute familiarization session on each crane before taking your NCCCO practical exams. Additional hands-on training for this course is available for purchase separately.

However, if you enroll in our 5-day Beginner Crane Bundle, you’ll receive 16 hours of field operations, including up to 8 hours of practice time for hands-on experience.

Definition:

“Crane-related experience” – operating, maintaining, inspecting, or training on cranes.

1,000 hours of “Crane-related experience” voids the requirement of the practical exam during recertification. Otherwise the practical exam remains required during recertification.

“Candidates who can attest to at least 1,000 hours of crane-related experience during their period of certification do not need to take the practical exam to recertify.”

Note, 1,000 hours is reduced to 500 hours for Service Truck Cranes.

Reference: CCO MOBILE CRANE OPERATOR CANDIDATE HANDBOOK, p. 1, 10 (“RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS”).

A CDL is not required to operate a crane. Although, a CDL may be required by your current or future employer to drive cranes on public roads or highways.

No. You do not need to prove any level of education to take the course or become certified.

NCCCO guidelines state the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

No. You do not need a driver’s license to attend California Crane School’s crane operator certification courses. Your employer may require this though.

No proof is collected, but the NCCCO application requires you to declare that you have taken a drug test and physical exam.

You need a crane operator certification for each crane type (not capacity) you are operating according to the OSHA Final Rule 1926 subpart CC.

Please reserve a spot in our course to ensure there is availability. Complete our short enrollment application and submit a non-refundable deposit to complete the process and book your seat. To get started please call us at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

California Crane School pioneered the intensive 3-day crane operator certification course. With experience from hundreds of classes, we know exactly how much time is needed to prepare students for both the written and practical exams. Courses that are shorter often don’t provide enough instruction to ensure success, while longer ones tend to fill time with personal stories and off-topic discussions. While sharing experiences can be interesting, our focus is on getting you certified efficiently and effectively. Plus, we back our program with a guarantee: if you don’t pass the written tests after completing our class, you can retake the course with us at no additional cost.

Yes. All 50 states recognize the NCCCO crane operator certification.

View more State Crane Laws here.

We currently do not accept work vouchers.

We do not currently offer grants. Please see section on financing here.

We currently do not accept the GI Bill. We do provide a $100 military discount. The NCCCO also offers a certification fee reimbursement through the GI Bill.

Yes. We have more than enough cranes at every practical testing site location, which are located in Sacramento & Los Angeles, California.

We currently do not offer any crane operator certification in Spanish.

California Crane School offers discounts on crane operator training courses year-round. To see what discounts you may be eligible for, give us a call at 888-967-7277.

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 888-967-7277.

For candidates who pay their own fees (not covered by an employer), we’re often able to refer them to companies that reach out to us seeking certified operators—something we’ve successfully done for many past students.

Private crane operator NCCCO certification courses are available nationwide. Please fill out the following form or call our enrollment specialists at 888-967-7277 to get started!

To obtain a CCO ID number you will need to (1) Register on NCCCO.org, (2) Provide the 9 digit ID number in your NCCCO account (not the same as a CCO ID) to California Crane School (CCS). CCS will use this number when setting up your written and practical exams.

After you pass the exams you will receive your certification card with your official certification number!

If you have any questions too please contact us at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

If the crane operator has 1,000 or more ‘crane-related experience’ hours within that period they must only pass the written exam. If they have not had that amount of experience within the 5 year period they must take both the written and the practical exam again.

Related FAQ:

• What counts as ‘crane related experience’?
• View more details regarding the written exam and practical exam.

The written exams can be a bit challenging. Our team is so confident in our pass rates that we guarantee you will or the next class with us is FREE!

View Our Guarantee.

California Crane School offers the fastest route to earning your crane operator certification. Our expert training team has helped thousands of operators successfully achieve their NCCCO certification—boasting some of the highest pass rates in the nation. We even guarantee you’ll pass your written exams, or you can retake the next available class with us for FREE until you do.

The crane operator certification is good for 5 years from the date the candidate passes their exams (written & practical). It is important to note that recertification must occur prior to the certification expiration date. Recertification extends the duration for another 5 years.

After successfully passing the NCCCO’s written and practical exams you will receive your crane certification license. This is valid for 5 years and each crane operator must recertify prior to the 5 year period ending. If the crane operator has 1,000 or more ‘crane related’ hours of experience within that period they must only pass the written exam. If they have not had that amount of experience within the 5 year period they must take both the written and the practical exam again.

Short summary:

• How long does crane certification last? 5 years.
• When do you need to renew your crane certification? Before the 5 year period has ended.

There are a total of 142 questions placed in 3 categories.

Section 1 – Crane Operator Certification Core Test (90 questions, 90 minutes)
Section 2 – Telescopic Boom Cranes – Swing Cab (TLL) Specialty Exam (26 questions, 60 minutes)
Section 3 – Telescopic Boom Cranes – Fixed Cab (TSS) Specialty Exam (26 questions, 60 minutes)

For more details regarding the test please view our NCCCO Written Exam page.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), a crane operator in California makes a median of $32.14 an hour.

Currently (2025) in California the median hourly wage is $38.25 and the annual median wage is $79,570. The high earning wage goes up to $135,820 and the lower earning wages are at $50,550. You can view more statistics of the growth of wages over the years and earnings by city in our 2026 report ‘California Crane Operator Salary.’

Classes are conducted every month for each of our locations in Northern & Southern California. We also offer private courses nationwide.

View our Location Calendar here.

Our classes happen once a month in two locations: Ontario, California and Sacramento, California. We also conduct many private classes throughout the month. For information on private classes call California Crane School at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

California Crane School offers a 3-day and 5-day class where students will get the opportunity to earn their NCCCO crane operator certification. After you have received your certification, you can begin logging in your hours with your employer. After you have enough time of supervised and logged hours you can become a qualified crane operator.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can help you reschedule your course. Please keep in mind that NCCCO requires that we send them an excuse letter explaining the emergency to eliminate any rescheduling fees. Call (888) 967-7277.

Yes, we can help you get certified—even if you’ve never operated a crane before. In fact, sometimes candidates with no prior experience perform better on the written exams because they haven’t developed habits that conflict with the “by-the-book” methods used in certification testing.

While we can’t turn someone into an expert crane operator in just three days, we can help you earn your certification. If you can add, subtract, and understand English, we can prepare you to pass the written exams on your first try. We’ve also helped hundreds of English-as-a-second-language (ESL) candidates pass successfully.

For the practical exam, if you can control the load and prevent the hook from swinging—with a few pointers—you can likely pass. If you need hands-on practice, we offer crane time with an instructor for $150 per hour. Most beginners can pass the practical test with less than two hours of instruction.

Keep in mind, our program is not a substitute for years of field experience or a formal apprenticeship. Our goal is to help you meet the certification requirements and get that card in your pocket. We don’t set the standards—we just provide the most effective path to certification.

No. For example, if a candidate fails one specialty written exam, the NCCCO charges a $80 retesting fee. If additional specialty exams are failed, each retest costs $80 (swing or fixed). Failing the core exam results in a $140 retesting fee. California Crane School does not charge candidates to return and attend class again or to sit in on a written exam retake. However, if a candidate fails a practical exam, there is a $395 retesting fee (per exam, swing or fixed), which includes the testing company’s (IAI) charges.

Yes. Labor unions around the country offer the NCCCO certification program and it is by far the most popular. Over 90% of crane operators are certified by the NCCCO.

Crane operator certification is required to operate a crane in California.

View California Crane Operator Laws and California Crane Regulations: Understanding Cal-OSHA Title 8 Unique Requirements.

The NCCCO written and practical exams are designed to assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities as a crane operator. Fortunately, our training team has helped thousands of candidates earn their NCCCO certification—consistently achieving some of the highest pass rates in the nation. The results speak for themselves. And the best part? We guarantee you’ll pass the NCCCO written exams, or you can retake our class for free until you do!

All signups are done online and over the phone. Please select the red “Sign Up” button at the top of your screen or call us at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

From application to certification, we are with you every step of the way!

Because most practical exams mandate that crane boom lengths be configured between 70% and 75% of their maximum extension, we use the smallest cranes that still meet these criteria. This approach simplifies the testing process for candidates. All our cranes are Cal-OSHA certified and dedicated exclusively to practical exam use.

We currently utilize mini crawler cranes for swing cab exams and carry decks for fixed cab exams, which are selected to make examinations easier for students. The shortest allowed booms make for easier practical exams.

All candidates must bring and wear a hardhat and work boots to the practical yard site. Everything in the classroom (work materials) is provided as well as study guides and load charts.

Mobile cranes are commonly used in construction, but are also used in other industries like tree services, oil & drilling, utilities, and other crane services.

In the CCO Mobile Crane Operator Candidate Handbook (p. 1 and 10 under “Recertification Requirements”) it states that “Candidates who can attest to at least 1,000 hours of crane-related experience during their period of certification do not need to take the practical exam to recertify.” This “crane-related experience” is defined as “operating, maintaining, inspecting or training on cranes.”

Written exams require 70% or higher to pass.

California Crane School follows the NCCCO eligibility requirements, which include:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

The median annual salary for a crane operator in California is over $68,000 a year with the highest overall reaching near $100,000 a year. View more about on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023).

The testing company usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to deliver written test results and approximately 3 to 5 weeks for practical test results. If you haven’t received your results within that timeframe, please contact the International Assessment Institute (IAI) at (727) 449-8525.

You will generally receive your certification card in the mail within 3-5 weeks from the date you passed your written and practical exams. The MyCCO App can be downloaded as well to receive digital information quicker.

To avoid additional fees, candidates must register for the written exams at least two weeks ahead of time. If registration is submitted late, the testing provider—International Assessment Institute (IAI)—will apply a $50 late fee (note: California Crane School does not receive any portion of this fee). Furthermore, anyone not registered at least one week prior will be ineligible to sit for the written exam. Those interested in taking only the practical exam can contact California Crane School directly at (888) 967-PASS (7277) to schedule it at their convenience. All necessary certification paperwork, including the candidate’s photo, is completed on site.

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

According to the 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.” In summary, the employer is responsible. Often crane operators choose to pay for their own certification, which can be seen as a display of initiative and reduces the cost to employers when hiring a new employee.

Landing a crane job without certification is extremely difficult. While the cost of obtaining a crane operator certification (such as a CCO card) is often criticized—primarily due to its price—employers see it as a crucial requirement. Imagine you’re the employer: would you spend thousands certifying a new hire who might leave shortly after for slightly higher pay elsewhere? Most companies prefer to onboard candidates who already hold valid certifications, as it reduces financial risk and ensures they’re job-ready. Holding a certification signals to potential employers that you’re serious, qualified, and ready to start working immediately—making you a much more attractive hire.