The program allows those with at least five years of crane-related experience to earn a professional credential that demonstrates their qualification to inspect cranes. Before candidates take the written exams, they must attest to their experience using detailed work history, education and reference forms and submit proof (documentation, letters of recommendation, transcripts, résumé, etc.).
NCCCO reviews each application and individually approves candidates before permitting them to apply to take the crane inspector exams.
The required five years’ experience includes duties such as crane inspector, crane operator, crane mechanic/technician and crane shop foreman. Related education may be substituted for related experience at a ratio of two years of education for one year of experience up to three years.
Related education includes courses in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, applied science courses in non-destructive testing, construction technology and technical courses in heavy equipment mechanic/technician and/or welding technology.
The six content domains covered by the crane inspector certification tests are (1) pre-inspection survey, (2) records review, (3) visual inspection, (4) operational testing, (5) load testing and load charts and (6) post-inspection. Candidates will also be required to pass the written portion of the respective CCO crane operator exam(s), although those who are currently CCO-certified operators will not need to retake those tests as long as their operator certification remains in good standing.
While there is no practical exam, several written test items are pictorially based in order to test candidates on their observational skills.
The new crane inspector certification will also show inspectors are qualified to inspect cranes as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, which states cranes must be inspected after assembly, repair, jumping and disassembly.
For more information about the new crane inspector certification program — including a candidate handbook, application, and experience forms — visit nccco.org/certification/craneinspector.html.
