ELIGIBILITY
Requirements for certification include the following:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet Physical Requirements
• Comply with CCO’s Substance Abuse Policy
• Pass Written Examinations (Core and one Specialty)
• Pass Practical Examination(s) - Candidates must pass the Practical exam within twelve months of passing the written examination.

EXPERIENCE
CCO certification examinations are designed for operators who are trained and who currently work in crane operation.

Crane-related experience is defined as: operating, maintenance, inspection or training.

PHYSICAL EVALUATION
Candidates must submit one of the following:

• CCO Physical Examination Form
• A current DOT (Department of Transportation) Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Certified crane operators must continue to meet ASME B30.5 physical requirements throughout their certification period. The CCO certification card is valid only with a current medical certificate that meets the requirements of ASME B30.5.

CCO WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS
The written examination program consists of a Core examination in crane operation, as well as four crane Specialty examinations. The Core examination has 90 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allowed 90 minutes to complete the Core examination.

All Specialty examinations consist of 26 multiple choice questions. Candidates are allowed 55 minutes to complete each Specialty examination.

All candidates are required to take the Core examination regardless of the Specialty(s) in which they wish to be certified.

CCO Specialty Examinations:

• Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes
• Lattice Boom Truck Cranes
• Large Telescopic Boom Cranes (greater than 17.5 Tons)
• Small Telescopic Boom Cranes (less than 17.5 Tons)

Candidates must register for the Core and at least one of the Specialty examinations. Certification requires competency in both the Core and one or more Specialty categories.

CCO PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS
The CCO Practical Examination demonstrating crane operation proficiency is available in three (3) crane types:

• Lattice Boom Cranes
• Large Telescopic Boom Cranes (greater than 17.5 Tons)
• Small Telescopic Boom Cranes (less than 17.5 Tons)

A candidate must pass both the written Core and at least one Specialty examination as well as the corresponding Practical Exam in order to be certified.

CCO CERTIFICATION TIMEFRAMES

• Candidates have 12 months from the time they pass the first written test (Written or Practical) in which to pass the corresponding examination.
• Candidates who subsequently pass any additional Specialty written exams have 12 months in which to pass the corresponding Practical exam.
• If a certified candidate subsequently becomes certified in additional Specialties, the five-year certification period for the additional Specialties begins at the same time as he/she was originally certified, i.e. all Specialties expire on the same date regardless of when in the five-year certification period the candidate passed them.

RECERTIFICATION
CCO certification is valid for five (5) years. Candidates must complete all of their recertification requirements during the 12 months prior to their expiration date. This includes:

• Passing the Written Recertification Examinations
• Continuing to meet Phsical Requirements
• Compliance with CCO’s Substance Abuse Policy

Candidates who can document at least 1,000 hours crane-related experience during their period of certification do not need to take the practical exam to recertify.

However, candidates who do need to take the Practical exam for any reason must do so before their certification expires. There is no “grace period” after the date of expiration. Candidates whose certification has lapsed must take the full written and practical examinations over again in order to be recertified.

The written recertification examination consists of a Core examination in crane operation, as well as four Specialty examinations.

The Core examination has 40 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 40 minutes.

Each Specialty examination consists of 10 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 25 minutes.

Two of the questions in each Specialty exam are calculation load chart questions.

All candidates are required to take the Core examination regardless of the Specialty(s) in which they wish to be recertified.

Recertification candidates are allowed two (2) attempts to pass the recertification Core and Specialty exams before their certification expires. Candidates who are unsuccessful after two (2) attempts must take and pass the regular Core and Specialty exams.

Certified candidates may take their written recertification examinations up to one (1) year prior to their date of expiration. Regardless of the date of the recertification examination within that one year period, the new five-year certification period begins from the date of expiration of the candidate’s initial certification.

[Note: Candidates who recertify more than 12 months prior to their expiration date will have their new certification period begin immediately, not from the end of their current certification period.]

Recertification exams are available at regularly scheduled test administrations. Candidates wishing to recertify should contact the Test Site Coordinator who set up the initial certification. Candidates whose employment circumstances have changed should ask their new employer to schedule a test administration.

Candidates who are not certified in all Specialties may add a new Specialty at the same time as they take their recertification examinations by taking the full examination in that Specialty.

For more information about recertification, please contact CCO’s Recertification Department at (703) 560-2391 or via e-mail at info@nccco.org.

DISCIPLINARY POLICY
CCO’s Review Committee is responsible for establishing and implementing standards of conduct, such as ethical standards, policies and procedures for disciplinary action. Grounds for revocation of certification status shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Period of certification exceeded without renewal.
2. Evidence of falsification of any information on any documents submitted to CCO or its agents.
3. Expiration of a candidate’s medical certificate.
4. Evidence of non-compliance with CCO’s Substance Abuse Policy.
5. Evidence of culpability in an accident during certification period.

Candidates who wish to appeal a decision regarding revocation of a certificant’s status, must do so in writing to the Appeals Committee, stating the grounds for the appeal. This should be addressed to:

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO)
2750 Prosperity Avenue
Suite 505
Fairfax, VA 22031

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
It is the policy of CCO that crane operators shall not use a prescribed or over-the-counter substance which would impair the ability to operate cranes safely.

This includes illegal drugs, controlled substances (including trace amounts), look-alike drugs, designer drugs, or any other substance which may have an effect on the human body of being a narcotic, depressant, stimulant or hallucinogen.

An exception to this rule is that an operator may use such a substance or drug if it is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who is familiar with the operator’s medical history and all assigned duties, and who has advised the operator that the prescribed substance or drug will not adversely affect the operator’s ability to safely operate a mobile crane.

CCO-certified crane operators shall comply with the substance abuse testing provisions of ASME B30.5.

It is a condition of certification that crane operators certified by CCO attest to their compliance with this Substance Abuse Policy. Non-compliance with this policy automatically revokes a candidate’s certification status.

CERTIFICATION CARDS
Certified operators receive a plastic photo ID card at no cost when they certify for the first time and when they complete the requirements for recertification.

Duplicate cards, replacement cards, cards showing certification in an additional specialty, or revision of cards for candidates who retake and pass a specialty they previously failed, may be obtained from International Assessment Institute at a cost of $25.00.  To order, contact Jennifer at jennifer.warner@iaiexam.com or 727-449-8525.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS
If candidates change their address they must notify CCO as soon as possible. Failure to do so may cause candidates to miss important updates on the CCO program that could affect their certification.

Changes of address should be sent to International Assessment Institute (IAI). They must be in writing, but can be sent via letter or fax. Forms can be faxed to 727-461-2746 or mailed to:

IAI

600 Cleveland St, Suite 900

Clearwater, FL 33755