CAGC is Endorsed for Crane Certification - One of Only Eight in US Receives Crane Certification Endorsement from NCCER

Carolinas AGC is the only organization on the east coast endorsed to administer the new mobile crane operator certification exams developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

This news is particularly meaningful for North Carolina firms, in light of NC OSHA's new requirement for the certification of crane operators.

NC's new set of crane standards (13 NCAC 07F.0900) took effect in October. One of its most significant aspects is requiring the certification of crane operators by October 1, 2011.

Companies with mobile crane operations have three options for certifying their operators to meet this new standard:

• Through the US military;
• Through a nationally accredited program such as NCCER's
• Through an employer's own qualification program as approved by a recognized auditor such as ANSI (this option can be quite costly).

The new ANSI-accredited NCCER crane operator certification was developed by NCCER and the North American Crane Bureau (NACB). It consists of written assessments and practical examinations that meet or exceed current ASME B30.5 consensus safety standards, as well as OSHA standards for mobile crane operators.

In addition to offering certification exams, Carolinas AGC also offers optional Professional Crane Operator training classes, with exams offered at the conclusion. (Exam candidates who choose the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO) exams versus the NCCER exam will be given that choice.)

Distinctive features of the NCCER written crane operator exam include:

• Candidates have up to three hours to complete each written exam.
• Written exams are focused on specific crane types (Boom Truck, Industrial/All Purpose, Lattice Boom, Telescopic Boom).
• Note: Passing the initial Telescopic Boom exam exempts you from the Boom Truck and Industrial/All Purpose written exams.
• Use of basic non-programmable calculators is allowed.
• Written exams may be taken "on demand" at Carolinas AGC, a contractor's office, or online.
• Scores for paper exams are available within 15 minutes from either the exam proctor, or by visiting the Prov Exam Services website @ www.Provexam.com.
• Scores for online exams are displayed immediately upon completion.

Candidates are also required to pass a practical (hands-on) exam for each crane type they operate. The NCCER exam offers up to 13 practical exams based on crane type, to allow candidates to perform on familiar equipment.

The NCCER allows employers to administer practical exams on their own premises with their own equipment, provided they are administered by a NCCER-Certified Practical Examiner.

For qualified individuals who wish to become certified as a practical examiner, Carolinas AGC will offer NCCER Certified Practical Examiner training classes March 4 and November 4, 2010 in Charlotte.

For more information contact your CAGC Safety Director Kenny Boggs at kboggs@carolinasagc.org or 704/372-1450 ext. 5249.