Effective July 15, 2024, candidates seeking CCO certification for Concrete Pump Operators will be required to pass a practical examination as well as a written exam. This will make CCO’s the only certification from an accredited certification body that fully complies with the requirements for both written and practical certification exams in ASME B30.27: Material Placement Systems Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings.Â
CPO practical exams may be taken on either of two classes of concrete pumps, based on the length of boom. Class 1 concrete pumps have boom lengths of 28 meters to 36 meters; Class 2 concrete pumps have boom lengths of 37 meters to 49 meters. Testing on either class pump results in the same CCO Concrete Pump Operator (CPO) certification designation, but candidates will need to specify which class of pump they will test on when they apply for their practical exams. They will also need to coordinate with the Test Site Coordinator to find out which type(s) of pumps will be available at the test site. If approved by the Test Site Coordinator, candidates may also bring their own concrete pumps to the test site so that they can use a machine with which they are already familiar.
CCO CPO certification remains valid for five years. Effective July 15, candidates will need to take both the written and practical CPO exams to earn certification. Concrete pump operators who earned CCO certification by taking the written exam only (the requirement for those certifying prior to July 15) will need to take the practical exam at recertification.