Forklift Certification in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, factories, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other similar businesses can be busy places for forklift operators. There will be a continuous demand for certified operators to deliver, load and distribute heavy items to meet the production deadline.

If you are starting to look for a career in forklift driving in Oklahoma, then this article is greatly suited for you. Forklift certification is not just a basic document to show but it’s required under the law before you are allowed to operate heavy equipment in Oklahoma.

Absolute beginners may find the process of obtaining a forklift certification hard. Without proper knowledge then it could be very difficult. That’s why here we simplified it in this article. We prepared this guide in order for you to follow the simple steps.

But before you carry on, here are the topics you need to know first, READ these:

• Is Driving Forklift the Right Job for You
• Where Can You Go to Get Training You Needed
• What are the Requirements You Need For Taking the Training
• How Much Does It Cost to Get Certified Driving Forklifts
• How Long is the Duration of Forklift Training
• Is Online Training Right for You?
• I was Injured, Is My Employer Liable?

How to Apply for Forklift Certification

This tutorial is for novice operators who is intending to get hold of a forklift certification. We simplified the process.

1. Enroll in the forklift training course in a school. We’ve listed down the schools and training centers in Oklahoma that provide forklift operator training. See below.
   
   
2. Attend the formal training and practical training. At the formal training, you are required to attend the specified number of hours of classroom lectures. At the end of this part, all trainees will be given a written test to evaluate if they learned something from the course. Then the actual driving of the forklift truck follows. At this stage, the trainer will assign you to do sets of tasks like maneuvering, moving of items, stacking and de-stacking, pallet arrangement, pedestrian traffic monitoring, picking of material from the height, etc. You must perform well during this part as the trainer will evaluate your performance to become qualified to receive certification.
   
   
3. After the trainer had evaluated your written test and actual forklift driving demonstration and is satisfied with it, then he will issue you a forklift certification and license card.
   
   
4. The forklift certification is valid for three years.

The kind of training primarily depends on what type of forklift truck you’ll be operating. The training should be specific to the type of forklift you are intending to use.

When training is done on-site, the employer shall ascertain that the course comprises classroom lectures, practical forklift demonstration, and test or evaluation of the operator's performance in the training. The training shall be carried out by a professional trainer who has the competency, appropriate training, and expertise to educate forklift operators on-site.

I know passing the exams could be troublesome, READ these topics to aid you to pass the tests:

• Passing the Forklift Written Test
• Passing the Practical or Hands-on Test
• How to Become Forklift Certified?

Job Requirements of Certified Forklift Operator

These requirements may be asked from you by the prospective employer or by the training school/trainer. If you can accomplish these early during the training application, it would be more appropriate for you.

• Companies need forklift operators who have attained at least high school.
• Those who have GED certificates could also be qualified
• Business owners want to hire operators who already achieved forklift certification so that they don’t need to retrain them.
• It’s required that the applicant must be at least 18 years old or older, otherwise, you cannot be accepted for employment. You must show proof of identity indicating your age.
• Operators who have an employment history driving forklift trucks could be likely to get the job because of their prior knowledge.
• A driver’s license is not mandatory but preferred.

Forklift Training Schools in Oklahoma That Provide Certification

• Max Lift, Inc - 3535 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, Phone: 405-942-5438
• Medley Equipment Company - 4201 Will Rogers Pkwy, Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73108, Phone: (866) 734-6687, Fax: (405) 942-1748
• Crown Lift Trucks - 3401 South Purdue Avenue, Oklahoma City, Fax: 405-681-4513
• Deep South Equipment Co - 4610 South 101st East Ave, Tulsa, OK 74146, Phone (918) 270-4007
• SS Lift, LLC - 317 E Hill St, Oklahoma City, +1 405-605-5438
• Safetyskills- 519 NW 23rd Street, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, T. 405-463-6656
• United Rentals - 715 E MEMORIAL RD, OKLAHOMA CITY, 405-486-7293
• HEUBEL·SHAW Material Handling - 7344 East 38th Street, Tulsa, OK 74145, Phone: 918-665-9077
• Hugg & Hall Equipment Co - 5109 W 21st St, Tulsa, (918) 438-7800, FAX (918) 438-7802
• H&E Equipment Services - 10700 NW 4th St, Yukon, OK 73099, Toll Free: 866-GO-RENTAL, Local: 405-789-7368
  Moore Norman Technology Center - 4701 12th Avenue NW, Norman, (405) 801-5000
• Oklahoma Safety Council - 9810 E. 42nd St. S. Ste 205 Seminole Bldg., Tulsa, Phone: (918) 622-4771, Toll Free: (866) 622-4771
• All American Forklift - 2001 N. Moore Avenue, Moore, OK 73160, P:(405) 793-8600, F:(405) 793-1454
• Ahern Rentals - 4701 S Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, Phone: 405-745-6999 Fax: 405-745-3366
• Goodwill Tulsa - 2800 Southwest Blvd., Tulsa
• Southern Material Handling Company - 601 N. 41st Street E., Muskogee, OK 74403, Phone: (918) 683-0154, Fax: (918) 687-0421
• DARR Equipment Company – Serving Oklahoma City, Ardmore and Tulsa, 580-657-6337
• Max Lift Inc - 3535 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, (405) 942-5438
• Holly Material Handling and Equipment Inc. - 8180 East 46th Street, Tulsa,918-622-4466
• Oklahoma City Community College - 7777 South May Avenue, Oklahoma City, Phone: 405-682-1611
• Sunstate Equipment Company - 2001 North Moore Avenue, Oklahoma City, 405-345-6095
• Preferred Material Handling - 813 S.E. 84th Street, Oklahoma City, (405) 632-2800

Here are the relevant guides to help you, READ THROUGH these:

• How to Choose the Best Forklift Training School
• How to Save Money on Training (for Employer)
• When to Take Forklift Retraining or Refresher Course?
• Will the Company Train the Operators?

Annual Salary of a Certified Forklift Operator

A certified forklift operator employed in the state of Oklahoma can make as much as $38,183 per year on average. The employer can propose a higher salary if you can show proof of prior knowledge of driving many types of forklift trucks. In the neighboring state of Arkansas, the annual salary is lower than in Oklahoma. 

Based on the February 27, 2023 survey report of Salary.com, here are the cities of Oklahoma that give good salary for lift truck drivers:

For further information about how much forklift operator makes in other states/cities, READ this:

• Forklift Driver Salary by State and City

During your employment, if you exhibit your competency and skills for your job, you can be promoted to a higher position.

If you want on how to get promoted or hired as a forklift operator, READ these topics:

• How to Find a Job as Forklift Driver (even without experience)? 
• When to Shift to A New Job
• How to Love Your Job
• Is Forklift Driving What You Really Desire?
• Search Forklift Jobs Here

Who Implements the Rules About Licensing:

If you have concerns about matters related to forklift certification, wage and benefits standards, occupational health and safety, you can keep in touch with these agencies:

Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Oklahoma City Area Office
55 North Robinson - Suite 315
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102-9237
(405) 278-9560

Oklahoma Department of Labor
3017 N Stiles, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-6100, 888-269-5353
www.labor.ok.gov

Cities of OK

Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Enid, Stillwater, Muskogee, Bartlesville, Shawnee, Owasso, Ponca City, Ardmore, Duncan, Yukon, Del City, Bixby, Sapulpa, Altus, Bethany, Sand Springs, Claremore, McAlester, Mustang, Jenks, Ada, El Reno, Chickasha, Durant, Tahlequah, Miami, Okmulgee, Woodward, Elk City, Guymon, Choctaw, Weatherford, Glenpool, Guthrie, Warr Acres, Coweta, Pryor, Clinton, The Village, Sallisaw, Poteau, Wagoner, Cushing, Newcastle, Blanchard, Seminole, Skiatook, Catoosa, Blackwell, Idabel, Anadarko,  Grove, Noble, Tecumseh, Pauls Valley, Tuttle, Henryetta, Purcell, Holdenville, Vinita, Piedmont, Collinsville, Hugo, Perry, Watonga, Harrah, Lone Grove