Forklift certification and training best practices guide, Equipment OSHA regulations advice

Forklift Certification vs. Forklift Training: What’s the Difference?

14 July 2025

What’s the Difference Between Forklift Training and Certification?

It’s tempting to treat forklift training and forklift certification as identical, and in some ways, they are two sides of the same coin. However, there are some critical differences between these two concepts that employers need to know about – and you’ll need both forklift training and forklift certification to be successful.

What exactly are these differences and how should you incorporate them into your training strategy?

What Is Forklift Training?

Forklift training is exactly what it sounds like: the process of learning how to safely and correctly operate a forklift. This step is educational. It involves teaching operators everything from basic equipment controls to safety procedures, load handling, hazard recognition, and best practices for avoiding accidents.

Most forklift training includes both classroom-style instruction, which might be in person or online, and hands-on practice. The classroom portion typically covers topics like OSHA regulations, load stability, operational hazards, and proper inspection procedures. The hands-on portion gives the trainee real-world experience using the equipment, navigating around obstacles, and practicing safe maneuvers.

Training can be delivered by third-party providers, vocational programs, or in-house by qualified trainers within a company. The goal is to ensure that the operator knows how to control the forklift safely and understands the principles of responsible operation.

What Is Forklift Certification?

Certification is the formal process that typically happens after training. It’s the proof that the trainee has not only completed instruction but has also been evaluated and deemed competent to operate a forklift safely in their specific workplace environment.

In the U.S., OSHA requires that forklift operators be certified, but OSHA itself doesn’t provide the certification. Instead, it’s the employer’s responsibility to certify that an employee has received proper training, passed an evaluation, and can safely operate the equipment on the job.

Certification is an acknowledgment that the operator has demonstrated their skills under the supervision of a qualified evaluator. It typically includes documentation with the operator’s name, the date of the training and evaluation, and the type of forklift the operator is certified to use.

The Key Difference: Training vs. Evaluation

At its core, the distinction comes down to this: training is the learning process; certification is the confirmation of competence.

Training prepares the operator by providing the knowledge and skills needed. Certification verifies that the operator has successfully demonstrated those skills and can apply them in the workplace.

Another way to think about it is like getting a driver’s license. You attend driving lessons to learn, which is analogous to training. Then you take a road test to prove your ability, which is analogous to certification.

Why This Difference Matters for Employers

It’s a common misconception that sending an employee to an external forklift class is enough to check the compliance box. While outside training programs are extremely valuable, they don’t, on their own, make someone OSHA-compliant.

The final step of certification must be tied to the specific workplace conditions where the forklift will be used. That means evaluating whether the operator can handle not only the machine itself but also the unique layout, hazards, and conditions of that job site.

Employers who overlook this responsibility could end up with liability issues if an accident occurs. In OSHA’s eyes, it’s not enough that an employee attended a class. They must also be evaluated onsite and certified as competent for that particular environment.

Why It Matters for Workers

If you’re an employee looking to operate forklifts, it’s important to understand that completing a training course doesn’t automatically make you certified everywhere.

Some forklift training schools issue certificates of completion, which show that you’ve learned the material. But your employer still has to complete the certification process by evaluating your hands-on skills within their specific worksite.

This means that even if you’ve operated forklifts for years at one company, a new job may still require you to go through certification again, because the layout, equipment type, and hazards may be different.

Certification Isn’t Forever

It’s also worth noting that forklift certification isn’t a lifetime credential. OSHA requires that operators be re-evaluated at least once every three years. Recertification may be needed sooner if the operator is involved in an accident, observed operating unsafely, or starts using a different type of forklift.

Ongoing training and occasional refresher courses are not only best practices; they’re necessary steps to stay compliant and maintain a safe workplace.

Conclusion

Forklift training and forklift certification go hand in hand, but they aren’t the same thing. Training equips operators with the knowledge and practical skills needed to use forklifts safely. Certification is the formal process that confirms they can apply those skills in their specific work environment. Both are essential if you want your workers to be safe, productive, and compliant with regulations.

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