West Virginia Legislature Repeals Crane Operator Certification Requirement

CHARLESTON, W. Va., July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The West Virginia Division of Labor has announced extensive changes to §21-3D of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, including the repeal of the West Virginia Crane Operator Certification Requirement.

At the 2021 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature, House Bill 2008 (HB2008), Article 3D Section 4 – Minimum Certification Requirements – was repealed, along with sections 5, 6, 7 and 9. This repeal voided the State's earlier crane operator certification requirements and made way for new regulations governing crane operator certification in West Virginia.

Following various additional amendments and the introduction of §21-3C-14, all crane operators in West Virginia should now be trained, certified/licensed, and evaluated according to OSHA 1926.1427.

HB2008 was passed on March 18, 2021, and became effective 90 days later, on June 16th, 2021. All West Virginia Crane Operator Certifications issued in 2021 will expire on January 1, 2022.

In some cases, no action need be taken. Operators with a Class A license will typically have taken written and practical exams with National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), an ANSI-accredited certification body that meets the requirements of OSHA.

However, West Virginia crane operators with a Class B license will almost certainly have to take their NCCCO examinations to meet the national requirements enforced by the State. This may be the case even if the operator has taken the NCCCO exam, since a failing score higher than 60 on the written exam was still accepted for Class B certification approval.

Tara Whittington, Director of Marketing & Customer Service at NCCCO, commented that the CCO was well-positioned to meet the anticipated demand for national certification for West Virginia crane operators. "While we believe most operators who hold a WV state License are already CCO Certified, there are those with a Class B license who will need to become certified this year. NCCCO continues to hold written exams via computer-based testing as well as paper/pencil administrations and practical examiners have been actively administering exams as well to assist those who seek certification."

NCCCO certification is considered the gold standard in the crane and lifting industry, and this is reflected in the rigorous nature of the written and practical examinations. The NCCCO therefore maintains a database of trusted training providers to prepare candidates for their examinations.

Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB) has provided preparatory training for NCCCO examinations for over 20 years, training more than 1200 candidates a year. "We are so confident in the success of our students that we offer a pass guarantee on the NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator written examination", said John O'Connor, CICB's Houston School Director and GM.

"As an NCCCO Commissioner and a member of the Written Exam Management Committee, I'm able to translate my experience into solid classroom instruction, textbook materials and hands-on training. Our team of in-house instructors are ready to meet the demand for the national certification of West Virginia's crane operators, whether from our training centers in Houston and Orlando, or onsite with our clients' equipment. As certified operators, experienced trainers and NCCCO-accredited Practical Examiners, we are equipped to offer the complete package to our customers."

CICB's Preparatory Training Programs for NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator certification includes a comprehensive 5-day program and a 3-day fast track program to prepare experienced crane operators for both written and practical examinations. Training covers the core exam as well as fixed-cab (TSS), swing-cab (TLL) and lattice-boom specialties.

About CICB

CICB is a veteran-owned Texas company with offices and training facilities in Houston and Orlando, FL. CICB provides training, inspections, and management assist visits globally. Additionally, Houston is home to CICB's Career School, which is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Division of Career Schools and Colleges.

CICB's professionally trained instructors and subject matter experts are not only NCCCO Accredited Practical Examiners, but are NCCCO Certified as Mobile, Overhead & Articulating Crane Operators, Riggers, Signalpersons, Lift Directors and Crane Inspectors. CICB's instructors have been awarded the prestigious Top Trainer Award in 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2009.

Media Contact

Peter Roberts, CICB, 4072770884, [email protected]

SOURCE CICB