In order to get heavy equipment operator certification, one must go to an accredited institution that offers training in the kind of heavy equipment, or the general family of heavy equipment, with which that the student hopes to work. Just as there are many different kinds of heavy equipment, there are also many different kinds of heavy equipment operator certification. As such, a student must decide what kind of equipment he wants to work with and then begin a program that will train him to operate exactly that kind of equipment. Alternatively, some students complete heavy equipment operator certification in order to increase the number of kinds of equipment that they are certified to operate. For example, a person who is certified to operate cranes might decide to go back to school in order to become certified to operator backhoes, excavators, bulldozers, and other kinds of heavy equipment.

Some schools that offer heavy equipment operator certification also offer certification in the operation of large scale vehicles. People who are interested in becoming truck drivers for either long haul or short haul routes can go to a school that offers heavy equipment operator certification and take courses that will allow them to get Class-A Commercial Driver Licenses, which are also sometimes simply called CDLs. This type of heavy equipment operator certification allows people to both operate cranes and drive trucks. In some cases, people with Class-A Commercial Driver Licenses drive mobile cranes or haul equipment to work sites.

People who are planning to get heavy equipment operator certification should consider a number of factors when choosing between schools. First, it is crucial to make sure that the school is fully accredited and that certification from the school will be accepted by employers in the industry. People who are already working in construction, demolition, transportation, and other fields that sometimes employ the use of heavy equipment operators might want to consult with their employers to find the best school for heavy equipment operator certification.

The second step is to find a school that is within a reasonable commuting distance of one's home. Although there are a number of programs, there are some areas where there may not be many schools that offer heavy equipment operator certification. For people living in these areas, it might be necessary to temporarily relocate in order to complete a program in heavy equipment operator certification.