Being certified forklift operator should be the first thing you need to do if you are interested in pursuing a career as an operator in the state of Idaho. OSHA required that all individuals must be certified to drive industrial vehicles. Operating forklifts usually involves loading, lifting and transporting of heavy materials, these activities post danger and risk to the operator and people around. Thus, a forklift operator must be trained and certified to drive the truck.
What to do if you’re still uncertified? Your employer must arrange training for you, it is their responsibility to provide the training.
But what if you’re new and don’t have the experience yet driving a forklift? Learn from this article and here’s what you need to know:
Ways to Get Forklift Certification
Just like any other states, Idaho is meeting the terms of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 obliging all forklift operators and workers intending to work in this state to get proper training before deploying to handle industrial forklift trucks.
There are four (4) choices an applicant can take to get certification:
Through online training course – some training providers can conduct training program online. Applicants who are enrolled in this type of course are given the lectures in their computers, lectures are interactive, quizzes can also be taken by applicants through installed computer software.
Through approved training schools and centers – an applicant must register for a certain training schedule provided by these schools. This type of training usually lasts for 2 days. This is the very effective way to get certified, as applicants have the opportunities to learn enough knowledge. List of training schools is listed below for reference.
Employers can hire qualified trainers to train operators - This is done at employer’s training facility or at the training schools the employer rented.
Through internal trainer – the employer’s trainer must have OSHA Train-the-Trainer course completed before he can give the training course to operators.
The forklift certification is specific to the type of machine the operator is driving. The operator cannot drive is he’s tasked to drive other types of machine, in this case, recertification is required and the operator must be given training specific to the type of machine he will be driving.
How Does the Forklift Certification Course Being Conducted?
An applicant must attend the formal training, this is the lecture part of the course where applicants learn the fundamentals of driving forklifts, safety awareness, operational procedures, load and balance calculation, OSHA rules and regulations, and elementary details about industrial machines.
At the end of the formal training, the applicant will be given the examination. The questionnaire will consist of 30 questions and students must correctly answer 70% of it. Depending on the standard and type of course, the passing rate may vary.
The second part of the course is the practical training or actual operation of the forklift. The applicants will drive the forklift in an environment and condition very much like in the busy workplace. The applicant will be graded by the trainer, an applicant must safely and intelligently operate the machine before he can receive his license card.
The the last stage is the evaluation. The trainer will evaluate the skills and knowledge acquired by the trainee from the formal education and practical training. A successful student will receive a certificate of training.
Pause for a break, before you continue reading this guide, I would like to you to spend some time browsing these topics, READ these:
- How to Become Forklift Certified
- Where Can You Go To getting Forklift Training
- Requirements You Need Before Taking the Forklift Training
- How Much Money Does It Cost You to Get Forklift Certification
- How Long Does It Take You to Finish the Forklift Certification Course
- Online Forklift Training - Is It Right for You
- Can You Get Employed in Other State Using Your Forklift Certification
- Can You Use Your Forklift Certification to Work with Another Company
If you are a company, who is planning to get forklift training for your forklift operators, READ these:
- Appoint Someone as Forklift Trainer to Deliver the Training to Save Money
- Is it Your Responsibility to Train the Forklift Operators
- What Should the Certification Course Be Composed of to Comply with OSHA Standard
- A worker is Injured at Work, Are You Liable?
- How to Renew Forklift Certification for the Drivers
Forklift Training Schools in Idaho
Training schools have adequate facilities and competent trainers to provide certification that surpass OSHA standards.
- North West Safety – 2817 Garrity Blvd, Nampa, ID 83687. (208) 921-0215
- Teamsters/AGC Training - Serves Idaho and WA, Toll: (888) 600-8297, Phone: (509) 545-8297,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - All-Purpose Crane Training - (888) 501-1355,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - OSHA Courses - 1150 North Curtis Road, Suite 201, Boise, Idaho 83706, (208) 321-2960
- Idaho AGC Education Center - 1649 W. Shoreline Drive Suite 100, Boise, Tel:208-344-2531
- Crown Equipment Corporation - 11605 W. Executive Drive, Boise, ID, Fax: 208-321-0510
- Raymond Handling Concepts - 743 W McGregor Ct. Suite 100, Boise, Idaho, Toll Free: 855-255-1379, Phone: 208-342-9216
- Dillon Toyota Lift - 3441 N., 25th E., Ste. 106, Idaho Falls, P:800.327.7741
- Safety Enterprise, Inc. - 600 E Watertower Ln # G, Meridian, Phone: +1 208-898-0830
- H&E Equipment Services - 7489 Federal Way, Boise, Toll Free: 866-GO-RENTAL, Local: 208-388-3323
- North Idaho College – Workforce Training and Community Education - 525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID 83854, P:(208) 769-3333
- College of Southern Idaho – Workforce Training Network - 315 Falls Ave., PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, Phone Local: (208) 733-9554, Toll-Free: (800) 680-0274
- College of Western Idaho - Nampa Campus Academic Building, 5500 E. Opportunity Dr. Nampa, ID, Phone: 208.562.3000
- IVES Training Group - Serves many states, 1-800-643-1144
- US Forklift Certification - Call: (866) 556-USFC (8732)
- CertifyMe.Net - 888-699-4800,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
When you take the training through these providers, it can cost around $50 to $250 depending on the length of the course and training program you required.
Who Can Be Certified to Become an Operator
- OSHA requires that all operators must be eighteen or older, otherwise, employers could become liable for hiring a minor.
- An operator or trainee must have a clean background or derogatory record.
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent certificate
- Must be in good shape because the training and actual work are physically challenging.
- Those who can communicate well in English. This is vital because communicating in the workplace is important to avoid accidents.
Forklift Operator Salary in Idaho
A certified warehouse forklift driver employed in Idaho can make an average of $38,403 per year. An operator can demand a higher wage if he has the experience and skills necessary for the job. In Washington, a neighboring state, the operator salary is significantly higher.
As of February 27, 2023, here are the cities and towns of Idaho with high paying salary for forklift operators according to Salary.com:
| $39,662 - Athol | $37,423 - Horseshoe Bend |
| $37,219 - Atlanta | $34,731 - Jerome |
| $36,723 - Basalt | $37,626 - Kuna |
| $37,829 - Boise | $38,707 - Macks Inn |
| $34,639 - Burley | $36,561 - Menan |
| $37,382 - Caldwell | $34,670 - Minidoka |
| $37,219 - Cambridge | $34,649 - Oakley |
| $36,768 - Challis | $37,260 - Placerville |
| $37,219 - Clayton | $34,690 - Preston |
| $34,690 - Conda | $36,520 - Ririe |
| $35,935 - Corral | $35,947 - Salmon |
| $35,896 - Dayton | $37,219 - Stanley |
| $37,666 - Eagle | $34,364 - Sun Valley |
| $41,204 - Fenn | $35,292 - Swanlake |
| $37,829 - Garden City | $36,926 - Ucon |
| $34,649 - Gooding | $34,711 - Wendell |
| $35,935 - Hill City | $40,530 - White Bird |
Idaho Department of Labor
317 W. Main St.
Boise, ID 83735-0001
(208) 332-3579
Cities of ID
Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Lewiston, Post Falls, Rexburg, Moscow, Eagle, Kuna, Ammon, Chubbuck, Hayden, Mountain Home, Blackfoot, Garden City, Jerome, Burley, Hailey, Sandpoint, Star, Rathdrum, Payette, Middleton, Emmett, Rupert, Weiser, Preston, Fruitland , Shelley, American Falls, Buhl, Rigby, Kimberly, Gooding, St. Anthony, Heyburn, Grangeville, McCall , Orofino, Salmon, Soda Springs, Wendell, Ketchum, Filer, Homedale, Bonners Ferry, Montpelier, Dalton Gardens, St. Maries, Bellevue, Spirit Lake, Parma, Kellogg, Iona, Malad City
