If you don't want to believe me, then call Massachusetts Department of Public Safety and talk to them. There is about 2 people in the office, and they are a pain in the ass to deal with. So this is the last time and place I will try to help you. A 2A/1C test is $75, unless you fail or don't show up to your test, then my guess would be you must pay again, but I never failed so I couldn't tell you. That $75 also covers you for between 1 and 2 years of licensure, after that it is $60 every 2 years. Now follow my "Step by step instructions on how to get a monkey to pass the Mass Hydraulics license test"
Step 1: Get a DOT physical
You need a DOT medical card for your hydraulics license, as well as for driving commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Not all physicians do DOT physicals, so make sure yours does, or call around to find one who does. Print out DOT physical form. Bring form with you. Pass the physical and drug test. Pay doctor. Recieve DOT medical card.
Step 2: Study or go to 2A/1C prep course
Its up to you, study NIOSH and ANSI hand signals, 520CMR 6.00, and other info you can find, or if you can afford it, attend the Paterson school's 2A/1C prep class, this is the option I chose. I think it gives you an automatic pass as long as you read the book and study the prep questions right before your test.
Step 3: Get a photo
Go to CVS that does passports. Tell them you need a 1.00" x 1.25" photo for the hydraulics license application. They take your picture. They give you 6 copies, it costs about 50 cents.
Step 4: Fill out application
Fil in your info. Get to the box with all the classifications. Check the 1C box AND the 2A box if you want 2A/1C, if you only want the 1C, just check the 1C. YOU CAN CHECK MULTIPLE BOXES, I REPEAT YOU CAN CHECK MULTIPLE BOXES. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE TWO APPLICATIONS AND TWO APPLICATION FEES. SAME APPLICATION, NO MORE MONEY. Taken directly from the application, "* You will only be allowed to sit for the exam you indicate by the restrictions checked in this section *" NOTICE THE WORD RESTRICTION(S). THAT MEANS MULTIPLE RESTRICTION(S) NOT ONLY ONE. Now that that difficult section is out of the way, copy your drivers license, DOT medical card, insert your picture and your $75 check or money order, make sure everything is filled out and correct, and BAM your ready to mail it (with stamp affixed).
As far as experience, forget about it. IT DOESN'T MATTER, THEY DON'T CARE. It's not a job application, it's not going to weigh on your test. Forklifts only require a safety course because the do not have a "Telescoping boom", they have a mast which raises and lowers. If you do not hold a piece of crap card that says you were properly trained, then you would be in violation. Lulls on the other hand do telescope out, therefore requiring a hydraulics license.
Step 5: Mail the application
Any advice needed?
Step 6: Receive your test date in the mail.
It may take a month or two, but they should mail you your test date. The test is only once a month, but I would call them because when I went to update my 2A/1C to a 2A/1B, they never sent me the letter, they thought I mistakenly reapplied for the test when I only needed a renewal, because they were idiots and didn't look at my application.
Step 7: Take and pass the test
Study the prep questions in the parking lot before your test, that's what I did. If I still knew where they were, I would mail them to you, but I gave them away. Here are some links, right from the application:
All candidates for the examination should have a thorough knowledge of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 146, Sections 53 – 55 and
Sections 64 – 67 and the Massachusetts Regulations 520 CMR 6.00 for hoisting machinery. These regulations are printable from the Public
Safety website at:
http://www.mass.gov/dps. You may also obtain all of the above Laws and Regulation at your local library, and/or the
State House Bookstore at:
www.state.ma.us/sec/spr or (617) 727-2834 or in the Springfield area at: (413) 784-1376.
OTHER RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR STUDY MAY BE FOUND AT:
• Construction Safety Regulations: 29 CFR 1926 OSHA (website:
www.osha.gov)or 1-800-321-OSHA(6742)
• Dig Safe (website:
www.digsafe.com) or Tel: 1-888-dig-safe(344-7233)
• Owner’s Manuals and/or Safety Manuals (website:
http://www.aem.org or
www.jjkeller.com )
• Bob’s Rigging and Crane Handbook: Pellow Engineering Services, Inc. Owner: Don Pellow
406 West 50th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64112-2310 (Website)
www.donpellow.com
Phone/Fax: 816-931-4113 / Phone/Fax 1-877-473-5569 Toll free
• The Mobile Crane Manual: Construction Safety Association of Ontario, 21 Voyage Court South.,
Entobicoke, Ontario M9W 5M7 Canada (
www.csao.org) or Tel: (800) 781-2726
• Equipment Training Resources,
Step 8: Still confused?
Call Mass Department of Public Safety at Phone (617) 727-3200.