September 26, 2022—Effective January 2023, CCO’s Mobile Crane Operator Program will see updates that will create consistency and improve the overall testing process.
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, starting January 1, 2023, 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.