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CCO Mobile Crane Operator Core Examination
The CCO Mobile Crane Operator program of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) requires written examinations — a 95-question, 90-minute multiple-choice Core Examination plus at least one 26-question, 60-minute Specialty Examination (Lattice Boom Cranes (LAT), Telescopic Boom Cranes—Swing Cab (TLL), or Telescopic Boom Cranes—Fixed Cab (TSS)) — plus a hands-on Practical Examination on the corresponding crane type. This row covers the written (Core) examination. Written exams are delivered by computer via Online Proctored Testing, Test Center Testing, or Event Online Testing, with Spanish-language versions available; certification is valid for five years.
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QuestionsCore Examination: 95 multiple-choice questions. Each Specialty Examination: 26 multiple-choice questions (candidates take the Core plus at least one Specialty)
Testing timeCore Examination: 90 minutes. Each Specialty Examination: 60 minutes
ScoringPass/fail; candidates must pass the Written Core and at least one Specialty Examination plus the corresponding Practical Exam to be certified. Minimum passing scores are determined by CCO following test construction (criterion-referenced standard-setting per AERA Standards); no numeric cut score is published
Exam feeUSD 140 Core (written) exam; USD 80 per written Specialty exam; USD 70 per Practical exam (fees effective January 1, 2024; identical exams for initial certification and recertification)
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Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- NCCCO
- Category
- Heavy Equipment Operations
- Current version
- Current specification; no public version label (Core Exam content outline with four domains; program restructured January 2023 — single Lattice Boom Crane (LAT) specialty and generic load charts for all Mobile Crane Specialty exams)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English, Spanish
- Testing provider
- NCCCO self-administers written-exam delivery through the myCCO portal (computer-based via OPT, TCT, and EOT); practical exams are administered by CCO-accredited Practical Exam Proctors. No external delivery vendor is named on CCO's current pages
- Format
- Computer-based written exams via three modalities: Online Proctored Testing (OPT, from home or any private room), Test Center Testing (TCT, at a network of CCO test centers), and Event Online Testing (EOT, proctored group testing); paper/pencil and brick-and-mortar computer-lab modalities were phased out in 2023. Practical exams are in person on an actual crane
- Availability
- Year-round, 24/7/365 by appointment: OPT sessions can be booked as little as 15 minutes before a desired test time and up to six months ahead; TCT appointments are scheduled at the candidate's convenience at CCO test centers; EOT administrations are held at scheduled group events
- Results
- Written exams (OPT/TCT/EOT): preliminary results available immediately on completion, subject to review and approval under standard testing protocols. Practical exam: score reports are emailed and posted to the myCCO Portal shortly after the electronic scoresheet is submitted (historically approximately twelve working days from NCCCO's receipt of the score sheet)
- Credential validity
- CCO certification is valid for five years; recertification candidates must complete all recertification requirements during the 12 months prior to the expiration date (recertification candidates who can attest to at least 1,000 hours of crane-related experience are not required to take the practical exam)
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
Written portion: a Core Examination (95 multiple-choice items across four domains — Site ~20%, Operations ~26%, Technical Knowledge ~28%, Load Charts ~26%) plus one to three 26-item Specialty Examinations: Lattice Boom Cranes (LAT), Telescopic Boom Cranes—Swing Cab (TLL), Telescopic Boom Cranes—Fixed Cab (TSS); load charts, references, and calculators are provided on-screen. Certification additionally requires a hands-on Practical Examination on the corresponding crane type (six main tasks: pre-operational inspection, placing the ball in a stop circle, following hand signals, placing the ball in barrels, negotiating a zigzag corridor with load, and safe shutdown/securing procedures)
Where rules vary
A U.S. national certification recognized under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC as an accredited crane operator qualification; NCCCO describes the program as "nationally recognized and internationally accredited". Some states/cities impose additional licensing, but the exam itself is uniform nationwide.
Eligibility
Be at least 18 years of age; comply with CCO's Substance Abuse Policy; pass the Written Examinations (Core and at least one Specialty); pass the Practical Examination(s); comply with the CCO Code of Ethics. No prior experience or training is required to apply
Retake policy
No fixed attempt limit published; a rolling 12-month rule applies — candidates have 12 months after passing their first exam (Written or Practical) to pass the corresponding exam(s) in the same designation(s), and any test passed counts toward certification for 12 months (a Core passed more than 12 months before the last required Specialty/Practical must be retaken). Candidates who miss an appointment or do not test within six months of application submission forfeit their fees. Extension petitions are generally denied absent extraordinary circumstances