Crane operation is a specialized skill that needs to be given due importance. This machine can cause serious harm to the operator and to others as well if not properly operated. It can paralyze the company if such an untoward accident happens. Hence, thorough training and certification are vital for someone who wishes to operate a crane.
Where else can you obtain the training and certification? You bet you can get trained and certified by a crane operator school in Pennsylvania.
And if you are looking for one, here are the schools where can you enroll for a course:
Stephenson Equipment, Inc
7201 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
Phones: 1 (717) 564-3434, (800) 325-6455
Becket Training & Consulting
677 Farnum Rd. Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-299-5534; Fax: 610-892-1121; Email:
Crawford Custom Consulting, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters:
11139 Cutter Rd, Meadville, PA 16335
Phone: (814)333-9600; f. (814)336-3333
794 Southwind Ln, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: (917)657-4408
Jarnel Iron & Forge, Inc./Jarnel Crane Rental
Service PA and other neighboring states
Contacts: Phone: 301-733-1150; Email:
Atlantic Crane Inspection Service
P.O. Box11569, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19116
Phone: 215-639-2579; Fax: 215-639-2316
Rigging Institute
205 Bridgewater Road., Aston, PA 19014
(610) 859-8937 FaxPhone: 888-416-1965; Email:
Total Equipment Training
Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, USA
Phone:+1 610-321-2679
All-Purpose Crane Training
Phone: (888) 501-1355; Email:
Konecranes Training Institute
371 Circle of Progress, Pottstown, PA
Phone: 866-821-4006
Western Pennsylvania Operating Engineers
457 Christopher Road, New Alexandria, PA 15670
Contacts: Phone (724) 668-2244; Fax (724) 668-8146
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542
1375 Virginia Drive, Suite 100 Ft. Washington, PA 19034
Phone: 215-542-7500
How to Decide on the Crane Operator School to Join
Choosing the right school can be a daunting task for you. If you committed the mistake of choosing, you may end up flushing down your tuition down to the toilet. Here are some of the important factors to look for:
- The training curriculum should follow the NCCCO and the ASME standards – When choosing a school, make an inquiry with them about what training standard they follow, but usually their answer is the same – NCCCO.
- The training school should provide a comprehensive program – the course should be comprehensive and include classroom instruction and generous time for practical training. These two are the components of the course.
- The training facility and crane equipment must be modern and high tech – request to the school if you could visit their training ground and facility, observe if they use modern pieces of equipment and if they pass your personal liking.
- The instructor should have training experience and capability to deliver such training – You may also inquire with the school who is the instructor and how long he has been doing the crane training.
- Know the class size – the class should have a low students-to-instructor ratio, though we cannot determine the good number, 12 students per class will be ideal. The class size ensures that you will be given due attention and focus in the training, you would not have to share training equipment with others.
- Gives payment options and training grants – We all know that the cost of training is expensive. The tuition can burn a hole in your pocket. If you don’t have the upfront cash to pay for the tuition, how can you get enrolled? Some ways to pay the school are by availing their discount and flexible payment terms, and with grants (if they accept such funding).
- Gives employment assistance – did you know construction companies and other employers get their talents from the training school? The school maintains a network of companies they can recommend their graduates to. If you have the potentials, you can be referred to an employer after graduating.
Specific Requirements for Crane Operators Working in Pennsylvania
- Crane operators working in this Pennsylvania are required to be licensed (stated in the provisions of House Bill 647). The licensing covers all operators of mobile cranes with a lifting capacity of 15 tons and above and of tower cranes with a height of more than 10 meters irrespective of the workplace where the crane is to be operated; this is unlike in other states where such licensing requirements is only applicable to construction-type of work.
- The licensing requirement of this state doesn’t include those cranes being utilized in mining, long shoring, or in manufacturing type of business. The other machinery not covered by the licensing requirement are digger derricks, forklifts, bucket trucks and tow trucks.
- The state also requires that when operators of mobile crane (with fixed control or rotating control station) or lattice boom crane are taking a practical exam, they shall submit a picture of the crane together with their license application.
- You also need to complete the physical examination required to apply for the operator license.
- The licensing involves passing the certification exams that complement the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) standards or by other accrediting institutions attaining the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. The NCCCO is recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The CCO certification is nationally-recognized and usually being required by the employer.
- If you are a trainee, you need to apply for a trainee license in this state. You need to be under the direction of a licensed operator if you are operating a crane. Getting such a license also involves taking the written certification exams for the type of crane intending to operate.
How to Apply for Crane Operator License in This State
- Apply for a crane training course at your desired school. The list of crane training schools in Pennsylvania is above for your reference. It will take several weeks to complete a certain course.
- Since the certification involves passing the written and practical tests, the course you’ve taken from the school will prepare you in passing the certification exams.
- When you are successful in taking the tests, you need to complete the physical test requirement and fill up the required license application forms.
- The school will help you in accomplishing the physical test and submitting the form to the appropriate authority which is the Pennsylvania State Board of Crane Operators. You also need to attach a copy of the written and practical test scores you’ve had as provided by the training school together with a waiver granting permission to release the scores and the applicant’s status to the Board.
- You need to pay the fee. The initial licensing application fee is $100 (as of this writing).
The license granted to you doesn’t cover all cranes. The license only covers the type of crane you are certified for. You are not allowed to operate any type of cranes or conduct work activities unrelated to the crane you are licensed to operate.
The license is valid for two years and needs to be renewed every that period.
If You Are Certified In Other State & You Want To Apply For License in PA
If you’ve been a crane operator working in other states of the US or in Canada and you intend to apply for a license, here are the requirements if you need to apply for a crane operator license in this state:
- The applicant must be 18 years old and above;
- He or she must have good moral character;
- The applicant must hold a certification issued by an accredited certifying organization such as the NCCCO, or other bodies;
- Knowledge assessment and practical examination that meets or surpass the current ASME B30.5 standard;
- You also need to submit crane operator license issued to you by the authority in another state, if you have any;
- There are appropriate fees, currently, for the first-time applicants, the fee is $100.
Salary of Crane Operators in Pennsylvania
If you will work in this state, you could make as much as $42,983 annually. According to the latest October 29, 2021 report of Salary.com, here are the cities and towns of Pennsylvania that offer high salaries:
Abington | $46,101 | Glen Riddle Lima | $46,084 | |
Ackermanville | $46,295 | Glenside | $46,135 | |
Ambler | $46,066 | Gwynedd | $46,015 | |
Arcola | $44,963 | Havorford | $46,135 | |
Ardmore | $46,135 | Havertown | $46,135 | |
Audubon | $46,015 | Hilltown | $45,966 | |
Avondale | $45,860 | Holicong | $46,401 | |
Bensalem | $46,516 | Horsham | $46,032 | |
Berwyn | $46,049 | Huntingdon Valley | $46,066 | |
Cheltenham | $46,135 | New Hope | $46,488 | |
Clifton Heights | $46,135 | Newtown Square | $46,066 | |
Colmar | $45,833 | Oreland | $46,118 | |
Crum Lynne | $46,135 | Paoli | $45,997 | |
Danboro | $46,401 | Penns Park | $46,516 | |
Darby | $46,135 | Philadelphia | $46,135 | |
Devon | $46,066 | Pipersville | $46,830 | |
Doylestown | $46,401 | Point Pleasant | $46,739 | |
Dresher | $46,084 | Prospect Park | $46,135 | |
Drexel Hill | $46,135 | Richboro | $46,502 | |
Feasterville Trevose | $46,502 | Spring House | $46,032 | |
Flourtown | $46,135 | Springfield | $46,135 | |
Folcroft | $46,135 | Valley Forge | $45,997 | |
Folsom | $46,135 | Villanova | $46,118 | |
Forest Grove | $46,459 | Wallingford | $46,118 | |
Gardenville | $46,732 | Warminster | $46,459 | |
Gladwyne | $46,135 | Wayne | $46,066 |
Governing Authorities
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Crane Operators
Regulates the practice, licensure and registration of crane operators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Contact: Phone: (717) 783-1404; Fax: (717) 705-5540
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
Visit their website:www.nccco.org
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Philadelphia: (215) 597-4955; (215) 597-1956
Pittsburgh: (412) 395-4903; (412) 395-6380 Fax
Wilkes-Barre: (570) 826-6538; (570) 821-4170 Fax
Center Valley: (267) 429-7542; (267) 429-7567 Fax
Erie: (814) 874-5150; (814) 874-5151 Fax
Harrisburg: (717) 782-3902; (717) 782-3746 FAX
To Make a Conclusion
Getting the proper training is one of the important factors to get into this field of crane operation.
You can get the education and competency by enrolling in a course offered by a crane operator school in Pennsylvania.
Since this Pennsylvania has specific requirement when it come to licensing, the course will prepare you in passing the certification exams which required in getting a crane operator license in this state.
Don’t commit the mistake of choosing the right school to get the training at. We have highlighted some of the factors you can consider in selecting the school.
Good luck on your career!