NYC Class C and limited crane licenses

Class C

DOB licenses Class C operators for hoisting machines in classes C1, C2 and C3. The license fee is $100, the renewal fee is $75, a late renewal adds $50, and the term is three years.

For the NCCCO part, DOB lists two required certifications for Class C: telescopic boom crane swing cab (TLL) and telescopic boom crane fixed cab (TSS). Extras apply for articulating boom cranes, dedicated pile drivers and rotating telehandlers. DOB also says that to operate a friction crane you must pass at least one certification exam on one.

The other prerequisites DOB lists include age 18, English reading and writing, good moral character, a DOB-approved 40-hour course in the year before applying, and two years of supervised experience within the previous three. One year must be on wheel-mounted telescoping cranes over 3 tons and not over 200 feet of boom, in New York City under a Class A, B or C operator. The experience must include 100 crane set-ups, 25 of them on that kind of crane. The page lists a $500 background fee and a $100 issuance fee.

Limited licenses

From 7 November 2024, DOB says an HMO license is required to operate an articulating boom crane, a mini crane or a rotating telehandler in New York City. Three new limited classes were created for those, and two older classes were retitled:

• Class C2 is now the Limited license for boom trucks.
• Class C3 is now the Limited license for sign hanging cranes.
• New limited licenses cover articulating boom cranes, mini cranes and telehandlers.

The requirements for the new classes differ depending on whether the application was filed on or before 6 November 2024 or after. The limited license page lists NCCCO certification for all applicants. It also lists the 40-hour course, with a shorter 8-hour course allowed for the articulating boom, mini crane and telehandler applications filed on or before 6 November 2024. For mini cranes, DOB also recognizes certifications from NCCER, not only NCCCO. We have not summarized the experience rules or fees for each limited class, so read DOB's page for your equipment.

DOB also says that applicants filing on or after 7 November 2024 may not operate until the license is issued, unless a licensed operator supervises them.

Check before you plan

DOB says endorsements now apply to HMO licenses under RCNY 104-09, so check which NCCCO certifications are required for the equipment on your license. DOB publishes an NCCCO requirements page for this. New applications and renewals go through DOB NOW, and the department offers a license status check.

How the free check fits

The NCCCO written exams are the study-able part of this route. The free written check scores you by domain on the Core outline. For boom trucks and similar machines, our specialty exams guide explains the telescopic boom exams, and the NCCCO written test cost guide covers exam fees. The check is practice only and does not replace the DOB course.

Sources

Show the list

• Hoisting Machine Operators, NYC Department of Buildings. Class C fees and term, limited license notice. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
• National Crane Certification Requirements for NYC HMO Licenses, NYC DOB. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
• Obtain a Class C HMO License, NYC DOB. Checked 26 Oct 2026.
• Obtain a Limited HMO License, NYC DOB. Checked 26 Oct 2026.