Quick facts
| Where | Online in all 50 states, on a computer, tablet or phone |
|---|---|
| Price | $69 per operator; team seats from $49 ($35 at 50+ seats) |
| Hands-on part | Done by your employer at your workplace |
| Governing rule | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(l), operator training |
| Who certifies | The employer, after training and a hands-on evaluation |
| Re-evaluation | At least once every 3 years |
Why online forklift training works anywhere
OSHA describes forklift operator training as a combination of formal instruction (for example lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video or written material), practical training, and an evaluation of the operator in the workplace (1910.178(l)(2)(ii)). Formal instruction is the part that can be delivered online, so it is the same whether you are in Texas, Ohio or Alaska.
The practical part is about your truck and your site: your dock plates, your racking and your pedestrian traffic. That is why OSHA puts it at the workplace rather than at a training center. A local class can teach you on its forklift, but your employer still has to evaluate you on theirs.
What does the employer do on site?
After you pass the online final exam, a qualified person at your workplace watches you operate the truck you will use and completes the evaluation form we provide. 1910.178(l)(2)(iii) says training and evaluation must be done by persons with the knowledge, training and experience to train operators and evaluate their competence.
The employer then certifies the operator, recording the operator's name, the training date, the evaluation date and the identity of the person who performed the training or evaluation (1910.178(l)(6)).
What if I'm not working yet?
Many people take the formal instruction before applying for warehouse jobs, so they can show a certificate of completed training. Be upfront with employers: the hiring employer will still train you on their equipment and complete the hands-on evaluation before you operate independently. That is normal under OSHA's rule, not a sign that your training was incomplete.
Online vs. in-person forklift classes near you
In-person courses at a training center can be useful if you want seat time before you are hired. They usually cost more and run on a fixed schedule. Online formal instruction lets you start anytime and finish at your own pace. Either way, employer evaluation on your actual truck is required.
- Online: start anytime, English or Spanish, $69, certificate when you pass.
- In person: fixed schedule, travel, varies by provider.
- Both: employer completes the workplace evaluation.
State rules
Federal OSHA's 1910.178 applies in states under federal OSHA. States with their own OSHA-approved plans, such as California and Washington, must have rules that are at least as effective. Our state pages summarize each state's situation.
Start forklift training online
Self-paced forklift operator training for classes 1–6 is $69 per operator, with team pricing from $49 per seat at 50+ seats. Pay with just your email, sign in, and start in minutes.