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Best forklift driver certifications

Forklift driver certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an forklift driver to employers. However, not all forklift driver certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a forklift driver are Forklift Safety and Inspector, Commercial Driver License (CDL), and OSHA Safety Certificate .

Below is a list of the best forklift driver certifications. Obtaining an forklift driver certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

9 best forklift driver certifications

1. Forklift Safety and Inspector

Most personnel operating and working around forklifts have had little or no quality training. This training program exceeds OSHA's new training requirements.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
Crane Institute Certification

2. Commercial Driver License (CDL)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that is responsible for establishing standards for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators, including the Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The minimum national CDL testing standards and licensing requirements established by FMCSA are administered by state driver licensing agencies when they issue a CDL. You are required to obtain and hold a CDL if you drive interstate, intrastate (within a state), or for foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that meets any of the classifications of a CDL. States develop their own tests which must meet the minimum federal standards, but which also may have standards unique to the state. To get a CDL, first you must get a commercial learner's permit. States can only issue learner's permits and CDLs to drivers after they pass knowledge exams and skills tests. You have to pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests for the class of license and type of endorsement required to operate the type of commercial vehicle you plan to drive. And, you have to take the skills test in a vehicle of the same type as the vehicle you plan to operate. For a quick reference of CDL Classes, see the CDL License Matrix.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
Certifying website
Commercial Driver License
Certifying organization
Federal Motor Carrier Safety...

3. OSHA Safety Certificate

This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying website
OSHA Safety Certificate
Course that help you to prepare for certification
OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics
udemy
4.3
(727)

4. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)

A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Event Planners Association

5. Operator Certification

Operator Certification is an intensive six-day training program that educates operators in the correct applications and techniques for safe, competent operation of sawing and drilling equipment.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Operator Certification
Certifying organization
Concrete Sawing and Drilling...

6. Computer Service Technician (CST)

The following can be expected to identify the major areas of training-study-knowledge and skills which the Computer Service Technician needs in order to perform the job of servicing the hardware and the systems software for personal computers: Computer Assembly-Disassembly; Motherboards; Buses; System Resources, Processor Characteristics; Memory Characteristics (Physical & Electronic); Secondary Storage Devices; Peripheral Devices; I/O Ports; Power Concepts and Power Supplies; Basic Networking Concepts; Portables; Digital Concepts; Troubleshooting/Preventive Maintenance; current Operating Systems; File Management; Safety Procedures/Handling; and Workplace Practices.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
Certifying website
Computer Service Technician
Certifying organization
ETA International

7. Flagger (Instructor)

In the Flagger Training Instructor Course, you'll learn to teach work zone crews standard flagging procedures and how to provide safe passage in and around work areas. Get certified to deliver the Flagger Training Course to your work zone crews. No prerequisites required.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying website
Flagger (Instructor)
Certifying organization
National Safety Council

8. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor

Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? No
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying organization
National Safety Council
Course that help you to prepare for certification
First Aid & CPR - An in Depth Guide to CPR, AED and Choking
udemy
4.8
(452)

9. Food Safety Manager Certification

The National Registry's Certified Food Safety Professional examination has been developed following the strictest test development procedures. The Certified Food Safety Manager examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute using standards set by the Conference for Food Protection.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
National Registry of Food...
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Fun food safety and sanitation course
udemy
4.6
(539)

What is the best certification for a forklift driver?

The best forklift driver certification is Forklift Safety and Inspector. The Forklift Safety and Inspector is awarded by the Crane Institute Certification.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this forklift driver certification:

  • To become a certified Forklift Safety and Inspector, you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 2 year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for forklift drivers?

The most in-demand forklift driver certification is Operator Certification based on all active job postings. Having this forklift driver certification will give you access to more forklift driver jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a forklift driver career and salary?

The Forklift Safety and Inspector certification will help you to secure a forklift operator position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A forklift operator's average salary is $29,558 whereas forklift drivers make an average salary of $33,476.

Best certifications

The most common combination of forklift driver certifications include: Forklift Safety and Inspector, Commercial Driver License (CDL), and OSHA Safety Certificate .

Online courses for forklift drivers to earn certifications

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