Certification, Verification & Employer Resources
Is CCO certification nationally accredited?
Most CCO certification programs are nationally accredited. For a list of our accredited programs, please see our Accreditation page.
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How can an employer verify an employee’s CCO certification?
Use VerifyCCO to instantly check a CCO credential holder's certification status online or create your organization for free through CertConnect in the myCCO Portal.
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What is the difference between VerifyCCO and CertConnect?
VerifyCCO is for individual certification checks. CertConnect is for ongoing, real-time monitoring of connected employees' certifications.
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How long is a CCO certification valid?
Most CCO certifications are valid for five years while others are valid for 3 years. Employees should check their myCCO dashboard for their individual expiration date. You can find out your employee's expiration date by using VerifyCCO and logging into the myCCO Portal and accessing CertConnect.
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Does CCO recognize employers that support certification?
Yes. CCO's Employer Recognition Award honors companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to certification and safety. Please see our Employer Awards page.
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Training, Testing & Employee Support
Where can an employer find CCO exam-preparation training for employees?
Use the Find Training Providers directory. CCO EDU Accredited Training Providers have met CCO EDU's rigorous accreditation standards. Other training providers are also listed.
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How can an employee request testing accommodations?
The employee must submit a CCO testing-accommodations application with the required supporting documentation at least four weeks before testing. Please see our Testing Accommodations form.
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Can an employer host CCO exams at its own facility?
Yes. Companies can become approved hosts for written and practical exams when the site, equipment, and testing personnel meet CCO requirements. Please see our Host Exams Overview page.
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OSHA Training & Operator Qualification
What does OSHA require before a crane operator can work independently?
According to OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, the employer must ensure the operator is qualified, trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated before the operator works independently. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Can an operator-in-training operate a crane before becoming certified?
Yes, under OSHA's required supervision and restrictions. The operator-in-training may only perform work permitted under the applicable training requirements and limitations. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Who can supervise an operator-in-training?
The trainer must be an employee or agent of the employer with the knowledge, training, and experience needed to direct the operator-in-training on the equipment being used. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Does an operator-in-training have to be continuously monitored?
Yes. OSHA requires continuous monitoring while the operator-in-training operates the equipment, subject to its limited short-break provisions. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Who pays for crane-operator certification or licensing required by OSHA?
The employer must provide required operator certification or licensing at no cost to the employee. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Does a state or local crane-operator license satisfy OSHA requirements?
It can, if the licensing program meets OSHA's requirements. Where a qualifying state or local license is required, the operator must hold that license to operate in that jurisdiction. Please see our State & City Licensing Requirements section on our Industry Resources Page.
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OSHA Employer Evaluation & Ongoing Compliance
Does CCO certification replace the employer’s OSHA operator evaluation?
No. Certification and the employer evaluation are separate requirements. Certification alone does not satisfy OSHA's employer-evaluation requirement. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Who can conduct an employer crane-operator evaluation?
The evaluator must have the knowledge, training, and experience needed to assess the operator and must be an employee or agent of the employer. CCO Certification recently launched the first-ever standardized Evaluator of Crane Operator certification that meets OSHA 1926. See our Evaluator program page.
What must an employer evaluate?
The evaluation must determine whether the operator can safely operate the assigned equipment and recognize and avert risks. It should account for the equipment, its configuration, and the hoisting activities the operator will perform. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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Does an employer have to document the operator evaluation?
Yes. The documentation must include:
- Operator's name
- Evaluator's name and signature
- Evaluation date
- Make, model, and configuration of the equipment used
Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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When must an employer retrain a crane operator?
Retraining is required when the operator's performance or an evaluation of the operator's knowledge shows that retraining is necessary. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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When does an operator need to be re-evaluated?
Re-evaluation is required when retraining is required. The re-evaluation only needs to address the areas covered by the retraining. Please see OSHA's 1926.1427 - Operator training, certification, and evaluation page.
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