Graduating crane students standing beside a mobile crane at The Crane School training yard
In their own words

Crane School Reviews from Students and Employers

Graduates and the companies that send their crews to us describe what NCCCO exam training with The Crane School was like.

Reading these crane school reviews

The crane school reviews on this page come from two groups: individual students who finished a course, and representatives of employers, utilities and public agencies whose crews trained with us for NCCCO written and practical exams. Some are shown in full and some in part. Each reflects one person's experience, and your own results will depend on your preparation, seat time and effort.

We publish them because choosing a training provider is a real investment of time and money, and hearing from people who have already been through the program is often more useful than anything we could say about ourselves.

What students tend to notice

A few themes come up again and again in graduates' comments:

  • Instructors who explain things clearly. Students often point to an instructor who could put technical material into terms they understood, then show why a technique works on the crane itself.
  • Time on real equipment. Beginners and experienced operators alike mention the value of practicing on the machines before their practical exams.
  • More than test prep. Several students say the goal went beyond passing the exam to building a foundation for a safe career.

If you are weighing your options, our initial mobile crane operator training is built for people with little or no experience, while working operators usually choose the certification prep program.

What employers and crews report

Companies that bring us on-site often mention how instructors adapted to their crew: explaining material to employees who struggle with written tests, working on the company's own cranes, and preparing groups for both written and practical exams in one visit. If you manage a team and want the same kind of session, see our on-site training for companies.

Trained with us? Leave a review

Your feedback helps the next student decide, and it helps us improve. It takes about a minute to leave a review of your training: pick a star rating, and you will be pointed either to our public review page or to a private feedback form that goes straight to our office.

Planning your own class? The class schedule lists upcoming start dates.

Testimonials

Reviews From Students and Employers

“Great knowledgeable instructors. Great equipment to learn on. Would recommend for new beginners or experienced operators to learn.”

Devin WimberleyGraduating Student

“Had it not been for The Crane School’s preparation training, we would have never made it.”

Greg PetersGraduating Student

“The crane school is an awesome place to go and learn about cranes and how they run and operate. Their goal wasn’t just to teach us how to pass the exam, they wanted to give us a good starting foundation to be the best future operator’s we could be.”

Mackenzie DunnGraduating Student

“The City & County of Honolulu has received excellent information and training from ‘THE CRANE SCHOOL’ in preparation for the NCCCO written and practical examinations. We highly recommend the services that The Crane School has to offer.”

Benjamin PilaDriver Improvement Coordinator, City & County of Honolulu

“Bud Wilson probably is the best instructor in the nation. We were really impressed with him.”

John MoteSenna Tree Company

“My experience with The Crane School was second to none. I have been to numerous crane and rigging courses and found the instructor to be the most informative instructor with hands-on knowledge. If someone was to ask me where to go to be trained to pass the CCO exams; my answer would be The Crane School! Thank you!”

Matthew GlavinSan Diego Gas & Electric

“As always, it was an honor and pleasure to be in Bud Wilson’s class. Thank you for your patience, knowledge, and insight. Please know that I appreciate your work and everything you do for us.”

Carlos BernalSouthern California Gas

“The Crane School offered the best training available today. I’ve been a Crane operator for 35 years and have seen the industry grow beyond anything I could have imagined. Take their class, pay attention and you WILL pass the CCO written exams.”

Louie HannaKennedy Space Center

“In the classroom, The Crane School instructor answered our questions in a way that we could understand and explained why it made sense to do it that way. The experience the instructor had in operating cranes for a lot of years really showed us that he is very knowledgeable and has the ability to communicate. I was totally amazed that the instructor got on our crane that he has never touched and was able to totally control the movements like he had been on it for years.”

Martin LewisLewis Signs, Indianapolis, IN

“Bud, what can we say other than a HUGE thank you! You are definitely the smartest, most knowledgeable and patient teacher. The class was very informative and it was our pleasure to have you come here. Anyone taking your class is sure to pass. You have a gift. Thanks Again.”

Carey D’AmicoHunter Crane, Pompano Beach, FL

“For over a decade, Ameron Hawaii personnel have been trained by The Crane School. The Crane School’s curriculum and information are excellent. Many of our employees have problems taking written tests, but the instructor consistently got the information across so they can pass the NCCCO exams, regardless of their education level or native language. We tried other training programs and trainers before going to The Crane School and will never switch. We found the best, and most cost-effective solution to our training needs.”

Linda GoldsteinAmeron International, Honolulu, HI

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these testimonials from real students?

Yes. They come from graduates and client representatives, attributed by name and role as they provided them. Some quotes are shortened.

Is The Crane School a good fit for someone with no crane experience?

Several graduates describe starting as beginners. Our initial mobile crane programs are designed for people with little or no seat time and include the NCCCO written and practical exams.

How do I share feedback about my class?

Use the leave a review page. You can post a public review or send private feedback directly to our team.

The Crane School

Training Programs & Services

All programs are delivered in compliance with current OSHA regulations.

Mobile Crane Operator Certification Prep Program

For experienced operators ready to certify or recertify. Includes NCCCO TSS, TLL and LAT written and practical exams.

Learn more about Mobile Crane Certification Prep

Initial Mobile Crane Operator Training Program

For people with little or no crane experience. 3-week (TSS/TLL) and 5-week (adds LAT) programs with NCCCO exams.

Learn more about Initial Mobile Crane Training (3 & 5 Week)

Articulating Crane Operator Certification Prep Program

For knuckle-boom operators. Prepares you for the NCCCO ABC, ABL and ABW written and practical exams.

Learn more about Articulating Crane Certification Prep

Rigger Qualification / Certification Program

For personnel who rig loads to cranes — supports your rigger qualification and NCCCO Rigger Level I/II exams.

Learn more about Rigger Level 1 & 2

Signalperson Qualification / Certification Program

Standard hand and voice signals for directing cranes, plus preparation for the NCCCO Signalperson exams.

Learn more about Signalperson

Managing Crane Safety Class

For managers and supervisors: OSHA compliance, lift planning, inspections, certification and liability.

Learn more about Managing Crane Safety

Telehandler Operator Program

Certification or recertification for telehandler operators. Includes the NCCCO THO written and practical exams.

Learn more about Telehandler Operator

Crane Inspection Services

Annual, monthly, post-assembly and post-incident inspections plus load testing by NCCCO-certified inspectors.

Learn more about Crane Inspections

Related Reading

Leave a Review of Your Crane Training

Trained with The Crane School? Leave a review of your crane training experience. Rate us with one click and help future NCCCO candidates choose their program.

Crane Operator Practice Test

Ten quick questions on crane safety rules and NCCCO basics. Pick one answer per question — your score shows on the next page.

1. Which OSHA standard covers cranes and derricks used in construction?
2. How long is an NCCCO crane operator certification valid before recertification?
3. What does NCCCO stand for?
4. Under OSHA's current construction crane rule, operator certification must be obtained by:
5. Under OSHA Table A (1926.1408), what is the minimum clearance from power lines rated up to 50 kV?
6. When is a signal person required?
7. Whose emergency stop signal must a crane operator obey?
8. What does an anti-two-block device prevent?
9. Which document gives a crane's rated capacity for a given boom length and radius?
10. Which NCCCO designation covers telescopic boom cranes with a swing cab?