[TN · STATE LICENSING · REPUBLISHER]
Licensing data: Data as of May 5, 2026

Trades Navigator summarizes state licensing rules from the state board. We do not characterize the rules, order classes against each other, or combine them into a single number. Each license class links to the issuing authority for primary-source verification.

Reported

New York State Department of Labor — Primary source · New York

Page last refreshed: May 1, 2026

[03·GET LICENSED · NY]

Operating Engineer licensing in New York

State-issued license classes for operating engineers in New York. Each class links to the issuing state board for primary-source verification.

Regulator: New York State Department of Labor · 518-457-9000

License classes

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

Crane Operator Class A — Unrestricted

New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health)
Exam
New York State DOL License & Certification Unit

Scope of Work

New York State Class A is the unrestricted crane-operator certificate of competence. It includes all cranes having a fixed lattice boom (with or without free-fall capability), conventional tower cranes, derricks, and all cranes with free-fall capability. Holding Class A authorizes operation of equipment in Classes A, B, C, and D — it is the broadest classification on the New York DOL operator schedule. Source: New York DOL Crane Exams (https://dol.ny.gov/crane-exams).

Legal basis

Required to operate a crane in New York State in connection with construction, demolition, and excavation work. Application uses Form SH 830 (Application for Crane Operator's Certificate of Competence).

Exam

Both written and practical exams are required. Written exams for crane applicants are held in January, May, and October each year. Practical exams are scheduled at multiple state locations (Yaphank, Holtsville, Montrose, Albany, Frankfort, Buffalo are among the rotating sites). Scheduling: (518) 457-2735 or labor.sm.DOSH.LicenseCertificate@labor.ny.gov.

Federal overlay

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) crane-operator certification rules apply on top of the New York State certificate of competence. NCCCO Lattice Boom Crane and CCO Tower Crane certifications are the typical OSHA-compliance pathway for the equipment families covered by NY Class A.

New York City note

New York City layers an additional Department of Buildings Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license — Classes A, B, and C — on top of the state DOL certificate when the work is performed within the five boroughs. See ny-operating-engineer-nyc-hmo-class-a, -class-b, and -class-c records for the city tier.

Reciprocity

The New York State certificate is not interchangeable with NCCCO alone; out-of-state operators must apply through DOL and complete the state exams. Editor verification required for any current reciprocity arrangements.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and continuing-education requirements; the New York DOL crane page should be checked at the time of any public-facing publication.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

Crane Operator Class B — Hydraulic

New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health)
Exam
New York State DOL License & Certification Unit

Scope of Work

New York State Class B covers all hydraulic cranes that have a telescopic boom and swinging cab; there is no restriction on maximum manufacturer's rated capacity within the hydraulic-and-telescopic family. Class B also covers smaller trailer- or truck-mounted self-erecting tower cranes, and boom trucks having over 28-ton manufacturer's rated capacity. Class B authorizes operation of equipment in Classes B, C, and D. Source: New York DOL Crane Exams (https://dol.ny.gov/crane-exams).

Legal basis

Required to operate a crane in New York State in connection with construction, demolition, and excavation work. Application via Form SH 830.

Exam

Written exam (January, May, October) and a practical exam at a DOL-scheduled site. Scheduling: (518) 457-2735 or labor.sm.DOSH.LicenseCertificate@labor.ny.gov.

Federal overlay

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) certification applies on top. NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator (Telescopic Boom — Swing Cab) is the typical OSHA-compliance pathway for the equipment Class B covers.

New York City note

NYC requires its own Department of Buildings HMO license on top of the state certificate within the five boroughs.

Reciprocity

NCCCO alone does not substitute for the New York State certificate. Out-of-state operators apply through DOL and sit the state exams.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

Crane Operator Class C — Boom Truck

New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health)
Exam
New York State DOL License & Certification Unit

Scope of Work

New York State Class C covers cranes having telescopic booms which are generally truck-mounted and up to 28-ton maximum manufacturer's rated capacity. Class C authorizes operation of equipment in Classes C and D. Source: New York DOL Crane Exams (https://dol.ny.gov/crane-exams).

Legal basis

Required to operate a crane in New York State in connection with construction, demolition, and excavation work. Application via Form SH 830.

Exam

Written exam (January, May, October) and a practical exam at a DOL-scheduled site.

Federal overlay

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) certification applies on top. NCCCO Mobile Crane Operator (Telescopic Boom — Swing Cab or Fixed Cab) is the typical OSHA-compliance pathway.

New York City note

NYC requires its own Department of Buildings HMO license on top of the state certificate within the five boroughs.

Reciprocity

NCCCO alone does not substitute for the New York State certificate.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

Crane Operator Class D — Restricted Boom Truck

New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health)
Exam
New York State DOL License & Certification Unit

Scope of Work

New York State Class D covers cranes having telescopic booms which are generally truck-mounted, up to 3-ton maximum manufacturer's rated capacity, and up to 125 feet of boom. Class D is restricted to Class D equipment only — it does not authorize operation of higher-classed cranes. Source: New York DOL Crane Exams (https://dol.ny.gov/crane-exams).

Legal basis

Required to operate a crane in New York State in connection with construction, demolition, and excavation work. Application via Form SH 830.

Exam

Written exam (January, May, October) and a practical exam at a DOL-scheduled site.

Federal overlay

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) certification applies on top.

New York City note

NYC requires its own Department of Buildings HMO license on top of the state certificate within the five boroughs.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

Crane Operator Class F — Line Truck (Digger Derrick)

New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health)
Exam
New York State DOL License & Certification Unit

Scope of Work

New York State Class F (Line Truck) covers cranes also referred to as digger derricks: up to 15-ton maximum manufacturer's rated capacity, 65-foot maximum boom length, utilizing a non-conductive tip with nylon rope, for use in electrical applications only. Class F is restricted to Class F equipment — it does not authorize operation of any other crane class. Source: New York DOL Crane Exams (https://dol.ny.gov/crane-exams).

Legal basis

Required to operate a digger-derrick line truck in New York State in connection with construction, demolition, and excavation work. Application via Form SH 830.

Exam

Written exam (January, May, October) and a practical exam at a DOL-scheduled site.

Federal overlay

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427 (Subpart CC) certification applies on top. The OSHA digger-derrick exemption for line-clearance and qualified electrical work has its own scope limits — Class F operators in New York should not assume the OSHA exemption automatically applies to all of their work.

Note on Class E

New York State reserves Class E (no current designation per the DOL crane-exams page).

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York State Department of Labor — License & Certification Unit (Division of Safety and Health) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

NYC Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) Class A

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
Exam
NYC Department of Buildings

Scope of Work

The NYC Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license is a city-level credential layered on top of the New York State DOL crane operator certificate of competence. NYC HMO Class A authorizes operation of cranes with booms under 200 feet in length, within the five boroughs. Source: NYC DOB — Obtain a Class A Hoisting Machine Operator License (https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/obtain-a-class-a-hoisting-machine-operator-license.page).

Eligibility

Applicants must have at least three years of experience within the five years prior to application, under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed Hoisting Machine Operator. Applicants must demonstrate good moral character so as not to adversely impact the duties and responsibilities of a Hoisting Machine Operator.

Federal certification overlay

Applicants must possess relevant certifications issued by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). The NYC DOB recognizes specific NCCCO mobile crane and tower crane certifications as the federal-tier certification.

DOB-approved 40-hour course

Applicants must complete a Department-approved 40-hour Hoisting Machine Operator Course within the one (1) year prior to application.

Application system

As of October 16, 2024, all new HMO license applications, renewal submissions, card re-issuance requests, and changes to information must be submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing.

State-level prerequisite

Holding NYC HMO does not substitute for the underlying New York State DOL Class A/B/C/D/F certificate of competence required to operate a crane anywhere in New York State; the city license sits on top of the state credential within the five boroughs.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements; the NYC DOB Hoisting Class A & B renewal page should be checked at the time of any public-facing publication.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

NYC Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) Class B

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
Exam
NYC Department of Buildings

Scope of Work

NYC HMO Class B authorizes operation of all cranes regardless of boom length within the five boroughs — the broadest crane scope on the NYC city license schedule. Source: NYC DOB — Obtain a Class B Hoisting Machine Operator License (https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/obtain-a-class-b-hoisting-machine-operator-license.page).

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Class A basic Hoisting Machine Operator license and have at least two (2) years' experience prior to the application date under the direct and continuing supervision of a Class B licensed Hoisting Machine Operator, on equipment for which a Class B license is required.

Federal certification overlay

Applicants must possess relevant certifications issued by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). NYC DOB recognizes specific NCCCO and CIC certifications as the federal-tier credential.

Application system

As of October 16, 2024, all new HMO license applications, renewal submissions, card re-issuance requests, and changes to information must be submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing.

State-level prerequisite

Holding NYC HMO Class B does not substitute for the underlying New York State DOL crane operator certificate of competence required to operate any crane in New York State.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) before acting

NEW-YORK · operating-engineer

NYC Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) Class C — Special

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
Exam
NYC Department of Buildings

Scope of Work

NYC HMO Class C is the special hoisting machine operator license, with sub-classes C1, C2, and C3 for specific specialty hoist equipment categories. Source: NYC DOB — Obtain a Class C1, C2 or C3 Hoist Machine Operator License (https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/obtain-a-class-c1-c2-or-c3-hoist-machine-operator-license.page).

Eligibility

Applicants must have at least two years of experience within the three years prior to application, under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed hoisting machine operator, and have satisfactorily passed a practical examination in the operation of equipment for which the license is to be issued.

Federal certification overlay

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certification or NCCER certification (for Mini Crane Limited HMO) is recognized by the Department; specific recognition mapping for C1/C2/C3 should be verified against the current NYC DOB Hoisting NCCCO/CIC requirements page before relying on this record.

Application system

As of October 16, 2024, all new HMO license applications, renewal submissions, card re-issuance requests, and changes to information must be submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing.

State-level prerequisite

Where the equipment falls under New York State DOL crane classifications, the underlying state certificate of competence is also required.

Renewal

Editor verification required for current renewal cycle, fees, and CE requirements.

Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) before acting

Free educational resource. Not legal, financial, or career advice. Trades Navigator compiles state board rules, statutes, and federal data into a navigable layer linked to primary sources. We do not maintain editorial attestation on each line. Always verify the specific number, fee, deadline, or rule against the linked primary source before relying on it. Confirm any decision with the relevant state agency, a lawyer, or an accountant.

Correction reports open at launch (target May 2026).