🏗️ Crane Operator License Requirements by State

Compare crane operator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 25 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level crane operator license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $200–$200. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Not Required	—	—	$52,469
AKAlaska	Required	—	$200	$74,784
AZArizona	Not Required	—	—	$58,500
ARArkansas	Not Required	—	—	$50,660
CACalifornia	Required	—	$200	$83,227
COColorado	Not Required	—	—	$65,134
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$200	$69,356
DEDelaware	Required	—	$200	$60,310
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$200	$77,196
FLFlorida	Required	—	$200	$57,897
GAGeorgia	Not Required	—	—	$56,088
HIHawaii	Required	—	$200	$81,418
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$56,691
ILIllinois	Required	—	$200	$63,325
INIndiana	Not Required	—	—	$54,882
IAIowa	Not Required	—	—	$53,675
KSKansas	Not Required	—	—	$53,675
KYKentucky	Not Required	—	—	$53,675
LALouisiana	Not Required	—	—	$54,279
MEMaine	Required	—	$200	$58,500
MDMaryland	Required	—	$200	$65,737
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$200	$73,578
MIMichigan	Required	—	$200	$56,691
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$200	$62,722
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$50,057
MOMissouri	Not Required	—	—	$54,279
MTMontana	Not Required	—	—	$57,897
NENebraska	Not Required	—	—	$54,279
NVNevada	Required	—	$200	$61,516
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$200	$62,722
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$200	$71,165
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$200	$54,882
NYNew York	Required	—	$200	$78,403
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$55,485
NDNorth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$57,294
OHOhio	Required	—	$200	$55,485
OKOklahoma	Not Required	—	—	$52,469
OROregon	Required	—	$200	$66,341
PAPennsylvania	Not Required	—	—	$59,103
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$200	$62,119
SCSouth Carolina	Not Required	—	—	$54,882
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$53,072
TNTennessee	Not Required	—	—	$54,279
TXTexas	Not Required	—	—	$56,691
UTUtah	Not Required	—	—	$58,500
VTVermont	Not Required	—	—	$60,913
VAVirginia	Not Required	—	—	$61,516
WAWashington	Required	—	$200	$71,165
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$200	$51,866
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$200	$56,691
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$57,294

Common questions about crane operator licensing

Do all states require a crane operator license?

No — 25 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level crane operator license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a crane operator license?

Application fees across the states range $200–$200. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a crane operator license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.