NCCCO vs NCCER: What Is the Difference?

Many beginners confuse NCCCO vs NCCER. The names look alike but they are different organizations.

What Is NCCCO?

NCCCO stands for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators. It focuses on certifying crane and rigging professionals: crane operators, riggers, signalpersons, lift directors and inspectors.

What Is NCCER?

NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is a broader construction education and credentialing organization covering many trades such as electrical, carpentry and pipefitting. It also offers crane-related training and credentials.

Which Do You Need?

It depends on your employer, state and job. For crane operator job posts in the US, NCCCO is the credential most often requested. Always ask your employer which credential they accept.

Quick Comparison

	NCCCO	NCCER
Focus	Crane and rigging certification	Construction trades training and credentials
Typical use	Operator, rigger, signalperson certification	Craft training and credentials across trades

Practice on your phone: CraneReady: NCCCO Prep for iPhone gives you exam-style practice questions you can use on the job site, on a break, or on the bus.

Ready to start? Read How to get NCCCO certification.

Disclaimer: This blog and the CraneReady app are independent study resources and are not affiliated with or endorsed by NCCCO. Always confirm current requirements, fees and exam content in the official NCCCO Candidate Handbook at nccco.org.