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Read this firstNCCCO Core written exam: format and domainsThe NCCCO mobile crane operator Core written exam: four domains and weights, format, the 12-month window and retakes, with a free 10-question check.

Exam facts and requirements

44 resources

What is on the exam, who can sit it, what it costs and how to keep it.

NCCCO Core written exam: format and domainsThe NCCCO mobile crane operator Core written exam: four domains and weights, format, the 12-month window and retakes, with a free 10-question check.
Written exam fees, the four-week retake wait and the 12-month windowCheck NCCCO mobile crane written exam fees, the four-week retake rule and the 12-month completion window before planning your test dates.
What crane operator certification costs: the whole path, not just the examWhat NCCCO mobile crane certification costs end to end: the fixed exam fees, the costs you choose, who pays under OSHA and the cheapest sensible route.
NCCCO mobile crane recertification: the 12-month window, written exams and the 1,000-hour attestationNCCCO mobile crane recertification: the five-year cycle, 12-month window, written exams (online proctoring too), 1,000-hour attestation and fees.
NCCCO mobile crane certification: requirements, steps, written and practicalNCCCO mobile crane certification: eligibility, the written Core and specialty exams, the practical exam, medical rules and the employer evaluation.
Written exam prep for crane rental and construction crewsBuy NCCCO written exam training seats for a crane crew. See what each seat includes, the per-seat crew prices and how quotes and invoices work.
NCCCO testing locations, online testing and passing scoreFind NCCCO testing locations in myCCO, compare online proctored testing with test centers, and see what is published about the written passing score.
OSHA's crane operator qualification rule: what employers must do and what NCCCO coversWhat OSHA 1926.1427 requires for crane operators: the certification and licensing routes, the employer evaluation, key dates and where NCCCO fits.
Overhead crane certification: what OSHA requires and where NCCCO fitsOverhead crane certification explained: what OSHA 1910.179 asks of plant operators, when construction rules apply, and where NCCCO's program fits.
NCCCO Lift Director certification: who it is for, the exams and what OSHA saysNCCCO Lift Director certification explained: who it is for, the Core and specialty written exams, the operator and rigger prerequisites and what OSHA says.
Crane operator license requirements: which states require oneCrane operator license requirements by state: which states and cities issue a license, how it differs from NCCCO certification, and how to verify both.
New York State crane operator licenseThe New York State crane operator Certificate of Competence: who needs it, the crane classes A to F, online applications and where it stops at New York City.
NYC crane operator license: Class A and BNew York City Hoisting Machine Operator Class A and B: required NCCCO certifications, 40-hour course, experience, fees, three-year term and renewal.
NYC Class C and limited crane licensesNew York City Hoisting Machine Operator Class C and the limited licenses for boom trucks, articulating boom cranes, mini cranes and telehandlers.
New Jersey crane operator licenseHow New Jersey licenses crane operators: who must hold the license, the NCCCO certificate and 1,000 hours, the $250 five-year fee, and the trainee permit.
Pennsylvania crane operator licenseHow Pennsylvania licenses crane operators: the State Board, NCCCO certification by crane type, trainee registration, fees and biennial renewal.
Connecticut crane operator licenseConnecticut requires a state hoisting equipment operator license for larger construction cranes. See when it applies, the written exam and the retest rule.
Washington crane operator rulesWashington has no state crane operator card. Its construction crane rule makes employers confirm accredited certification, hours and an evaluation.
Nevada crane operator certificationNevada requires mobile and tower crane operators to hold a certificate from a program the state approves. See provisional certificates and record rules.
Rhode Island crane operator licenseRhode Island licenses hoisting engineers by equipment category, with an exam, a 70 percent pass mark, a two-year term and a DOT medical card.
Massachusetts crane operator licenseMassachusetts law requires a hoisting license or temporary permit and has the state set categories by rule. See what the statute covers and omits.
NCCCO specialty written exams compared: LAT, TLL, TSS and STCCompare the NCCCO LAT, TLL, TSS and STC written exams: question counts, time, calculator rules, load chart weight and the 2023 generic chart change.
NCCCO rigger certification and Signalperson written exams: what they cover and how to prepareNCCCO rigger certification, Level I and Level II, plus Signalperson: the steps, written question counts, time, domain weights, practicals and OSHA's rule.
Gross vs net capacity: meaning and why it mattersGross capacity is the chart's printed number. Net capacity is what the load may weigh after deductions. See the difference, a worked example and mix-ups.
Crane capacity deductions: meaning and why it mattersWhich items count as deductions from a crane's chart capacity, how to add them up and where candidates lose points: block, rigging, jib and attachments.
Crane radius vs boom length: meaning and why it mattersRadius is horizontal, boom length is along the boom. Learn how they differ, why charts use radius and how to avoid reading the wrong row on a load chart.
Boom angle: meaning and why it mattersBoom angle is the boom's tilt above horizontal. See how it sets radius, why a lower angle cuts capacity and what a minimum boom angle note means.
Quadrant of operation: meaning and why it mattersThe quadrant of operation, or working area, sets which column of a crane load chart applies: over the front, side, rear or 360 degrees. How to read it.
Tipping axis: meaning and why it mattersThe tipping axis is the line a crane would pivot about if it tipped. See how outriggers, working area and radius relate to it and why it matters.
Outrigger setup: meaning and why it mattersWhat an outrigger setup is, why the chart ties its ratings to beam extension, and what to check on beams, jacks, floats, mats and ground before you lift.
Two-blocking: meaning and why it mattersTwo-blocking is when the hook block meets the boom tip sheaves. Learn how it happens, what it can break and which habits and devices guard against it.
Side loading: meaning and why it mattersSide loading is a force across the boom instead of along it. See what causes it, why charts do not rate it and which habits avoid it.
Structural vs stability limits: meaning and why it mattersA chart capacity is set by the crane's strength (structural) or by its tendency to tip (stability). Learn to tell them apart and why it matters.
Sling angle factor: meaning and why it mattersThe sling angle factor shows how much extra tension a flatter sling leg carries. See the 60, 45 and 30 degree values, a worked example and common mix-ups.
Center of gravity of a load: meaning and why it mattersThe center of gravity is where a load's weight acts. See why the hook must sit above it, how it splits load between lift points and what if it is unknown.
Choker vs basket hitch: meaning and why it mattersChoker and basket hitches carry load differently. See how each changes a sling's rating, what each suits best and the slips candidates make on the test.
Rated capacity vs working load limit: meaning and why it mattersA crane's rated capacity comes from its load chart. A sling or shackle has a working load limit on its tag. Each limit is separate and all must be met.
Boom deflection and loaded radius: meaning and why it mattersUnder load a boom bends, so the loaded radius is larger than the unloaded one. See why this matters on a chart, with a worked example on a practice chart.
Outrigger mats and ground pressure: meaning and why it mattersMats spread an outrigger's force over more ground so pressure stays within what the soil can take. See the pressure arithmetic and mistakes to avoid.
Load moment: meaning and why it mattersLoad moment is the load's weight times its distance from the pivot. See why more radius makes a lift harder, with a worked example and a chart caution.
Rated capacity indicator vs limiter: meaning and why it mattersAn indicator warns as a lift nears the chart limit. A limiter also stops motions that would go past it. See how each works and where each can fail.
Shock loading: meaning and why it mattersShock loading is the extra force from sudden starts, stops and jerks. See how it pushes a crane and rigging past the load's weight and how to prevent it.
Tail swing: meaning and why it mattersTail swing is the rear of a crane's upper works sweeping outside the carrier as it turns. See why it is a pinch and strike hazard and how it is controlled.
Crane and rigging terms glossary for NCCCOPlain-English glossary of the crane, load chart and rigging terms behind the NCCCO mobile crane written exams, with a drawing and a full page for each.

Study guides

3 resources

Work through one topic at a time, with the method and worked examples.

Crane load chart explained: how to read oneWhat a crane load chart shows and how to read one: configuration, radius, boom length, the bold line and gross to net, with a worked example.
NCCCO written prep compared: what you pay, what renews, what you get backNCCCO written exam prep side by side: price, access, renewal, refund rule and question count, each taken from the seller's own page.
NCCCO Core study guide: study time by domain weight and the CCO reference listSplit NCCCO Core study time by the four published domain weights, and see which CCO reference covers each outline task, by section number.

Practice tests and drills

4 resources

Check yourself on questions, symbols and code look-ups, then see what to fix.

Load chart practice: 10 problems on a practice chartRead capacities off 10 invented load charts and check every answer.
Load chart interpolation drill | Boom AnglePractice in-between radii on an invented chart and see why the longer radius wins.
Free NCCCO practice test: Core and load chart questionsFree NCCCO Core practice test with explained answers: the four domains and weights, 3 original sample questions, and a free 10-question check.
Crane hand signals drill: the 19 standard signals, scoredDrill crane hand signals until you know them on sight.

Tools and calculators

13 resources

Run the math your exam asks for and get the answer in seconds.

Net capacity worksheet: subtract every deduction, step by stepTake gross chart capacity down to net, one deduction at a time.
Sling capacity calculator: choker, basket, bridleGet sling capacity by hitch and angle, and the load on each leg.
Load weight calculator: plate, pipe, bar, blockEstimate plate, bar, pipe or block weight in lb, kg and tons, rigging included.
Pick point load share calculator | Boom AngleSplit a load between two pick points from its center of gravity, with sling tension at each.
Crane percent of capacity calculator | Boom AngleFree crane percent of capacity calculator: enter your chart capacity, load, rigging and deductions to see percent used and flags at your own marks.
Sling angle calculator: leg tension and load angle factorSee how sling angle drives leg tension and load factor.
Outrigger pad size calculator for crane matsFind ground pressure under an outrigger and the mat size that brings it down.
Crane power line clearance: OSHA distancesLine voltage to the OSHA minimum clearance for crane work or travel, and a check of your planned approach.
NCCCO certification cost calculator: crane operator written, practical and retakesTotal your NCCCO Core, specialty and practical fees plus retakes, with your own prep and travel added.
NCCCO recertification window calculator | Boom AngleSee when your 12-month NCCCO recertification window opens and whether your hours replace the practical exam.
Crane radius and boom angle calculatorSolve for boom angle, boom length or radius.
Crane parts of line calculatorFind the minimum parts of line for a lift.
NCCCO Core study plan: week-by-week scheduleA week-by-week NCCCO Core plan weighted by the four exam domains, from your exam date and hours.