37 credential programs ladder toward this occupation. Median wage on completion: $70,510. See full occupation profile →
Associate's Degree
A.A.S. in Apprenticeship Technology-Operating Engineer
Ivy Tech Community College
Short-Term Certificate
Apprenticeship Operating Engineer
Emily Griffith Technical College
Certification
Articulating Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Evaluate supporting‑surface conditions to identify subsurface and surface weaknesses that could affect crane stabilityUse blocking, cribbing, stabilizers, and wheel chocks to establish a secure and level foundation during crane setupIdentify site hazards to assess risks related to utilities, transportation clearances, personnel, and job‑site entry/exitReview lift requirements with site supervision to ensure alignment with operational needs and workplace responsibilitiesEstablish a safety zone to control site access and maintain safe working conditions during crane deploymentApply federal regulations and industry standards to ensure safe and compliant articulating‑boom crane operation
Certification
Assembly Disassembly (A/D) Director
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Verify compliance with safety regulations by applying OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, OSHA 1926.251, and ASME B30 standards during A/D activitiesObtain required A/D documentation by interpreting assembly instructions and identifying necessary personnel documentationIdentify PPE requirements by determining protective equipment needed for assembly/disassembly personnelEstablish restricted or controlled areas by applying powerline, excavation, pinch‑point, fall‑protection, and fall‑zone requirementsAssess site hazards by identifying environmental, positional, and equipment‑related risks prior to A/D workLocate applicable A/D procedures by referencing manufacturer manuals, employer procedures, and load charts
Certificate
Backhoe Operator
Hazard Community and Technical College
Certificate
Bulldozer Operator
Hazard Community and Technical College
Certificate
Certificate in Civil Construction and Heavy Highway Equipment
Ivy Tech Community College
Certificate
Compact Equipment Operator
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
Certificate
Construction Equipment Operation
North Arkansas College
Certification
Crane Inspector
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Interpret crane‑inspection standards by applying ASME B30 requirements to pre‑inspection planningInterpret regulatory requirements by applying OSHA rules relevant to crane inspection activitiesDemonstrate crane terminology and definitions to ensure accurate communication during inspection processesCommunicate inspection needs to site supervisors by identifying required information, access, and conditionsApply knowledge of standards and regulations to determine the scope and requirements of the crane inspectionVerify documentation accuracy by confirming application, maintenance, and engineering records meet required criteria
Certification
Dedicated Pile Driver Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Identify surface and subsurface hazards to assess risks such as voids, tanks, loose fill, retaining walls, and excavations before equipment arrivalUse appropriate supporting materials to stabilize the equipment with natural or manufactured cribbing as site conditions requireDetermine safe clearances to energized power lines to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain required approach distancesVerify machine travel limitations to ensure safe movement and positioning during arrival and site entrySet up pile‑driving equipment to establish proper machine placement, secure attachments, and stage piles safelyPerform required inspections to evaluate structural, mechanical, and safety‑device conditions and document findings according to procedures
Short-Term Certificate
EPIC-Heavy Equipment Operations Level I
Trinidad State College
Certificate
Earthmoving Equipment Operator
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump
$2,347 cost
Certificate
Energy Production & Industrial Construction-HEQ
Trinidad State College
Associate's Degree
Energy Production & Industrial Construction-HEQ
Trinidad State College
Certification
Evaluator of Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Ensure evaluation impartiality by identifying conflicts of interest and recusing oneself when bias is real or perceivedReview applicable standards and regulations by referencing OSHA, ASME, and local requirements along with manufacturer informationGather contractor and site information by determining what data must be collected prior to conducting the evaluationConfirm crane configuration and hoisting tasks by interviewing employers or authorized personnel about crane type and job requirementsVerify completion of required inspections by identifying which manufacturer and contractor inspections are needed before evaluationDetermine evaluation topics by reviewing site conditions, tasks performed, and crane configurations to establish test scope
Certificate
Front-End Loader Operator
Hazard Community and Technical College
Certificate
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS
New River Community and Technical College
Certificate
HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY-EPIC
Trinidad State College
Associate's Degree
HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY-EPIC
Trinidad State College
Certificate
Heavy Equipment Logging Operations and Maintenance
Shasta College
Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operation
Coalinga College
Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operations
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operator
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
$2,974 cost
Long Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operator Technician
Butte College
Certificate
Hydraulic Excavator Operator
Hazard Community and Technical College
Certificate
Hydraulic Excavator Operator
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Certification
Lift Director
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Identify personnel roles by distinguishing the responsibilities and qualifications of lift directors, supervisors, riggers, signalpersons, and other lifting‑operation stakeholdersDescribe pre‑lift procedures by outlining how lift directors conduct meetings, perform basic planning, and assign tag‑line dutiesDifferentiate organizational responsibilities by recognizing the functions of crane owners, crane users, controlling entities, and site supervisors during lifting operationsDefine spotter responsibilities by identifying when a dedicated spotter is required and how they support safe load movementIdentify applicable rigging inspection standards by distinguishing between periodic/annual requirements and frequent/shift requirementsRecognize non‑inspection rigging standards by understanding how regulations apply to safe versus unsafe rigging practices
Certification
Mobile Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Evaluate ground and surface conditions to identify stability risks such as voids, slopes, excavations, depressions, and boom positioning impactsUse supporting materials to properly place mats, blocking, and cribbing for safe crane setupIdentify electrical power‑line hazards to ensure safe assembly, disassembly, and movement on the job siteAssess site access and travel requirements to determine clearances, pinch‑point exposures, and personnel safety risksCoordinate lift requirements with site supervision to align crane operations with controlling‑entity responsibilities and site conditionsInspect crane systems to detect unsafe conditions, verify wire rope integrity, and ensure proper reeving and component readiness
Certificate
Motor-Grader Operator
Hazard Community and Technical College
Diploma
Operating Engineer
Hazard Community and Technical College
Certification
Overhead Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Inspect crane systems to identify visual, audible, mechanical, and electrical hazards before operationVerify emergency and safety controls to ensure proper function of shutdown systems, e‑stops, limit devices, warning devices, and brake test requirementsCheck structural and mechanical components to confirm wire‑rope or chain condition, correct spooling, absence of leaks, and compliance with guard requirementsConfirm labeling and documentation to ensure control labels, capacity markings, strain‑relief requirements, and ASME B30.2 layout standards are metLocate critical safety elements to verify access to runway disconnects, fire extinguishers, bumpers/stops, and lockout/tag‑out provisionsDetermine load characteristics to accurately identify load weight and select proper rigging and below‑the‑hook lifting devices
Short-Term Certificate
Program: Heavy Equipment Operator - Crane
Technical College of the Rockies
Certification
Rigger
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Identify load characteristics by evaluating weight, attachment points, travel path, and special handling requirementsRecognize unsafe rigging practices such as pinch points, shock loading, side loading, electrical hazards, and improper body positioningAssess load stability by determining the need for softeners, adjustments, or additional controlsIdentify jobsite hazards associated with rigging operations and communicate those hazards clearly to the crewEvaluate handling requirements to ensure the load can be moved safely through its intended travel pathApply ASME rigging standards including B30.5, B30.9, B30.10, B30.20, and B30.26 to ensure compliant rigging practices
Certification
Service Truck Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Evaluate worksite conditions to identify controlling‑entity responsibilities, operator duties, and hazards related to access, personnel, and pinch/crush pointsAssess ground stability factors to recognize subsurface voids, surface conditions, slopes, depressions, and other elements affecting crane supportUse supporting materials to properly place mats, blocking, or cribbing that ensure stable and safe crane setupIdentify electrical power‑line hazards to ensure safe site access and setup while maintaining required clearancesReview lift requirements with site supervision to confirm alignment between planned crane operations and site conditionsApply federal regulations and industry standards to ensure crane operations comply with ASME, OSHA, and SAE requirements
Short-Term Certificate
T.C. in Apprenticeship Technology-Operating Engineer
Ivy Tech Community College
Certification
Tower Crane Operator
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Assess supporting surfaces to determine suitability for crane placement and verify adequate space for outriggers and tail swingIdentify site hazards and restrictions to ensure safe access around power lines, air‑rights, public areas, and other hazardous systemsVerify power‑source requirements to ensure proper fusing, disconnects, lightning protection, and grounding for site operationsProtect the crane’s foundation to maintain structural stability throughout setup and operationFollow manufacturer procedures to perform safe erection, climbing, and dismantling in compliance with the operator’s manualApply climbing‑specific warnings and notes to maintain safe practices during tower climbing operations