Frequently Asked Questions (Complete List)

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. 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.

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.

Read more on Eligibility for Operating a Crane in California.

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.

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

View more State Crane Laws here.

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.

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.’

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. 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.

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

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30.5 standard addresses safety requirements for mobile and locomotive cranes.

ASME B30.5-2000, Chapter 5-3.1.2(a)(1-5, 7, 8).

ASME B30.5 has been revised many times since 2000, and newer editions contain updated requirements. However, when determining what California’s §§5006.1 and 5006.2 require, operators and employers should look to the specific edition and provisions incorporated by California, rather than assuming the newest ASME edition automatically replaces the edition named in the regulation.

For more information Crane Operator Physical & Medical Requirements in California.

There is no universal federal OSHA “crane operator physical card.”

Federal OSHA primarily requires certification, training, and employer evaluation.

Federal OSHA does not currently impose a specific nationwide physical examination standard for crane operators. OSHA’s crane rules under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC require covered construction crane operators to be trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated by their employer, but §1926.1427 does not establish specific vision, hearing, blood-pressure, or other medical thresholds. OSHA has historically stated that there is no federal OSHA requirement for a crane-operator medical examination, although an operator must still be capable of operating the crane safely.

Cal/OSHA expressly requires operators of covered mobile and tower cranes to pass a physical examination as part of crane operator certification. This applies under both California’s general-industry crane rule, §5006.1, and its construction crane rule, §5006.2. The examination must be performed by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional and must, at minimum, satisfy either specified ASME B30.5-2000 physical criteria or the applicable U.S. Department of Transportation medical qualification requirements in 49 CFR §§391.41 – 391.49.

View Comprehensive List of all physical & medical requirements for crane operators in California.

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.