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Crane Operator — CCO/NCCCO
Crane operator certification is federally mandated under OSHA's crane operator certification rule (29 CFR 1926.1427), requiring certification by an accredited testing organization such as NCCCO. About 30 states have additional state-specific licensing requirements. Fees, CE hours, and practical exam requirements vary by jurisdiction.
51
Total States
16
State License Req.
49
NCCCO Required
Varies
Avg CE Hours
Crane operator certification involves completing training, passing written and practical examinations, and maintaining ongoing compliance with OSHA standards and continuing education requirements.
The NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) is the most widely recognized crane operator certification body. Certification includes written and practical exams for specific crane types: mobile crane (lattice boom, telescopic boom), tower crane, and overhead crane. NCCCO is accredited by ANSI/NCCA.
Under OSHA's crane operator certification rule (29 CFR 1926.1427), all crane operators on construction sites must be certified by an accredited testing organization. This federal requirement applies in all 50 states. Employers must verify certification before allowing crane operation.
About 30 states have additional state-specific licensing or registration requirements beyond federal OSHA certification. States like New York (NYC), Massachusetts, and California have among the most stringent requirements. States without additional requirements rely on employer verification of OSHA-compliant certification.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | State Lic. | NCCCO Req. | CE Hours | Total Fees | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Yes | — | $350-$475 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | No | — | $225 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Yes | — | $250-$300 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | No | — | $150-$300 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Yes | — | $200-$250 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Yes | — | $120-$180 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Yes | — | $200-$250 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | — | $400-$450 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | Yes | — | $150-$250 | high | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | — | $300-$500 | high | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | 0 | $250-$300 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | — | $75-$150 | high | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | — | $200-$250 | high | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Yes | — | $225-$275 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | Yes | — | $150-$200 | high | Mar 2026 |
Crane operators often work alongside other licensed construction professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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