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29 CFR 1910.178
Accepted Nationwide
50,000+ Workers Certified
Instant Certificate

Forklift Certification: Safety Training

What Is eTraining's Forklift Training and Certification Course?

100% Online
Self-Paced
Certificate Included
Mobile Friendly

eTraining’s Forklift Training and Certification course is a 100% online, OSHA-compliant training program developed directly from the OSHA Powered Industrial Trucks standard, 29 CFR 1910.178.

The course is designed for workers who operate powered industrial trucks, including forklifts, fork trucks, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial vehicles powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines.

Forklift-related incidents result in approximately 100 fatalities and tens of thousands of serious injuries each year, making proper operator training essential for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. This course provides comprehensive formal instruction on forklift safety, hazard recognition, vehicle operation, and operator responsibilities as required by OSHA.

The training covers all OSHA-required classroom topics, including forklift classifications, components, inspections, maintenance, controls and instrumentation, operating limitations, load handling, visibility, hazard identification, pedestrian safety, responsibilities, and OSHA inspection procedures.

The course is delivered entirely online, is fully self-paced, and includes narrated instruction, photos, video, interactivity, and knowledge checks to maximize retention. Upon successful completion of the final exam with a score of 70% or higher, participants receive a personalized forklift training certificate listing the OSHA standard covered.

Important: This course provides the formal instruction (classroom) portion of OSHA forklift certification. OSHA also requires employers to provide hands-on practical training and a workplace performance evaluation before an operator is fully certified. Forklift certification must be re-evaluated every 3 years or sooner if required by OSHA conditions.

 

$39.00
Per person • No subscription required
Enroll Now
Topics Covered
  • Forklift classifications
  • Components and inspections
  • Maintenance
  • Controls and instrumentation
  • Operating limitations
  • Load handling
  • Visibility
  • Hazard identification
  • Pedestrian safety
  • Operator responsibilities
  • OSHA inspection procedures
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee • No Hidden Fees
50K+
Workers Certified
4.9★
Average Rating
100%
OSHA Compliant
Course Information

Everything You Need to Know
About This Course

01

Course Details at a Glance

Key facts before you enroll.

02

Who Should Take This Course?

Find out if this training applies to you.

03

Industries That Require This Training

See which sectors depend on this training.

04

What's Included

Everything that comes with your enrollment.

05

Try It Free

5-minute interactive course preview.

Course Overview

Watch a 90-second overview of the Forklift Certification: Safety Training — no login required.

Course overview video not available.

Enroll Now — $39.00

Try It Free — 5-Minute Interactive Preview

Experience the first 5 minutes of the course right here. No account or payment required.

Interactive Course Preview

5-minute preview of Module 1 — Forklift Certification: Safety Training
No login or payment required

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What You Get When You Enroll

Everything included with your Forklift Certification: Safety Training training.

  • ✓Instant certificate of completionPrintable PDF, ready immediately after passing
  • ✓Mobile-friendly platformTrain on desktop, tablet, or smartphone
  • ✓Progress saved automaticallyStop and restart without losing your place
  • ✓30-day satisfaction guaranteeFull refund if you're not satisfied
Enroll Now — $39.00

Course Details at a Glance

Everything you need to know before enrolling in the Forklift Certification: Safety Training.

Detail
Information
OSHA Standard
29 CFR 1910.178
Course Duration
3 hours
Format
100% online, fully narrated with photos and interactivity
Passing Score
70% on final exam
Certificate
Personalized certificate, printable immediately upon passing
Languages
English and Spanish
Device Compatibility
Desktop, tablet, and smartphone
Accepted
Our courses meet federal standards, but state requirements may vary. Please verify before purchase.
Enroll Now — $39.00

Who Should Take the Forklift Certification: Safety Training?

Find out if this training applies to your role, your job site, or your employer's compliance requirements, and whether it matches the certification you need.

  • ✓Forklift operators (new and experienced) requiring OSHA-compliant training
  • ✓Warehouse and distribution center workers
  • ✓Manufacturing and production employees
  • ✓Construction site workers operating powered industrial trucks
  • ✓Dock workers and shipping/receiving personnel
  • ✓Retail and wholesale workers using forklifts in stockrooms
  • ✓Workers needing forklift recertification (required every 3 years)
  • ✓Employers fulfilling OSHA training requirements for their operators
Enroll Now — $39.00

Industries That Require Forklift Certification: Safety Training

Employers across a wide range of industries use this course to meet federal, state, and site-specific safety training requirements for their workforce.

  • ✓Warehousing and distribution centers
  • ✓Manufacturing plants and factories
  • ✓Construction sites
  • ✓Shipping ports and dock operations
  • ✓Retail and wholesale distribution
  • ✓Food and beverage storage facilities
  • ✓Lumber yards and building material suppliers
  • ✓Automotive and heavy equipment facilities
  • ✓Cold storage and refrigeration operations
Enroll Now — $39.00
Why eTraining

Better Training.
Better Outcomes.

Over 50,000 workers trained. Here's what makes us the trusted choice for OSHA compliance.

OSHA Citation Printed on Every Certificate
Every certificate shows OSHA citation — so your employer and site safety officer can verify compliance at a glance.
No Setup. No LMS. Train in Minutes.
Pay once, get instant access — no account setup, no app downloads, no IT required. Works on any browser.
Built for Field Workers, Not Classrooms
Content is grounded in real hazardous waste site operations — not recycled classroom slides. Scenarios reflect the work your crew actually does.
Trusted by Safety Managers & Contractors
Used by EHS managers, general contractors, and federal site supervisors to keep crews certified on time, every year.
Certificate of Completion Preview
Instant PDF
Print-Ready
Shareable
Need Group Training?
Business accounts save 20%+ for teams of 20 or more
Learn More
Student Reviews

What Our Students Are Saying

"
★★★★★

Course was well put together. I thought it was very helpful. Covered everything that was necessary. Very quick and easy. Thank you for the course.

JN
Jake N.
"
★★★★★

The course is of great help. It is amazing. I learned a lot and satisfied with the topics given. It is presented simply but understandable. Thank you.

JR
Jupiter R.
"
★★★★★

Great training, would recommend it to anyone. I'm on a job that needed this training fast, and E training is able to get me the Certificates and ID Card the same day.

CM
Christopher M.
"
★★★★★

The Forklift course was very informative! I ran a forklift for 6 years before I took this course and I still learned a lot of new things. I give this course 2 thumbs up!

DR
Dwight R.
"
★★★★★

Great course!!! It was so fun and easy!!! Is a very interesting course, I have learned a lot about forklifts. Now I can create a safer environment in my work zone. And reduce the possibility of committing accidents.

MR
Merlin R.
"
★★★★★

Very very good presentation.  Explains everything about safety, hazard, materials etc.  Better than ones i have attended in person the previous years.  Thumbs up on the questions they asked during the class category.

AC
Arturo C.
"
★★★★★

I found the course informational and very well detailed. I really appreciate the safety and fulcrum explanation not to discount the video of the overloaded converted forklift which proves that there is a safe way to operate at all times. Thank you much!

RB
Robert B.
"
★★★★★

The forklift course was very informative and I like the fact that it can be done without having to travel to a class.

AC
Alison Christie
"
★★★★★

Without your well designed forklift course, my certification would have been very difficult to obtain. Thank you for a job well done.

HO
Herberto Ochoa

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Forklift Certification: Safety Training.

Forklift certification training is OSHA-required training for all workers who operate powered industrial trucks. Under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178, employers must ensure operators receive formal instruction, practical hands-on training, and a performance evaluation before operating a forklift. eTraining’s course provides the formal instruction component.
eTraining’s online forklift certification course takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The course is self-paced, so you can pause and resume at any time on the same device. After completing the online portion, your employer must provide hands-on practical training and a performance evaluation before you are fully certified.
In the U.S., there is no government-issued forklift license. OSHA requires forklift operators to be certified by their employer through training and evaluation. The term “forklift license” is informal; the correct requirement is employer-issued forklift certification.
Yes, OSHA requires training for operators of powered industrial trucks, which includes electric pallet jacks. According to OSHA standards (specifically, 29 CFR 1910.178(l)), employers must ensure that each operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of training and evaluation. The training must cover both general principles of safe operation and the specific type of equipment the operator will use, in this case, electric pallet jacks. The training program must include a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace. Topics must cover vehicle operation, load handling, vehicle maintenance, and understanding the workplace environment where the electric pallet jack will be used. After initial training, operators must be evaluated at least once every three years, and refresher training is required in certain situations, such as the operator being involved in an accident or a near-miss incident, demonstrating unsafe operation, or when there are changes in the workplace or type of vehicle that affect operational safety. This ensures that electric pallet jack operators are always equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate these vehicles safely and efficiently.
Forklift certification under OSHA regulations is valid for 3 years from the date of the most recent evaluation. After 3 years, operators must undergo refresher training and a new performance evaluation. Recertification may also be required sooner if the operator is involved in an accident, observed operating unsafely, the workplace conditions change, or they are assigned a different type of forklift.
Yes. OSHA requires three components for complete forklift certification: (1) formal instruction (this online course), (2) practical hands-on training with demonstrations and exercises, and (3) an evaluation of the operator’s performance in the workplace. Steps 2 and 3 must be conducted by the employer or a qualified trainer at the work site.
There are several types of forklifts, each designed for specific tasks and environments. While the exact number can vary depending on how one categorizes them, here are nine common types: 1. Counterbalance Forklifts: The most common type, with forks at the front and a counterweight at the back to balance loads. 2. Reach Trucks: Designed for warehouse operations, these have two outer legs that distribute the load weight, with a reaching mechanism to extend into racking. 3. Pallet Jacks (Pallet Trucks): Manual or powered, these are used for moving pallets over short distances. 4. Order Pickers: Tailored for warehouse use, allowing the operator to be lifted with the forks to pick items from shelves. 5. Sideloaders: Ideal for handling long or awkward loads, these forklifts carry the load at the side. 6. Telehandlers (Telescopic Handler): With a boom and extendable arm, these are used for higher lifting and reaching capabilities, often in construction and agriculture. 7. Rough Terrain Forklifts: Designed for uneven surfaces with pneumatic tires, suitable for outdoor construction sites. 8. Electric Forklifts: Battery-powered and used indoors for their lack of emissions and reduced noise. 9. Stackers: Used in small warehouses or retail spaces for stacking and moving pallets. Each type is tailored to specific requirements, such as load capacity, maneuverability, and the ability to operate in different environments, from tight warehouse spaces to outdoor construction sites.
The most popular type of forklift is the counterbalance forklift. It is widely used across various industries due to its versatility and straightforward design. Counterbalance forklifts have forks at the front and a counterweight in the back, allowing them to lift and transport heavy loads directly in front of them. This design enables the operator to drive up to the load without the need for extended arms or other mechanisms, making it suitable for a wide range of lifting tasks.
Yes. eTraining’s Forklift Training and Certification course is developed directly from OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178 and covers all required formal instruction topics. The course meets OSHA, ANSI, and CSA standards for forklift operator training. Your certificate lists the specific OSHA standard covered.
You can complete the formal instruction portion of forklift certification entirely online through eTraining’s course. However, OSHA requires that your employer also provide hands-on practical training and conduct a performance evaluation at your workplace. Only after all three components are completed are you fully certified to operate a forklift.
OSHA requires a “competent person” be present on every job site where forklifts operate. A competent person is someone capable of identifying hazards, authorized to take corrective measures, and trained in forklift safety standards. eTraining offers a separate Forklift Safety for the Competent Person course for supervisors and designated competent persons.
According to industry data, the average forklift operator earns $15–$20 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $31,000 to $42,000 depending on location, industry, experience, and type of forklift operated. Certified operators with specialized skills (e.g., reach truck, order picker) often command higher wages.
Yes. eTraining offers the complete Forklift Training and Certification course in Spanish. The Spanish version covers the same content, is based on the same OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 standard, and provides the same personalized certificate upon completion.
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