NCCCO Launches Crane Inspector Certification

The National Commission for the Certification Operators (NCCCO), Fairfax, Va., will begin accepting applicants for its new Certified Crane Inspector program on November 1.

The new program will offer three categories of certification: mobile crane inspector, tower crane inspector, and overhead crane inspector. Candidates for mobile and tower crane inspector certification must pass a core written exam and an exam in their chosen crane specialty. Overhead crane inspector candidates must pass a single comprehensive exam.

The tests cover pre-inspection survey, records review, visual inspection, operational testing, load testing and load charts, and post-inspection actions.

Candidates who are not already certified crane operators must also pass the NCCCO crane operator written exam for the category of crane that matches the inspector certification they’re seeking. For example, someone seeking tower crane inspector certification will also have to pass the tower crane operator written exam.

Although there is no formal practical exam for the crane inspector certifications, photographs of real-life situations will be used to test crane inspectors’ ability to identify deficiencies and hazards. All applicants must also be able to demonstrate a minimum of five years’ crane-related experience.

The crane inspector certification program was developed using the NCCCO’s fast-track development process. During a year of intensive work NCCCO collaborated with the Crane Certification Association of America and a task force of other industry experts in the subject matter.

NCCCO Executive Director Graham Brent noted that his organization’s experience in developing a similar program for the state of Washington two years ago also helped speed development of this national program.

Brent also noted that this certification program, like all NCCCO certifications, was requested by the industry, and that NCCCO is seeking ANSI accreditation for it. 

NCCCO Program Director Joel Oliva said that crane inspector certification promises to bring the same safety, insurance, and risk-reduction benefits as the organization’s other certification programs.