Forklift Certification & Heavy Equipment Training

Forklift training is an OSHA-mandated safety training for operators. Training should be provided by employers to teach workers about safety procedures, vehicle inspections, and maintenance. While OSHA does not issue a certification, forklift training is the best way to ensure employees understand the risks associated with working with, on, or around a forklift. This is crucial for preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace.

Forklift training costs vary based on provider, type of training, and course duration. Online courses are cheaper due to reduced travel costs, while in-person training costs typically range from $100 to $300. OSHA.com offers a wide variety of forklift courses depending on your job requirements.

Whether a course is offered online or in person affects how long it takes for you to complete. Our online courses allow you total flexibility, with the duration typically being between 1.5 to 3 hours.  

According to OSHA, proper training must include a classroom or online portion, including a quiz or exam, as well as a practical hands-on portion wherein the learner is observed operating the machine. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure an employee is properly trained, and it is also his or her responsibility to say when the employee is “qualified” or “competent.”

A forklift operator is responsible for moving materials in factories, warehouses, storage areas, and construction sites. To complete training, you must be at least 18 years old, allowing employers to hire you in accordance with local labor laws.

Before operating a forklift OSHA mandates that operators get certification. To become certified you must enroll in an in-person or online course that has been aligned with OSHA standards. More and more people are turning to online forklift training as a way to further their career on their own time. 

Your forklift certification is valid for three years. After it expires, you'll need to finish another performance review to maintain your forklift certification. The OSHA Education Center recommends that all forklift operators complete refresher training once their certification expires.

Recertification is necessary in cases of accidents, unsafe equipment usage, evaluation deficiencies, different forklift types, or workplace changes affecting safe operation, as well as when assigned to a different type of forklift.

As of 2023, in the United States, the average forklift operator income is $33,150 per year, or $15.94 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $29,250 per year, with most experienced forklift operators earning up to $39,114 per year.