The certification process is now a total mess as the Feds have stepped in. Used to the individual State managed it. Anyway you have to take an academic class on crane theory etc etc then pass a written exam. After that you need to “test” on the size and type equipment you use. And your rig needs to be certified. Again each State is different to a degree so Pa. may be a bit different but that is the short version. I am only good to 100 tons. The yellow rig in pictures is a 500 ton rig. It is just super cool.