The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will issue separate CCO certification cards to CCO-certified crane operators who also have been certified in the CCO rigger and/or signalperson categories. Previously, all certifications were listed on one card. The new cards also will reflect the full five-year certification period for each category. Previously, all certifications had a common expiration date, regardless of when the candidates passed the test(s).

Riggers and signalpersons who are not certified in crane operation have always been issued their own separate cards, and this policy is unchanged.

The new policy is effective July 2. However, previously CCO-certified crane operators who hold rigger or signalperson certifications also will be issued new rigger and signalperson certification cards at no charge. Mailing of the new cards to existing certificants will be completed by mid-summer.

“This major policy change will make it much easier for employers as well as state and federal authorities such as OSHA to determine the qualifications of those working onsite,” said NCCCO Commission Chairman, Kerry Hulse. “And it will ensure that certificants receive a full five-year certification period for each of the certification categories that they have earned.”

CCO certification cards are nationally accepted as official proof of certification, and the new cards have been designed to meet all federal OSHA and state requirements, including the need to have details about the certifications (such as the types of signals in which a signalperson is certified) readily available on the job site. The new cards have been color coded for each certification category. Operator CCO cards continue to have a black band across the bottom, while rigger and signalperson cards feature a green band for easy recognition.

The new policy of separate expiration dates does not affect the crane operator certification program, however.

“All crane operator certifications will continue to have the same expiration date regardless of when new crane operator designations are added,” said Joel Oliva, NCCCO program manager, test development.

NCCCO currently has nine crane operator designations, three crane inspector designations, two rigger designations and a signalperson designation. New certifications for digger derrick operators and lift directors are currently in development for launch before the end of 2012.

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1995 by industry to develop and administer a nationwide program for the certification of crane operators and related personnel. Since then, NCCCO has administered more than 625,000 nationally accredited written and practical examinations to more than 170,000 operators in all 50 states.

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