Crane operator rules in Nevada
What Nevada Administrative Code chapter 618, as compiled by the Division of Industrial Relations, says about operator certification for mobile cranes and tower cranes, the provisional certificate for trainees and the records an employer keeps.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 9, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. The sources are the unofficial compilation of Nevada Administrative Code chapter 618 prepared by the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, which carries changes filed through February 27, 2024, OSHA's operator qualification rule at 29 CFR 1926.1427, and a Montana Department of Labor and Industry paper that compares state crane licensing. The national picture is on the parent page, cranes in tree work.
At a glance
| Item | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Rule | NAC 618.402, certification required before operating a mobile crane or a tower crane |
| Regulator | Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, which approves the certification programs |
| Mobile crane | A travelling machine hoisting by cables over the boom or jib sheave, with a usable boom length of 25 feet or greater or a rated capacity of 15,000 pounds or greater |
| Trainee | Provisional certificate issued by the employer, valid up to 5 years |
| Employer records | Copies of certificates kept during employment and at least 3 years after |
| Exception naming trees | None found in the chapter |
What the regulation says
NAC 618.402 says a person shall obtain certification to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane, as applicable, before operating one, except as NAC 618.410 allows for trainees. It also says an employer of a crane operator shall ensure the operator holds a certificate issued by a certification program. NAC 618.3445 defines a crane operator as a person who holds such a certificate. NAC 618.3425 defines a certification program as one the Division approves. The chapter lists its authority as NRS 618.295 and NRS 618.880.
NAC 618.344 defines a crane as a machine with a movable boom that lifts and lowers a load and moves it horizontally, with the lifting mechanism built into the machine. The certification rule, though, is written for the two defined kinds. NAC 618.3505 defines a mobile crane as a machine that can travel, hoists and moves a load by cables running unencumbered over the boom or jib sheave, and has a usable boom length of 25 feet or greater or a maximum machine rated capacity of 15,000 pounds or greater. NAC 618.355 defines a tower crane as one regularly assembled and disassembled for use at various sites, driven by an electric motor or an engine.
Certification programs
NAC 618.404 says a program gives the Division a blank copy of its certification form. Each form must show an authorized representative's signature, an expiration date, the type of mobile crane or tower crane the holder is certified to operate, and the program name. NAC 618.405 says the Division withdraws approval, after 15 working days' notice, if a program fails to keep the accreditation the Division requires, to prove continuing accreditation or to supply other information asked for. It also says the Division may limit the crane types a program is approved for. NAC 618.358 adopts three ASME standards by reference: B30.3 on tower cranes (2016 edition), B30.4 on portal and pedestal cranes (2015 edition) and B30.5 on mobile and locomotive cranes (2018 edition).
Trainees
NAC 618.407 lets an employer issue a provisional certificate to a person who is not certified, if the employer verifies the person meets the physical requirements for trainees in the adopted standards. The certificate names the crane type and expires when the trainee is certified or five years after issue, whichever is first. It can be renewed as often as needed while the trainee continues to meet those requirements. NAC 618.410 says a trainee may operate a crane only under the direct supervision of a certified operator whose sole responsibility in that period is to watch the trainee and who holds a certificate for the same crane type. Direct supervision means being in the immediate area, within visual sighting distance and able to communicate effectively. A trainee may not operate a crane used to erect or dismantle a tower crane.
Employer records
NAC 618.402 says an employer keeps copies of each operator's certificates at the main office or the operator's workplace, for the whole period of employment and at least 3 years after it ends. The employer gives copies to the Division on request if the request comes within 3 years after employment ended. NAC 618.408 sets the same rules for trainees' provisional certificates.
Where Nevada sits among the states
OSHA's rule at 29 CFR 1926.1427 requires employers to ensure each operator of covered equipment is trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated. A Montana Department of Labor and Industry paper on OSHA against state licensing names Nevada among the states that require nationally accredited certification by rule or statute without necessarily issuing a separate state operator license. The crane certification sections of the Nevada chapter do not mention tree work, bucket trucks or knuckle booms.
Sources
- Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, NAC chapter 618 unofficial compilation, changes filed through February 27, 2024, read October 9, 2026
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1427 Operator qualification and certification, read October 9, 2026
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry, OSHA v. state licensure (crane operators), read October 9, 2026