CCO Celebrates 30 Years of Certification Excellence: A Legacy of Safety, Integrity, and Industry Leadership

CCO Certification is proud to celebrate its 30th anniversary, a significant milestone that reflects three decades of advancing fairness, integrity, consistency, and impartiality in the load-handling industry. Founded in 1995 as a nonprofit organization, CCO was built in response to a clear need for improved safety. Since then, CCO has remained committed to its mission to improve competency through certification and elevating standards across the industry. Today, CCO is nationally recognized and is widely known as the Gold Standard in construction certification.

The Genesis of Crane Operator Certification

CCO’s origin was truly “for the industry, by the industry.” As crane accidents spiked in the early 1990s, regulators began examining how to make the crane industry safer. The Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association began holding meetings to address the issue which eventually resulted in the creation of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators and the appointment of Graham Brent as its Executive Director. Brent spent the early days promoting operator certification and building a Subject Matter Expert base that remains the cornerstone of CCO to this day. Notably, CCO’s 30-member commission consists of members from 10 distinct categories representing the industry. Throughout the organization’s growth, the involvement of the CCO Subject Matter Experts have guided and developed the CCO into the Gold Standard for crane operator certification.

A Turning Point for Safety and Professionalism

A pivotal moment in CCO’s history came in 2010, when OSHA began looking into crane operator certification requirements following a series of crane accidents. While CCO certification was available, there were organizations that weren’t demanding excellence. From a regulatory standpoint, operator qualification expectations were limited. “There were less requirements to operate a crane than to cut hair. Someone in a hair salon would have to have licenses. Not so for a crane operator,” said CCO CEO Thom Sicklesteel.

CCO played a leading role in shaping the industry’s path forward. When OSHA formalized the national certification crane operator requirement in 2018, CCO’s long-standing standards and programs became essential benchmarks. “Over time, agencies, groups, insurance companies, contractors and site owners began requiring CCO by name. These are things that built the organization and helped expand CCO,” Sicklesteel said.

A Lifelong Career Path

Throughout the years, the industry has seen direct response from the operators. Operators now take greater pride in their roles, and many are proud to hold their CCO certification. This recognition directly impacts their confidence, decision-making, and understanding of their responsibilities. Many of CCO’s earliest certificants remain committed to maintaining their certification, with some now achieving five- and six-star status through recertifying every five years for the past 30 years.

Sicklesteel emphasizes that crane operation is a profession that grows with individuals over time and is a lifelong career. “The industry is awesome. It’s an essential industry. And it’s also one of those things I don’t think AI is going to be in a rush to replace,” he said. He added, “If you are looking for a long-term career, if you are looking for something that is going to build, that you can build on for a number of years, the trades is going to be a place to be.”

CCO’s Growth

What started as a crane operator certification program has now grown into 29 different certifications across 13 programs including certifications for Lift Directors, Signal Persons, Riggers, Telehandler Operators, Concrete Pump Operators and others. Additionally, CCO is in the process of developing certifications for Evaluator of Crane Operators, Assembly/Disassembly Director, and Pipelayer Operator. CCO has over 200 Subject Matter Experts involved in various levels of the organization and will be accomplishing its 2,200,000 exams in 2026.

Innovation Driven by Industry Needs

CCO’s history is marked not only by growth, but by continuous innovation. The organization has consistently evolved to meet changing industry needs, expanding operations and introducing new tools to support certificants, employers, and the industry as a whole. CCO was the first of its kind to offer Verify CCO Online (VCO) to allow employers to verify the certification status of their employees and applicants.

Recent advancements include:

• Online testing, offering a more secure exam administration with faster results
• The myCCO portal, giving candidates easier access to their records
• The upcoming launch of CertConnect, designed to enhance communication and streamline certification management

“For online testing we have been able to secure the exams in a better way and administer them more efficiently. Candidates get a notification of their score, whether they passed it or not, quicker. In the old days, it could be up to 30 days. Now candidates get exam results within minutes,” Sicklesteel said. He noted that successful organizations must stay engaged with industry needs, which is something CCO remains dedicated to as it looks toward the next 30 years.

CCO’s dedication to excellence is also reflected through accreditation. When assessed by ANAB in recent years, CCO received zero non-conformities, a testament to its rigor, self-evaluation, and continuous improvement. “By being willing to be critical of ourselves and transparent with each other, we can continue to learn, grow, and serve our industry in a better way. That is what makes CCO an outstanding organization,” Sicklesteel said.

The Gold Standard Commitment

CCO’s reputation as the Gold Standard is central to its culture and its mission. “The Gold Standard, to me, is being the best. Not the silver standard or the bronze standard. The gold standard. We are committed to serving, outperforming, outgrowing, out serving within the industry,” Sicklesteel said. This excellence is fueled by the dedication of CCO staff and more than 200 volunteer subject matter experts. “I love the staff and our volunteers. They are my favorite people in the world,” he said. “There is a real sense of unselfishness here that starts with our team and is reflected by our 200+ subject matter experts who dedicate their time and resources to growing the organization.”

Looking Ahead: The Next 30 Years

CCO’s journey is a story of growth, dedication, and a passion for safety and continued learning. When reflecting on the past 30 years, Sicklesteel hopes the industry recognizes that, “We were full of integrity, that we did the right thing, that we helped make the industry safer… I hope that continues over the next 30 years,” Sicklesteel said.

As CCO looks to the future, the commitment remains unchanged: to reduce workplace risk, improve safety and remain an industry resource. The progress of the past three decades reflects the dedication of volunteers, subject matter experts, staff, and candidates who believe in the benefits of accredited certification.  With continuous innovation and a focus on public safety, CCO will strive to remain a leader in advancing the knowledge and safety of the crane and load-handling industries.

Thank You to Our Community

CCO expresses deep gratitude to all who have contributed to the organization’s success throughout the years. To all the certificants, employers, volunteers, partners, and staff – thank you. Your support and commitment have shaped CCO’s journey and will continue to drive its mission forward for the next 30 years and beyond. This organization would not be where it is today without your support.