The following is an outline of the practical testing procedure, as provided to candidates at the time of testing.
There are two practical exams available under the CCO Articulating Crane Operator certification:
CANDIDATE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
The following sections describe the specific tasks you will be performing when taking the Practical Examination. It is important that you understand these instructions. If there is anything you do not understand, please request clarification from the Examiner.
Candidates must report to the Test Site at the scheduled time. All candidates shall comply with Test Site requirements concerning personal protective equipment, which at a minimum shall meet OSHA requirements.
The Test Site Coordinator is responsible for setting the testing schedule. If you are familiar with the operation of the test crane, you may elect to test first to allow other candidates time to review the operator’s manuals and load charts. Otherwise, selection shall be by random drawing or by assignment of the Test Site Coordinator.
During the Practical Examination, you are under the direction of the Examiner and must follow the Examiner’s directions at all times. Once you have completed all of the tests you are taking, you must leave the testing area. Only personnel involved in the administration of the test are allowed in the test area.
OPTIMUM TIMES
For all tasks, an optimum time limit has been set. If the task is completed within this time period, you receive no time penalty.
Once you exceed this time limit, you will lose points on a graduated basis. If you take one and a half times as long as the optimum time, you will have lost all the points allotted to that particular task. At one-and-a-half times the optimum time the Examiner may end the task and move on to the next task.
PRE-TEST BRIEFING
While you are waiting to take your test you will have sufficient time to read a description of the tasks to be performed and review the operator’s manual and load chart for the crane(s) you will operate. In addition, you will be informed of the make and model of the crane and the weight of the Test Weight. You will also watch a short video (below) showing all the tasks you will be required to perform during the examination. Candidates must watch the Candidate Video within 24 hours before their practical exam(s).
Please note that:
- The crane has been set up and leveled; a spirit level is available if you wish to verify levelness.
- No part of the course has been placed at a radius that exceeds the crane’s rated capacity.
- All hand signals used throughout the test will be in accordance with the NCCCO Articulating Crane Reference Manual.
- All electronic operator control assistance software and systems will be turned off for the duration of the test.
CIRCUMVENTING THE COURSE
Circumventing the course on NCCCO Articulating Crane Practical Exams is defined as when:
- Chain leaves the corridor while on or off the ground and passes more than one pole left still standing on the original string line before re-entering the corridor; you must enter the circles from inside the corridor to avoid this being marked as a deficiency
- Chain leapfrogs from one leg of corridor to another with the chain off the ground, outside the corridor
- Chain passes four or more poles consecutively with the chain off the ground, inside the corridor
- Test Weight and chain enters or exits the corridor without vertically clearing the hurdle (i.e., by going around the hurdle)
All points are lost for the task if a circumvention occurs.
UNSAFE ACT
If, at any time during the Pre-Test Familiarization Period or during the test, you commit an unsafe act, you will be disqualified from continuing with the test. An “unsafe act” is defined as an action by a candidate that is uncontrolled or reckless, and is sufficient to cause safety concern for persons or property damage.
The Examiner has the authority to stop the test at any time for reasons of safety. Please ask the Examiner if you have any questions.
If you are disqualified due to an unsafe act, you will not be permitted to any additional practical exams that day.
CANDIDATE ID AND SIGNATURE
Prior to beginning the examination, the Examiner will ask you for a valid (not expired) government-issued photo identification that includes date of birth, such as a driver’s license.
The Examiner will ask if you have read the Candidate Information and Instructions and will answer any questions you may have. He/she will review with you the weather conditions and ask you to sign, indicating that you understand the instructions for the test and agree with the Examiner’s assessment of the weather conditions.
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS
The Examiner will use an anemometer to check the wind speed and record weather conditions on your score sheet.
The Examiner has the responsibility to determine if weather conditions/equipment problems are such that a test needs to be suspended. If the test is interrupted due to weather conditions or equipment problems, the procedure for restarting is as follows:
- You will resume the test at the beginning of the task you were performing at the time of the interruption.
- You will be entitled to a Pre-Test Familiarization period before resuming the test.
- If testing resumes on a different machine, you must start the test over from the beginning. The first score sheet will be marked as “VOID” with an explanation and returned to NCCCO.
- If the testing is delayed to a different day, the test must be restarted from the beginning.
Articulating Boom Crane
VIEW CANDIDATE VIDEO:
TASKS
The Articulating Boom Crane Practical Exam tasks are:
There are also Pre-Test Briefing and Pre-Test Familiarization periods. Candidates are required to complete all phases of the test in sequence.
CRANE WALK AROUND
- Before you begin operations, you are allowed a couple of minutes to walk around the crane to ensure proper setup.
TASK 1: PRE-OPERATIONAL (SHIFT) INSPECTION
- The Practical Examiner will identify five items regarding the crane that are part of the pre-operational inspection. One at a time, you will describe how you would conduct the inspection and what deficiencies you would look for.
- You have approximately one minute per item.
PRE-TEST FAMILIARIZATION PERIOD
- You will be allowed 10 minutes to familiarize yourself with the crane and to examine anything on the crane that you feel is necessary to operate it comfortably.
- You are allowed to get the feel of the controls and are permitted to run the crane through its functions.
- You may not interfere with the test course, lift the Test Weight, or shadow the Zigzag Corridor.
- You must finish the Pre-test Familiarization Period with the boom tip centered over the Test Weight within the 10-minute period.
- You will be notified when there are five and one minute(s) remaining.
- If you are ready in less than 10 minutes, you may indicate this to the Examiner.
- If, at the end of the Pre-Test Familiarization Period, you feel you are not ready to take the examination, you should notify the Examiner. You will have, in effect, disqualified yourself from taking the examination at this time, and you will be required to sign to that effect on the candidate score sheet.
Remote Operators: At no time during the Familiarization Period or test should you walk into any part of the course, nor should you walk or stand underneath the Test Weight or boom.
TASK 2: PLACE TEST WEIGHT IN ZIGZAG START CIRCLE
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from Designated Area 1 and bring it to Designated Area 2. Avoid touching the ground, truck, or Zigzag Corridor with the test weight or chain.
- Place the test weight and chain inside Designated Area 2.
- Timing will stop when the test weight and chain have been placed within Designated Area 2 and the Examiner has given you a stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate that the test weight or chain is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking balls off poles surrounding Designated Area 1
- Knocking poles over surrounding Designated Area 1
- Test weight or chain touching ground, truck, or Zigzag Corridor
- Exceeding the optimum time
TASK 3: NEGOTIATE ZIGZAG CORRIDOR (FORWARD)
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from Designated Area 2 and guide it through the Zigzag Corridor. Avoid touching the ground or truck with the test weight, and avoid touching or knocking over any part of the PVC pole barriers.
- Keep the chain on the ground until any part of the chain has touched or crossed the denotation line located 4 ft. before the hurdle.
- Raise the test weight and chain over the hurdle without touching or knocking it over.
- Place the test weight and chain inside Designated Area 3.
- Timing will stop when the test weight has been placed within Designated Area 3 and the Examiner has given you a stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate the test weight or chain is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking balls off poles
- Moving pole bases off line
- Knocking poles over
- Knocking down hurdle
- Chain leaving ground before denotation line
- Passing poles with chain off ground
- Test weight touching ground or truck
- Chain touching ground outside Designated Area 3
- Exceeding optimum time
TASK 4: NEGOTIATE ZIGZAG CORRIDOR (REVERSE)
- At Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from Designated Area 3 and over the hurdle.
- Once the hurdle is cleared, lower the test weight so that the chain touches the ground before reaching the denotation line. Guide it through the Zigzag Corridor in reverse, keeping the chain on the ground. Avoid touching the ground or truck with the test weight, and avoid touching or knocking over any part of the PVC pole barriers.
- Place the test weight inside of Designated Area 2.
- Timing will stop when the test weight has been placed within Designated Area 2 and the Examiner has given you a stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate that the test weight is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Chain initially contacting ground after denotation line
- Knocking balls off poles
- Moving pole bases off line
- Knocking poles over
- Knocking down hurdle
- Chain leaving ground after denotation line
- Passing poles with chain off ground
- Test weight touching ground or truck
- Exceeding optimum time
TASK 5: PLACE TEST WEIGHT IN POLE CIRCLE
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from Designated Area 2 and place it inside Designated Area 1. Avoid touching the ground, truck, or Zigzag Corridor with the test weight or chain, and avoid touching or knocking over any part of the PVC pole barriers surrounding Designated Area 1.
- Timing will stop when the test weight has been placed within Designated Area 1 and the Examiner has given you a stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate that the test weight or chain is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking ball off pole
- Knocking pole over
- Test weight or chain touching ground, truck, or Zigzag Corridor
- Exceeding optimum time
Make sure to deactivate the remote control (if using one) and ensure all controls are in neutral before leaving the test area.
TASK 6: SAFE SHUTDOWN AND SECURING PROCEDURES
- Before leaving the operator station, you will be required to apply safe shutdown procedures to the crane in preparation for the next candidate.
- Once the crane is shut down, you will leave the operator station and describe to the Examiner the procedures you would follow to secure the crane at the end of the work day.
POST-TEST PROCEDURES
Once you have completed the practical examination:
- The Examiner will record your performance.
- The Examiner is not permitted to review your score sheet or discuss your performance on the test.
- Exam results will be mailed to you within approximately 12 business days of NCCCO’s receipt of the score sheet.
- For tests on any other cranes you have made formal application to test on, return to the candidate briefing area.
If you have completed all of your tests, you must leave the Test Site.
PRACTICAL SCORE REPORTING
All candidates receive score reports of their performance via email and their myCCO Portal account shortly following the submission of the electronic scoresheet.
Both the practical examination and the scoring system have been validated and verified by CCO’s pilot testing program.
Articulating Boom Loader
VIEW CANDIDATE VIDEO:
The Articulating Boom Loader Practical Exam tasks are:
CRANE WALK AROUND
- Before you begin operations, you are allowed a couple of minutes to walk around the crane to ensure proper setup.
TASK 1: PRE-OPERATIONAL (SHIFT) INSPECTION
- The Practical Examiner will identify five items regarding the crane that are part of the pre-operational inspection. One at a time, you will describe how you would conduct the inspection and what deficiencies you would look for.
- You have approximately one minute per item.
PRE-TEST FAMILIARIZATION PERIOD
- You will be allowed 15 minutes to familiarize yourself with the crane and to examine anything on the crane that you feel is necessary to operate it comfortably.
- You are allowed to get the feel of the controls and are permitted to run the crane through its functions.
- You may not interfere with the test course, lift the test weight, or shadow the Zigzag Corridor.
- You must finish the Pre-Test Familiarization Period with the fork assembly stowed in the cradle within the 15-minute period.
- You will be notified when there are ten, five, and one minute(s) remaining.
- If you are ready in less than 15 minutes, you may indicate this to the Examiner.
- If, at the end of the Pre-Test Familiarization Period, you feel you are not ready to take the examination, you should notify the Examiner. You will have, in effect, disqualified yourself from taking the examination at this time, and you will be required to sign to that effect on the Candidate Score Sheet.
Remote Operators: At no time during the familiarization period or test should you walk into any part of the course or walk underneath the test weight or boom.
TASK 2: PLACE TEST WEIGHT IN CORRAL
- At the examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, raise the fork out of the boom rest, lift the test weight from Designated Area 1, fully close the fork assembly, and bring it over to Designated Area 2. Avoid touching the truck with the test weight, and avoid touching or knocking over any part of the PVC pole barriers.
- Place the test weight on the ground inside the Designated Area 2, with the fork body on the near side marked “A,” and remove the fork assembly.
- Timing will stop when the test weight has been placed within Designated Area 2, you have removed the forks completely clear of the test weight, and the Examiner has given you the stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, that means that the forks haven’t been fully removed from the test weight.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking balls off poles
- Moving pole bases off line
- Knocking poles over
- Test weight touching the ground or truck outside of the Designated Areas
- Test weight left outside of Designated Area 2 at end of task
- Fork assembly not properly closed
- Exceeding optimum time
- If you exceed one-and-a-half times the optimum time (7:15 minutes), the test will end and you will not be permitted to continue.
TASK 3: BLIND PICK
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from the blind side marked “B,” fully close the fork assembly, and bring the test weight from Designated Area 2 over to Designated Area 3.
- Lower the test weight until the chain is touching the ground inside Designated Area 3.
- Timing will stop when the test weight chain is touching the ground within Designated Area 3, and you have been given the stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, that means that the chain is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Test weight or fork assembly touching ground, truck, or Zigzag Corridor after chain has left the ground
- Chain touching ground outside of the designated area
- Fork assembly not properly closed
- Exceeding optimum time
TASK 4: NEGOTIATE ZIGZAG CORRIDOR
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, guide the test weight from Designated Area 3 through the Zigzag Corridor to Designated Area 4. Avoid touching the ground with the test weight and fork assembly, and avoid touching or knocking over any part of the PVC pole barriers.
- Keep the chain on the ground until any part of the test weight chain has touched or crossed the denotation line located 6 ft. before the hurdle. Raise the load over the hurdle. Once the hurdle is cleared, lower the load until chain touches ground inside the designated area.
- Timing will stop when the test weight chain is touching the ground within Designated Area 4, and you have been given the stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate that the test weight chain is not within the outside perimeter of the Designated Area, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Knocking balls off poles
- Moving pole bases off line
- Knocking poles over
- Knocking down hurdle
- Chain leaving ground before denotation line
- Passing poles with chain off ground
- Test weight or fork assembly touching ground or truck
- Chain touching ground outside of Designated Area 4
- Exceeding optimum time
TASK 5: PLACE TEST WEIGHT IN DESIGNATED AREA 1
- At the Examiner’s indication to start, at which point timing will begin, lift the test weight from Designated Area 4, and bring it over to Designated Area 1. Avoid touching the ground, truck, or any part of the Zigzag Corridor.
- Place the test weight fully inside Designated Area 1.
- Return the fork assembly to the boom rest.
- Timing will stop when the fork assembly has been completely returned to the boom rest, and the Examiner has given you a stop signal. If you do not receive a stop signal, this will indicate that the fork assembly has not been properly stowed, and the task continues to be timed.
- Points will be deducted for the following:
- Any part of the test Weight or fork assembly touching the ground or Zigzag Corridor
- Test weight left outside of Designated Area 1 at end of task
- Exceeding optimum time
Make sure to deactivate the remote control (if using one) and ensure all controls are in neutral before leaving the test area.
TASK 6: SAFE SHUTDOWN AND SECURING PROCEDURES
- Before leaving the operator station, you will be required to apply safe shutdown procedures to the crane in preparation for the next candidate.
- Once the crane is shut down, you will leave the operator station and describe to the Examiner the procedures you would follow to secure the crane at the end of the work day.
POST-TEST PROCEDURES
Once you have completed the practical examination:
- The Examiner will record your performance.
- The Examiner is not permitted to review your score sheet or discuss your performance on the test.
- Exam results will be mailed to you within approximately 12 business days of NCCCO’s receipt of the score sheet.
- For tests on any other cranes you have made formal application to test on, return to the candidate briefing area.
- If you have completed all of your tests, you must leave the Test Site.
PRACTICAL SCORE REPORTING
All candidates receive score reports of their performance via email and their myCCO Portal account shortly following the submission of the electronic scoresheet.
Both the practical examination and the scoring system have been validated and verified by CCO’s pilot testing program.