OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Red Seal Mobile Crane Operator Examination — Information & Free Practice

100 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Start free practice →

Exam Review

About Red Seal Mobile Crane Operator Examination

Red Seal Mobile Crane Operator Examination · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) is responsible for the Red Seal Program; CCDA and the Interprovincial Standards and Examinations Committee coordinate exam development with industry, and provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities administer the examination.
Format
Written, four-option multiple-choice examination; one correct response per question.
Exam questions
Total questions: 110.
Time limit
Four hours of writing time.
Passing score
70%.
Exam fee
The examination fee varies by province or territory; consult the administering apprenticeship authority. Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices and trade qualifiers have no examination or rewrite fee under the policy effective April 1, 2025.

Topics covered

  • Performs common occupational skills (6%)

    • Performs safety-related functions
    • Uses communication and mentoring techniques
    • Maintains a safe work environment
    • Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
    • Uses documentation
    • Uses communication techniques
    • Uses mentoring techniques

  • Performs hoisting calculations (18%)

    • Determines load weights
    • Calculates crane capacity
    • Performs rigging calculations
    • Identifies weight
    • Calculates weight
    • Determines radius and crane configuration
    • Interprets load charts
    • Performs sling angle calculations
    • Performs working load limit (WLL) calculations

  • Inspects and maintains crane (13%)

    • Performs pre-operational checks and regular inspections
    • Performs operational and continual checks
    • Performs minor crane maintenance
    • Inspects engine systems
    • Inspects air systems
    • Inspects electrical systems
    • Inspects hydraulic systems
    • Inspects chassis/car body and running gear components
    • Inspects outriggers and counterweights
    • Inspects boom components and attachments
    • Inspects hoisting systems
    • Checks operating controls
    • Inspects monitoring and warning systems
    • Monitors running lines, hoist ropes and standing ropes
    • Monitors gauges and warning systems
    • Monitors support base
    • Changes oil and filter
    • Greases crane
    • Lubricates wire ropes
    • Makes adjustments and replacements

  • Performs rigging (12%)

    • Inspects, maintains and stores slings and hardware
    • Follows rigging procedures
    • Lubricates slings and hardware
    • Identifies deficiencies in slings and hardware
    • Disposes of damaged slings and hardware
    • Stores slings and hardware
    • Selects required rigging
    • Rigs loads
    • Monitors rigging

  • Plans lift, prepares site and sets up crane (15%)

    • Performs pre-lift planning
    • Sets up crane
    • Participates in routine, engineered and specialty lift planning
    • Evaluates risks and hazards
    • Performs final site inspection
    • Positions crane
    • Completes setup

  • Assembles, disassembles and transports crane (13%)

    • Loads and unloads components for transport
    • Drives cranes on public roadways
    • Assembles and disassembles lattice boom cranes
    • Assembles and disassembles telescopic boom cranes
    • Assembles and disassembles specialty equipment and attachments
    • Loads crane and components
    • Unloads crane and components
    • Performs pre-trip planning
    • Prepares crane for transport
    • Drives cranes
    • Installs tracks on car body (lattice boom)
    • Installs superstructure/upperworks (lattice boom)
    • Installs outrigger boxes (lattice boom)
    • Installs boom base (lattice boom)
    • Installs counterweights (lattice boom)
    • Assembles main boom, tip and boom attachments (lattice boom)
    • Installs hook blocks and overhaul ball (lattice boom)
    • Removes hook blocks and overhaul ball (lattice boom)
    • Disassembles main boom, tip and boom attachments (lattice boom)
    • Removes counterweights (lattice boom)
    • Removes boom base (lattice boom)
    • Removes superstructure/upperworks (lattice boom)
    • Removes tracks from car body (lattice boom)
    • Removes outrigger boxes (lattice boom)
    • Installs tracks on car body (telescopic boom)
    • Installs outrigger boxes (telescopic boom)
    • Installs superstructure/upperworks (telescopic boom)
    • Installs main boom (telescopic boom)
    • Installs hook blocks and overhaul ball (telescopic boom)
    • Installs counterweights (telescopic boom)
    • Installs jibs and inserts (telescopic boom)
    • Removes jibs and inserts (telescopic boom)
    • Removes counterweights (telescopic boom)
    • Removes hook blocks and overhaul ball (telescopic boom)
    • Removes main boom (telescopic boom)
    • Removes outrigger boxes (telescopic boom)
    • Removes tracks from car body (telescopic boom)
    • Removes superstructure/upperworks (telescopic boom)
    • Assembles specialty equipment and attachments
    • Disassembles specialty equipment and attachments

  • Operates crane (23%)

    • Performs common craning operations
    • Operates friction drive lattice boom cranes
    • Operates hydraulic drive lattice boom cranes
    • Operates telescopic boom cranes
    • Performs specialty craning operations
    • Secures crane
    • Configures load moment indicator (LMI)
    • Mobilizes crane on jobsite
    • Operates friction drive crawler-mounted lattice boom cranes
    • Operates friction drive truck-mounted lattice boom cranes
    • Operates hydraulic drive crawler-mounted lattice boom cranes
    • Operates hydraulic drive truck-mounted lattice boom cranes
    • Operates crawler-mounted telescopic cranes
    • Operates rubber tire-mounted telescopic cranes
    • Operates crane with piledriving equipment
    • Performs duty cycle operations
    • Operates cranes on floating platforms
    • Performs multi-crane lifts
    • Uses personnel hoisting equipment
    • Secures crane for short term
    • Secures crane for long term

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Written, four-option multiple-choice examination; one correct response per question.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 110.

How long is the exam?

Four hours of writing time.

What is the passing score?

70%.

How much does the exam cost?

The examination fee varies by province or territory; consult the administering apprenticeship authority. Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices and trade qualifiers have no examination or rewrite fee under the policy effective April 1, 2025.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.