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.

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

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.

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 a driver’s license to attend California Crane School’s crane operator certification courses. Your employer may require this though.

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.

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

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.

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).

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.