Online Crane Certification Virtual Exam
Virtual Exams required for candidates seeking certification include one General Knowledge Exam as well as a Supplemental Exam for each certification the candidate wishes to achieve (up to five). Online crane certification exams demonstrate the candidate’s understanding of the general and more specific knowledge necessary to operate a crane effectively and safely. The General Knowledge Exam is a 50-question exam, and 90 minutes are allowed for testing. Supplemental Exams have 25-30 questions, and 60 minutes are allowed, with the exception of the Telescoping Boom, 21-75 Tons Supplemental Exam, which allows for 90 minutes.
Virtual Exam test questions each fall into one of four domains:
1. Site Evaluation and Crane Setup
2. Pre-Operational Crane Inspection
3. Load Charts
4. Crane Operation
Candidates with an approved special testing accommodation allowing more time for testing may receive time and a half for testing (90 minutes for a 60-minute exam and 135 minutes for a 90-minute exam). This special accommodation must be requested a minimum of four weeks prior to the test date to allow for the accommodations to be arranged.
Our Virtual Proctoring Vendor
MonitorEDU is a company of professionally trained proctors who work with any remote testing model. They believe that proctoring powered by human intelligence blends the best test-taker experience with the highest level of security. Proctors are trained to work with test-takers before, during and after the exam, administer exams, apply rules equally, and intervene when there are issues. This enables them to detect problems instantly, assist struggling test-takers, and ensure a smooth end-to-end experience.
Live Virtual Proctoring
Live virtual proctoring is an online method of test proctoring in which a live person observes the candidate’s online exam session through a live connection between the candidate and live proctor’s computer and, as an extra measure of security, through their cell phone. It is like taking an exam at a traditional exam site with a proctor who is physically present in the same room to monitor candidate testing; however, the exam is taken at the location of the candidate’s choosing while the live proctor observes from afar while linked online.
The live virtual proctor observes the candidate’s testing session through a connection between the virtual proctor and the candidate’s computer’ camera and the candidate’s cell phone (which serves as a second camera) throughout the entire exam.
The virtual proctor observes the testing session starting just after the initial technical review of computer settings until completion of the exam. Exams are video recorded to ensure exam security and to record any test anomalies (behaviors or actions consistent with exam security violations).
While intentional breaches in exam security aren’t common, in the rare instances that they do occur, this process, including the live virtual proctor and the videotape feature, will serve as strong deterrents to the few who may contemplate breaking exam rules.
Once the candidate receives a confirmation email from CIC confirming their eligibility, the next step is taking CIC Virtual Exams, which may be taken at any time 24/7 by logging on to the CIC Test Portal with the login and password established during pre-registration. No scheduling is necessary!
1. Set up Your CIC Test Portal Login and Password. From the CIC website at www.cicert.com, click on the “CIC Test Portal” button and if you don’t already have an account, follow the prompts to register.
2. Enter the CIC Test Portal . Once you receive notification of your eligibility approval, you will use the same login and password to take your knowledge-based exams online. Be aware that live virtual proctors will ask you to show your driver license, passport, or military ID to verify your identity. They will also ask you to use your cell phone for a 360-degree scan of your testing area, your permitted items, and what you are wearing to establish your full compliance with exam rules. Reminder: All CIC certification online exams are closed book exams.
3. Choose your testing location. Remember, with this new model of testing, you get to choose the testing space located most conveniently for you. You will need to select a private room with four walls and a door located indoors that is quiet and free from interruptions. Examples of ideal testing locations include a quiet home office with a door, or a private room with a door that you can reserve at your place of employment or at a local library. Examples of non-allowed exam locations: A coffee shop, your living room couch, a public open-air area, the beach, etc.
4. Check your equipment in advance. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. You’ll also need to ensure you have adequate electrical outlets.
5. “Google Meet.” If you haven’t downloaded the “Google Meet” free app on your exam-taking device, you will need to do that before the virtual exam. You can do this by going to the app store on your cell phone. Please note: Your cell phone will need to be fully charged OR you will need to have a cell phone charger close by.
Be aware that live virtual proctors will ask you to show your driver’s license, passport, or military ID to verify your identity. You cannot proceed to your exam without verification of identity. They will also ask you to use your cell phone for a 360-degree scan of your testing area, your permitted items, and what you are wearing to establish your full compliance with exam rules. Reminder: All CIC certification online exams are closed-book exams.
1. You will need your cell phone in addition to your exam-taking device. If you haven’t downloaded the “Google Meet” free app on your device(s), you will need to do that now. You can do this by going to your app store.
2. Visit our website www.cicert.com. Click the yellow CIC Test Portal button, and sign into your CIC Test Portal account
3. On the Main Portal Page, select “EXAM HUB”. Here you will see a list of all the Exams you have been assigned to take. Select which exam you would like to take first. Exams may be taken in any order.
4. Click on the blue box that says, “Connect to MonitorEDU Proctor”. On the next page, click “New Conversation”
5. Fill out the form to connect to a Proctor and press “Start Chat”. On the Chat Screen, you will receive an automated message that says: “Welcome to our site, if you need help reply to this message.” Please wait on this screen… connecting to the Virtual Proctor generally takes a few minutes – but could take up to 15 minutes depending on testing volume.
6. When the proctor is connected, they will introduce themselves and ask if you are ready to take your exam. Confirm that you are ready to take your exam by typing “yes” in the bottom left of the screen. If you plan to take multiple exams one after the other, notify the proctor at this time.
7. The exam rules will be shared with you. Read them carefully! You will need to type “Your Name – I Agree” to agree to the rules.
8. If you haven’t downloaded the “Google Meet” free app on your device, you will need to do that now. You can do this by going to your app store. Please note: Your cell phone will need to be fully charged OR you will need to have a cell phone charger close by. From your device, open the “Google Meet” app and enter the code provided by your Virtual Proctor. Then Press “Join”
9. You will be provided with a “Google Meet” link for your computer. You will need to click “Allow microphone and camera”. Click “Join now” to share your screen with your Virtual Proctor.
10. Place your phone in a position where your Proctor can view your workspace. You may need to prop it up against something or obtain a phone holder/stand.
11. At the bottom of your screen, select the icon of the box with the arrow pointing up. This icon will allow you to share your computer screen with your Virtual Proctor.
12. To share your entire screen with your Virtual Proctor, select the ENTIRE SCREEN tab. Press “Share”.
13. Click on the CIC Test Portal tab to return to the Test Portal.
14. Your proctor will provide you with an access password. Enter the password on the screen and press continue. Once your access password is authenticated, select the “Start this Exam”.
15. Once you have completed the exam, your results will be displayed. You may also take your additional exams at this time. Notify your proctor of your wish to proceed.
The live virtual proctor monitors both the integrity of the test session and the testing area itself. Any deviation from CIC test area requirements will be flagged for review by MonitorEDU and CIC exam administrators. To ensure you have the best possible exam experience, review and follow the required parameters for testing.
Candidates must choose an exam testing area that meets all the following requirements:
1. Test in an Uninterrupted, Quiet, Enclosed Room. The test environment must be indoors, in a quiet, private, uninterrupted room with four walls and a door that can be closed during testing. No television or radio should be playing in the background. No third parties should be in the room unless permitted by a CIC-approved specific testing accommodation. There may be another person in the room to assist with set up, but before the exam is opened, they must leave the room. We recommend candidates test with the door at their back to minimize distractions.
2. Take Your Exam at a Desk or Table. Sit in a chair at a clean, hard-surface desk or table (not on a bed, couch, or floor). The desk or table should be clear of all other materials.
3. Ensure Good Lighting. Test area lighting should be well lit and bright enough for the candidate and the testing area to be clearly visible. If overhead lighting is not possible, the light source should not be behind the candidate.
4. Establish an Unobstructed Camera View. Your computer’s internal or external camera must be free from any obstruction or distraction always limiting the virtual proctor’s view of the exam session throughout the exam session. You will also need a cell phone or other device with a camera in the room.
5. No Bluetooth items are permitted. Do not bring earbuds, earphones, or any other electronic devices other than your cell phone. Those items should be left at home or held in a secure place by during your exams.
6. No food or drinks are allowed unless medically necessary.
7. Watches are not permitted. No smart watches or watches of any kind are allowed.
8. Books, notes, or other non-permitted resources. The only resources or other items allowed in the testing room with CIC certification candidates are two sharpened pencils, two pieces of blank paper (blank front and back), load charts for the exams you are taking from CIC website (or use online load charts on test portal, a basic function calculator, and a ruler.
Test Domains by Approximate Percentage of Exam Questions
Virtual exam questions are categorized by domain/content categories and the percentage of the exam they make up. Exam questions are weighted to reflect these proportions; however, the entire exam is scored as a whole and not by section. The approximate percentages of Virtual Exam test items by testing domains are as follows:
The General Knowledge Exam and each Supplemental Exam all have two active exam versions. Minimum Passing Scores for each of them are listed in the table above. Candidates will receive an exam report with their total percentage score and percentage scores by domain.
Candidates will receive virtual exam results within minutes after completing each exam online. Simultaneously, an email will be sent to the candidate, at the email on record, and to the manager’s email that is listed on the Candidate’s test portal account, with exam scores listed as percentages by the test domain. It is important to know that the CIC Governing Council reserves the right to invalidate test scores and take additional steps at their discretion for any candidate whose actions or behavior are investigated and deemed to be consistent with violating exam policy, copying test materials, or otherwise violating CIC certification policies.
The goals of this process are, 1) to protect the integrity of CIC certification testing programs, 2) to maintain the highest standards for operators in the lifting industry, and 3) to maintain and protect the security of the exam materials themselves, which are the intellectual property of CIC.
Confirmation of Certification and Digital Certification Badges
When results of all Virtual and Practical Exams are in, candidates with passing scores will receive an email congratulating them for earning CIC certification along with their digital certification badge within 24 hours. The digital badge will replace the hard copy certification card used in previous years.
Those candidates not achieving certification will also be notified by email. CIC recommends candidates who did not pass contact CIC Customer Service for information and guidance about the next steps. If a candidate needs a hard, plastic certification card, contact CIC to order and process payment for the card.
Required Virtual Exams for Desired Certification
One General Knowledge Exam + One Supplemental Exam: $215
Practical Exam Scoring Fee: $70
Additional Supplemental Exams may be added to an existing Certification for $75 each.
*This is the only cost for recertification if the hours requirement has been met. A Practical Exam is required, in addition to the virtual exams, for Initial Certifications and Certifications that have expired. The Practical Exam Scoring Fee does not include the amount that will be paid to the Practical Examiner for conducting the Practical Exam. Additional fees will apply.
Virtual exams are available to take on demand and do not require scheduling or rescheduling. Once the exam begins, it must be completed. If technical issues arise during the exam, the live virtual proctor will provide assistance. For further technical support or issues in completing the exam, please contact CIC
Candidates who do not pass the General Knowledge or Supplemental Exam(s) on their first attempt are eligible to retake the exam without a waiting period, provided the associated exam fee is paid. Candidates may also choose to take additional time to prepare before retaking the exam.
Candidates who do not pass their second attempt at one or more virtual exams must wait at least 30 days before retesting. To retake the exam(s), candidates must re-register and ensure that all applicable exam fees are paid for by the candidate or employer. Candidates retaking a virtual exam will receive an alternate set of exam questions to prevent an unfair testing advantage due to familiarity with the questions.
The following list of rules were put in place by proctoring experts to protect the integrity of the exam process as well as the security of exam materials. Becoming familiar with these in advance of testing will contribute to a successful testing experience.
Prohibited Behaviors
1.Talking aloud. Unless you have a CIC approved special accommodation permitting someone to be in the room to assist you, talking or whispering aloud during the exam is not permitted. There may be a need to talk with a proctor if there are any technical issues; however, proctors cannot provide clarification about test questions.
2. Looking off-screen. Unless using scratch paper to work out questions, your eyes should always stay primarily on the screen while testing.
3. Copying Exam Content of Any Kind. Taking pictures of the screen with your camera, taking screenshots with your computer, writing down test questions or memorizing them for the purpose of sharing them with others are strictly prohibited behaviors and will be considered serious violations of exam rules and security as well as theft of intellectual property (a felony). If proctors note behaviors that are consistent with breaching exam security, they will ask you to stop the test immediately, and CIC will be notified and provided access to the video recording of your exam session.
4. Leaving the exam room during the test. Expect to take all restroom and refreshment breaks before testing starts. Once testing starts, you may not leave the computer station until testing is complete. You may take a break between scheduled exams, but not during an exam unless there is an emergency.
5. Cheating of any kind. It goes without saying, but let your success be on your own merits. Cheating will result in invalidation of your exam results,
Addressing Virtual Exam Violations
1. Flagging, Reporting of Violations. Any testing anomalies identified by the live virtual proctor and flagged on the video at the time the event(s) occurred, and an incident report will be filed by Monitor EDU CIC Test Administrators will be notified that the report and the exam session video are available for review within 24-48 hours of testing.
2. Reviewing and Responding to Possible Violations. If after reviewing the incident report and exam session video, the Administrator determines the candidate’s actions were clearly not indicative of a violation of exam policy, no further action will be taken other than to log the incident and the findings, and to file the report under the candidate’s name and candidate ID number.
However, if the review questions remain, the CIC Test Administrator will forward the incident report and the video link to the Governing Council for further review. The Governing Council will review and make their determination, and the candidate will be notified of the Governing Council’s decision and any related consequences. Documentation detailing the violation, incident report, and the final disposition will be kept in the candidate’s file for future reference.
3. Consequences for Exam Policy Violations may result in corrective actions ranging from immediate correction by the virtual proctor to more serious consequences