NCCCO Tower Crane

The Tower Crane Operator written examination is a single test covering tower crane operation. It contains 55 multiple-choice questions, and candidates are allowed 60 minutes to complete it. Because that works out to roughly a minute per question, pacing matters: answer the straightforward items first and return to anything that requires chart work or calculation.

Yes. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements may take the written and practical examinations in either order. What is not flexible is the clock: you must pass the written and the corresponding practical examination within a 12-month timeframe for certification to be awarded.

The CCO Tower Crane Practical Examination, which demonstrates operator proficiency, may be taken on Hammerhead, Luffer, or Self-Erecting cranes. Confirm which type you will be tested on before scheduling, because your preparation and practice time should be on that configuration rather than a different tower crane.

Tests passed within a 12-month period count toward certification. For example, a candidate who fails the written exam in January but passes the practical exam in June has until the end of the following June to retake and pass the written exam. If the window lapses, the earlier passing result no longer counts.

Requirements include being at least 18 years of age, complying with CCO's Substance Abuse Policy, passing the written examination, passing the practical examination within the 12-month timeframe, and complying with the Code of Ethics. CCO also publishes testing accommodations and appeals policies that apply across its certification programs.

CCO certification is valid for five years. Candidates must complete all of their recertification requirements during the 12 months prior to their expiration date, so plan the written, practical, and any related paperwork well inside that final year rather than waiting until the last month.

CCO does not publish a passing score on its tower crane program page, so treat any specific number you hear from a third party with caution and confirm details in the Candidate Handbook. Difficulty is best judged by your command of load charts, rigging, and setup procedures under a 60-minute limit for 55 questions.

Yes. Certified individuals receive a laminated CCO wallet card at no cost when they complete initial certification or recertification. If a replacement is needed, cards may be ordered online at a cost of $30. The card remains the property of CCO, is not transferable, and must be returned on demand.

Complete instructions, exam contents, and candidate applications are contained in the Candidate Handbook for each program, available from NCCCO. Use the handbook as your primary study outline, and use the How to Test and How to Recertify pages for scheduling and renewal logistics rather than relying on secondhand summaries.