How to Get a Forklift Certification

Wondering how to get a forklift certification? If so, you’re on the verge of entering one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country, with steadily growing demand across pretty much every industry in the US. Forklift operators are needed in every single area of the economy, and OSHA’s mandate that all forklift operators be certified and trained means that you need to know how to get a forklift certification before you jump into the job market. There’s actually a good bit that you need to know here.

The Benefits of Getting a Forklift Certification

For those curious about how to get a forklift certification, it’s important to understand some of the benefits that obtaining your certification will bring. Obviously, one of those is the legal ability to work as a professional forklift driver. However, there are others, as well, including:

  • More Job Opportunities – One of the most important considerations here is that you’ll have more job opportunities available to you if an employer realizes they will not have to invest a lot of time and money into training you to operate a forklift safely. If you have forklift certification already, you have a leg up over the competition.
  • Safety – The entire point of forklift certification is to ensure the safe operation of forklifts in a range of different environments. That safety applies to other people, as well as yourself. This is a significant benefit that comes from earning your certification – imagine not having to worry so much that you’ll be injured in a workplace accident.
  • Reduced Risk – Earning your forklift certification tells potential employers that you’re less of a risk than someone who might not yet be certified. This applies not only to workplace safety but to the risk presented to products, goods, appliances, and fixtures within your work environment. Forklifts are heavy pieces of equipment and can easily damage anything they come in contact with.
  • Legal Compliance – Employers are required by OSHA to hire and train forklift operators, certifying that they are able to operate heavy machinery safely and in accordance with all rules and regulations. By earning your forklift certification ahead of time, you ensure that you’re a more attractive job candidate, as employers will know they will be in compliance with you on staff.

How to Get a Forklift Certification through Online Training

When it comes to earning your forklift certification, the training method you choose has a lot to do with your overall success or lack thereof. For instance, while you can attend in-person classroom training programs, many aspiring professionals choose to take an online forklift certification course. Why is this? Actually, there are many different reasons.

Get Forklift Certified

One of the most important is that you’re able to save money. Classroom-based programs can be quite expensive, as you have costs ranging from the instructor to materials to facilities and upkeep factored in.

Another benefit here is that online training is far more accessible than classroom-based courses. With a conventional class, you’re required to adhere to a preset schedule, whether that works for you or not. You’ll also have to rearrange your personal schedule to fit the class schedule.

Of course, there’s also the fact that you’ll need to travel from home or work to the class and then back again, which takes time, requires fuel, and adds wear and tear to your vehicle. With an online forklift certification program, none of those issues apply.

You’ll find that an online forklift training program can fit around your own schedule. That means you can complete coursework when it works for you: morning, noon, or night. There’s also no need to travel and no need to rearrange your schedule.

Understanding the Process in How to Get a Forklift Certification

So, what’s the process that you’ll need to follow to get a forklift certification? Actually, it’s not all that complicated, but there are some specific steps that you’ll need to follow. Let’s break it down below.

First, you’ll need to find a reputable online forklift training provider. Make sure their programs are OSHA compliant and that their courses are structured according to ANSI and CSA standards, as well. Once you’ve found the right provider, you’ll need to enroll in the course and complete your studies. Make sure that you can take the test as many times as necessary and that you have unlimited access to the course.

Once you’ve completed the program, you’ll receive proof of training in the form of a forklift operator certification.

Show that certification to a potential employer, and they’ll require you to undergo a verification process. This usually involves physically performing tasks in a forklift while a company representative observes.

In the End

When all is said and done, how to get a forklift certification is not a complicated question. However, you do need to ensure that you work with a reputable online training provider and that the course you complete is OSHA-compliant.