2.3 Temporary Permits, Continuing Education, Apprentices & Company Exemptions (230 CMR 6.03–6.07)
Key Takeaways
A temporary permit covers only rented compact hoisting machinery with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds and is valid for no more than 14 consecutive days (230 CMR 6.03).
The first temporary permit an applicant receives in a calendar year is valid for 28 days, and no person may receive more than one temporary permit in any 45-day period.
Each Class 1 renewal requires at least two classroom hours of approved continuing education: one regulatory and industry-standard hour and one equipment-specific hour (230 CMR 6.04).
An apprentice licensee must be at least 16, registered with the Division of Apprentice Standards and operate only under direct guidance of a licensed non-apprentice (230 CMR 6.01, 6.05).
Approved in-service training for 1A, 1B or 1C company licenses requires at least four classroom hours, and program approval lasts two years (230 CMR 6.07).
Temporary permits for rented compact machinery (230 CMR 6.03)
A homeowner or small contractor who rents a mini excavator for a weekend may get a temporary permit instead of a license, but only from an OPSI-approved short-term rental entity.
What the permit covers
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Compact hoisting machinery only: gross vehicle weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds, excluding Class 1, 3 and 4 machinery |
| Validity | No more than 14 consecutive days |
| First-of-year exception | In any calendar year, the first temporary permit issued to an applicant is valid for 28 days; later permits are valid for 14 days |
| Renewal | Never renewable (MGL c. 146 § 65A) |
| Frequency | No more than one temporary permit in any 45-day period (measured from expiration of the prior permit) |
| Applicant | 18 or older with a valid driver's license |
| Carry | The permit and the driver's license, on the person, while operating (MGL c. 146 § 54) |
| After 45 days | Renting again more than 45 days after a permit expires means completing the rental entity's training and exam again |
What the rental entity must do
- Obtain the Office's certificate of approval, posted visibly at the rental location, by submitting a training program (instructor list, syllabus for each equipment type, curriculum covering MGL c. 146, 230 CMR 6.00, 520 CMR 14.00, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, MGL c. 82 § 40, MGL c. 82A, MGL c. 164 § 76D and 220 CMR 99.00), the exams it will use and the make and model of the training equipment.
- Employ a short-term rental entity facilitator who holds a Massachusetts hoisting license of equal or greater grade than the rented machine. The facilitator signs each permit to confirm training and a passed exam. A replacement facilitator must be reported within 14 days, and no permits may be issued without one.
- Issue permits on the Office's form showing the holder's name and address, the rental entity, the facilitator's printed name and signature, the issue and expiration dates, a description of the machinery, and its make and model.
- Keep applications, exams and permit copies for three years, available to Inspectors.
- Fraudulent issuance can lead to proceedings under MGL c. 146 § 59 and immediate suspension or revocation of the entity's approval.
Continuing education (230 CMR 6.04)
Every licensee must complete approved CE before renewal, unless the Office has approved inactive status.
Minimum hours by class
| Class | Minimum per renewal | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) | 2 classroom hours | 1 hour regulatory and industry-standard training + 1 hour equipment-specific training |
| Class 2 (2A–2D) | 2 classroom hours | Same split |
| Class 3 (3A, 3B) | 2 classroom hours | Same split |
| Class 4 (4B–4G) | 2 hours | Same split |
Multiple classes: a licensee with more than one class completes only one regulatory hour plus the equipment-specific hour for each class held. A 1B and 2A holder therefore needs 1 regulatory hour + 1 Class 1 equipment hour + 1 Class 2 equipment hour = 3 hours. OPSI's renewal page asks for CE certificates for each restriction renewed, and CE cannot be applied to more than one renewal.
Class 1 curriculum topics (230 CMR 6.04(1)(b)6.a.iii): MGL c. 146; 230 CMR 6.00; 520 CMR 14.00 (Excavation and Trench Safety); OSHA 29 CFR 1926; OSHA 29 CFR 1910; ANSI B30; MGL c. 82 § 40 (Dig Safe); MGL c. 82A (trench safety); and MGL c. 164 § 76D (the underground damage-prevention system). The list doubles as a guide to what the state expects a crane operator to know.
Training facility rules
- Facilities apply to the Office with all curricula, training materials, certificates and an instructor list with Massachusetts license numbers. Instructor changes are reported within 14 days.
- Every course is monitored by a licensee of equal or greater grade, who signs each certificate and adds their license number.
- Certificates show the participant's name, address, email and license grade and number; the provider; the endorsing licensee's printed name, signature and license number; and the date. Authenticity is verified by embossing, electronic transfer, signature verification or numbered certificates.
- Attendance records are kept for three years. Falsified records or certificates are grounds for proceedings and can lead to immediate suspension or revocation.
Renewal timing, inactive status and military service
- Renewals keep the even-year or odd-year birthday pattern of the original expiration.
- A licensee who cannot complete CE may ask in writing for inactive status for up to one CE cycle. An inactive licensee may not operate. To return to active status, the licensee files a request with the renewal fee, a certificate of completion and the 6.02(6) documents.
- The Office may accept armed forces education, training or service completed within 24 months, with a Verification of Military Experience and Training form.
- A license not renewed is void and, after one year, requires re-examination (inactive licenses excepted). Active-duty licensees keep a valid license until release plus at least 90 days.
Apprentice licenses (230 CMR 6.05)
- Issued to a currently unlicensed person, 16 or older, who is registered as an apprentice at a training facility and shows proof of registration.
- The apprentice may operate only under the direct guidance of a duly licensed person who is not an apprentice, and must keep the apprentice license on their person while operating.
- No exam is required for an apprentice license.
- Valid for at most two years, then renewable with the 6.02 documents and proof of current apprentice registration. If not renewed, it becomes void, and after one year a new application is needed.
- Facilities that train only apprentices, and offer no CE, file an instructor list with license numbers.
Exempt companies and in-service training (230 CMR 6.06–6.07)
Who can be exempt
| Exemption | Key conditions |
|---|---|
| Public utility companies (truck-mounted cranes, derricks) | A licensed supervisory employee is designated the responsible person; an approved in-service program issues company licenses with photo, equipment list and the supervisor's signature |
| Companies working only on utility property or equipment | Meet the utility conditions, hold the utility's company licenses, or restore service at the utility's direction after an emergency, with notice to the Commissioner |
| Companies using lift trucks, forklifts, overhead cranes and authorized equipment only on their own property | A licensed supervisory employee is on site at all times of operation |
| Forklift-only exemption (consistent with 29 CFR 1910.178) | Operators are company employees, and the forklift is used exclusively on company property where the public has no access. Applies only to industrial lift trucks and forklifts |
| Manufacturer service technicians | Employed by the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, have completed the manufacturer's technician certification and can show proof |
| Public vocational high schools; DAS-recognized operating-engineer training facilities | A licensed supervising instructor is on site and designated the responsible person; in-service training for instructors |
In-service training minimums (230 CMR 6.07(4))
| Company license | Minimum classroom hours |
|---|---|
| 1A, 1B, 1C | 4 |
| 1D | 2 |
| 2A–2D | 4 |
| 3A | 4 |
| 4B–4G | 2 |
Programs must include classroom and practical components and be supervised by a licensee of equal or greater grade, who signs every company license. Company licenses show the holder's name, address and photo, the program provider, the endorsing licensee's signature and license number. Records are kept for three years. Program approval is valid for two years, and company licenses must be carried while operating and shown to an Inspector on request. A company license is valid only for hoisting machinery used on company property.
A contractor rents a 9,800-lb GVW compact excavator and gets their first temporary permit of the calendar year. Under 230 CMR 6.03, how long is that permit valid?
7 days
14 days
45 days
28 days
A licensee holds 1B and 2A restrictions. What is the minimum continuing education needed before renewal under 230 CMR 6.04?
Three classroom hours: one regulatory hour plus one equipment-specific hour for each class
Two classroom hours in total
Four classroom hours: two hours for each restriction
Eight hours of online training
Which statement about a Massachusetts hoisting apprentice license is correct?
The apprentice must be at least 18 and pass the written exam
The apprentice may operate alone once a licensed operator is somewhere on site
The apprentice must be at least 16, registered as an apprentice, and operate only under the direct guidance of a licensed person who is not an apprentice
The apprentice license never expires while the apprentice remains employed
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