19 Oct 2026

Boom Lift Course in Singapore: What You Learn and How the Test Works

Short answer: To operate a boom lift at work in Singapore, you need to pass the WSQ Operate Boom Lift course. MOM lists it as the accredited course for employees who operate a boom lift. The course is 1 day: theory, a practical session, then a written test and a practical test. You must pass the written test before you can take the practical.

Who needs the boom lift course

Anyone who operates a boom lift at work. A boom lift is a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) whose platform sits on an arm that can reach up and out, over obstacles. MOM’s circular on MEWP safety states that operators must pass a MEWP course for the type of MEWP they operate, so a scissor lift course does not cover a boom lift. Our guide Scissor Lift and Boom Lift Training in Singapore: What MOM Requires explains MOM’s rules.

What you learn: the 3 parts of the course

Prepare for boom lift operations: choose a suitable boom lift, carry out pre-use checks, and check the ground, the route and the work area for hazards.
Carry out boom lift operations: raise, extend, slew and drive the boom lift safely, keep within the safe working load, and use the controls and safety devices correctly.
Post-operation: park and shut down the boom lift, carry out routine checks, and report any damage or defects.

The WSH Council’s technical notes for the course list the hazards it covers: overturning, entrapment, falls, collisions, and environmental hazards such as wind, thunderstorms and electrocution. They also cover what affects stability, such as wind, ground conditions, side forces and incorrect set-up, plus safety devices, controls, WSH legislation and personal protective equipment.

How the boom lift test works

Under the WSH Council’s technical notes for the course:

Written test first: a closed-book test of 30 questions in 45 minutes, with a pass mark of 80%.
Practical test second: 30 minutes operating the boom lift, marked Competent or Not Yet Competent. You can only take it after you pass the written test.
Safety comes first: ignoring safety instructions, hitting an object, mounting a kerb or any dangerous act means an immediate Not Yet Competent.
No resit without retraining: a learner who is not yet competent has to attend the course again before re-taking the assessment.

Learners who pass receive a WSQ Statement of Attainment. THT Academy also issues a course pass, valid for 5 years.

Lessons from a boom lift accident

In November 2020, a worker raising a boom lift platform was caught between the guardrail and a roof structure, and died. The WSH Council’s bulletin on the accident recommends, among other measures:

Only assign operators with the relevant certification, such as WSQ Operate Boom Lift and Perform Work at Height, who know the specific model’s controls and emergency lowering procedure.
Inspect the boom lift every day, including functional checks, and walk the route to spot uneven ground and overhead obstructions.
Do not lean over the guardrail while the platform is rising, and slow down when approaching overhead obstructions.
Use a ground guide in confined areas or where there are obstacles.
Keep a valid certificate from an Authorised Examiner for the boom lift.

MOM’s circular on the safe use of MEWPs also states that familiarisation training shall be given to the operator by a competent person who is trained and competent in that model of MEWP.

The boom lift course at THT Academy

Course: WSQ Operate Boom Lift (course code TGS-2022013297)
Duration: 1 day (9 hours: 6 hours of theory, 2 hours of practical and 1 hour of assessment), 8.00am to 6.00pm
Languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Bengali
Funding: English classes are eligible for SkillsFuture funding and SkillsFuture Credit for eligible learners. See the latest fee after funding on MySkillsFuture.
Learner rating: 5.0 on MySkillsFuture (October 2026)
Where: THT Academy, Woodlands Spectrum 1, 2 Woodlands Sector 1, #01-03, Singapore 738068

Fees and class dates are on the course page. Workers who also use scissor lifts can take WSQ Operate Scissor Lift. Booking for a group? Contact us at sales@thtc.com.sg or 6269 5269.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a course to operate a boom lift in Singapore?

Yes. MOM lists WSQ Operate Boom Lift as the accredited course for employees who operate a boom lift, and MOM’s circular states that MEWP operators must pass a course for the type of MEWP they operate.

How long is the boom lift course?

1 day (9 hours) at THT Academy, including the written and practical tests.

What is the pass mark for the boom lift written test?

80%. The WSH Council’s technical notes set a closed-book written test of 30 questions in 45 minutes, with an 80% pass mark.

Can I operate a scissor lift with a boom lift certificate?

No. Each type of mobile elevating work platform has its own course. For a scissor lift, take WSQ Operate Scissor Lift.

Which languages is the boom lift course taught in?

English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Bengali at THT Academy. Only English classes are eligible for SkillsFuture funding and SkillsFuture Credit.

How long is the boom lift course pass valid?

THT Academy issues a course pass valid for 5 years. You also receive a WSQ Statement of Attainment.