You need a Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence to operate a mobile crane, boom truck, overhead travelling crane or tower crane. As part of the certification process, you need to successfully complete:
Classification | Licence | Type | Regulated cranes and rated lifting capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Class 1 | Crane Operator 1 Licence | Mobile crane | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Lifting capacity: 91 tonnes (100 tons) or more Exclusions: Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes and overhead travelling cranes |
Class 2 | Crane Operator 2 Licence | Mobile crane | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Lifting capacity: 18 tonnes (20 tons) or more, but less than 91 tonnes (100 tons) Exclusions: Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes and overhead travelling cranes |
Class 3 | Crane Operator 3 Licence | Mobile crane | Boom truck or mobile crane that:
Lifting capacity: More than 4.5 tonnes (5 tons), but less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) Exclusions: Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes and overhead travelling cranes |
Class 4 | Crane Operator 4 Licence | Mobile crane | Boom truck that:
Lifting capacity: More than 4.5 tonnes (5 tons), but less than 18 tonnes (20 tons) Exclusions: Excludes tower cranes, self-erecting tower cranes and overhead travelling cranes |
Tower class | Tower Crane Operator Licence | Tower crane | Lifting capacity: Any tonnage |
Self-erecting tower class | Tower Crane Operator Licence | Self-erecting tower crane | Lifting capacity: Less than 40-metre tonne (144.3 feet ton) |
Overhead travelling class | Overhead Travelling Crane Operator Licence | Overhead travelling Crane | Overhead travelling Crane Lifting capacity: Any tonnage |
Once you meet all the requirements for the certification process, you can apply for a Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence to operate a crane in Nova Scotia.
You can apply for a Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence (with or without endorsements) for the class of crane operator certificate of competency you want.
Application form: Application for Certificate of Competency / Certificate of Qualification (PDF)
You can apply for an endorsement on a Class 1 or Class 2 Certificate of Competency for a lattice boom, overhead travelling crane or self-erecting tower crane. You need to complete additional required regulated hours for the endorsement (above the required classification hours).
All applications are assessed for approval to challenge the exams. Your application needs to be received on or before the deadline (late applications are not accepted).
You need to send your completed application form to Technical Safety. Include your preferred exam dates on your form (you can find the exam dates in the Exam Schedule). The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency provides the exam dates, but you still need to apply through Technical Safety.
Application for Certificate of Competency / Certificate of Qualification (Examination or Certification) (PDF)
Application for a Rewrite Examination (PDF)
Exam Reference Syllabus - Tower Crane Operators (PDF)
Exam Reference Syllabus - Overhead Traveling Crane Operators (PDF)
Exam Reference Syllabus - Mobile Crane and Boom Truck Operators, Class "A" and "B” (PDF)
Exam Schedule (PDF)
Applicants from outside Canada may need to complete a prior learning assessment if they don't meet the education requirements. They may also need to have their credentials verified by an evaluation agency.
You can apply to transfer your credentials from another Canadian jurisdiction if you have a Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence that's equivalent to the classification level you want to transfer to. You may need to have your credentials recognized and provide documentation issued by the jurisdiction you're transferring from.
Application for Certificate of Qualification / Competency (Transfer of Certification) (PDF)
It should take 10 days for Technical Safety to review your application. International and transfer applications can take up to 30 days to review. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn't been filled in correctly.
If your application is approved, you receive Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence by mail. International and transfer applicants receive a Crane Operator Licence by mail.
You can submit payment for an expired licence up to 4 years from your current expiry. After 4 years, you need to contact Technical Safety to find out how you can pay for an expired licence and if you need to complete additional requirements.
Minor variance application (PDF)
Activity | Fee |
---|---|
Exam (per paper) | $39.80 |
Re-write exam (per paper) | $39.80 |
Certificate of Competency and Crane Operator Licence | $145.80 |
Licence renewal | $72.90 |
Copy of Certificate of Competency | $33.20 |
Copy of Crane Operator Licence | $33.20 |
Transfer | $72.90 |
A Certificate of Competency is issued once and doesn't expire. You need to renew your Crane Operator Licence each year. You should get a renewal notice by mail before the renewal date. It's your responsibility to renew on time.
You need to notify Technical Safety of any changes to your civic address or mailing address. Send your address updates to safetybranch@novascotia.ca.
Safety Alert: imminent danger to a safety issue, that if not addressed will likely lead to health and safety consequences.
Safety Bulletin: non-imminent danger practices or procedures, which may have a level of safety risk if not addressed as soon as possible.
Safety Directive: an interpretation or application of the act, regulations or standards of the regulation, which require action. A Directive is legally binding and must be followed by the affected parties.
Safety Notice: informative, non urgent, proactive communication on safety issue.
Safety Bulletin - Technical Safety Standards Regulations – Adoption of Updated Crane Operator Codes (PDF) | Bulletin de sécurité - Règlement sur les normes de sécurité technique - Adoption des codes mis à jour des conducteurs de grue (PDF)
If you have any further questions, reach out to the Safety Branch-Technical Safety Division at 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687)