# Crane operator certification software that holds the scope, the evaluation and the expiry on one record

> Crane operator certification is the qualification 29 CFR 1926.1427 requires before an operator runs equipment covered by the construction cranes standard. A certification from an accredited testing organisation is issued by equipment type, or type and capacity, is portable between employers, and is valid for 5 years. The employer must separately document an evaluation naming the evaluator and the make, model and configuration used. Neurobird keeps scope, evaluation and expiry on one record per operator.

- URL: https://neurobird.com/craneoperator/
- Product: Neurobird Crane Operator Certification Compliance Platform
- Niche: crane operator certification
- Buyer: crane and rigging contractors
- Status: in development, open for early access
- Updated: 2026-08-21

## What Neurobird Crane Operator Certification does

- Hold certification scope per operator: equipment type, capacity and the date the five year clock runs out
- Store the employer evaluation with the evaluator name, the date and the make, model and configuration used
- Diary monthly inspection documents for the three month retention and annual comprehensive records for twelve months
- Show at the gate which operators are cleared for which machines, without opening four systems

## How it works

1. **Capture the certification** Testing organisation, equipment type, capacity and the date the five year clock runs out, with the card image attached to the operator.
2. **Record the evaluation** Evaluator name and signature, the date, and the make, model and configuration used, held so it can be produced at the worksite while the operator is employed.
3. **Keep the inspection clock** Shift, monthly and annual comprehensive records attach to the machine, with the three month and twelve month retention windows tracked rather than guessed.

## From the source material

> The employer must provide retraining in relevant topics for each operator when, based on the performance of the operator or an evaluation of the operator's knowledge, there is an indication that retraining is necessary.

Source: OSHA 1926.1427, operator training, certification and evaluation, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1427

## Industry context

- **5 years** A certification issued by an accredited crane operator testing organisation is valid for 5 years and is portable among employers. An audited employer program certification is also valid for 5 years but is not portable. (source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1427)
- **1926.1427(f)(6)** The employer must document completion of the operator evaluation with the operator name, the evaluator name and signature, the date, and the make, model and configuration of equipment used, and make the document available at the worksite. (source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1427)
- **3 months** Monthly inspection documents must record the items checked, the results, and the name and signature of the person who conducted the inspection, and must be retained for a minimum of three months. (source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1412)
- **12 months** At least every 12 months equipment must be inspected by a qualified person, with disassembly as needed, and the annual comprehensive inspection record retained for a minimum of 12 months. (source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1412, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1412)
- **296-155-53300** Washington requires that, before operating covered equipment, an operator holds a valid certificate for the type of crane to be operated, issued by a testing organisation with a program accredited by a nationally recognised accrediting agency. (source: Washington WAC 296-155-53300, https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-155-53300)

## Pricing

- Single crew: $160 per company, per month
- Contractor: $390 per company, per month
- Multi region: $700 per company, per month

## Questions

### What is crane operator certification?

Crane operator certification is the qualification required by 29 CFR 1926.1427 before an operator runs equipment covered by the construction cranes standard. A certification issued by an accredited testing organisation is based on equipment type, or type and capacity, is portable between employers, and is valid for 5 years.

### What is the difference between certification and evaluation?

Certification proves general knowledge and skill and comes from a testing organisation or an audited employer program. Evaluation is the employer confirming this operator can safely run this equipment. Under 1926.1427(f)(6) the employer must document the evaluation with the operator name, evaluator name and signature, the date, and the make, model and configuration used.

### How long do we keep crane inspection records?

Under 1926.1412(e)(3)(ii) the monthly inspection document must be retained for a minimum of three months. Under 1926.1412(f)(7) the annual comprehensive inspection record must be documented, maintained and retained for a minimum of 12 months. Shift inspections by a competent person are required before or during every shift.

### Does a state certification override the federal one?

States can run stricter programs. Washington requires a valid certificate for the type of equipment from an accredited testing organisation under WAC 296-155-53300, and California sets its own operator training and certification rule in Title 8 section 5006.2. The federal 5 year validity is the floor, not the ceiling.

### Does this replace our HR or fleet system?

No. Payroll and maintenance stay where they are. What lives here is the qualification record: who is certified for what, which evaluation covers it, and which inspection documents are still inside their retention window.

## Sources

- [OSHA 1926.1427, operator training, certification and evaluation](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1427)
- [OSHA 1926.1412, inspections](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1412)
- [OSHA, operator certification final rule FAQs](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/Op_Cert_Final_Rule_FAQs_11-8-18.pdf)
- [Washington WAC 296-155-53300](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-155-53300)
- [California Title 8 section 5006.2](https://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5006_2.html)
- [Washington L&I, construction cranes](https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/other-licenses-permits/construction-cranes/)

## Contact

- office@neurobird.com
- https://neurobird.com/