Aerial Lift Certification FAQs
Aerial Lift Certification FAQ Video
Find answers about aerial lift certification costs, completion time, renewal, and employer responsibilities. AerialLiftCertification.com (ALC) helps companies manage in-house certification through an online trainer course, an operator certification kit, and a bundled option.
Plan for the complete process: combine coursework with equipment-specific instruction, practical evaluation, and employer authorization. Match the process to the lifts and work at your site. Jump to a topic
- Certification Requirements and Employer Responsibilities
- Costs and Choosing an ALC Product
- Completion Time, Records, and Renewal
- Equipment and Safety Requirements
Certification Requirements and Employer Responsibilities
What is aerial lift certification, and does OSHA issue it?
Aerial lift certification documents completion of a certification process for lift safety and operation. AerialLiftCertification.com (ALC) provides certification courses and employer resources. OSHA establishes and enforces workplace safety requirements; it does not issue ALC certificates.
Employers must ensure operators receive instruction appropriate to their equipment and work, demonstrate safe operation, and have authorization to operate. A course certificate is one part of that process. Applicable requirements depend on the equipment, work activity, and jurisdiction.
Who needs aerial lift or scissor lift certification?
Employees who operate aerial lifts or scissor lifts need appropriate safety instruction and employer authorization before operating the equipment. Employers should verify that each operator understands the machine, its limitations, and the hazards of the assigned work.
ALC supports employers, supervisors, safety personnel, and designated instructors who manage an in-house certification process. People working from a platform also need instruction appropriate to their role and exposure, even when they do not operate the controls.
How can I get my employees certified to operate aerial lifts?
Start by identifying the lifts your employees will use and selecting certification materials that cover their work. Then complete the equipment-specific instruction, practical evaluation, and authorization process at your workplace.
- Choose your resources: select the trainer certification, operator certification kit, or bundle.
- Provide instruction: cover safe operation, inspections, capacity limits, hazards, and emergency procedures.
- Address the actual equipment and site: review manufacturer instructions, controls, ground conditions, overhead hazards, and applicable protective measures.
- Evaluate performance: have a person with appropriate knowledge and experience assess safe operation.
- Document and authorize: record the completed process and the equipment and tasks the employee may perform.
Continue monitoring performance and provide refresher instruction when conditions or demonstrated competence require it.
Can aerial lift certification be completed online?
The coursework and knowledge assessment for ALC’s online trainer certification can be completed online. The employer must also address the practical skills, equipment familiarization, workplace hazards, and authorization associated with operating its lifts.
An online course cannot observe an employee operating your machine at your workplace. Use the course and supporting materials as part of your employer-managed certification process, with practical evaluation by a person who has the appropriate knowledge and experience.
Who can instruct and evaluate our aerial lift operators?
Select someone with the knowledge, experience, and ability to explain the applicable hazards and assess safe operation of the equipment being used. The person should understand the manufacturer’s instructions, relevant safety requirements, and your workplace conditions.
ALC’s trainer certification supports preparation for this role. Employers should verify the individual’s practical competence and ability to evaluate others before assigning responsibility. Completing a course alone does not establish expertise on every lift or work activity.
Who Completes Each Certification Step?
ALC resources and workplace responsibilities
| Step | ALC provides | Your company completes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare the instructor | An online trainer certification course. | Select a person with relevant knowledge and experience and verify their ability to instruct and evaluate. |
| Teach and assess knowledge | Course materials and assessments through the selected product. | Deliver the applicable content and confirm each participant’s understanding. |
| Apply skills to the workplace | Supporting evaluation resources. | Provide equipment familiarization, address site hazards, and evaluate practical performance. |
| Document and authorize | Certification forms and supporting records through the selected product. | Complete records, authorize the assigned work, and monitor ongoing competence. |
Costs and Choosing an ALC Product
How much does aerial lift certification cost through ALC?
ALC offers trainer certification for $149, an operator certification kit for $399, and a bundle for $499. These are prices for different products used to support an employer’s in-house certification process.
ALC certification products and prices in US dollars
| Product | Price | What you purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Trainer certification | $149 | An online course for the person leading your in-house certification process. |
| Operator certification kit | $399 | Reusable course and documentation materials for certifying your employees. |
| Bundle | $499 | The trainer certification and operator certification kit together. |
The bundle saves $49 compared with purchasing the $149 course and $399 kit separately. The kit price covers reusable employer materials; the employer completes the certification process for participating employees. Review the product and checkout details before ordering.
Which ALC product should my company choose?
Choose the trainer certification when your designated instructor needs the online course. Choose the operator certification kit when you have an appropriately prepared instructor and need reusable materials for your employees. Choose the bundle when you need both.
The kit includes printed and digital course resources, assessments, evaluation forms, and printable certification documents. Your instructor adapts the process to your equipment and workplace. See the bundle details or call (888) 278-8896 for help selecting a product.
Does purchasing the operator certification kit certify our employees?
Purchasing the kit gives your company resources to conduct and document its certification process. Employees become eligible for employer authorization after completing the applicable instruction and demonstrating the skills needed for their assigned equipment and work.
Use the kit’s assessments and evaluation forms to support that process. Issue completion documents only after the relevant steps have been completed. Employers remain responsible for site-specific implementation, safe equipment, workplace controls, and operator authorization.
Completion Time, Records, and Renewal
How long does aerial lift certification take?
ALC’s online trainer certification course is designed to take approximately one hour. Actual course time varies with experience and learning pace.
Allow additional time for equipment-specific instruction, practice, and practical evaluation at your workplace. The complete operator certification process depends on the machines, work conditions, and the employee’s ability to demonstrate safe operation. The online course estimate should not be used as a deadline for completing those practical steps.
How long is aerial lift certification good for?
ALC uses a three-year certification renewal cycle. Check the expiration date on your certification record and arrange renewal before it expires.
The program’s renewal schedule is separate from the employer’s ongoing duty to ensure safe operation. Federal OSHA’s aerial-lift provisions do not establish a universal three-year certificate expiration rule. Additional instruction or evaluation may be needed sooner because of an incident, unsafe operation, unfamiliar equipment, or new hazards. Follow applicable requirements, manufacturer instructions, and your employer’s policies.
When is refresher instruction needed before certification expires?
Provide refresher instruction when an operator’s knowledge or performance, a change in equipment, or workplace conditions show that additional preparation is needed. Waiting for a certificate’s expiration date can leave an immediate safety gap.
- An accident or unsafe operating practice occurs.
- Evaluation shows a gap in safe operating skills.
- A different lift introduces unfamiliar controls or hazards.
- Changes at the workplace introduce hazards the operator has not addressed.
Focus the instruction and evaluation on the identified gap before authorizing the affected work. OSHA describes these types of triggers in its aerial-lift safety guidance.
What certification records should our company keep?
Keep records that clearly show who completed the certification process, what equipment and subjects were covered, who provided instruction and evaluation, and what work the employer authorized.
We recommend recording the employee’s name; course and assessment completion dates; equipment types or models covered; practical evaluation date and results; instructor and evaluator names; authorization limits; and subsequent refresher activities. Retain supporting certificates and completed evaluation forms with those records.
This is a recommended documentation checklist. Specific recordkeeping obligations depend on the standards and policies applicable to your work. The kit includes printable certificates and wallet cards for use with your completed employer-managed process.
How do we receive course access, certificates, and physical materials?
The trainer certification is an online course. Follow the access instructions associated with your order. After successful course completion, printable course documentation is available through the online program.
The operator certification kit includes a printed binder and a USB drive with digital materials. Physical materials are shipped, so allow delivery time before scheduling sessions that depend on the kit. The kit also provides printable certification documents for your employer-managed process.
For order, access, or delivery assistance, call (888) 278-8896. Review our fulfillment policy for purchase and delivery terms.
Equipment and Safety Requirements
Are aerial lifts and scissor lifts covered by the same OSHA rules?
The applicable rules depend on the equipment and work activity. In construction, OSHA distinguishes boom-supported aerial lifts from scissor lifts, which are addressed under scaffold requirements. General-industry requirements must also be considered when applicable.
Identify the actual machine and follow the relevant standards and manufacturer’s instructions. A shared label such as “lift” or “MEWP” does not make every operating or fall-protection requirement identical. OSHA explains the construction distinction in its interpretation addressing aerial lifts and scissor lifts.
Are hard hats required on aerial lifts or scissor lifts?
Head protection is required when the work exposes employees to applicable head-injury hazards, such as falling objects, impact, or electrical hazards. The employer must assess those exposures and select suitable protection. Site rules may also require head protection.
Operating a lift does not remove the need for that assessment. Consider overhead structures, nearby work, and electrical exposure. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the protective equipment. See OSHA’s construction head-protection requirements and, for general industry, the applicable head-protection standard.
Is fall protection required when using a boom lift?
Workers using boom-supported aerial lifts need an appropriate personal fall-protection system under the applicable OSHA requirements. Depending on the equipment and conditions, this may be a properly selected fall-restraint system or personal fall-arrest system.
Follow the lift manufacturer’s instructions and use designated anchorage points. System selection must account for compatibility, potential ejection, and available fall clearance. A body belt must never be used for fall arrest. Employers must also address rescue arrangements where fall arrest is used.
Do not apply this answer automatically to scissor lifts; assess their applicable requirements separately. See OSHA’s explanation of restraint and fall-arrest systems on aerial lifts.
Build Your In-House Certification Process
Choose the resources that fit your team: trainer certification, the operator certification kit, or the bundle. For help choosing, call (888) 278-8896.