New HMO Licensing Requirements for Crane Operators in NYC

 Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license from the Department of Buildings will be necessary to operate articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, or rotating telehandlers in New York City. New limited HMO licenses for these machines will be introduced, applicable for tasks such as delivering or moving materials on construction sites.

Exemptions from this requirement include operations in industrial or commercial settings, certain demolition and excavation equipment, and cranes with a rated capacity of 1 ton or less. Details on exemptions can be found in the NYC Administrative Code and Building Code.

Applications for the new limited HMO licenses will be available in DOB NOW: Licensing later this year, with further announcements forthcoming. To qualify for these licenses, applicants must have at least 1,500 hours of relevant operating experience, an appropriate NCCCO certification, completion of an approved HMO course, and a recent medical exam. 

Individuals who apply for a limited HMO license before November 7, 2024, will be allowed to continue operating their equipment while their application is being processed. However, starting on that date, anyone without a valid HMO license or a pending application will need to be supervised by a licensed operator to operate these cranes. Additional information about the licensing process and requirements will be provided at nyc.gov/buildings prior to the implementation date.