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  1. Programs
  2. Overhead Crane Operator

Overhead Crane Operator

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators

Certification

Become a contributor for free to openly demonstrate student outcomes, industry alignment & eligibility criteria.

Welcome to the CCO Overhead Crane Operator certification program. The NCCCO Overhead Crane Task Force that determined the content of these certification exams was made up of experts from all aspects of the crane industry—crane operators, training directors, managers, supervisors, manufacturers—who together represent many thousands of hours of crane-related experience.

Duration

Hybrid

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Program Details

Detailed information about this program

Certification Overview OVR.pdfWelcome to the CCO Overhead Crane Operator certification program. The NCCCO Overhead Crane Task Force that determined the content of these certification exams was made up of experts from all aspects of the crane industry—crane operators, training directors, managers, supervisors, manufacturers—who together represent many thousands of hours of crane-related experience. These volunteers gave freely of their time and expertise with the primary goal of improving the safety of all whose work brings them into contact with cranes and lifting equipment. HOW TO BECOME CCO-CERTIFIED CCO Certified Operator-150x Visit How to Test for instructions on applying for and taking CCO Written and Practical Exams; visit How to Recertify for instructions on recertification. Complete instructions, exam contents, and candidate applications are also contained in the Candidate Handbook for each program. ELIGIBILITY Requirements for certification include the following: Be at least 18 years of age Comply with NCCCO's Substance Abuse Policy Pass Written Examination Pass Practical Examination (Candidates must pass the Written and corresponding Practical examination within a 12-month timeframe.) Comply with the Code of Ethics CCO WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS The Overhead Crane Operator written exam consists of a single examination in Overhead Crane operation. This examination has 65 multiple-choice questions and candidates are allowed 60 minutes to complete the exam. Candidates may take their written and practical exams in either order. Candidates have 12 months from the time they pass the initial written or practical exam they take to pass the corresponding (written or practical) exam. CCO has three options for taking written exams: Online Proctored Testing (OPT), Test Center Testing (TCT), and Event Online Testing (EOT). Decide which option is best for you. CCO PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS The CCO Practical Examination demonstrating crane operator proficiency is available in either of the following Overhead Crane types: Cab Operated Pendant/Remote Control A candidate must pass both the Written and Practical examinations to be certified for a five-year period. CCO CERTIFICATION TIME FRAMES Candidates must pass both Written and Practical Examinations to be certified for a five-year period. The Written and Practical Exams may be taken in either order. Candidates have 12 months from the time they pass their first Written or Practical Exam for each crane type in which to pass the corresponding (Written or Practical) Exam. Any tests passed within a 12-month period count towards certification. For example, a candidate who fails the Overhead Crane Operator Written Exam in January 2015 but passes the Overhead Crane Operator Practical Exam in June 2015 has until the end of June 2016 to retake and pass the Overhead Crane Operator Written Exam. If a certified operator subsequently becomes certified in an additional operator designation by taking the appropriate written and practical exams, the certification period for the additional designation expires at the same time his/her original certification (i.e., all operator designations expire on the same date, regardless of when in the five-year certification period the candidate passed them). If the new designation is added within the final 24 months of his/her certification period, the certificant is exempt from recertifying for the new designation after five years; after that, however, certificants must recertify for all designations during the 12 months prior to their certifications’ expiration date. This ensures that all of the certificant’s operator designations maintain the same expiration date. Candidates for certification or recertification may petition for an extension of NCCCO’s standard timeline(s). NCCCO staff shall have the discretion to make the initial determination of whether a requested extension should be granted. Petitions for an extension of time are generally denied absent a showing of extraordinary circumstances. Denials of such petitions may be appealed to the Appeals Committee. CERTIFICATION POLICIES The following policies apply to all CCO certification programs: NCCCO Code of Ethics Disciplinary Policy Substance Abuse Policy Testing Accommodations Policy Change of Address Policy Appeals Policy and Procedures Information Release Policy Administrative Complaints Policy These policies are also covered in the Candidate Handbooks for each program. CERTIFICATION CARDS Certified individuals receive a laminated CCO wallet card at no cost when they complete initial certification, or recertification. If needed, replacement cards may be ordered online at a cost of $30. Certification cards remain the property of CCO, are not transferable, and must be returned to CCO upon demand. RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS CCO certification is valid for five years. Candidates must complete all of their recertification requirements during the 12 months prior to their expiration date. Review recertification requirements for Overhead Crane Operators. Get complete instructions on How to Recertify. PROGRAM SPONSORS The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators gratefully recognizes the sponsors of the Overhead Crane Operator Certification Program: Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) American Crane & Equipment Corp. Demag Cranes & Components KCI Konecranes Morris Material Handling OMI Hoist & Crane Virginia Crane (Foley Material Handling) ACE World Companies Capco Crane & Hoist Deshazo

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

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Scholarships

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Locations

Where this program is offered

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Related Programs

Programs related to this one

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Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

  • Inspect crane systems to identify visual, audible, mechanical, and electrical hazards before operation
  • Verify emergency and safety controls to ensure proper function of shutdown systems, e‑stops, limit devices, warning devices, and brake test requirements
  • Check structural and mechanical components to confirm wire‑rope or chain condition, correct spooling, absence of leaks, and compliance with guard requirements
  • Confirm labeling and documentation to ensure control labels, capacity markings, strain‑relief requirements, and ASME B30.2 layout standards are met
  • Locate critical safety elements to verify access to runway disconnects, fire extinguishers, bumpers/stops, and lockout/tag‑out provisions
  • Determine load characteristics to accurately identify load weight and select proper rigging and below‑the‑hook lifting devices
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

  • Crane and Tower Operators53-7021.00
  • Logging Equipment Operators45-4022.00
  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines49-3042.00
  • Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators47-2073.00
  • Hoist and Winch Operators53-7041.00
  • Riggers49-9096.00
  • Pile Driver Operators47-2072.00
What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populated·from NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certification)

  • Load capacity calculations — determine load weights against rated lifting capacities independently using load charts on routine construction assignments.
  • Multi-control crane operation — coordinate levers, foot pedals, and dials simultaneously to move moderate loads with reduced supervisor oversight on commercial job sites.
  • Crane mechanism adjustment — identify and correct minor mechanical irregularities in crane components before and during standard lifting operations.
  • Cable replacement procedures — remove worn cables and install replacement cables on grappling devices following manufacturer specifications without direct supervision.
  • Helper crew direction — give clear instructions to ground helpers positioning outriggers and blocking to stabilize cranes during routine lifts.
  • Preventive maintenance routines — clean, lubricate, and service cables, pulleys, and grappling devices on a scheduled basis across a range of crane types.
  • Truck loading and storage bin transfers — load and unload bundled materials from trucks and reposition containers to storage areas using moving equipment on warehouse or staging sites.
  • Delivery schedule coordination — review daily work plans and sequence lifts and deliveries to meet project timelines with minimal scheduling conflicts.
  • Operational monitoring — observe gauges, indicators, and load behavior throughout a shift to detect emerging issues before they escalate.
  • Spreadsheet and office software — maintain lift logs, maintenance records, and schedule data using standard office suite applications on a job site computer.

Some details on this page are auto-populated from public workforce data sources: O*NET (opens in new tab), BLS (opens in new tab), College Scorecard (opens in new tab), DOL Training Provider Results (opens in new tab), NSX (opens in new tab). Provided in partnership with LER.me Career Intelligence.

Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Completion Rate
Not reported
Placement Rate
Not reported