NCCCO Telehandler

Two parts: a written exam covering safe operation knowledge, and a practical exam with eight hands-on tasks. Both must be passed. The written exam is offered online proctored, event-based, or at a test center. The practical is administered by a CCO-credentialed Practical Proctor at an approved site.

THF is the Fixed Cab telehandler specialty and THR is the Rotating Cab specialty. The practical exam may be completed on either a fixed or rotating telehandler depending on which certification you are testing for. Rotating telehandler candidates must also demonstrate setup and operation with a hook attachment and suspended load.

The written exam is $105 per exam across any modality (OPT, EOT, or TCT). The practical exam is $95 per practical exam, administered by a CCO-credentialed Practical Proctor. Fees are paid through the myCCO portal at the time of application. Both exams are required.

Three years. After that you need to recertify to keep the credential current. Confirm the recertification requirements and deadlines in the current candidate handbook, since policies are set by CCO and can change.

You must be at least 18 years old and comply with CCO's Substance Abuse Policy and Code of Ethics. There is no minimum experience requirement stated for eligibility. Apply online and pay exam fees through the myCCO portal before scheduling your written and practical exams.

Start with Operate the Telehandler (38%) and Pre-Lift Preparations (25%), which together are nearly two-thirds of the written exam. Then cover Pre-Operational Inspection (22%) and Evaluate Jobsite Conditions (15%). Load charts, capacity verification, and load calculations cut across several domains, so drill them early and often.

Eight tasks: pre-operational (shift) inspection; elevated pick and place of a horizontal pipe onto elevated posts; elevated pick and return; pick and stack pallets traveling in reverse; pick and return traveling forward; pick and return with controlled boom functions; and zigzag corridor runs forward and in reverse with a suspended test weight.

Losing load control or chain control in the zigzag corridor, contacting obstacles or hurdles, inaccurate pallet interlocking in the designated area, and weak pre-operational inspection - failing to identify components or recognize deficiencies. Practicing boom control and precision placement on the machine type you will test on addresses most of these.

The candidate handbook contains the exam outline, program overview, reference list, and policies. CCO also publishes exam reference materials used by subject matter experts to develop exam content. Use both to build your study plan, and consider an Accredited Training Provider for hands-on preparation.