• 85 questions

Hoisters 1A Practice Test

Our own questions on the Massachusetts 1A class, crane rules and hand signals, each answer naming its section.

A service truck crane used for vehicle repair is exempt from 230 CMR 6.00 below what capacity?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 25 questions, no time limit, 18 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Next step Next: Massachusetts hoisting lawNext: 2B loader/backhoe test

All 85 questions

What a 1A license covers 12

  • A 1A holder is asked to dig with a crawler excavator. Does the 1A list in 6.10(1)(b) reach it? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b) and 6.10(2)(b)
  • A service truck crane used for vehicle repair is exempt from 230 CMR 6.00 below what capacity? 230 CMR 6.01(2)
  • Besides friction clutch machines and derricks, which machinery does 6.10(1)(b) give to the 1A class by name? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b)
  • Class 1C covers hydraulic telescoping boom equipment. What does 6.10(1)(f) leave out of it? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(f)
  • Jib and other shop cranes are hoisting machinery under 6.01 when they can lift more than what? 230 CMR 6.01(2)
  • Section 6.10(1)(b) names the derricks a 1A covers. Which of these is on that list? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b)
  • What equipment defines class 1B, the class just below 1A? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(d)
  • What knowledge of signals must a 1A applicant display under 6.10(1)(a)? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(a)
  • What must a 1A applicant be able to read and comprehend, by 6.10(1)(a)? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(a)
  • Which machines does 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b) put first on the list a 1A operator may run? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b)
  • Which of these does 230 CMR 6.01 list as exempt because it has not historically been deemed hoisting machinery? 230 CMR 6.01(2)
  • Which other license classes are written into the 1A list in 6.10(1)(b)? 230 CMR 6.10(1)(b)
Show all 85 questions (73 more)

The examination and the license 9

  • An applicant fails the examination and wants to appeal the score. How long is there to make the written demand? 230 CMR 6.02(5)
  • How many continuing education hours does 6.04 require to renew a 1A, 1B or 1C license? 230 CMR 6.04(1)(b)
  • How often may a person apply for a license of one particular class? 230 CMR 6.02(3)(a); M.G.L. c. 146, § 57
  • On what ground may the Commissioner waive the examination under 6.02(3)(c)? 230 CMR 6.02(3)(c)
  • What does M.G.L. c. 146, § 54A set as the fine for operating in violation of the licensing sections? M.G.L. c. 146, § 54A
  • What is the lowest grade that passes the written hoisting examination? 230 CMR 6.02(3)(a)
  • When may an applicant be made to pass a practical examination as well as the written one? 230 CMR 6.02(3)(a)
  • Who administers the written examination for a hoisting license? 230 CMR 6.01(2) and 6.02(3)(a)
  • Who sits on the board of appeals that hears an appeal of a failing score? 230 CMR 6.02(5)

Crane and derrick rules 12

  • A boom crane's chart must show the safe load at the boom's maximum and minimum positions and at how many positions between? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(a)
  • A modified machine must keep at least what, compared with the equipment as first designed? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(d)
  • The rated capacities are in the cab only in electronic form, and a failure makes them unreadable. What must the operator do? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(a)
  • Under 6.09(1)(f), the operator shall not leave the machine while what is engaged? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(f)
  • Under whose supervision must a crane be erected or dismantled, by 6.09(1)(g)? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(g)
  • What does 6.09(1)(b) say about cable boom stops used by themselves? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(b)
  • What limit does 6.09(1)(k) set on wind speed for continued crane work? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(k)
  • When must a derrick's operator visually check guys, cable clamps and other rigging? 230 CMR 6.09(2)(a)
  • Where must a crane's load-rating plates or load charts be kept? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(a)
  • Who must design a tower crane's foundation? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(j)
  • Whose written approval do modifications to hoisting machinery need under 6.09(1)(d)? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(d)
  • With what Safety Factor must all parts of a crane and its supports be designed, built and maintained? 230 CMR 6.09(1)(h)

Operating procedures 8

  • Before running a machine with a rotating superstructure, what must be done about its swing radius? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • How must outriggers or stabilizers be used on a machine that has them? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • Power fails with a load in the air. What does 6.08 tell the operator to do? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • What does 6.08 say about the load moment indicator override key? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • What is the one exception 6.08 writes to the rule that no one works under a boom or a load hung from it? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • What would an operator need before working a machine beyond its rated capacity? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)
  • Where 230 CMR 6.08 and the cited OSHA standards conflict, which provision prevails? 230 CMR 6.08(1)
  • Whose signals does an operator respond to, outside an emergency? 230 CMR 6.08(2)(c)

Hoisting people on a platform 11

  • How is a personnel platform and its rigging proof tested before people ride it? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(f)
  • How level must a crane or derrick be before it hoists people? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(a)
  • The loaded personnel platform and its rigging may weigh at most what share of the crane's rated capacity for that radius and configuration? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(a)
  • May people be hoisted while the crane is traveling? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(i)
  • Rotation resistant rope is used to lift people. What minimum Safety Factor applies? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(a)
  • What does 6.09(6)(e) say about mousing a hook, that is, wrapping wire round it to cover the opening? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(e)
  • What minimum Safety Factor must wire rope used for lifting people have? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(a)
  • When is the trial lift of the unoccupied platform made? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(f)
  • When may a crane or derrick lift people at all, under 6.09(6)? 230 CMR 6.09(6)
  • Which device must a crane that hoists people carry, by 6.09(6)(b)? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(b)
  • With what minimum Safety Factor must a personnel platform itself be designed? 230 CMR 6.09(6)(c)

Crane hand signals 9

  • A signal person taps a fist on the head and then gives regular signals. What has been asked for? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • Arm extended, fingers closed, thumb pointing upward. Which signal is it? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • Arm extended, thumb pointing up, fingers flexing in and out. What is the operator to do? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • How does the EMERGENCY STOP signal differ from STOP in Appendix A? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • How is MOVE SLOWLY signaled? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • What does a signal person mean by clasping the hands in front of the body? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • Which hand signal in Appendix A means HOIST? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • Which signal asks for the whipline, the auxiliary hoist? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A
  • Which two-handed signal means EXTEND BOOM on a telescoping boom? 230 CMR 6.00, Appendix A

Federal crane rules (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) 20

  • A trial hoist shows the load is above what share of maximum rated capacity at the longest radius, so the operator must stop and verify its weight? 29 CFR 1926.1417(o)
  • A wire rope has touched an energized power line. What does 1926.1413 allow? 29 CFR 1926.1413(a)
  • Before crane work starts, the employer asks whether any part of the equipment, load line or load could come closer than what distance to a power line? 29 CFR 1926.1408(a)
  • For how long must the record of a monthly equipment inspection be kept? 29 CFR 1926.1412(e)
  • How many visible broken wires in a running wire rope make a Category II deficiency? 29 CFR 1926.1413(a)
  • How much rope must stay on the drum when the load or boom is at its lowest point? 29 CFR 1926.1417(t)
  • How must an employer treat a power line whose state has not been confirmed by the utility? 29 CFR 1926.1408(e)
  • In what order do the three elements of a voice signal come? 29 CFR 1926.1421(b)
  • In which case does 1926.1419 require a signal person? 29 CFR 1926.1419(a)
  • Only one person may signal a crane at a time. Which signal may anyone give on seeing a safety problem? 29 CFR 1926.1419(h), (j)
  • Signals come to the operator by radio. How must the operator receive them? 29 CFR 1926.1420(c)
  • Table A in 29 CFR 1926.1408 gives what minimum clearance for a line of up to 50 kV? 29 CFR 1926.1408, Table A
  • What does 1926.1417(q) forbid doing with the equipment? 29 CFR 1926.1417(q)
  • What ground does 1926.1402 require before equipment is assembled or used? 29 CFR 1926.1402(b)
  • What is the Table A minimum clearance for a line of over 200 kV up to 350 kV? 29 CFR 1926.1408, Table A
  • What loss of diameter makes a wire rope a Category II deficiency? 29 CFR 1926.1413(a)
  • What must be true of tag lines used where power line precautions apply? 29 CFR 1926.1408(b)
  • When must the operator test the brakes by lifting the load a few inches? 29 CFR 1926.1417(s)
  • Who begins the visual inspection of the equipment before each shift? 29 CFR 1926.1412(d)
  • Who makes the comprehensive inspection that falls due at least every 12 months? 29 CFR 1926.1412(f)

Incidents and reports 4

  • An incident has been reported to the Office's hotline. When is the written report due? 230 CMR 6.11(4)(a)
  • An incident with hoisting machinery causes a serious injury. Within what time must it be reported to the Office's incident hotline? 230 CMR 6.11(4)(a)
  • How much damage to property makes "Property Damage" under the definitions in 6.01? 230 CMR 6.01(2)
  • What may be done with the machinery at the site of a reported incident? 230 CMR 6.11(4)(b)

How this list was compiled: 230 CMR 6.00, Hoisting Machinery (Mass. Register 1561, dated 11/21/2025; previously codified as 520 CMR 6.00), the PDF copy published on mass.gov at https://www.mass.gov/regulations/230-CMR-600-hoisting-machinery; Massachusetts General Laws chapter 146, sections 53 to 54A and 57 to 67, on the Legislature's site, malegislature.gov; and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, Cranes and Derricks in Construction, sections 1926.1402 to 1926.1428, from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/part-1926/subpart-CC, in the version of 2026-10-08; all read 2026-10-12. The examination is described on the agency's page Education Requirements for Hoisting Engineer License, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/education-requirements-for-hoisting-engineer-license, opened 2026-10-12. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the public laws, rules and publications named as the source; nothing is copied from the real examination, a prep book or another practice test.

How it works

This unofficial hoisters 1A practice test asks 85 of our own questions on the Massachusetts 1A class, from 230 CMR 6.00 and the federal crane rules. It is not affiliated with the Office of Public Safety and Inspections.

Read the full guide

Why the federal crane rules are here

230 CMR 6.08 has hoisting machinery operated in compliance with OSHA's 29 CFR 1926, and the agency lists it as a further resource. Twenty questions come from its Subpart CC: power line clearances, inspections, wire rope and signals.

What is left out

Load chart arithmetic and the operating manuals the agency also names are not asked. The ANSI/ASME B30 standards the regulation adopts are privately published and were not used.

  • Keep four Safety Factors apart: two for the crane, five for a personnel platform, seven for its wire rope, ten for rotation resistant rope.
  • Table A starts at 10 feet for lines up to 50 kV. The rule first asks whether anything could come within 20 feet.
  • Older notes cite 520 CMR 6.00. The regulation is now 230 CMR 6.00, and the copy read here is dated November 21, 2025.

Questions and answers

Is there a hoisters 1A study guide from the state?

The agency publishes a page of what to review, not a guide: the General Laws, 230 CMR 6.00, the equipment's operating manuals and the hand signals in the regulation. The questions here are written from the laws and rules it names.

What should a 1A hoisting license study guide cover?

What the 1A reaches, the examination rule, the crane, derrick and personnel platform requirements of 230 CMR 6.09, the ASME crane hand signals in Appendix A, and the federal crane rules in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.

What can I operate with a 1A hoisting license?

Under 230 CMR 6.10: all friction clutch machines and all derricks, tower cranes included, lattice boom machinery, and everything in classes 1B, 1C, 1D and 4B through 4G. Class 2 excavating machines and class 3 are not on the list.

What score passes the Massachusetts hoisting exam?

230 CMR 6.02 sets a minimum grade of 70% on the written examination the Office of Public Safety and Inspections gives. The agency's pages give no question count or time limit.

Are these the state's exam questions?

No. Each was written for this page from the regulation, the General Laws or the Code of Federal Regulations. None is taken from the state examination, and the Office of Public Safety and Inspections did not write or review them.

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