How to Get Forklift Certified Online (Step by Step)

OSHA’s forklift rule (29 CFR 1910.178(l)) says an operator is ready only after three things: formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation of their performance in the workplace. The employer then certifies that the training and evaluation were done.

OSHA specifically allows formal instruction to be delivered by “interactive computer learning,” video and written material, which is why online forklift courses exist. What you cannot do online is drive the forklift. OSHA does not approve, certify or accredit any online provider, and any site claiming you can be “fully certified 100% online” in minutes, with no hands-on evaluation, is not telling you the whole story.

1. Take an online forklift course. Choose one that covers the topics in 1910.178(l)(3): truck controls, stability and the stability triangle, load capacity and data plates, pre-shift inspection, refueling and battery charging, ramps, pedestrians and loading docks.
2. Pass the exam. With Gama Safety the pass mark is 80%, and retakes are unlimited and free.
3. Download your certificate and printable wallet card. You get them as soon as you pass, so you can attach them to job applications the same day.
4. Do the practical training. A qualified trainer shows you how to operate the specific truck, then you practice under supervision.
5. Pass the workplace evaluation. The trainer or evaluator watches you inspect and drive the truck and handle loads in the real work area.
6. Get your employer’s certification. The employer records your name, the training date, the evaluation date and who trained and evaluated you.

This is the most common question. You can complete the formal instruction on your own, and many job seekers do, because it shows employers you already know the rules and lowers the time and cost to put you on a truck. Warehouse, retail and staffing employers often accept a recent training certificate as proof of the classroom portion.

Your new employer will still need to give you practical training and evaluate you on their trucks, in their workplace, before you operate without supervision. That is true even for experienced operators, because OSHA requires training on the specific type of truck and workplace conditions. Having the online part done means that step can be short.

If you want hands-on practice before you are hired, some community colleges, trade schools and equipment dealers offer practical sessions. Ask whether they will provide a written record you can give to a future employer.

• Online instruction: about 1.5 to 2 hours for most people, self-paced on a phone, tablet or computer.
• Practical training and evaluation: often a few hours, depending on your experience and the type of truck.
• Online course cost: usually around $40 to $80 in the US. Gama Safety’s course is $59 and includes the certificate, printable wallet card and unlimited retakes.
• In-person programs at training centers often cost a few hundred dollars because they include seat time on a truck.

Many employers pay for forklift training. If you are already working, ask your supervisor before you buy anything.

Not automatically. OSHA requires training on each type of truck you operate. A sit-down counterbalance forklift handles very differently from a stand-up reach truck, an order picker or a rough-terrain forklift. Operators assigned to a different type of truck need additional training and evaluation.

A good online course covers the principles that apply to all trucks, such as stability, load handling and inspection. Your employer then focuses the hands-on part on the trucks you will actually drive.

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Claims of an “OSHA-approved,” “OSHA-certified” or “OSHA-accredited” forklift course. OSHA does not approve forklift training providers.
• Promises that you will be “fully certified” online with no mention of a practical evaluation.
• A government-style “forklift license.” There is no federal or state forklift license.
• No exam, no record of what you studied, or no way to contact anyone with questions.

An honest course tells you exactly what it covers and what your employer still needs to do.