All MA Hydraulics course prices slashed to $79 (Continuing Education) and $169 (Exam Prep).
New License Exam Prep
Massachusetts
Designed to help new HE license applicants pass state exams, courses feature:
> Practice Quizzes
> Highlighted areas of focus
> No pass, no pay & premium refund policies (details)
Constructed with convenience in mind, courses feature:
> A relaxed learning environment
> 24/7 online access
> Mobile compatibility
> Self-paced training
Auto-saving course progress
(Optional) Electronic application assistance (details).
Continuing Education
Massachusetts
Required for those looking to renew MA HE licenses. All courses are:
> Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety
> Compliant with 520 CMR 6.04.
> Included in our premium refund policy (details)
Constructed with convenience in mind, courses feature:
> A relaxed learning environment
> 24/7 online access
> Mobile compatibility
> Auto-saving course progress
> Optional audio narration
> NO testing (not a requirement)
> Immediate, approved Certificate of Completion.
Temp. Operator Permits
Massachusetts
Individuals wanting to operate a compact (under 8,000lbs) backhoe, mini-excavator, or skid steer ("Bobcat") in MA - who do not hold a current MA Class 2 HE license - must obtain a valid temporary operator's permit. Prior to issuance of a temp permit, individuals must complete state-approved training on the machine in question. Our temp permit training courses are:
> Approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety
> Compliant with 520 CMR 6.03 - training requirements for short-term rentals
> Operating on behalf of the American Rental Association of Massachusetts (ARAM) and its member rental stores (find ARAM store)
Constructed with convenience in mind, courses feature:
> A relaxed learning environment
> 24/7 online access
> Mobile compatibility
> Auto-saving course progress
> Immediate, approved Certificate of Completion - which we will help you submit to your rental store
The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety has implemented changes to 520 CMR 6.00 which may have an immediate effect on your MA HE license(s).
Please reference the in-depth 520 CMR 6.00 document (link above) on mass.gov. Below is an abridged version of changes and what they mean for you:
- No more HE 4A: The Class 4 Unrestricted, or HE 4A license, no longer exists. New license applicants seeking a class 4 HE license may still take/pass separate exams for the 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G license grades/ restrictions.
- HE 4A continuing education: Existing HE 4A license holders will have approximately 6 months (roughly May 2017) to complete HE 4A continuing education requirements. After this time, HE 4A license holders will need to choose which class 4 restrictions they wish to retain for the future.
- Beginning six months out, class 4 license holders will be required to complete separate continuing education courses for each of the restrictions s/he has opted to retain.
- Continuing education requirements, overall, have been adjusted so that those holding multiple HE licenses will only need to complete laws/regulations CEUs one time total per renewal period - rather than one time for each license held, per renewal period.
- See section below on continuing education requirements for more information.
- New: HE Municipality Limited license: This combines the HE 1C, 2B, and 4G into one. To apply for this state exam, you will be required to submit a letter from the municipality you are applying to or work for - on company letterhead - essentially serving as proof of your position.
- Important: This license is not "permanent" - meaning should you lose your position or move on from the municipality in reference, your HE Municipality Limited license will cease to exist.
- Continuing education requirements still apply.
See Mass.gov Hoisting Operators FAQs (reference questions 18-21)
Summary: Massachusetts has four (4) HE license classifications: 1 (hoisting), 2 (excavating), 3 (air, tower & electric), and 4 (specialty).
- Classes 1 and 2 have four (4) sub-grades, or restrictions (A, B, C, and D), which work as a hierarchy. Therefore, HE 1A and 2A licenses are essentially "unrestricted" for their respective classes. Conversely, someone holding an HE 1C license, for example, may only operate equipment falling under the HE 1C and 1D licenses - but not the 1A or 1B licenses.
- Class 3 only has a 3A license.
- Class 4 has seven (6) sub-grades, or restrictions (B, C, D, E, F, G). Due to changes in 520 CMR 6.00 (see update above), there is no longer a class 4A Unrestricted license. Also, unlike with classes 1 and 2, the remaining class 4 restrictions do not operate as a hierarchy. For example, someone holding a 4C license may only operate equipment covered under the 4C.
Operators utilizing equipment solely on company property may qualify for an exemption. To learn more about the In-Service Training exemption, click here.
Application instructions and requirements can be found here (reference question 6).
- The Mass DPS will receive and process your application, and schedule you for an upcoming exam. During "normal" processing times, new license applicants typically receive an exam date in the month following when they applied (ex: application submitted in June, exam date provided in July).
- The Mass DPS will mail you (to the address provided on your application) exam details (date/location) about 2 weeks prior to your scheduled exam date.
- A list of exam dates and locations can be found here.
- You must achieve a 70% or better on a given exam in order to obtain the associated MA Hoisting Engineering license. If you score below a 70%, you must wait 90 days before you are allowed to retake the same exam.
- Check the Mass.gov License Verification portal and search by first/last name. If your name appears with the designation "pending," it means your application has been processed and you should soon receive details (mail) on your upcoming exam date/location.
- Check with your bank. Has your application check been cashed by the Mass DPS? If so, they've received and have processed (or are processing) your application.
- As a last resort, call the Mass DPS to inquire about your status (617.727.3200). Before calling, please remember the process of applying and then sitting for a MA HE license exam typically takes at least a month.
- License grades 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A:
- 2 Hours of Massachusetts Laws/Regulations (one time)
- 2 Hours specific to the equipment covered within your license (for each license grade)
- Example: You hold an HE 1A, 2B, and 3A = you need 8 Hours of continuing education (2 hrs = laws/regulations, 2 hrs = 1A equipment, 2 hrs = 2B equipment, and 2 hrs = 3A equipment)
- License grades 1D, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G:
- 1 Hour of Massachusetts Laws/Regulations (one time)
- 1 Hour specific to the equipment covered within your license (for each license grade)
- Example: You hold an HE 1D, 4B, and 4F = you need 4 Hours of continuing education (1 hr = laws/regulations, 1 hr = 1D equipment, 1 hr = 4B equipment, and 1 hr = 4F equipment)
- If you hold a combination of licenses from the two categories above (ex: 1D, 2A, 4F), your required hours of continuing education for laws/regulations will be 2. So in this example, you will need 6 hours of continuing education (2 hrs = laws/regulations, 1 hr = 1D equip., 2 hrs = 2A equip., 1 hr = 4F equip.)
As far as the renewal process goes, you have two options:
- Mail in your renewal items (you'll need the renewal form referenced above - which provides instructions on how to proceed).
- Submit your renewal items online via the state's eRenewal Portal (renewal form NOT needed for this approach).
- Call (508) 820-1444 to report all hoisting-related accidents.
- All other Mass DPS calls: (617) 727-3200.