NEW-JERSEY · operating-engineer
Crane Operator License
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Public Safety ComplianceScope of Work
Anyone who operates a crane in New Jersey, as defined by law, must be licensed by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The New Jersey Crane Operators Act has been enforced since April 1, 2004. Source: NJ DOL — Crane Operators Laws and Regulations (https://www.nj.gov/labor/safetyandhealth/resources-support/laws-regulations/craneoperatorsact.shtml) and Licensing of Crane Operators (https://www.nj.gov/labor/lsse/employee/Licensing_of_Crane_Operators.html).
Four specialty certifications
A crane operator must be certified in one of the four specialties: (a) Lattice Boom Truck Crane, (b) Lattice Boom Crawler Crane, (c) Small Telescopic Boom Crane (less than 17.5 tons), (d) Large Telescopic Boom Crane (more than 17.5 tons). The state license endorses one or more of these specialties.
Prerequisites
Applicants must (1) be certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), or any other crane operator certification program found by the New Jersey Crane Operators Advisory Board to offer an equivalent testing and certification program meeting the requirements of ASME B30.5 and the accreditation requirements of the National Commission of Certifying Agencies; (2) hold a current medical certificate meeting the requirements of ASME B30.5-3.1.2(a); (3) be 18 years of age or older; and (4) maintain a current medical examiner's certification card.
Application
Submit completed applications to: NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Public Safety Compliance, 1 John Fitch Plaza, 3rd Floor, PO Box 386, Trenton, NJ 08625-0386.
Federal overlay
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) certification applies on top, but in practice the NCCCO certification serves both the federal certification layer and the state-license prerequisite.
License duration
A New Jersey Crane Operator's License is valid for up to a five-year period. Editor verification required for current renewal fee, CE, and identification requirements (N.J.A.C. 12:121).
Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development — Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health, Office of Public Safety Compliance before acting