Classification of Licenses; Qualifications
Effective Nov 21, 2025Mass. Register #1561MGL c. 146, §§ 53 through 54A; §§ 56 through 65A, and 67Division of Occupational Licensure
(1) Class 1 - Hoisting.
(a) 1A Prerequisites.
- 1. The applicant shall meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02;
- 2. The applicant shall display knowledge of the crane operator ASME hand signals;
- 3. The applicant must be able to read and comprehend load charts and manufacturer's specifications.
(b) 1A Operators May Operate.
- 1. All friction clutch machines and all derricks (including tower cranes, guy derricks, stiff legs, Chicago booms, gin poles);
- 2. Lattice boom machinery;
- 3. All equipment listed in classes 1B,1C, 1D, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G;
- (c) 1B Prerequisites. The applicant must meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02. The applicant shall display knowledge of the crane operator hand signals. The applicant must be able to read and comprehend load charts and manufacturers specifications.
(d) 1B Operators May Operate.
- 1. All equipment having telescoping boom and wire rope;
- 2. All equipment listed in class 1C, 1D, 4B, 4C, 4E, and 4F;
(e) 1C Prerequisites.
- 1. The applicant must meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02;
- 2. The applicant must be able to read and comprehend load charts and manufacturer's specifications.
(f) 1C Operators May Operate.
- 1. Equipment with hydraulic telescoping booms and any other hydraulic equipment designed for the purpose of hoisting, excluding those with wire rope hoist lines;
- 2. All equipment listed in class 1D.
- (g) 1D Prerequisites. The applicant must meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02.
- (h) 1D operators may operate general industrial warehouse fork lift equipment primarily used in indoor facilities.
(2) Class 2 - Excavating.
(a) 2A Prerequisites.
- 1. The applicant must meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02;
- 2. Knowledge of hand signals for controlling crawler/excavator operations
(b) 2A Operators May Operate.
- 1. All crawler and rubber tired excavators and backhoes with manufacturer approved attachments;
- 2. Equipment listed in classes 2B, 2C, and 2D.
- (c) 2B Prerequisites. The applicant shall meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02.
(d) 2B Operators May Operate.
- 1. Combination loader/backhoe machines with manufacturer approved attachments;
- 2. Equipment listed in Class 2C and class 2D.
- (e) 2C Prerequisites. The applicant shall meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02.
(f) 2C Operators May Operate.
- 1. Front end loaders with manufacturer approved attachments;
- 2. Equipment listed in Class 2D.
- (g) 2D Prerequisites. The applicant shall meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02.
- (h) 2D operators may operate compact hoisting machinery with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds, excluding Class 1, Class 3, and Class 4 hoisting machinery as listed in 230 CMR 6.10 with manufacturer approved attachments.
(3) Class 3 - Electric and Pneumatic.
(a) 3A Operators Prerequisites.
- 1. The applicant shall meet the prerequisites as listed in 230 CMR 6.02;
- 2. The applicant shall be able to read and comprehend manufacturer's specifications.
(b) 3A Operators May Operate.
- 1. Overhead gantry cranes;
- 2. Marine lifts;
- 3. Jib cranes with no load charts; and
- 4. Electric or air driven “tugger” type hoists.
(4) Class 4 - Specialty. Operators may operate the equipment listed in 230 CMR 6.10(4)(a) through (h):
- (a) [This subsection is intentionally left blank – Type 4A licenses were eliminated in 2016]
- (b) 4B: Drill Rigs and Pile Drivers (including crawler rock drills and top hammer drill rigs);
- (c) 4C: Pipeline Side booms;
- (d) 4D: Concrete Pumps;
- (e) 4E: Catch Basin Cleaner;
- (f) 4F: Sign Hanging Equipment lifting loads less than 1,000 pounds or ½ ton;
- (g) 4G: Specialty Side Boom Mower.
(5) State/Municipal - Limited. With this license, operators who are employed by a state or municipal public works department may operate, solely within the scope of their state or municipal employment, equipment normally operated pursuant to the following licenses:
- (a) 1C;
- (b) 2B; and
- (c) 4G.