September 22, 2022—Effective January 2023, the structure of CCO’s Mobile Crane Operator Program will see two updates that will simplify the program, create consistency, and improve the overall testing process.
Lattice Boom Certifications
CCO will combine the current Lattice Boom Truck (LBT) and Lattice Boom Crawler (LBC) certifications into a single Lattice Boom Crane (LAT) certification.
Just as the Telescopic Boom Crane Operator certifications cover the machine regardless of how it is mounted, this move will create consistency in the Mobile Crane Operator program and will require fewer exams, making it simpler and less expensive for candidates to become certified or recertify. The new Lattice Boom Crane exam will assess operator knowledge on both tire- and track-mounted lattice boom cranes.
New certificants will earn a single Lattice Boom Crane certification, denoted as “LAT,” by taking the following exams:
- Mobile Crane Operator Core written exam
- Lattice Boom (LAT) specialty written exam
- Lattice Boom (LAT) practical exam
Currently issued LBT and LBC will still be valid, and no additional testing is required. At recertification, candidates will take the written exams as outlined above (recertification candidates who can attest to at least 1,000 hours of crane related experience are not required to take the practical exam), and their new certification will reflect the new LAT designation.
Candidates taking exams at Event Online Testing (EOT), Online Proctored Testing (OPT), or paper-pencil (PPT) administrations on or after January 9, 2023, will take the new Lattice Boom Crane Operator written exam. Candidates applying for computer-based testing (CBT) on or after January 1, 2023, will register for the new single exam.
Mobile Specialty Written Exam Load Chart Updates
Certifications issued by CCO have never been equipment manufacturer–specific, yet candidates have been required to choose a load chart for a specific manufacturer to test on. This creates confusion as to whether the CCO certification is equipment manufacturer-specific, encourages training to specific load charts over general theories and principals of crane operation, and limits the knowledge areas that can be tested.
For these reasons, for all Mobile Crane Operator Specialty exams, CCO will offer a single exam option, using a generic load chart, rather than offering multiple manufacturer-specific load chart options. The exams will be listed as follows:
- Lattice Boom (LAT) specialty written exam
- Telescopic Boom—Swing Cab (TLL) specialty written exam
- Telescopic Boom—Fixed Cab (TSS) specialty written exam
This change will simplify the testing process for candidates as they will no longer be required to choose a load chart option. It will encourage candidates to be more well-rounded operators who are not just tested on how to find data in a chart, but also how to use the data as required in the field.
Candidates can review the new load charts at www.nccco.org/MCOcharts0922.
Candidates taking exams at Event Online Testing (EOT), Online Proctored Testing (OPT), or paper pencil (PPT) administrations on or after January 9, 2023, will test with the new generic load chart(s). Candidates applying for Computer Based Testing (CBT) on or after January 1, 2023, will be registering for the new exam and will test with the new generic load chart.