There’s always a high demand for crane operators and this might be the main reason why you would want to become one. Taking the crane operator training course is an essential part of the process to obtain the certification and license, though the license is not compulsory in the state of Ohio, it will likely increase your chance of getting employed.
But OSHA requirements still need to be complied with. If you want to adhere to the requirements and get into the program is your plan of action, it would be helpful to find a crane operator training school.
Whether you are an individual seeking training or an employer wanting workers to get certified, enrolling in the program is the viable solution to comply.
Below are the schools and institutes where you can register for a course and complete the program.
Crane Operator Training Schools in Ohio
If you are looking for crane training and certification classes, here are the schools and training providers where you can take the preparatory course:
- Crane Training USA
7908 Cincinnati-Dayton Road
Suite H, West Chester, Ohio 45069
Contact: Phone: 513-755-2177 Fax: 513-755-6789 - Performance Training Solutions
7791 Taylor Rd SW, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Phone: (614) 863-8830
This training provider is licensed by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools - Industrial Training International
21000 Aerospace Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44142
(P) 800.727.6355; (F) 360.225.1122; (E)This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Total Equipment Training
Offers mobile crane training for employers and companies in Greater Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati
for more information contact:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; fax: (610) 321-2679 - Crane Training & Certification of the Midwest Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio
(513) 659-2229;This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Can do onsite training at client’s facility - All Purpose Safety Training Solutions
Phone: (888) 501-1355; Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Training locations are at Dayton, Middleton, Springfield, Cleveland - Little Miami Crane Inspection and Training
Phone: 513-378-0875
Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Located in Loveland, OH - Konecranes Training Institute
4505 Gateway Blvd, Springfield , OH
Contact: 866-821-4006 - Cincinnati Crane & Hoist
10860 Paddys Run Road, Harrison, OH 45303. T: 813-476-3116
Offers training and certification program in the Midwest Region together with NACB - Crane U
Toll Free : 855-9CRANEU; (855-927-2638 ); 205-478-2050; (513) 817-4947
Headquarter is located in Cincinnati - Ohio Operating Engineers, Apprenticeship and Training Local 18
Head Office: 1184 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 487-6531, (888) 488-9997
9435 Cygnet Rd. Cygnet, OH 43413, (419) 655-3282, Toll (888) 634-6880
30410 Strawn Rd. Logan, OH 43138, (740) 385-2567, Toll (888) 385-2567
4250 Soldiers Home-Miamisburg Road Miamisburg, OH, (937) 859-5211, Toll (800) 635-4928
4675 Newton Rd. Richfield, OH 44286 (330) 659-4115, Toll (800) 842-9419
How to Choose the Right Crane Operator School
- Choose a school that offers employment assistance to its graduates. The school has the connection to put you on the job immediately after completing the program. This means they’re the ones who will look for an employer for you.
- Find a school that provides extensive hands-on operation for you to gain the much-needed practical skills. If you are a beginner, this means a lot. This practical training will give you the in-the-seat experience needed to pass the practical test and perform the actual job.
- Find a class with a small number of students. So that each student in the class receives the focus and attention.
- Find a school with a modern training facility and well-maintained crane equipment. For you to make sure that your preferred school has modern facilities and equipment, personally visit their premises, observe the surroundings and see if the equipment is up to date. Ask permission first with the school if can do visit their training ground.
- The school should have a training curriculum that is in conjunction with NCCCO certification exams so that you would not have a hard time passing the certification tests. Getting the NCCCO certification is important and obtaining it involves passing the written and practical exams. NCCCO certification is nationally-recognized and this credential is the one that will be asked from you by the employer. NCCCO is on par with NCCER. It is up to you which credentials you would want to obtain.
- The instructor should have extensive field experience. It is vital for the instructor to have major hands-on experience so that they understand and share their knowledge with students. Talk to the school about their instructor’s technical background. There should be qualified people teaching the crane training program.
- If you are an employer, choose a training school that conducts onsite training. So that the instructor can modify the curriculum based on the number and behavior of crane operators you have onsite and the types of cranes you are using.
How Much Does It Cost Attending the School?
To give you a ballpark figure of how much you will pay for the training, it somewhere in the range of $4,000 to $8,000 is the rough estimate. Yes, it could cost you some amount, but you can recuperate the investment once you have the certification because the employer prefers to hire a candidate with readied credentials.
The training fees vary depending on the type of crane you want to get certified on and the duration of the training.
And since the price is constantly changing, it would be accurate if you talk to the school and ask about the fees and other miscellaneous expenses that will incur during the training.
You may also be wondering who will pay for the training. If you are employed and the company requires you to be trained, they are the ones who will pay for it. But in most cases, the school is for an individual who is new and wants to enter the field.
Attending the school and completing the preparatory training course is a feasible way to get certified. The school will teach you everything you need to know and will prepare you to pass the NCCCO certification exams.
Elements of the Crane Operator Training Program
The training duration usually lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks but depending on the school and curriculum, it could be shorter or longer. But the training usually is consisted of these three basic elements:
- Classroom instruction happens during the first week of the program. The classroom training is important so that you understand the fundamentals and basics of the crane equipment you want to get certified on, introduction to the trade, principles of crane operation, and other topics that may be deemed necessary.
- After the first week, the hands-on training follows and takes a large portion of the training time. This seat time is the most important element of the course. This is where you hone your practical skills in crane operation and get the necessary experience and know-how.
- The last stage of the training program is the NCCCO written test preparation and the actual written and practical testing. The school or its representative will also assist you in getting an exam schedule.
Most beginners are overwhelmed by the preparation. If you are one of them, you don’t have to be. Throughout the course, the instructor will assist. They will focus on the type of questions that will appear on the exam. With the instructor’s extensive experience and knowledge, he knows what he’s doing to help you pass.
Exams Needed to Pass in Order to Get Certified
Most individuals and employers will be interested in pursuing certification through an accredited testing organization. There are three (3) testing organizations that offer crane certification. Namely, they’re the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), and the Operating Engineers Certification Program (OECP).
You would most likely choose the NCCCO certification because this is widely available nationwide in different locations. While the other two are on par with NCCCO.
The NCCCO certification involves passing the Core Examination and one or more Specialty Exams and of course the practical test. You have 90 minutes to complete the Core Exam and 60 minutes to finish each of the Specialty Exam.
Please do expect that the practical exam takes about half of the day. Most of it will be allocated in hands-on training and pre-testing inspection. This is important so that you can get used to the actual crane equipment you will be tested on. The actual practical exam only takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Taking the written and practical exams does cost some amount. As of this writing, the cost for taking the written exam is $200, depending on whether you take via online or in-person; while the practical exam is only $60.
If you’re not successful in passing the exams, you have the option to retake them. The retesting fees are the same as when you first applied for it. If you want a retest, please allow advance notice of at least 4 days before getting another testing schedule.
If you took the test in the paper-and-pencil method, the exam results will be mailed to you via post approximately 2 weeks after taking the exams. On the other hand, if testing is done in CBT, the release of the result is only 72 hours.
If you have completed and passed the certification exams, the certification is valid for five (5) years. You can certify anytime after the 4th year. Please do get confused that your new certification will start only after the old one expires.
What are the Minimum Requirements to be certified by NCCCO?
These are the requirements you need to understand in order to become an NCCCO certified crane operator:
- Aspiring individuals must adhere to the ASME B.30 physical requirement throughout the duration of the certification period and confirm compliance with the requirement by signing in the application.
- You need to be at least 18 years old in order for the application to get accepted.
- You need to comply with the NCCCO substance abuse policy.
- You need to obey the NCCCO code of ethics.
- Successfully pass the written exam. The written exam is comprised of the Core Exam and one Specialty Exam.
- Pass the practical exam on the type of crane you want to get certified on. Aspiring candidates must pass the practical test within twelve months after passing the written exam.
You may have already heard about being “certified” and “qualified”. There distinction that differentiates the two. Being certified is when you passed the NCCCO written exam and practical test. While being qualified is only having extensive knowledge and experience.
The majority of the crane operators in the country are certified through the testing program of the NCCCO because it is widely recognized in the construction industry.
Salary of Crane Operators in Ohio
If you’re wondering how much you would get working in Ohio, well the average salary of crane/tower crane operator in this state averages $48,805 but it ranges between $38,605 and $58,527. These figures are based on the October 29, 2021report of Salary.Com.
The factors that affect the wage are the city/location where you are working in Ohio, years of experience working as a crane operator, credentials and qualifications that be applicable for the job and education you have gained through years of working. There will be job openings as there are more and more baby boomers retiring and people are shifting to other trades and occupations.
The demand for crane operators will continue to increase the same with other construction trades as more and more manual jobs are being mechanized. While the construction industry has the most demand for qualified crane operators, the requirement in the shipping industry is also expected to grow.
Experienced crane operators can become supervisors or managers. While others pursue putting up their own contracting business.
Contacting the Authorities
- Ohio Division of Industrial Compliant and Labor
6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Phone 614.644.2223; Fax 614.644.2618; EmailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
420 Madison Avenue, Suite 600, Toledo, OH 43604, (419) 259-7542
36 Triangle Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45246, (513) 841-4132
Essex Place 6393 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 203, Independence, OH 44131, (216) 447-4194
200 North High Street, Room 620, Columbus, OH 43215, (614) 469-5582 - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Division of Occupational Employment Statistics
PSB Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20212-0001
Phone: 1-202-691-6569