What Sets OECP Apart
The Operating Engineers Certification Program (OECP) is run in connection with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) and its training arm. It's an accredited certifier, so its cards meet OSHA's crane operator certification requirement for the equipment listed. The key difference from NCCCO, CIC and NCCER is eligibility: you must be an IUOE member in good standing.
OECP also asks more of candidates up front on the medical side. The program's published requirements include a valid DOT or state DMV medical certificate, a negative drug test from a recognized laboratory within 90 days of application, and meeting the physical requirements in ASME B30.5. Confirm the current list in OECP's candidate manual on iuoeiettc.org before applying.
Boom trucks — telescopic cranes mounted on a commercial truck chassis, usually operated from a fixed station rather than a rotating cab — are covered by their own OECP category, separate from larger telescopic and lattice cranes.
OECP Boom Truck Requirements Checklist
| Requirement | What OECP looks for |
|---|---|
| Membership | IUOE member in good standing |
| Medical | Valid DOT or state DMV medical certificate (these typically run up to two years) |
| Drug test | Negative result from a recognized lab within 90 days of application |
| Physical | Meets ASME B30.5 operator physical requirements |
| Written exam | OECP written examination for boom truck cranes |
| Practical exam | Hands-on operating demonstration on a boom truck |
Boom Truck Knowledge to Lock In
Our TSS/TLL crane training covers fixed-cab boom trucks in depth.
Truck chassis stability, outrigger setup and over-front vs. over-side capacity
Reading boom truck load charts and making deductions
Boom extension, winch line pull and parts of line
Remote and fixed-station controls
Setting trusses and rooftop units near structures and power lines
Pre-trip and pre-lift inspections
How Our Prep Fits the OECP Process
OECP administers its own written and practical exams, and many IUOE training centers run their own instruction. Our self-paced course is an independent way to review boom truck knowledge on your own time — load charts, stability and setup — and it ends with a certificate of completion. It does not substitute for any OECP requirement, including the medical and drug-testing steps.
Try practice tests before exam day →Keeping OECP Certification Current
Watch the window
OECP lets operators recertify in the 12 months before expiration, and recommends finishing well ahead — around six months out — to avoid delays. Finishing early doesn't shorten your term.
Track your hours
Operators with 1,000+ documented safe operating hours during the prior certification period, with a signatory contractor or employer, may be exempt from the recertification practical.
Renew online
OECP offers an online recertification application.
Refresh the knowledge
Our recertification training helps you prepare for the written retest.