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Crane Operator Occupational Licensing

License required in 16 states

55th most burdensome licensing requirements among moderate-income occupations

Average Fee for License:$243

What They Do

Crane and heavy machine operators operate mechanical boom and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines or products in many directions.

Crane Operator Licensing Overview

Sixteen states require a licence to work as a Crane Operator. On average, these laws require $243 in fees, 196 days of education and about 2 exam. Crane Operator Licenses have the 55th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.

Where is a Crane Operator the most regulated?

Out of the 16 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Crane Operator has the highest burden in New York. New York requires $150 in fees, 2 exams, 3 years experience, and no education.

Where is a Crane Operator the least regulated?

Out of the 16 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Crane Operator has the lowest burden in Maryland. Maryland requires $0 in fees, 2 exams, no experience, and no education.

Where is a Crane Operator license the most expensive?

An occupational license for a Crane Operator costs the most in New Jersey. New Jersey requires $540 in fees, 2 exams, 1000 clock hours experience, and no education.

Where is a Crane Operator license the least expensive?

An occupational license for a Crane Operator costs the least in Maryland. Maryland requires $0 in fees, 2 exams, no experience, and no education.

Where does it take the longest to obtain a Crane Operator license?

An occupational license for a Crane Operator takes the longest to obtain in New York. It takes 1095 days (3 years). New York requires $150 in fees, 2 exams, 3 years experience, and no education.

Where is it fastest to obtain a Crane Operator license?

An occupational license for a Crane Operator takes the least time to obtain in Hawaii, Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland (0 days).

What states require exams for a Crane Operator license?

To obtain an occupational license for a Crane Operator there is at least one exam required in: New York, District of Columbia, Connecticut, New Jersey, Montana, New Mexico, Hawaii, Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland. New Mexico requires 4 exams.

Eighteen states require a license to work as a crane operator. On average, these laws cost aspiring crane operators $225 in fees and 222 days in experience and require them to pass two exams—the 57th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. Because so few states license the occupation, it is only the 75th most widely and onerously licensed.

License requirements vary widely across states. New York has the most burdensome requirements at three years (1,095 days) of experience, two exams and $150 in fees. However, 10 states do not require any experience. Some states have different licenses for operating different types of cranes (which can be measured in terms of hoisting mechanism, weightlifting capability or boom length). In such cases, where license requirements differed, the least burdensome license was used. If license requirements did not differ, the broadest possible license was observed.

States Ranked by Average Licensing Burden for 102 Lower-Income Occupations

More Burdensome Less Burdensome
Based on data released in November 2022

State Licensing Requirements

Select a chart to view:
Burden Rank State Occupations Licensed Fees Estimated Calendar Days Lost Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 New York 41 $150 1095 None 3 years 2 0 21
2 District of Columbia 61 $435 730 None 2 years 1 0 18
3 Connecticut 65 $150 730 None 2 years 2 0 18
4 New Jersey 54 $540 233 None 1000 clock hours 2 0 18
5 Montana 32 $100 233 None 1000 clock hours 1 0 18
6 New Mexico 66 $438 117 None 500 clock hours 4 0 18
7 Hawaii 64 $390 0 None None 2 0 21
8 Washington 76 $240 4 None 24 clock hours 3 0 18
9 Pennsylvania 50 $340 0 None None 2 0 18
10 California 75 $240 0 None None 2 0 18
10 Minnesota 35 $240 0 None None 2 0 18
10 Nevada 75 $240 0 None None 2 0 18
10 Utah 64 $240 0 None None 2 0 18
14 Massachusetts 50 $75 0 None None 1 0 18
14 Rhode Island 70 $75 0 None None 1 0 18
16 Maryland 58 $0 0 None None 2 0 0

License to Work

The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.

View Report