State & City Crane Operator Licenses

OSHA requires crane operators on construction sites to be qualified through certification or another approved method. On top of that, a number of states and cities require their own crane operator licenses. Before you operate a crane in a new place, check what applies.

• Crane Operators
• Contractors
• Employers

Federal rule

• OSHA's cranes and derricks rule requires employers to ensure operators are certified or qualified to operate the equipment, and trained for the machine and its hazards (29 CFR 1926.1427).
• Certification can come from an accredited testing organization, such as NCCCO, from an audited employer program, or from a government entity that meets criteria. See Crane Operators.
• The employer must evaluate the operator for the specific equipment, and OSHA requires the operator to be certified for the type and capacity of crane in many cases.

State and local licensing

• A number of states, and some large cities and counties, require operators to hold a license issued by a licensing board, often after testing, experience and sometimes medical clearance.
• Licensing rules can differ for tower cranes, mobile cranes, hoisting engineers, small cranes or certain equipment. Some places also license riggers or signal persons.
• Many licenses accept national certification (such as NCCCO) as part or all of the requirements, while others require their own exam.
• Some jurisdictions allow temporary permits, reciprocity with other licensing states, or exemptions for certain work such as agriculture or maintenance.

How to check

• Search your state labor, licensing or construction industries board and your city's building or buildings department for "crane operator license"
• Ask the project owner, general contractor or crane rental company what the site requires
• Confirm whether your national certification is accepted and which crane types it covers
• Check expiration dates, recertification and renewal rules
• Keep copies of your license, certificates and medical card
• Do not run the crane if the license is missing or expired

For employers

• Verify licenses and certifications before assigning operators; keep records.
• Make sure rental companies provide licensed operators where required. See Crane Basics.
• Signal persons and riggers must also be qualified. See Signal Person Qualification and Qualified Riggers.

Last updated: October 8, 2026